Because I’ve been thinking about SHTF preps lately I’m having to reconsider the SBC as a viable engine. Chances of finding one in a junk yard these days are pretty slim and admittedly the LS platform is far superior though problematic due to it’s electronics dependency. Most of those electronics are in place to deal with the MPFI. All not really necessary with WG unless you Hybrid. Crank trigger ignition can provide spark. I’m just not sure what else the ECM is absolutely necessary for. A junkyard replacement ECM is useless unless you can unlock it. I think Rob said he can with his HP tuning Software but he is probably the only one here that can do it himself. Since Marcus is building one truck out of two, and has two different ECM’s I’m curious about what his plans are if one of them dies. I’m putting this here because I doubt it is of interest to many.
My problem is one truck is OBD1 programming the other is obd2. But in my mind for shtf application I still have manual transmission manual trans case manual hubs on Dana axles. Simple simple simple, of v10 goes down any other carbureted V8 from dodge will bolt in, just need the flywheel clutch and starter and truck will be back on the road. Few days in the driveway to be back up and running. In time I will have a spare ecm unlocked for the V10, and maybe a spare ls laying around ready for woodgas use. Time and money for those projects, but if it comes down to shtf times I won’t be much worried about money stopping me. Stepdad we now live with has a good running sbc in his square body Chevy that I could swap the woodgas system on very quickly for another truck. The trick will be his diesel Kubota tractor for farming needs, very new I don’t think it would like eating motor oil black diesel for very long. Another project down the road is some sort of tractor
These are more theoretical questions for me since I really don’t go anywhere now. About 80 miles a month actually. I do have a Dodge with a 360, MPFI but it’s a 2000 and still has a distributor and single coil. Same engine as the 318’s everyone here is so fond of. Undoubtedly a better SHTF vehicle than my Chevy. Once infrastructure breaks down people won’t be out running the roads anyway except back roads. If I were planning for such an event I would get some spools for my axles to have on hand. No need for lockers if you aren’t driving hard surface roads anyway. Tractor? Build something like a Unimog. Sorry about drifting your thread.
All fine Tom! I don’t mind indulging a wandering mind, specially when the path taken is one my mind wanders down as well
Piggy backing onto Marcus’s experiences TomH, I specifically bought new my Suzuki Samurai back in early1987. Was one of the very last carbureted vehicles sold new into the USofA.
A for gosh real go anywhere s.h.t.f. vehicle. True 4x4. 5-speed MT. Manual lock in front hubs.
1987 and we were still in the ramped up Star Wars US initiatives and waiting for a failing system Soviet response. All those last chance to use Nukes.
Back then as an 80-100 hours a week working small business owner I had no time for fiddling around. Was tied into living in bi-annual tail-pipe emissions testing areas.
Once I learned the hard way to plus-1 the tires from 70 series to 75 series BF Goodrich’s I actually could and did go everywere all my hunting buddies could, and even more.
Stump or snow high centered easy to solo rock it off; or dig it out.
Four guys (complaining); or two guys and three kids hauled often. Elk halved hauled 1/2 on top, half inside hauled. One deer. two deer, even once three deer hauled out.
Once the Wife and I, two big dogs AND a wood stove hauled.
But; the very Big BUTT . . . that thing almost killed me many times highway driving. Any panic stopping would put that short wheelbased into a spin. Closed knuckle restricted steering and I had to learn to take it all of the way 360 and catch it on the come around. Not for the faint of heart. Not for the unlucky.
So I learned well. Screw the dedicated Doomers purpose vehicles. The rare obscere “better-Bests”. Take your roads capable vehicle and just mildly enhance it. Have a very common generic vehicle to if-ever have all of the wonderful out-of-fuel doner parts vehicles.
OBD 1 electronics are all swap-in plug-in and play. Early ODB II’s the same.
Yeah. EPM’s will wipe some. Not all. Never all. Those multilevel concreate parking structures will be the finding places.
It WILL be about the engine fuels.
