Summer is here and so are the Zombie Runs, where people spend a day outside running from Zombies and showing off their Zombie escape vehicles. Whether you’re in the midst of a Zombie Apocalypse, or just pretending for a day, there are many quick DIY upgrades you can do to your truck to prepare it for a survival situation. We have compiled a list of these Zombie vehicle upgrades, that range from simple items you can find around your house, to complete vehicle renovations.
You will be in costume, shouldn’t your truck be too?
Window Chalk
Window Chalk is great if you need an SOS. If you want a cheap, easy way to represent your team at a Zombie event this is the way to go!
Difficulty to Install: 1/5
Price of Add-On: $
Fake Blood
If you’re entering your vehicle in a contest at a zombie run or trying to scare off real zombies a quick paint job can help. Splatter some fake blood across the hood, you could even use Ketchup or hot sauce.
Difficulty to Install: 1/5
Price of Add-On: $$
Storage for Gas Tanks
If there happens to be an apocalypse of any kind, it’s safe to say gas is going to be a hard thing to come by. Making sure you get as much as possible when you have the chance is essential. You can easily create storage for gas cans with an elastic strap; however I would consider some sort of locking mechanism.
Difficulty to Install: 1/5
Price of Add-On: $
Flood Lights
In the case that there was a zombie apocalypse we can be pretty sure that street lights will be a thing of the past. It is always good to be able to see at night, especially If you are trying to find a safe place to set up camp. If you need floodlights in a pinch (since zombies can happen with little notice), you can get battery operated or a cigarette lighter handheld flood light and attach it to your roof.
Difficulty to Install: 1/5
Price of Add-On: $$
Sturdy BumperThis one is obvious. If you have ever watch a zombie flick or show like “The Walking Dead”, you will know that sometimes you just have to plow through the herd. Its best to have a hard, flat surface so you can push through Zombies without getting stuck.
Difficulty to Install: 2/5
Price of Add-On: $
Cardboard Tank
If you’re looking for something a little more extravagant some cardboard boxes and a lot of help can make this awesome escape vehicle. However, I wouldn’t use this against the real undead.
Difficulty to Install: 4/5
Price of Add-On: $
Awning
If you are no longer going to have the comforts of home, you will want protection from the elements at least. A make-shift awning out of a tarp and poles will do the trick for you.
Difficulty to Install: 1/5
Price of Add-On: $$
Window ScreensIf you are going mobile then there is no need for screen doors anymore. These will be more useful as armor for your vehicle. A metal screen will keep the zombies out while still allowing you to keep your windows down so you can shoot, or jab them as needed.
Difficulty to Install: 2/5
Price of Add-On: $
Air Horn
Whether you need to alert other survivors, or lead zombies down a different path, you will want to be able to do so without getting out of your vehicle. Adding an air horn will allow you to do just that.
Difficulty to Install: 1/5
Price of Add-On: $$
Metal Armor
Not only does this look cool, but it will protect you. With metal reinforcement on your vehicle you can use it to knock down road blocks and plow through Zombies.
Difficulty to Install: 3/5
Price of Add-On: $$$
Extended bed for ATV and Quick Escape Vehicles
Having an all-terrain vehicle in an emergency situation is great. You can make it through basically any rough paths, and get away quickly if need be. This can easily be built for your tailgate with some wood planks.
Difficulty to Install: 3/5
Price of Add-On: $$
Storage for Bed
When you are trying to survive the more storage the better, and hidden storage? Perfect! You want to make sure that other survivors won’t steal your vital supplies, so a piece of wood and some hydraulic arms will do the trick. If you don’t want to build this your self, a tonneau cover is a quick add on that will keep your supplies hidden.
Difficulty to Install: 3/5
Price of Add-On: $$
Bed Tent
If you can’t find a more permanent option, attaching a tent to your truck bed should do the trick for you. This could be designed professionally, or you could do it yourself in a pinch.
Difficulty to Install: 3/5
Price of Add-On: $$$$
All Weather/Terrain Tires
These will need to be purchased, but you will thank us later! In the case of a Zombie outbreak, I have a pretty strong feeling plow trucks will be hard to come by.
Difficulty to Install: 1/5
Price of Add-On: $$$$$
Winch
This is less DIY, but will be essential. If you are stuck with no other survivors around you will need to pull yourself out. A winch will help to get you out of sticky situations on your own, and help you to avoid being stranded in the middle of a Zombie Apocalypse.
Difficulty to Install: 2/5
Price of Add-On: $$$$$
Roof Rack
If your running from zombies or in any survival situation a roof rack is essential. This will help you utilize your space so you can harbor your surviving friends and family. It also keeps important items out of reach of the undead. You can quickly assemble one of these yourself using an old wooden pallet or some spare wood from your garage.
Difficulty to Install: 4/5
Price of Add-On: $$$
Hole in Roof to Shoot
Having roof access will be vital. If you path gets swarmed by walkers then being able to wipe them out without leaving your vehicle and becoming venerable will be important. Easily convert your roof into a sunroof with a handsaw. You can rig a piece of sheet metal as a hatch for protection from the weather.
