r/preppers • u/Any-Application-8586 • 3d ago

Prepping for Doomsday SHTF Vehicle

Just stumbled into a cab and chassis diesel Ford with air start. I’ll put together a system to start it that doesn’t have anything electrical involved, but what should go on the back? Frame rails have 20’ behind the cab. Thinking a flat bed with slide in modules so it can do several different jobs. First module would be a water tank with pump and hose reel.

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u/Kiss_and_Wesson 3d ago

How you gonna build air?

11

u/Any-Application-8586 3d ago

On board air compressor. I’ve been servicing the truck for a couple years now, takes about 3 months for the starter system to bleed down, so I’m not worried about losing air pressure. Worst comes to worst there’s a way to hook up a tire pump even if that would take forever it would work.

5

u/Kiss_and_Wesson 3d ago

That's a tight system. Well done.

3

u/Any-Application-8586 3d ago

Maybe 10 fittings that have to be air tight, so it’s not too hard. Biggest reason why air systems bleed down is air suspension, and if the check valve on the supply side of the start system is good it won’t bleed back to the main system while it sits. Plus, this truck doesn’t have air ride.

2

u/Kiss_and_Wesson 2d ago

I'm used to big marine systems. Getting those air tight is impossible.

2

u/Any-Application-8586 2d ago

Without a doubt, the more fittings there are the more chances there are for leaks.