Search and Rescue

[SierraCanine]

What's up fellow members. I couldn't find any information on this topic from this site after searching every parent forum/posts.

I recently joined my county's SAR team http://comspark.com/esarc/ and was wondering if any one has any thoughts on running a 4x4 as a dedicated rescue vehicle.

I'll have to admit I have been leaning towards the cj7 since it resembles an older Daihatsu Rocky my dad used to have. Also as part of the area the team is responsible for is the famed Rubicon Trail. I would love to run a Ranger but it would need major modifications to meet my needs:

• 20+ mpg
• enough gear, food and fuel for a team of four for three days
• min 35" all-terrains
• and lastly a killer, blaze orange, paint scheme that will be devolved based on the final outlay of the vehicle

Any thoughts?

 

[PanamaExpat]

Here in Panama they run long wheelbase type 2 LandCruisers or Ford F250 and F350 4X4s.

 

[FritzTKatt]

Ranger... I'd say it's a hell of a lot easier to do that whole "hauling s*** into the wilds" thing with a pickup.

Just searching, a smaller vehicle would do much better. But that rescue part, not so much. Ranger is the likely the best of both. Put a 6" long-arm lift on there and skid-plate a dual tank setup. Even better, fab up a new tank that will fit better and hold more. You can do it.

 

[4.0B2]

this says it all IMO.
http://midsouthjeeps.com/forum/index.php?/topic/14727-the-rescue-jeep/

I've seen this jeep in person, it's amazing. Spyder Offroad in Horn Lake did an awesome job. (pay no attention to Shane's username now, he's started his own shop recently, but this build was Spyder Offroad).

Only problem is the 20+ MPGs.. for that... I'd almost say Diesel Swap it like a different jeep build that Spyder just finished.

(btw, I'm not trying to promote Spyder Offroad, Not trying to say use them... I just know the owner and with the S&R theme it made me think of this build).

if you only wanna look at one post with the pics, here's the link
http://midsouthjeeps.com/forum/inde...e-rescue-jeep/page__view__findpost__p__332943

 

[daniel3507]

I feel like it would be hard to get all the gear you need in a Jeep.

 

[4x4junkie]

I would think 4 guys & gear (depending how much gear) could be done in a 4-door Wrangler. Something I'm almost positive on though is 4 guys are not gonna fit very comfortably in a Ranger cab lol.

If you're looking to stick with Ford, you might think about a 1st-gen Explorer for this instead of the Ranger. You'd have at least as much room in an Ex as the 4-dr Wrangler, if not more, and you'd also get the better 31-spline 8.8" rearend that doesn't come in most other RBVs.
Meeting the 20+ MPG goal w/35" tires requires some pretty specific equipment (among it a manual transmission, radial tires and of course proper gearing for those tires), however it can be done.

I suggest digging around the site a bit deeper, as info to build what you're proposing is here (if not specifically info for a S&R truck, certainly info to beef these rigs up for use on trails like Rubicon & others).
Maybe take a look at what others have done for ideas. The mods I have on my Bronco II I suspect could come pretty close to meeting your needs if you were to do the same on an Explorer (link below in sig).

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I would just help out and see what they are using and how it works and go from there.

 

[UpStandingMember]

Not sure what the fuel mileage would be, but I'd get one of these.

http://www.oshkoshdefense.com/

I know there's a bunch of them in Afghanistan.

 

[85broncduece]

The baja is a wicked truck I used to build the charge air cooler/radiator combo for those for those. all aluminum unit. It compeeted in the baja 1000 a couple years ago. Dont know how it did though, i did hear it finished

 

[killj0y]

Ranger... I'd say it's a hell of a lot easier to do that whole "hauling s*** into the wilds" thing with a pickup.

Just searching, a smaller vehicle would do much better. But that rescue part, not so much. Ranger is the likely the best of both. Put a 6" long-arm lift on there and skid-plate a dual tank setup. Even better, fab up a new tank that will fit better and hold more. You can do it.

Maybe lift, better axles, bigger tank, regear, and beefed up recovery points/winch. Maybe some lockers, a 4.0 goes without saying

 

[PanamaExpat]

Not sure what the fuel mileage would be, but I'd get one of these.

http://www.oshkoshdefense.com/

I know there's a bunch of them in Afghanistan.

Yeah... the problem with military vehicles is they are rated in GPM instead of MPG.

 

[RangerSVT]

I built my truck for first response but have used it a few times for SAR. In my area, big tires are a must for the terrain. I'd do either a 2nd gen explorer, or a 1st gen sport Trac, the Trac having slightly more equipment room. And the Trac is close to the 20 mpg mark in stock form. My modded Trac gets about 18, and when I sas with a pair of 60's and 35's, I'm pretty sure I can get real close to 20 mpg...

SVT

 

[SierraCanine]

...Just searching, a smaller vehicle would do much better. But that rescue part, not so much. Ranger is the likely the best of both. Put a 6" long-arm lift on there and skid-plate a dual tank setup. Even better, fab up a new tank that will fit better and hold more. You can do it.

The only issue I have with a Ranger as a rescue vehicle is the limited room. They didn't come in a king cab variant so fitting 4 average sized 6' men could be a challenged ( I'm 6' 2" and barely fit in my '89).

As per the lift... 6 inches is a bit excessive in my book. I want as a low of a cg as possible with as much ground clearance. My ultimate goal for any rig would be a full set of 6" portals on a straight axle with 40's.

 

[SierraCanine]

I would just help out and see what they are using and how it works and go from there.

The OHV team uses JK's, CJ's , an XJ and even an older Landcruiser. The sheriff's office used to have a Cherokee and a 4runner, but now they run a 2-door wrangler.

I would think 4 guys & gear (depending how much gear) could be done in a 4-door Wrangler. Something I'm almost positive on though is 4 guys are not gonna fit very comfortably in a Ranger cab lol.

If you're looking to stick with Ford, you might think about a 1st-gen Explorer for this instead of the Ranger. You'd have at least as much room in an Ex as the 4-dr Wrangler, if not more, and you'd also get the better 31-spline 8.8" rearend that doesn't come in most other RBVs.
Meeting the 20+ MPG goal w/35" tires requires some pretty specific equipment (among it a manual transmission, radial tires and of course proper gearing for those tires), however it can be done.

The only brand loyalty I have is the MADE IN USA.

If I went with an SUV, my choose would be a Cherokee since they sell for next to nothing around here on the local Craigslist. I need a short'ish wheelbase and don't like the way the x'ploder drives. Granted I've only driven one; but it was a pain compared to the family Suburban.

 

[SierraCanine]

I feel like it would be hard to get all the gear you need in a Jeep.

With a roof rack and tie downs on a tire carrier I expect to be able to carry all the gear I need though it might be a little tight at times.

Also note I'm trying to increase my number of posts; hence the multiple replies.