Difficulty to Install: 4/5
Price of Add-On: $
Shelter
If you’re on the run, you need portable shelter. What better place to have shelter than in the back of your pickup. This will give you a good escape vehicle and a home at the same time.
Difficulty to Install: 5/5
Price of Add-On: $$$$$$
Get LiftedMost importantly you will need a lift kit. Since we all know most zombies cannot climb, having your truck high in the air is a definite advantage. Also, don’t forget to save your old leaf springs when you swap them out for lifted ones. You can utilize your old springs by creating weapons such as daggers, knives and axes that you can use in battle against zombies. Another use for your retired springs is to create a crossbow which is the perfect defense against zombies. The crossbow is Daryl Dixon’s weapon of choice on The Walking Dead, and there are several reasons why. For starters it is quiet and won’t attract more zombies, you can reuse your ammo, but best of all it is accurate. These are all contributing factors that make the crossbow an ideal defense in this type of situation. Once you have your lift kit in place, and your weapons fashioned from the spare parts, you are ready to run. There will be no need to worry about anything in your way; your lift will give you the ability to ram right through it. Zombies coming at you? Just run them over, it may not kill them but it will cause enough damage to delay the attack while you get away; not to mention it will make for a pretty bad ass escape.
Difficulty to Install: 5/5
Price of Add-On: $$$$$$
Quality ShocksIf you don’t lift the truck and get some nitro or hydro shocks with a lift, we still recommend new shocks. You need to make sure that your vehicle is ready for more than the occasional trip off road. Since most of the roadways will be blocked by the cars the zombies left behind when they turned,you will need a quick escape route. Shocks will give you better handling and control over your vehicle. When you add them to your new lift, conquering curbs and sidewalks will be no problem. What better way is there to get away from a zombie then leading it down a difficult path? Since zombies don’t have the best coordination, navigating through mud, woods or rocky terrain will be hard for them.
Difficulty to Install: 3/5
Price of Add-On: $$$
Sway Control
A sway bar is going to come in handy as well. By installing a sway bar you are reducing body roll and increasing your control when turning. It will drastically improve your cornering, allowing for more speed on those windy roads while escaping. Sway bars will vastly improve the way your vehicle handles, especially the big wig series by Hellwig. Not only will you be grateful for this particular installation while on the run, you will now be able to use your truck to lure the zombies to their death with tactful driving and traps as your survival guides taught you.. This type of sway control will allow you to take those sharp corners with less of a chance of tipping as well. No one wants to be in an upside-down Jeep when the walking dead are impeding closely behind.
A sway bar is going to come in handy as well. By installing a sway bar you are reducing body roll and increasing your control when turning. It will drastically improve your cornering, allowing for more speed on those windy roads while escaping. Sway bars will vastly improve the way your vehicle handles, especially the big wig series by Hellwig. Not only will you be grateful for this particular installation while on the run, you will now be able to use your truck to lure the zombies to their death with tactful driving and traps as your survival guides taught you.. This type of sway control will allow you to take those sharp corners with less of a chance of tipping as well. No one wants to be in an upside-down Jeep when the walking dead are impeding closely behind.
Difficulty to Install: 2/5
Price of Add-On: $$$
BEDLINER
You should also use spray bed liner. You can not only line the bed, but, liner can be used on the entire vehicle to add an extra layer of protection. Bed liner will prevent the vehicle from rusting, as well as give your zombie fighting vehicle a dark armored look. You can increase the rough texture while applying the liner; this should especially be done in the bed to help prevent your ammo and supplies from sliding around when you’re driving on the rocky, unkempt post-apocalyptic roads. Bed liner will also come in handy for preventing zombie juice from seeping into your vehicle when you gather up their decomposing bodies for disposal after you slay them (burning would be the best approach). Get ahold of ArmorThane and find an applicator in your area.
Difficulty to Install: 1/5
Price of Add-On: $$
Don’t Forget
Remember, preparing your vehicle is only one part of surviving the zombie apocalypse. You will need supplies and shelter. You should also watch a ton of zombie shows and movies, especially since they are not hard to come by these days. Zombie movies are the perfect guide to what you should and shouldn’t do. Follow the example of those that survive, and improve upon their techniques. Also, make sure you get a lot of exercise; you don’t want to lose to a zombie because you run out of breath. Follow these tips and a pack of zombies will be no threat to you.
Remember, preparing your vehicle is only one part of surviving the zombie apocalypse. You will need supplies and shelter. You should also watch a ton of zombie shows and movies, especially since they are not hard to come by these days. Zombie movies are the perfect guide to what you should and shouldn’t do. Follow the example of those that survive, and improve upon their techniques. Also, make sure you get a lot of exercise; you don’t want to lose to a zombie because you run out of breath. Follow these tips and a pack of zombies will be no threat to you.