Part Two of our Off Road Xtreme Project Apocalypse Bug Out Vehicle starts with a manifest. Simply put, we are going to take stock of the equipment inventory before we begin the actual vehicle buildout and assembly. As stated in the project introduction, we are starting with a bone-stock 2018 Jeep Wrangler JLU. We have procured almost all of the gear already and we want to share that with you. Keep in mind this is just a brief overview listing what we have. There is much more detailed content on deck that will follow.

A well-equipped bug out vehicle (BOV) must be able to carry all of the necessary essentials to survive for an extended period. It must be heavily modified to withstand all types of doomsday disasters. Off-road capability and reliability are crucially important. And you need to be able to evacuate and haul your loved ones with you to escape the dangers of civil unrest.

The Off Road Xtreme BOV Prepares For Impossible Terrain

The build starts with preparing this vehicle for impossible terrain. In the end times, there are not likely to be well-maintained and navigable paved roads. Having the ability to traverse through and over any obstacle is paramount. Our Project Apocalypse Bug Out Jeep will receive a lift, performance tune, and new wheel and tire package.

Bug Out Vehicle Suspension Lift

We have sourced a high-quality 3-inch lift system from MaxTrac Suspension. The Maxpro Elite Kit for the 2018-2022 Jeep Wrangler JL comes complete with Performance Series 2.0 Fox Shocks. We also bolstered up the kit with MaxTrac’s eight-piece Adjustable Control Arm Kit for extra durability.

Bug Out Vehicle Tires

For tires, we went with the 35X12.50R17LT Mickey Thompson Baja Legend EXP. These were selected for their optimized tread design and maximum traction capabilities. It is also nice to know these hybrid all-terrain tires are rated with a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty. Not that we could roll them into the service station during the collapse of society, but knowing they can go the distance gives us peace of mind.

Bug Out Vehicle Wheels

Choosing a wheel upgrade for this project was an easy choice. We wanted something that looked the part but was also heavy-duty and up to task for the job. Black Rhino Abrams in Gloss Gunblack with the machined lip checks all these boxes and should keep us rolling through the dark times ahead.

Bug Out Vehicle Tune

With the upgraded tires and lift, we want to have this vehicle tuned and optimized for the new arrangement. We opted for a basic wireless calibrator in the form of Superchips Flashcal Plus. This device allows for tire diameter changes, tire pressure override, and other on-the-fly changes.

The Off Road Xtreme BOV Steering Ahead

With a 3-inch lift installed and more gear coming to load this Jeep Wrangler down, we have made future provisions to balance the vehicle. We consulted with Rock Jock 4×4 to add their Heavy Antirock front and rear swaybar kits. Rock Jock 4×4 also advised utilizing the Currectlync Steering System as an easy bolt-on heavy-duty upgrade.

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Emergency situations may require driving at high-speed or call for evasive maneuvers. With the Rock Jock 4×4 upgrades installed, our loaded-down Jeep will be much better suited for these dangerous scenarios.

The Off Road Xtreme BOV Gets Armored Up

During and after the fall of civility, you never know what you may encounter. Roadblocks, fallen obstructions and maybe even hordes of zombies may attempt to prevent your escape. Every proper BOV needs to bolster up the body armor.

Fab Fours came to our rescue with their Jeep JL Matrix Front Bumper and PreRunner Bumper Guard. In the back, we went with their matching Jeep JL Rear Bumper and JL Tire Carrier. We also selected the License Plate Bracket accommodation as well since we are still currently civilized taxpayers and not apocalyptic road warriors just yet.

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For the vehicle undercarriage, Fab Fours Tube Rock Sliders will do the trick, and we plan to install a complete assortment of skid plates from front to back.

When we do encounter an impassable roadblock, we have a backup plan. Our BOV will be equipped with a WARN ZEON 10-S Winch, Factor 55 Hawse Fairlead, and the super deluxe UltraHook.

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The Off Road Xtreme BOV Organized For Cargo Management

With a modern Jeep Wrangler JLU being somewhat limited in cargo capacity, it is critically important that we maximize, expand, and organize. Everything on the Bug Out Vehicle, including every piece of gear and equipment, must provide a strategic advantage. If it does not, then it is dead weight or taking up space. If it passes that muster, then it qualifies as essential and will be designated to a permanent location. This operational procedure will allow us to know exactly what is where at all times, even in the dark, or when in a mad scramble under frantic conditions.

Bug Out Vehicle Exterior Jeep Cargo Organization

For the exterior, Garvin Racks Adventure Rack will provide a versatile platform to mount any required gear. We also added Garvin’s eco-system of accessories which includes Adventure Rack Ladders for both the driver side and passenger side, a rooftop tent mount, a  mounting provision for ax and shovel, front light mounts, a Trail Rack basket, and Rotopax mounts for the outside and the inside.

Bug Out Vehicle Interior Jeep Cargo Organization

Interior organization is really the most important. This is where we store our most crucial and vital items that will help preserve our future livelihood. Adapt-A-Panel is the go-to versatile gear storage mounting solution. With this system, we can put all of the gear where we need it. More importantly, it will be easily accessible and safely organized just as we need it. No fuss, just grab and blast.

