What Would You Drive In Mad Max's World?

"Kevin Barrett" (kevinbarrett) 05/28/2015 at 02:07 • Filed to: Mad Max

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Now that we’ve all had a couple of weeks to revel in George Miller’s latest vision of post-apocalyptic car culture, what would you drive in the world of Mad Max? It’s easy to get carried away with the possibilities, so let me lay down some ground rules:

Society collapsed in the late seventies, but manufacturing practices survived long enough to make a few new cars into the early 8o’s ( !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! a Humvee and a Perentti kit car, both c. 1984). No newer vehicles or technologies are allowed.

Military hardware is almost nowhere. Perhaps it was all blown up in the war? All we know is that the most military-grade vehicles we see in the wasteland are a M.A.N. 8x8 Missile Truck and a stripped down HMMWV chassis. One of these is owned by the only exporter of water, and the other by the only manufacturer of gasoline. You can’t have one .

It can’t be stock. In fact, it has to have some kind of grandiose modification that makes it unsafe and a hazard to everyone within 100 feet, especially if a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is nearby.

Share a picture of your inspiration, but don’t share any of the actual movie cars. Make your own death trap.

Berang > Kevin Barrett 05/28/2015 at 02:20

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A coal burning Sentinel steam truck. Those gas dudes can shove it.

As for mods, maybe a cowcatcher and some gatlin guns...

BReLp7dzHM3ytYsE > Kevin Barrett 05/28/2015 at 02:21

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I’m thinking something from No Country For Old Men: ‘77 F-250, ‘81 Ramcharger, ‘79 Bronco, etc. but hopped up on steroids. I think that'd be super cool.

Tohru > Kevin Barrett 05/28/2015 at 02:25

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1976 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser wagon. Massive roo bars up front, 4wd conversion with 1 ton Chevy parts, rear turret behind the Vista roof, 33” tires, dually out back, 4” lift, quad stacks covering the rear quarter window area, 455 Rocket with a 671 blower.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Kevin Barrett 05/28/2015 at 02:30

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HJ60 with a 2H diesel converted to run on biofuel, with appropriate armor. And maybe whatever turbo I can find laying around to mount to the anemic 2H.

RPM esq. > Kevin Barrett 05/28/2015 at 02:35

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I’m torn.

Either some form of “bigfoot” Land Rover for indestructibility and carrying capacity, or a Caswell Baja-style BMW or Audi (period appropriate—E9/E21 or urQuattro perhaps?) for maneuverability and fuel efficiency. Or better yet, both, for the ultimate Mad Max version of my real-life M3/LandCruiser dual life.

Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ > Kevin Barrett 05/28/2015 at 03:01

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911 with rally suspension and other rally related modifications. This is an 86 shown, but this would work with a 70’s 911 as well.

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > Kevin Barrett 05/28/2015 at 03:04

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Either the Bruiser (I know its an ‘89, but they made these things for like a million years), given the full Bigfoot treatment, blown bigblock, lights every where, a gas tank on the roof the whole package.

Or the ranchero, back end jacked up on paddletires or something, little weenie tires up front, again, blown bigblock, a pair of Brownie M2s in the back and spikes coming off the pointy bits on the front bumper. make it have a really tattered vinyl roof, and four more headlights under the bumper.

Montalvo > Kevin Barrett 05/28/2015 at 03:06

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The answer is pretty much anything from Roadkill’s garage. I would really like to maraude around in a beatup challenger or charger.

Fresh-Outta-Nissans > Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ 05/28/2015 at 03:31

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It’s already got the appropriate livery.

Kevin Barrett > Kevin Barrett 05/28/2015 at 03:34

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Being an aviation mechanic, I’m thinking of re-purposed aircraft hardware...

Pull the Lycoming IO-720 from a Fletcher FU-24 and build a scout vehicle around it. The engine will be up front for cool air, but turned around backwards with the crank shaft mated to a driveshaft, and a transaxle between the high-travel rear suspension. The front wheels are the forks of two motorcycles, connected to the tube frame that supports the engine. The body is made from the cockpit and forward fuselage of the FU-24.

TheOnelectronic > Kevin Barrett 05/28/2015 at 03:42

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If we’re talking about a Mad Max world, you are absolutely leaving the propeller out the front, preferably with serrated edges.

They’d call you... Buzzkill.

Yeah... that’s good.

Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ > Fresh-Outta-Nissans 05/28/2015 at 03:44

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I would probably go with a more matte tan color just to blend into the surroundings more, gloss paint would stand out too much in the wasteland.

Something like this would fit in better I feel,

but keep the cage wheels and rally bars matte black or dark grey.

