More... · 1956-1965
Jeep FC Series
The Jeep Forward Control (1956-1965) was a cab-over, four-wheel-drive work truck styled by Brooks Stevens, built on CJ-5 mechanicals. The FC-150 packed a six-foot bed into a body shorter than a Nash Metropolitan.
- Years
- 1956-1965
- Drivetrain
- 4WD
- Engines
- Hurricane F4-134 · Super Hurricane · Y-block V8
- Sold in
- US · Export · India
Spec sheet
- Production
- 1956–1965
Production years
- Assembly
- Toledo, OH
- Mumbai, India (Mahindra, 1965-1999)
- Zaragoza, Spain (VIASA, 1970-1985)
- Sold in
- US
- Export
- India
- Spain
- Codes
- FC-150
- FC-160
- FC-170
- FC-170 DRW
- FC-180
- FC-190
- Body styles
- Forward-control (cab-over) pickup
- Specialty bodies: tow truck, dump, fire
- Bed lengths
- FC-150: 74¼ in (6 ft 2¼ in) box; over 92 in with tailgate down
- FC-170: 109¾ in bed; 126¾ in stake bed on the dual-rear-wheel FC-170
- Drivetrains
- 4WD
- Transmissions
- 3-speed Borg-Warner T-90 manual
- 4-speed Borg-Warner T-98 manual (optional; already listed in the original FC-150 brochure)
- 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic (FC-180/190)
- Trims
- FC-150
- FC-160
- FC-170
- FC-170 DRW
- FC-180
- FC-190
- Wheelbase
- 81 / 103.6 in
- Curb weight
- 3,017 lb (FC-150) / 3,060 lb (FC-170), cab and chassis, 1961
- Payload
- GVW 5,000 lb (FC-150), 7,000 lb (FC-170), 8,000-9,000 lb (FC-170 dual rear wheels), 1961; SAE: ~1:1 curb weight to payload ratio on 1958 FC-150/170
Engines
| Engine | Disp. | Config | HP | Torque | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane F4-134 | 2.2 L (134 cu in) | I4 | 72 | 114 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm | FC-150/160; 134.2 cu in F-head; 72 hp @ 4,000 in the 1961 spec table (the original FC-150 brochure quotes 75 hp) |
| Super Hurricane | 3.7 L (226 cu in) | I6 | 105 | 190 lb-ft @ 1,400 rpm | FC-170/180; 226.2 cu in L-head six (1961) |
| Y-block V8 | 4.5 L (272 cu in) | V8 | FC-180/190 |
Related
Overview
Willys wanted a modern commercial truck to replace its near-unchanged 1947 utility lineup and hired designer Brooks Stevens, who gave the new Forward Control a futuristic "helicopter look" with the cab over the engine and a center grille panel imitating Jeep's seven-slot design.
The FC-150 (1956) used the CJ-5's 81-inch wheelbase with a 74¼-inch cargo box, and the FC-170 (1957) stretched to a 103⅝-inch wheelbase with a 109¾-inch bed. Power came from Hurricane four-cylinders, a Super Hurricane six and, on later models, a Ford Y-block V8. By 1958 engineers had hit a goal of a 1:1 payload-to-curb-weight ratio.
The unusual layout wowed specialty buyers such as airports and tow-truck operators but not mainstream customers. Production ended in 1965 in the US, but licensed FCs were built in India until 1999 and in Spain until 1985.
Trims, Bodies and Drivetrains
Trims
- FC-150
- FC-160
- FC-170
- FC-170 DRW
- FC-180
- FC-190
Cab and bed
- Body styles: Forward-control (cab-over) pickup, Specialty bodies: tow truck, dump, fire
- Beds: FC-150: 74¼ in (6 ft 2¼ in) box; over 92 in with tailgate down, FC-170: 109¾ in bed; 126¾ in stake bed on the dual-rear-wheel FC-170
Drivetrain and transmissions
- Drivetrains: 4WD
- 3-speed Borg-Warner T-90 manual
- 4-speed Borg-Warner T-98 manual (optional; already listed in the original FC-150 brochure)
- 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic (FC-180/190)
Highlights
- Designed by Brooks Stevens; "helicopter look" cab
- FC-150 was 2 inches shorter than a Nash Metropolitan yet had a six-foot bed
- Claimed 60% grade climbing; based on CJ-5 engineering
- Licensed production in India and Spain