Vehicles I'd love to have, but am not permitted to buy...

The new Jimny, Niva or Uaz? Which one does better on Off-road? - YouTube

UAZ, just the thing for AK. Saw these working while on a gig in Russia.

 

I have always liked the Mercedes UniMog.

While serving as an MP in Italy, we had a couple of them. They were articulated and setup as armored personnel carriers, our department modified them for use as a mobile command post.

 

I grew fond of the Tatra 8x8 trucks...nothing like a V-12 air-cooled diesel to push you across the sand

I guess someone else liked them as well, since the two I used made their way back to LeJeune.

 

Given the $$$, I'd choose one of the 80's pre-Hummer Army vehicles, commonly known as CUCV's (commercial utility cargo vehicle), by the military. They came in a variety of flavors, but all of them were powered by a GM 6.2L diesel (non-turbocharged), bolted to a 3-speed automatic transmission. DRUM brakes all around (at least on the models I've driven), and leaf springs all around, too! Max speed on the road was ~55 mph (all engine RPM, after about 30 mph), but with a proper set of tires, they'd go thru just about anything you'd throw at them.
I've seen where some folks have swapped out the 3-speed auto tranny, for a 4-speed with overdrive, and said they'd do 70 mph all day long, after that swap. Also seen where some have bolted a turbo onto the diesel, but I'm of the opinion that that's more work than what you'd gain in output, for the type of work this truck was designed for.
The M-1008 was the basic pickup truck version, usually set up with fold-down benches along the sides of the bed, for troop carrying. The M-1028 looked identical, but had heavier duty running gear, and could occasionally be found in a dually set up. The M-1031 swapped out the standard pickup bed for a maintenance box bed, and the M-1010 was set up as an ambulance, with a lightweight aluminum box bolted onto the frame, utilizing a heater that burned diesel, and an air conditioner above the cab, that ran off the 24 volt electrical system they all had. These because popular for the ability to turn them into 4WD campers.
The only other CUCV built, was the Chevy Blazer version, the M-1009, complete with the removable roof, behind the front seats. Any of of the CUCV models would make a terrific off road beast. Unfortunately, being built in the 80's, they're becoming rare.....and when you find one, they tend to either be in piss poor shape, or if kept up, the owner wants a pretty penny for them.


M-1008/M-1028
M-1009
M-1010

 

Agree, and the M-1008 was about the last thing you can still work on as well as it was built in 1980's. 1983 design, Detroit non emission diesel, 12 volt and 24 volt electric , with most of truck standard 12 volt. Low top end, but with the extra ground clearance, safer that way. A great step up from the older Dodge Power Wagon version that proceeded it. I still prefer them as that is what I drove and admit now, flipped on its side also. It, with its high tires, was just a little unstable.


In my mind it is an excellent survival vehicle. Of course except for the dual alternators and clearance, nearly all the vehicles made in that same pre s*** emissions period are also good long term survival tools. Standard mechanical diesels without superchargers and emissions limitations maxed out in mid 1980's. After that came the limitations that added all the complexities that require both special parts and a lots of electronics.

 

Some of those lil beep beep cars/trucks are pretty spiffy !

 

Those were pretty ragged out by 1990. Kinda like old 3rd tier farm and ranch trucks.

 

I'm a sucker for Old Power Wagons, having rebuilt/resto modded a few now, I sold my 46 WC-30 1 ton and ended up missing it far too much so I bought another, a 52 WC-27 1 ton and am finishing up the last bits of a resto mod! She runs and is almost drivable, still gotta finish up the new wheels and then install the 40 inch tires I scored two years ago right after Micky Thompson told me they were nt going to be making any more of that model, so I grabbed a full set of 8 of them, 4 for this rig, and the other four for the 42 WC-21 Half Cab Truck, which keeps getting pushed to the back of the shop, Dammit! Some day, I'll get around to finishing the ol' girl, then it will be amazing!

Don't care what truck you wanna compare, NONE can stand up to these Ol Dodge trucks, Nothing! They were never fast, loud as hell, SLOW, and uncomfortable, but DAMN< are they tough, and reliable, and they are still around all these years later!

I think this one might be my fav now, sure improved on what was already perfection, and all I really did was swap in a 4 banger Cummins and Slush Box, power steering and power brakes, otherwise, she is all mostly stock!

 

I have a dream
Just a tad jealous down here.

 

They don’t allow you to have any of the diesel 70 Series (series not year) Landcruisers in the US as I understand it. That is a loss.

 

Big time loss! Any of the Land Cruisers in a diesel would have done YUGELY well! There were a hand full of mid 70's FJ-40/45 sold here with Diesels, but they were restricted and not very popular. Fortunately, once a car/truck is more then 25 years old, we can import one for personal use, which is how we get all the good Unimogs, G Wagons, and Diesel Land Rovers!

Buddy of mine specializes in importing the Landcruisers, most come ether from the Philippines or Australia, and he then converts them to left hand drive and standard U.S. instruments, he gets YUGE bucks for them, especially the FJ-45 and FJ-40 wagons!

 

Army models, yes. But a lot of them ended up going to other agencies, as the Army picked up new Humvees. Fire service vehicles, and the like. Occasionally, you'll find one at a government auction, but as you said, totally ragged out (maybe good for parts, or the frame & body panels).
Privately owned would be the way to go, these days, as they would have been taken care of, by the previous owner. Unfortunately, those come with the high $$$ price.

 

And they all used the exact same key in the ignition and door locks.

 

Actually there were two different keys...but still

 

The powerwagon's are cool. Not too sure about your turqoise paint cover though. I like the Bowler model 4x's. Fully ruggedized and fast. I remember this guy with a hummer pull in to the pumps back in the 80's. I asked him how much and he said he spent ~120K. Unimog for sure. Hell I'd even move to Russia for a uni. Other than that I'd go Diesel Bros, but make it as efficient as possible. Throw in a custom offroad bike by Paul Teutul Jr. and I'm good.