Jeep Forward Control
The Jeep Forward Control was a truck produced by Willys and then
Kaiser Jeep from 1956 to 1965.
The Forward Control Jeep (FC) was produced from 1957 through 1965.
FC-170 Dual Rear Wheel has a heavy duty suspension and brakes. The GVW
was increased to 9000 lbs.
 Willis produced utility vehicles that remained
almost unchanged since 1947. As the marketplace grew more competitive in
the 1950s, management developed a new range of modern cab and body trucks.
Designer Brooks Stevens used styling cues from full-size cab-over-engine
trucks. Engineering was based on existing CJ-5. Power came from the
Hurricane F-head and L-head 4-cylinder engines.
The
Forward Control models were primarily marketed as work vehicles for
corporate, municipal, military, as well as civilian use. Regular pickup
box beds were standard, but customers were offered a large number of "Jeep
approved" specialized bodies from outside suppliers. These ranged from
simple flatbeds to complete tow trucks, dump trucks, and fire trucks.
FC-150
Introduced in 1956, FC-150 models had a 81 inches (205 centimeters)
wheelbase with a 78 inch (198 centimeter) bed.
FC-170
Introduced in 1957, FC-170 models had a 103 inches (261 centimeters)
wheelbase with a 108 inch (274 centimeter) bed. This model is significant
as it was the first time the length of the payload box (9 feet - 2.7432
meters - with the tailgate up) exceeded the wheelbase of a truck. This was
achieved by the forward cabin layout.
FC-170 DRW
This was a 1-ton dual-wheeled rear axle (dually) model with a 10 foot
(3.048 meter) load bed.
Military Variations
External Links
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 The Jeep Forward Control Page
This site is dedicated to all who own and love Forward Control
trucks built by Willys-Motors and Kaiser Jeep® from 1956 to 1965.
Site has information about the forward control Jeeps, bulletin
board, owners' registry, and links to related sites.
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Forward Control Fire Engines
The Jeep Forward Control, the 4x4 cab-over-engine truck built by
Kaiser-Willys from 1957-65, was a natural platform for conversion to
a small fire engine, and a number of companies took advantage of the
opportunity. Take a look at an archive of information, Photos and
more about the Forward Control playing the role of a Fire Engine.
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History of the Forward Control - Read More
The Forward Control story begins in early 1953 when Kaiser
Industries purchased 100% of the foundering Willys-Overland
Corporation and dropped their passenger car line. Kaiser focused on
Jeep production and renamed the company Willys Motors. The new
company started showing a profit as a result of restructuring and as
sales of Jeeps and commercial Jeep products increased. Lucky for
Kaiser that none of the "big three" had a piece of the light weight
4x4 utility market.
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Fred Williams' Kaiser Jeep FC-170
Fred Williams is from Denver, Colorado and is the very proud owner
of this 1964 Kaiser Jeep FC-170. The FC is short for "Forward
Control." Fred has this to say about this rare bird Jeep...
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David Christie's 1958 Willys FC-150
Check out this Fully restored FC-150 on Off-road.com
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Forward Control Toys
This page is here to appeal to those of you who might find the cost
of a real Forward Control just a little prohibitive. Perhaps
collecting toys and models of FCs is a little more agreeable to your
budget.
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