Every time I see a show with the TIV it gets broken. And I am pretty sure that is 100% of the times I have seen it. The suspension, engine, trans and differentials have all failed at critical moments, (Usually at some point during the chase sidelining the crew). I know they have build 2 or maybe even 3 of them and have on at least one occasion gotten "The old one" back in service while the "New improved" one is being fixed. That thing is just way to heavy for the chassis they built it on.
A Deuce to chase storms? No way. In fact, absolutely no way. To big, to bulky, to slow, not maneuverable enough, to tall, way to venerable to roll over, no roll over protection at all, no protection from flying debris at all. As a remotely following support vehicle with S-280 in the back to haul gear, (Or a M109) maybe. It is a very old vehicle and this would be defined as a mission critical operation. After a complete and extremely thorough overhaul of everything updating systems such as the wipers, leaking windows, doors, roof and installing more comfortable seats, sound proofing, muffler, disc brakes – probably a good choice at that point – for a rear deployed support vehicle, NOT a front line chase vehicle.
I read this whole thread wondering how long until somebody mentioned the Stryker or any of the new generation MRAP vehicles. Most any of them would be my choice well before anything "They" are using now.
Remember, life is fragile, can end very quickly and unexpectedly and you only get one chance, don’t send it easily or cheaply.
Short of a Stryker or MRAP I would build my own truck from scratch.
*Custom built tube chassis with full racing style roll cage
*All seats to have 5 pt harnesses
*Tires: 395/85R20 - 46.7" Tall - 15.3” Wide
*2.5 ton axles (Only 2) with Oversun 4.9 ring/pinion, Detroit locker in the rear, air *locker in the front.
*Axles WIDENED so that outside edge of tires is at 100"
*Cummins 5.9 turbo diesel with NO computer and manual fuel shut off to kill engine.
*Dry sump sealed oil system for engine
*Heavy duty hardened automatic trans
*Suspension designed to keep the vehicle as low as possible
*Body made from 3/8 aluminum plate installed to eliminate vertical surfaces, plating to extend down to 12" above the ground.
*Windows to meet NIJ level IV (Resistant to all pistols and most rifles) and mounted to avoid vertical surfaces
*Fuel to be carried in a racing type safety cell
*Seats to be of the same type/design used in off road racing vehicles for comfort and safety
*Dual on board fire suppression systems.
*Emergency compressed breathing air, 30 minutes for each occupant.
*All occupants to wear helmets with integral microphone/speaker plugged into on board intercom/radios
*All components (Radiator, fuel tank, head lights, auxiliary lights..) to be armor protected.
*Back up camera
*EVERYTHING inside to be secured to withstand severe roll over
*15k electric winch front and rear with appropriate accessory equipment
*Dual redundant switchable/selectable electrical systems
*Emergency escape hatch on roof and floor
*Hydraulic outriggers like on a power company truck connected to a RV type automatic leveling jack system with manual override
With this rig:
*Ford water to at least 20".
*Have the speed and power to get to OR AWAY FROM whatever you wanted/needed
*Be properly protected in the event that all plans go to h@ll and you get smacked hard by a direct hit.
*Fire protection should be obvious.
*Dual redundant electrical system should be obvious.
*Protected from roll over.
*Ability to self recover from roll over and continue mission or self evacuate after (Dry sump oil closed system will not leak when inverted, fuel cell will not leak, winches to self recover)
*Protection from being rolled over and blown into a water filled ditch or lake - (Emergency breathing air – multiple escape hatches).
*Automatic jack system to be used when filming to provide a stable platform and can be used for changing tires.
*Self extricate should you become stuck.
*No engine computer to fail.
*Manual engine shut off instead of electric solenoid so that in the event of total electric failure the engine will still run to allow for evasion/escape.
Total cost? Probably under $30k, I can't see it going over $50k. More expensive than a 30 or 40 year old military surplus Deuce? Oh yes, way more. What is your life worth? Me personally I place a very high value on mine. If I am going to go well out of my way and with great deliberate purpose go into an area that the police are trying to evacuate because of dangerous weather, where the roads will likely be compromised, where rescue or assistance may well be delayed if available at all, where communications to summon help are likely to fail I am going to do it only 1 way. In a vehicle that has been explicitly designed and prepared to provide me and the crew with the absolute best chance of surviving any and all predicted and unpredicted circumstances.
I have seen way to many people maimed or dead as a result of inadequate planning/training/equipment or stupid policy set by someone hundreds or thousands of miles away. I am not about to voluntarily place myself in such a situation.
On the other hand, with the proper equipment and crew and enough training evolutions with the crew on the equipment so that responses are automatic and tested then I think it might be a blast to go and chase some storms and get up close and personal.
There is a reason people evacuate from the path of these storms and seek shelter in basements. Because they are dangerous, unpredictable and easily kill people. Fortunately, (At least as far as I know) none of the amateur idiots running around in mini vans packed with camera gear and little else have been seriously injured or killed. Unfortunately I believe it is just a matter of time until one does.
Just my
worth. I hope it did not insult anyone, that was not my intention.
I see a lot of very good points. Especially USAFSS-ColdWarrior's table list. So it seems like if I happened to chase in a M35A2 I would definitely get new windshield wipers. 
However, I do like that fact that the deuce can almost instantly be turned into a rescue vehicle. The plan is get behind the gust front of a severe storm and not close enough to a tornado to be blown over, but not everything goes according to plan; so that is to take into account. I definitely like the price that the M35 offers. So does anyone think there is anyway around the cons such as: leaky windows and foggy glass? Any other ideas on vehicles would be great. I just wanted something a little bigger than the typical chase vehicle. 
Aerodynamics definitely helps determine how close you can get to a tornado. For all tends and purposes now, getting within several hundred yards of a tornado is out of the question. Notice I said now 
. I am currently studying MET at SPSU, and engineering something similar to the TIV and Dominator is definitely in my future. Right now I want to become more involved in the science side of storm chasing, but the thrill is definitely there. I really would like to observe tornadoes from a distance (much like my picture), but still within the storm; much like the DOW. So would you say a M35 or M109 is a good contestant for distant observation?
).
