I missed Macgyver when it was first on but I have caught several episodes on TVLand. That channel is home to almost all the great survivalists. In no particular order you have:

Macgyver - the guy's obviously a genius but his politics seem pretty liberal, esp. concerning guns & the environment

The Professor (Gilligan's Island) - another genius, could build anything out of bamboo except a raft to get off the island.

B A Baraccus (A Team) - given 20 minutes notice and a torch he can convert any vehicle into an armored monster that can repel an invading horde

Gomer Pyle - when he went on a survival test with Sgt Carter he demonstrated the difference between experience and book smarts

Personally I'm a Burt Gummer fan. He drives a cool rig, he knows his stuff in the bush, he's not politically correct and genuinely cares about those around him.

Ed

P.S. - No I don't really watch that much TV. I just have gift for trivia