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For this project, we started with two Adapt-A-Panel 16-inch by 24-inch seat panels that strap down to and attach to our Jeep Wrangler front seats. This is the basis to mount and secure an exuberant amount of gear. That gear, which we already qualified, is securely mounted to an easily accessed grid of slots, inserts, and accessory options.

That is the gravy for the quick grab essentials. What about the precious goods that need to be out of sight and locked away? Tuffy Security Products offers us quick and secure stash opportunities for both big and small treasures. For our criteria on the Project Apocalypse Bug Out Jeep, we selected the Center Console Security Safe, a Tailgate Security Lockbox, and the In-Floor Locking Cargo Lid.

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For miscellaneous loose items and say food and water storage, we have identified a quick stow modular system that works bests. The Dometic Outdoor Go Hard and Soft Storage products satisfy our needs across the board.

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Hellcat Pro Osp Handgun W/ Shield SMSC in 9mm

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1911 Ds Prodigy 4.25-inch AOS Handgun in 9mm

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1911 Operator Handgun in .45 ACP

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Bug Out Vehicle’s Vital Hardware Safe And Secured

With all these firearms, would it be great to have them easily accessible and ready for duty at a second’s notice? Yes, it is absolutely necessary to have them at the ready, especially during dire times. With Gun Mount, you get to have your gear your way. We opted for a combination of the various Gun Mount products to locate and secure our handguns and rifles around the Jeep.

The Steering Column Pistol Carrier is locked in. The AR Platform Rifle Quick Release Gun Mount is set up in the front passenger seat. The Adapt-A-Panel gear mounting systems in the back seat offer a useful arrangement for everything else.

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Bug Out Vehicle’s Bug Out Bag Of Gear, First Aid, And Hydration

Anytime firearms are involved it is best to be prepared for emergency first aid. MyMedic offers some of the best first-aid kits on the planet. The MyFAK Pro kit can address common everyday injuries but is also well-equipped with essential items for traumatic injuries necessary to save lives. 

If you are bugging out, then you better have a bug out bag. If you don’t already have your own made, there are pre-packaged bags that are loaded with essentials. Uncharted Supply Co had us sold on this very deluxe Seventy2 Pro Survival System. If you could only grab one thing, this professionally equipped survival go-bag could most defiantly improve your chances.

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When it comes to survival, you should be aware of the old “rule of 3”. This says a person can live for 3 minutes without air (oxygen), 3 days without water, and 3 weeks without food. With that locked into memory, establishing a source of clean drinking water is vital. The Seventy2 Pro Survival System does feature a mini water filtration system and works just fine, but for this important task, there are better options.

The GraYL GeoPress Covert Edition Water Purifier requires zero setup time and makes 24 fluid ounces of clean drinking water in a blazing fast 8 seconds or 5 liters a minute.

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With all this water processed, you might want to store some of it away. The Dometic Go Hydration Jug and Go Water Faucet makes this chore a breeze.

The Off Road Xtreme BOV Gets Lit

In a world on fire situation, if you are lucky, you can pick or choose your battles. This might mean laying low during the daylight hours and then using the cover of darkness to your advantage. Operating at night is not for everyone. But even still, sometimes it might be required. Every BOV should be outfitted with a strong arrangement of useful lighting products.

Our Project Apocalypse Bug Out Vehicle is getting decked out with a full assortment of Baja Designs LED Vehicle Lighting. The goal is to have effective illumination on tap when we need it, and where we need it. This means covering all of the lighting zones; forward projection for both short and long distances, dust and fog lamps, corner zones for our peripheral awareness, backup and reverse lighting on the six, rock lights for the undercarriage, work lights to flood the area around the vehicle, and there is more.

For when the night has gone to hell, we can go lights out in this BOV and still keep moving. Baja Designs is one of a handful of companies that manufacture infrared lighting.

But, infrared is invisible to the human eye, you say. How can that help us without night vision goggles? We have that sorted out with our SIONYX Nightwave Camera. This is an ultra low-light navigational camera that offers high-definition color night vision images to our infotainment screen. The Nightwave combined with the Baja Designs Infrared illumination will give us a leg-up advantage.

The Off Road Xtreme BOV Camp

When the lights finally do go out and all is calm, where do you lay your head? Just because you are out on the lamb, does not mean you cannot have shelter or be comfortable. iKamper has several easy-to-carry and deploy Skycamp Roof Top Tents. The Skycamp 2.0 fits our Jeep perfectly and will mount to the Garvin Adventure Rack without issue. This is hardshell with a clam-style opening and can sleep up to four persons.

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We take comfort one step further with the RTT Comfort Skycamp Bundle which adds a self-inflating mattress, and sleeping bag into the system.

Bug Out Vehicle Manifestation: Taking Stock And Equipment Inventory

This concludes the Off Road Xtreme Project Apocalypse Bug Out Vehicle inventory manifest. We hope that this feature might inspire others to prepare for the unstable times ahead. If there is one thing you can count on, it should be yourself. Your survival is your own personal responsibility and in a time of total apocalypse, no one is coming to save you.