Kevin Barrett > TheOnelectronic 05/28/2015 at 03:48

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Prop strikes kill engines, though...not how you want to use up an IO-720.

Dunnik > Kevin Barrett 05/28/2015 at 03:48

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An obvious and predictable choice, but probably a modified Unimog. Bio-diesel conversion, camper cabin, open air turret (with semi-automatic crossbow), with other mods suited to a riot vehicle.

Fresh-Outta-Nissans > Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ 05/28/2015 at 03:56

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The stripe reads “SatanRS.”

In a post-apocalyptic wasteland, I would want a modicum of peace and fabulous comfort. I might need to drive around on three wheels, and a smooth car is much easier to shoot from. Good enough for De Gaulle, good enough for me.

I would also want this for a pre-apocalyptic brunch.

Kevin Barrett > Fresh-Outta-Nissans 05/28/2015 at 04:08

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Damn. I think you won.

this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata > Kevin Barrett 05/28/2015 at 04:18

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AMC eagle, lifted and built for fourwheelin (I’d keep the sweet fake wood paneling, of course), with the biggest supercharged V8 possible. Armor, molotov cocktail chucking trebuchet turret, external tanks and skulls are a given, of course.

Kevin Barrett > this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata 05/28/2015 at 04:51

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This thing is already most of the way there!

webmonkees > Kevin Barrett 05/28/2015 at 04:55

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At least now with the movie out this doesn’t look over the top. (Helicopter exhausts, 1979-87 Swingback, barbeque grille and a scooby that will laugh at you randomly. )

..And if one is going to go to the trouble of actually attaching said pipes, might as well have it spit flame. It’ll handle it, aiming is very essential, though.

*Design approved by post-apocalyptic cars facebook group. Now to convince the local cops.

Kevin Barrett > webmonkees 05/28/2015 at 05:01

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I followed you right up until that last graphic.

webmonkees > Kevin Barrett 05/28/2015 at 05:04

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That’s just a crude design sketch to figure out what to do with said pipes, smoke, flame, or t-shirts. A second coil signaled by the distributor. All dangerous and should not be done.

GhostZ > Kevin Barrett 05/28/2015 at 05:51

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There actually was a 280Z in Fury Road. So let’s start there.

The goal here is some sort of mix of a Bonneville car , and a diesel sand rig.

For the engine, I’d probably have a Nissan Patrol diesel (TD42) with the boost cranked up to crazy amounts using a turbine off one of those big rigs.

The TD42 has mechanical fuel injection, not electronic, just like the original 280Z motor and is, therefore, extremely reliable and works even if your battery is dead, so it can be crankstarted. In a properly built turbo TD42 on a 2500lb lightweight sand skimmer I’d expect 30+ mpg, considering that in the twice as heavy patrol it could get 20.

Going off a 4000 peak RPM and high boost you could reasonably expect about 350 HP and ~460 ft/lbs out of the 4.2l turbo diesel inline 6 at full tilt. That would put it on par with the 600HP V8 Interceptor for power/weight. That is, if they can get 1000HP out of a big rig engine (and tie two of them together and still cool it) I imagine 300HP out of a 4.2l diesel is not unreasonable. I’d do it Saudi style with the bigass turbo sticking up out of the hood.

I’d have a rally scoop to keep dust out of the cabin also. Maybe have it painted up in some apocalyptic styled rendition of the 1971 Nissan rally car:

On to armaments! Obviously this is not an offensive vehicle. It’s too lightly armored. Surviving an alteraction here would involve using the nitro up to a high speed (150mph+) and skim over the sand dunes faster than any of the heavier vehicles could do.

Therefore, I’d hook up a machine gun in the rear hatch attached to a swivel, with a cord linkage to a joystick that inverts the direction so the mirror works more like a scope, letting you look forward while shooting backward.

For defense , I’d have a large armored shield where the rear hatch is, a la Frankenstein from Death Race (2008).

Lastly, I’d also have containers on the undercarriage with a few anti-vehicle mines.

So tricks.

I’d have some sort of nitromethane tank and mechanical boost controller to dump on, maybe an alternate throttle body that stays closed except for the nitro dump. With all that torque, I’d have low rear end gearing so that I could reach higher top speeds, and a G-nose front end to improve aerodynamics:

Result? Something akin to this:

Mixed with this:

Mixed with this:

The name of the game? Stay in front. Run like hell. Outpace their slower, heavier vehicles. Stay in the dunes where lesser vehicles would fall over or get stuck.

GhostZ > Fresh-Outta-Nissans 05/28/2015 at 06:08

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What’s the saying about these?

You have to travel up 1000 stone steps in the alps to the secret monastery where they keep the remaining Citron DS hydropneumatic fluid, passing tests of Gearhead Virtue on the way up if your suspension ever develops a leak?