Ha! Woodgas strong armed (more gunned) you need to convince them to take YOU, the Operator too if they want to roll with your rig. Bide your time. Until their sleepy time. Drunk and stupid time. Be willing. Practice. Then theirs will become yours; when you take yours back.
S.U.
I have had 2 samurais, still planning on a third. Next will be our outside the USA counterparts extended wheelbase. Then tin top body converted to 4 door family friendly, whatever bed space available behind, yes old school bfg all terrain tires best road milage I have gotten out of all terrain tires with good fuel milage and little road noise and good off road performance. Then Vw 1.9 tdi on alternative diesels. My shtf go anywhere rig. Also a dream build of maximum off road fuel milage hunting rig made more stable then my previous samurais which are yes tip over flip flop happy, made worse by shackle forward front leaf spring suspension reactive jumpiness. Planned for shackle reversal and Toyota axle width change for even more stability. Way off track of my v10 tow/haul rig, but the wrenches never stop spinning in my head and ideas always flowing. Stock just isn’t good enough. Old saying I have heard many times here in Pacific Northwest “the mountains are calling, and I must go”
I just enjoy doing it in a 4wd vehicle. Can’t take a long wheelbase dodge in places a Suzuki can fit. Dodge will need a extended line winch for big game recovery. Samurai drive down the brush road skidder trails and boondock right on to the kill sight
I’ll be lucky to get one more vehicle built. Money and energy, but just like Marcus, the ideas cannot be blocked. I had one Jeep Wrangler. 1990. Maybe the most unimpressive vehicle I’ve ever owned. I know a lot of people think they are great. Maybe for rock crawling but in mud or deep snow any of my work trucks would make them look bad. For hill climbs my 65 chevy mud truck ate just about everything except for one IH truck with a frame stretched out about four extra feet. The power company in this area used these old Dodge power wagon station wagons right up to the early nineties to maintain their out in the wilds lines.
Those are such a good looking rig 
There is one of those power wagons parked in a yard not far from here… no paint left on it. Looks solid though… i see potential. It appeals to me for some reason, but have never stopped and inquired on it.
Good morning Marcus .
Not that it makes much difference but was you aware the beds on the dodge rams ( 90 years ) are NOT parallel . The front of the bed is just a little wider .
I learned the hard way of building a welded parallel cooling rack . 
Did you add that picture or am I finally getting dementia? I liked the post but don’t remember the photo. Anyway I’d love to get my hands on that thing. Would have to build the gasifier at the back doors. That would be a challenge. I’d be up for it. Where there’s a will there’s a way.
Yep and as the years changed each truck got a different taper so as to have a specific canopy, tonneau cover, toolbox, head ache rack and so on. Cornering the industry for more money. Actually one of the reasons I wanted to do a flatbed for the new truck
Tom scroll back up to that post he edited the picture into it
Lol, i added it. I drove by later that day and snapped a pic as i went by.
Your getting a nice start on your V10 project, On my 99 dakota i plan on building a light aluminum tool crib or cabinet around my barrels, with air ducking up from the bottom and vents around the back. Two big swing open doors for easy maintaining. with hing back lid posibly. If the outer barrels are insulated, it should be plenty cool around the cabinent. THATS what i am working towards any way. On your cooling rail clean outs, you could use like about 1-1/4 or 1-1/2 pipe caps instead, or either way will work.
I thought about doing pipe caps, but figured the bolts would blend in better to the bed, slap a little paint across it and won’t notice it
Either way sounds good enough, Though i like your pipe plate idea is keen and more less noticable. I thought about makeing piece of medium heavy tin or aluminum around my pipe clean outs on end of my cooling racks ,ounce i get it back together on my other truck the dakota. Caint wait the hear your V10 running on a cleaner fuel, than petro. God Bless.
Marcus, snug fit. When I watch your video I start to worry if you forget to take in consideration the space needed for the cooling rail tree behind the cab? I suspect you have other route plans for the cooler though.