Jeep FC-150 Restomod
Jeep FC-150 Restomod
At the 2016 Easter Jeep Safari there were 7 concept Jeeps, including this Jeep FC-150 Restomod.
Unlike the other 6 Jeep concepts this was a 1960 model that has been bought up to more modern driver standards to especially improve brakes, steering and road holding, with the body being fitted onto a 2005 Jeep Wrangler TJ chassis.
Engine is the well respected long time favourite 4.0 liter straight 6 cylinder mated to a 3 speed auto.
Wheels are 17 inch, the box is 6 feet long, and the overall length is short at 11 feet. Wheelbase is 6ft 9 inch, track 4 ft 9 inches.
As the driver, passenger and motor are over the front axle a 250 pound deadweight is fitted underneath at the rear to provide better balance and rear axle traction.
The object was to preserve the character of this Jeep, so battle scars were left on the body, and even parking tickets were left where they were in the cab. It was bought into the Easter Jeep Safari as a ‘preserved vehicle’ not as a concept vehicle perhaps for future production.
The 1950’s – 1960’s were known as experimental years, rules and regulations werent over the top strict like today, and several manufacturers including Landrover and Ford also produced forward control small pickups.
Produced from 1956 to 1965 the Jeep FC-150 had 3 engine options:
134 cub in 4 cylinder
226 cub in 6 cylinder
272 cub in V8
Transmission was initially a 3 speed auto, later upgraded to a 4 speed. the FC 190 had a 4 speed manual option.
In 1958 the track was widened from 48 inches to 57 inches, plus the FC became available in several wheelbase lengths:
FC-150 81 inch
F- 170 103 inch
FC-180 120 inch, with a rear dual wheel option.
FC-190 150 inch, rear dual wheels standard.
Sales of the FC-150 never reached target and dropped off considerably when the FC-170 came available, but did pick up again. Sales in the USA were 30,000 over the 9 years.
Outside suppliers offered a range of body styles including ambulance, tow truck, fire engine, dump truck and delivery.
In addition many FC models were built in Jeep plants in other countries with an even larger range of body styles, including just the cowl and chassis in India.
This is one vehicle which is happy being either a pickup, a tractor, or both.
Special thanks to Fast Lane Trucks for the video, and screen shots from the video.
Thankyou also to wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_Forward_Control for some model specifications.
See my reviews of other 2016 Jeep concept pickups :
http://4x4jpnews.com/jeep-comanche-pickup/
http://4x4jpnews.com/jeep-crew-chief-715/
