When’s the last time you remember seeing a cab over Jeep FC (Forward Control)? How about a 1957 example that’s genuinely roadworthy and packing 400 horsepower? The Jeep FC-170 restomod recently offered on eBay is a unique Jersey Shore rat rod.
A three-time FC owner built this monster a few years back. He rolled two goals into one: “hauling stuff and having fun.”
The project started with a roller. The body and frame are in solid shape, with an authentic patina.
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A Cargo Hauler Powered by a Corvette V-8
Don’t expect to get right back home after driving this big puppy to the lumber yard. The olive-drab FC’s bound to draw a crowd.
With a jumbo-sized nine-foot cargo bed, there’s plenty of room for lumber and oversized items that wouldn’t fit in a modern pickup.
The 327 cubic-inch small-block V-8 - opens in new window or tab. was lifted from a 1968 Corvette and rebuilt with the right stuff. There are approximately 3,500 miles on the rebuild.
A recently freshened TH400 automatic transmission - opens in new window or tab. boasts a shift kit and a B&M Z-Gate shifter - opens in new window or tab.. The engine delivers more than three times the horsepower of the truck’s original 134 cubic-inch, four-cylinder engine.
A beefy cooling system keeps the water temperature in check with a large radiator and Flex-a-Lite electric fan - opens in new window or tab., as well as an expansion tank behind the cab. An
expansion tank absorbs excess coolant and minimizes pressure in an engine cooling system.
Off-Road Potential
This wicked cool Jeep FC is located near Wharton State Forest - opens in new window or tab. in central Jersey. The state forest offers hundreds of miles of legal sand roads. Alas, the truck is currently rear-wheel-drive.
The original Dana 44 front axle remains in place. If the next owner wants to turn it into a sand rat, they’ll need to source a transfer case and related pieces. A custom driveshaft connects to the Dana 70-2U rear.
There’s over $30,000 in the built to date, with extensive upgrades. Braking system updates include discs up front, with a dual master cylinder setup. The fuel system is entirely new, with an aluminum 20-gallon tank, fresh lines, an electric pump, and an Edelbrock carburetor. All the wiring is new.
Built to Drive
There’s a new set of seats in the cab, along with a full array of Autometer gauges that include a GPS speedometer, with a slice of the Garden State as a backing plate.
Jeep FCs can be a handful to drive. The build incorporates a complete power steering conversion and dampers to keep it between the painted lines. Custom Alcan leaf springs provide six inches of lift. The seller states that the built Corvette engine will “easily take this FC to 70 mph, but I didn’t have the guts to take it further." He concedes: “It is an FC, after all.”
The truck is a driver, as well as a work in process. The seller is upfront about the FC needing a few essentials, including a driver’s window, a bit of bodywork, and a new set of exhaust headers. While a brave buyer could theoretically drive it home (at reasonable speeds), a wise buyer would have it hauled.
Willys built the Jeep Forward Control for nearly a decade, starting in 1956. The truck’s futuristic design never caught on with consumers, but many found use in specialized markets.
They’re a rare sight today. But none more unique and wild than this 400-hp Jeep FC now for sale on eBay.
The seller says:
had so much fun building this truck and connecting with the FC community throughout the process. Long-time owners were really generous with their time and insights, great ideas, recommendations, and help with sourcing parts in order to upgrade the truck to the point it’s at today. I’m really proud of the end resul
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.