Posted on 02/12/2019 10:56:12 PM PST by Windflier
This is the ultimate in a bug out vehicle.
Do you need the ultimate in a hardened survival escape vehicle? Operating under the assumption that demand fulfills the need, US Specialty Vehicles (USSV) out of Rancho Cucamonga, California is manufacturing (or more specifically retrofitting) vehicles into a line of rugged road trucks for the ultimate survivalist. And that includes rebuffing urban disorder and other disasters.
One of their primary vehicle models is the Rhino GX. At first glance this truck has appearances of a combination of a militarized Hummer and a Cadillac Escalade. Its matte finish exterior metal and characteristics speaks to a hardened ride ready for rough treatment and tough situations.
The Rhino GX is a basic four-door truck version with heavy duty fender extensions, step up ramps, multiple grab handles, light kits, heavy bumper, and tow hook connections. The interior is decked out to suit the buyer with deluxe everything including leather and wood veneer trims. Seating can accommodate 5-7 passengers. The unit includes a premium entertainment system with an Alpine 24-Bit DAC and optical digital output sound system. There is a SmartNav 5 navigation system displayed in the rear view mirror.
The Rhino GX utilizes a Smart Key system that allows the vehicle to be accessed via a push button on the door handle. This system uses an engine start and stop button on the dash. This new technology increases vehicle and user safety.
Engine options include a 6.7 Liter, V8, diesel, or a 6.8 Liter, V10, gasoline engine. The transmission is fully automatic and the drive wheels are 4×4. Custom wheels include 38 inch Toyo Open Country M/T tires mounted on 20-inch one piece forged aluminum wheels with a distinctive black/silver finish.
I am a master diesel mechanic by trade and currently own a shop. “Old diesels” yes, new diesels not all of them. Many do now have computerized engine management systems just like gas engines do. That’s how they are getting 8 MPG in the new semi trucks loaded at 80k pounds at 75 MPH. But with some minimal mechanical refitting including the starting circuit any diesel could be made to run. :)
“Escape Pod” Ahoy!
Incorrect, Diesel engines for about the last 20-25 years have electronic control modules.
Mine starts with a computer, runs with computer, transmission shifts gears with its own chip, lights and door locks.....
I'll post the link to your FR story on this: Get yourself a 30-footer and go
No armor? I guess you could duct tape a bunch of phone books to it.
L
My information is incorrect. Sorry—not intentionally misleading.
Thanks for the correction.
Would love to spend a day hip deep in a big truck engine.
No problem, just didn’t want someone to have the wrong idea.
You are not as incorrect as Openurmind though. To state that it would take minamil effort to “refit” a modern diesel to run on mechanical fuel management is not even in the same zip code as reality.
It’s one of those “fun” professions, especially the big yellow iron equipment. Big Tonka Toys. lol
Phone books? Man your old.
Some folks say a motorcycle is the best way to go........
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Until some yahoo decides to string wire across the road about neck high.
No Vermont is fine. He is basically right if someone has some mechanical knowledge of diesels. The basic engine and mechanical high pressure fuel pump system is almost as basic as they always were. If you can get fuel to it, even if by gravity, and have a starter to turn it over it will start and run as usual.
Fuel, Air, Compression, and it will run.
The only thing is you have to make sure you get electricity to the fuel cutoff solenoid. And even it can be rigged mechanically as open by default, but you would have to have a standard transmission and dump the clutch to kill the engine when you want to.
The only main issues would be any emissions control like EGR systems and if they have variable dynamic turbo chargers which both require engine management control. But these can be locked static mechanically with slight alterations and the engine will run even better without them functional.
So basically you can route (hotwire) around the whole vehicles system as long as you can get direct juice to the starter and fuel solenoid the engine will run. :)
I’m in the same zip code. You are talking to someone who can monitor a big truck engine management system by satellite anywhere in the states while they are loaded going down the road from my laptop. It’s what I do for a living, and what I was born into. :)
You are giving misinformation to fellow FReepers.
No pickup truck has had mechanical fuel systems in twenty+ years, the last being the Dodge in 1996.
Detroit Diesel, Cummins, Volvo, International and Caterpillar In trucks have been ECM controlled for 30 years. The engine will not run without an ECM or ECU.
Every single engine you are monitoring from your laptop is ECM or ECU controlled.
You would have to go back to a 3406B (1989) in Cat, a 855 (1988) Cummins, DT 530, DT 466, DT 360 (1996) in International, 8V92 (1987) in a Detroit and so on to get to a mechanical engine similar to what you have described.
I am not looking for a stupid internet pissing contest I just want FReepers to be properly informed.
I have diagnosed and remanufactured Diesel engines for 30 years, from 3500 series Caterpillars to B Series Cummins.
I stand corrected about referring to “all” pumps. That’s why I initially stated that the new engines are indeed computerized like gas engines. Actually you are right about the newer EDC injection pumps. They are completely dependent on engine management to handle the injection pump. And of course the trucks I am tracking have an ECM or ECU, couldn’t do this without one.
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