GhostZ > this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata 05/28/2015 at 06:09

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DA LAHST OF THE VEE AEIGHT EAY EHM SEAS

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Kevin Barrett 05/28/2015 at 06:26

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HQ ute.

I know where there are a few that I could use.

I’m thinking a blower and a mounted machine gun.

so like this:

crossed with this:

Bobololo23 is waiting for the FT86 to come > Kevin Barrett 05/28/2015 at 07:32

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Ford Maverick 4 Door on a Ford f-150 Chassis, with an ex-airplane engine converted do run on biofuel.

Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish > Kevin Barrett 05/28/2015 at 07:45

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1984 Ford RS200, it’s already a danger to anybody in the area and it can outrun damn near anything trying to catch it on whatever surface it’s on. But weapons wise I’ll add a mini-gun that comes out the rear hatch and a satchel of grenades for throwing.

CalzoneGolem > Kevin Barrett 05/28/2015 at 08:01

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I’d drive a semi truck on treads I’d tow a trailer and use it as a weapon.

LongbowMkII > Kevin Barrett 05/28/2015 at 08:03

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1969 C10. Standard lift/tires 4x4 etc... pre runner style. With an I6. An I6 with 2 giant turbos partially sticking out of the hood. The secondary turbo is actuated by a floor shifter. Weapon is a gunner in the back manning a wearable rocket launcher suit. 24 count rocket pod per shoulder.

misfitmascots > Kevin Barrett 05/28/2015 at 08:20

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Haimatox > Kevin Barrett 05/28/2015 at 08:51

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I would go all Mighty Car Mods. Take a sports car and modify it for the off-road. I’m thinking a Countach with exhausts sticking out of the hood with a two-foot suspension lift, wheelbase widening, off-road tires, and freaking spikes sticking out of the front.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Kevin Barrett 05/28/2015 at 08:56

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1970’s Suburban 4x4. Needs moar lift and moar tires. Also needs a bigger brush guard, some homemade armor plates on the sides, and I’d adorn it with 10’ pikes with the skulls of my enemies.

But the best part - I’d put a giant roll cage in the rear to reinforce the roof, then I’d mount a pair of 2A7 23mm autocannons on the roof with a gunner up top. Basically what’s in the bed of this, on the roof of that:

Pixel > Kevin Barrett 05/28/2015 at 09:05

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I’d do what I did once before:

Only this time I’d finish the thing with big welded steel steel bumpers, metal mesh over all the windows & a tank hatch on the roof like I’d originally intended.

MonkeePuzzle > Kevin Barrett 05/28/2015 at 09:17

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hmm, something dead simple, so likely carburetor powered. but smaller and more simple.

perhaps, v8 swapped daihatsu charade :D

gear5 > Kevin Barrett 05/28/2015 at 09:42

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Well why not something different? Just searched for a 80’s quad bike and got this:

Suzuki LT500R QuadRacer! 500cc 2 stroke. With some extra gas canisters at the front to help those tires stay on the ground, some body armor and helmet, a crossbow around my torso with some explosive arrows and whatnot, and a few of those explosive spears that are common on the movie, attached to the back. If there’s enough room or weight I can carry, a couple of land mines and water would be nice to. And of course proper apocalyptic camo with skulls, spikes and all that.

This with a fellow in a buggy(with supply’s) or a dirt bike would be awesome. Even a light psycho could ride in the back throwing spears and stuff.

Slant6 > Kevin Barrett 05/28/2015 at 11:11

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Something I never got about Mad Max is why in a society fighting for fuel everybody drives trucks and v8s. I would go for a Tacoma Pre-runner (if that’s too new a Hilux 4x4 with the transfer case and front differential removed also 2JZ swap) 4 cylinder (unless it’s a Hilux) with an aerodynamic bed and full underbody cover. Pre-runner for the ground clearance and because you don’t need the 4x4 in the desert. I’d fashion a rear differential transmission attached to the regular transmission so I can have really high gears for cruising and better ones for escaping or for crawling. Also a super charger that can be turned off and on with a switch because that is possible in this world apparently. BFG A/T because good balance of traction and rolling resistance.

I’d have an extra resivior for coolant and a solar panel on the bed cover for keeping things charged/ being able to start when batteries are no longer available (capacitor set up or something). Inside the bed cover I’d have a cot for myself to sleep on as well as a 150 gallon fuel tank.

