So any recommendations?

Have you personally converted a car to run on used vegetable oil?

Do you know of any EMP resistant (I know there's nothing totally EMP proof) vehicles that run on diesel?

The older mercedes cars with the mechanically injected diesel engines are some of the most popular with the WVO crowd.

I run some blended WVO in my 1992 dodge truck along with some homemade biodiesel and other concoctions. I have never had any issues. De-water everything completely before you put it in the tank. Change your filter more often and take a spare. Don't run high percentages of alternative fuels in the winter.

Any mechanically injected diesel engine should be pretty much EMP proof. You might have to find a work around to get the start to engage and the glow plugs or grid heater control system might not work. Depending on the type of vehicle you might also need to do something about the fuel solenoid to get fuel to the pump and/or shut it off. All the those things should work but the control system might be messed up. All could be manual controlled or bypassed.

If it has a manual transmission you could coast start it if you could find a large enough hill and the weather was warm enough you didn't need the heater circuits. Once a mechanically injected diesel engine is running is does't need ANY electricity to keep running......just don't stall it!

Running a vehicle 100% on pure WVO is more difficult than it sounds. Most people start and stop on diesel and only run the WVO on a fully warm engine.
Starting a cold engine on WVO is only really possible in very warm climates.

 

I don't think a CME induced EMP will be a problem for automotive electronics. It is quite a bit different than nuclear or electrically generated EMP.

As was stated, a non-electronic mechanically injected diesel engine with non-electronic transmission should be at very little risk of damage by even a major HEMP event. However, the glow plug circuit, and perhaps the glow plugs might need to be replaced, as would any support electrical/electronic items such as the fuel tank gauge circuit, head lights circuits, alternator, and so on.

Just my opinion.

 

I've done a little research and I know the Mercedes-Benz are popular for conversion, I just think they are so ugly. I like the 2000 Volkswagen Golf diesel edition but I think it must have too many electronics, since it's only13 years old. I haven't read anything about problems starting in cold climates, but I just started reading about WVO
, so that's definitely a topic I'll look into. Thanks for the tip.

 

Wouldnt any pre 1974 diesel do it?

 

EMP Resistent

I bought a 2 1/2 ton Deuce. It has a multi-fuel engine and will burn anything combustible. No electronics and as a 6x6 will tackle just about any terrain. To aide in creature comforts, I added A/C and air-assist steering. I bought a military 1 1/2 ton trailer with a S250 comm shelter I converted to a camper.

 

Find an Isuzu Pup from the early 80's with a 2.2L diesel motor. They get great mileage and run forever. I pulled the motor/tranny out of one and put it into a Suzuki Samurai.

 

On the topic of jump-starting, I was X/C skiing way up a logging road last winter. My first-gen Dodge/Cummins did bump start at -15C (about zero faranheit), but I think I was in 3rd gear, and the non-assisted steering was a bear. No pre-heating, just put it in neutral and let `er rip. It had spent the night at that temperature.

I had a good battery, so I didn't have to fool with the solenoids or anything, but I wanted to see if a cold bump start could be done.

It can, you just need a good long steep hill (call it a 6% incline and 500 yards - probably not that bad, but that is good enough to get it going). Harder than bump-starting the wife's jeep in the city parkade, but easier than walking 20 miles out to a major road in cold weather...

I would be interested to hear from anyone who did alter the (few, for early Cummins) electronics so that the big diesel would start manually. What's involved?

 

I have thought about this as well. I would imagine you would need quite the roll start to get such a high compression engine to start but an old 12V cummins with a 4 or 5 speed manual trans would be about ideal to me.

 

Bicycles and Horses.:thumb:

 

If you're one of the few to actually have a working vehicle after a scenario you're preparing for, then good luck holding on both it and your life.

I have a 40 year old diesel Benz that meets the criteria you're looking for:mechanical injection and fuel pumps, simple relays for the starter and glow plugs, etc. It's recently restored and in tip top shape...just put 400 miles on it this weekend as a matter of fact. But if I'm the only one in a 50 mile radius with a functioning ride, then it's staying in the garage and mysteriously developed "starting problems" just like everyone else.

Bicycles and horses, indeed. Blend in and don't draw attention to yourself.

 

horses are great as long as you understand the work involved. I wouldn't get them just for a just in case...

that said, I do have a pair and have used them post hurricane scenarios in the past.

 

I've thought a lot about this.

First of all, a CME, which is a "solar EMP" will not cause a problem with vehicles most likely.

Second of all, if you have a car that is biodiesel capable and EMP proof that is great. The problem though is when the EMP event happens you are going to be a MAJOR target. You are guaranteed to get attention from the bad guys. That being said, if I had a car like this I would be worried because a car can pretty much only drive on roads, atleast in my neck of the woods.

That being said, I would rather have a pick up truck that is commonly called a Technical. They most likely will have EMP proof engines, if not they can be converted. They can also run off biodiesel. Since you now have a vehicle that probably has four wheel drive and a good ground clearance, you can travel much easier and much safer. You still are going to be a huge target to bad guys, but with the capabilities of the truck you can evade and escape MUCH better. Not to mention the added features like being able to haul more cargo and etc.

Just my .02

 

I'd love to be able to afford a FJ-40 with a diesel conversion (they put Mercedes or VW engines in them). Or a BJ-70. Love those little suckers.

BJ70 pic