Would a first gen still run if someone detonated a nuclear bomb and unleased a massive EMP?


Just curious...

I think the 89-91's would be ok, but maybe not the 91.5-93 with their added ECM?

 

wouldn't the motor be vaporized?

 

Ya know I have been wondering the same thing! I have an 89 and would hope it would still run but I dunno?? I dunno what kind of electronics this thing has on it.. Some one was tellin me that anything below 1980 would probbly still run cause it more than likely wouldn't have a computer on it.. Dunno but it's interesting to think about..

 

Valve covers might melt along with anything else alum.

i bet she'd still run though

 

I think you are meaning an electromagnetic bomb. If it was in the range of a nuke I wouldnt want to drive it. But an electromagnetic bomb would have the possibility of knocking out the electric without actually hurting the truck itself. But hey, all those electronics are overrated.

 

i do know a crazy militia type that was fitting every truck and jeep he owned with mech diesel engines for this very thing black helicopters or something

 

Ive been thinking about this as well. you should in theory be able to roll start a manual trans truck with no battery at all...

 

Interesting that you ask this since I've been looking at this very question after reading the book One Second After.

As best as I can determine, yes, the ECM will probably get toasted BUT, that only shuts down the alternator, air conditioning, cruise control, tachometer, and overdrive (for those with an automatic transmission). I know this for a fact because my serpentine belt threw a shred that took out my crank sensor last month and the ECM went dead but the belt didn't break so the truck continued to run 70MPH down the turnpike less the previously mentioned items. The long-term issue would be that the injection pump solenoid will only stay energized as long as there is juice in the battery but you could remove the solenoid plunger and join the pull-cable club as many have already done and exist without the battery just fine. Alternatively, you could add the earlier model external regulator mentioned in the sticky and also get your charging capabilities back AS LONG AS the external regulator is one of the old style point type ones. The new solid state ones will likely get toasted along with the ECMs putting the '89-91's in the same position as the '91.5-93's.

The good news is that, if you have a manual transmission and remove the injector pump solenoid plunger, you can theoretically roll-start the truck and drive as long as you have fuel - no battery of any sort necessary. Obviously, you wouldn't have headlights for night driving but I'm sure that some Coleman lanterns wired to the front fenders would suffice in the event of an EMP.

Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss this further.

 

That is not what they mean by "bombing your truck"!



Did I miss a news bulletin? Are we facing some kind of threat or is this just theoretical brainstorming? This thread has me a bit nervous, except that I have a truck that may be viable in just such an event. Another great reason to own a first gen. Truly bomb proof so to speak.

 

As long as you didn't get blast or heat damage i'd bet it would still run.
assuming the emp doesnt fry the starter/solenoid and battery. They did a high altitude nuke test in the Pacific in the 50's and it fried the power grid in Hawaii.

 

I'm just talking about the EM pulse guys, not an actual blast from a nuclear bomb. The EMP gos much further than the bomb blast.

 

LOL, Gotta type quick so the black helis. don't find me........

Yes it would run, even without a battery so long as you can turn it over and have a wrench to remove the plunger from the fuel solenoid.

Over-N-out.

 

I just hope we get a good warning so I can throw my dogs, guns, tent and sleeping bags in the dodge and head for the Ozarks. Thinking maybe I could live like on Red Dawn.

 

I think my 72 ford tractor has this style regulator on it.. Where does one find a regulator like this for our dodges??

 

Junk yard - Look on Dodge products from the '70's or earlier would be my best guess. Too bad most of them have been crushed.

Your other option would be to harden a spare solid state regulator in a Faraday cage and change it out after the EMP.