Kevin Barrett > Slant6 05/28/2015 at 13:46

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The whole JZ engine family (1990) is more than six years too new, even for a wild outlier. The Toyota Tacoma is also too new (1995). Your wants are unrealistic in the late 1970s apocalyptic wasteland, and Lord Humongous kicks you aside. As you crawl away from the encampment in the night, stealing water from a radiator that was damaged in last night’s raids, you readjust your expectations. For three weeks you wander the wasteland, surviving quite improbably, until you descend a hill into a narrow valley. There is some grass here, growing up around a 1978 Toyota Pickup in pieces.

The engine, and most of the rest of the drivetrain, are in the bed of the truck you found. You have no tools, but you find a badly worn adjustable wrench among the clutter and guess that it will suffice for almost everything except some suspension bolts.

You squeeze water from the grass to stay hydrated while you piece the truck back together. By day three, you are distracted every moment with hunger and realize that you should have simply eaten the grass instead. Your fingers are filthy with grease and oil, and so was all the water that ran out of them, and from both ends you spend the fourth night voiding everything that your desperate body was clinging to.

You wake the next morning to cloudless skies and a faint rumbling in the distance. Against all odds, the truck appears almost ready to drive. Your adjustable wrench is missing, and there are some extra large footprints around your truck. A stranger, a drifter like yourself perhaps, has all but completed the work for you. You pour a quart of used oil into the engine, and tighten the last valve cover fasteners by hand, and try to start it.

You are relieved to hear engine noises, but joy turns to despair when you realize that your truck has not started, and the first vehicle of a raiding party has appeared over the hill. You try again as something explodes behind you and the truck shakes. The truck is still shaking. It must be running, but is that what it sounds like? You engage the clutch and the truck lurches forward on 4.88 gears. The bed was never attached and quickly bounces off of the frame and into the path of your pursuer. He is just as surprised as you are, and his car becomes violently high-centered on the obstruction. And you are on your way.

Slant6 > Kevin Barrett 05/28/2015 at 15:10

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Maybe I was a little too new. If I’m not mistaken don’t areas patrolled by the MFP still exist? I feel like I’d just chose to live somewhere that’s not a desert where things aren’t as bad. The war couldn’t have been everywhere. What about smaller cities that weren’t trampled? Somewhere in the world has to be manufacturing cars. Tacoma and JZ aren’t too far off, maybe they just didn’t make it to Australia.

kanadanmajava1 > Montalvo 05/28/2015 at 18:05

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I agree with the Challenger/Charger thought. I even went ahead with the idea and bought a ratty ‘69 Charger that already has bullet holes. It doesn’t run for a while but it’s going to look really rough and ugly.

It’s probably going to resemble the Roadkill version a bit but no scoop and more windows. In this country you will need windows. I think I’ll borrow their grille idea as my car lost the grille which is really expensive to replace.

BTW. One of my countrymen has imported a former Death Proof stunt car and drives it like this.

Kevin Barrett > Slant6 05/29/2015 at 23:36

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Then they didn’t make it to Australia, and aren’t a part of Mad Max’s wasteland. Play by the rules—you can’t have a Tacoma with solar panels, and you can’t have an R34 with lasers either.

Kevin Barrett > Snuze: Needs another Swede 05/29/2015 at 23:47

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I’m picturing it with fenderless duallies on the back—hell, an extra axle, too—and armor over all windows behind the B pillar.

Slant6 > Kevin Barrett 05/30/2015 at 09:17

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Since when has Mad Max had rules? I get it thought. Doesn’t line up. I’ll take my ‘78 pickup and try and get away from all this. No way could I keep up with a 22r.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Kevin Barrett 06/01/2015 at 10:54

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Pretty much exactly what I’m thinking.

Although my friend and I had another idea over the weekend. The cars in Fury Road were kind of crazy in non-sensical ways, like they liked to mash random car parts together and weld cars on top of each other and stuff.

So we got thinking, let’s take my Cruze and cut it in half at the B-pillar. Then weld it to the top of the bed rails in my parents old GMC Crew cab 4x4. Then take his Miata, and weld it to the roofs of both vehicles. We’ll relocate the steering so he can sit in the Miata and drive the whole thing. We’ll have a lancer standing up in the trunk of the Miata, and we’ll mount 2x autocannons inside the contraption, one shooting out the windshield of the truck, the other rearwards out of the windshield of the Cruze. We’ll have door machine guns out the rear passenger windows of the crew cab. It will ride on dually wheels front and back (so it doesn’t tip over). Complete insanity!

Kevin Barrett > Snuze: Needs another Swede 06/01/2015 at 12:52

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Complete insanity, yes. What is a Cruze? And what is a Miata? You speak of them as if they were vehicles...are they from that divergent timeline hypothesis where society didn’t fall in the late 1970s?

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Kevin Barrett 06/01/2015 at 13:14

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Hmm... how about a Vega and an MG?