1957 Forward Control Jeep FC-170

1957 Jeep Forward Control FC-170 (“One Ton Plus”)

Manufactured in the 1957 model year and first sold in California in 1958. thus registered as a “1958” by the State of California. Late model year VIN number 12109

Original 6-cylinder. flat head. 226 cubic inch “High Torque-Super Hurricane” 105 hp motor.

Engine serial number (FW12105) is off from the VIN (12109) by 4 digits for some reason. The engine appears totally original.

6-volt electrical system with new battery cables

Original 3 speed Warner T-90 Trans with non-syncro first gear

Original 4 Wheel Drive. 2-speed transfer case (Spicer Model 18)

Original Spicer 44F front axle (3. 00 lbs. ) and Spicer 53 rear axle (4. 00 lbs. )

9-foot (108 inches) long bed is longer than the truck wheelbase (103. 6”). This was the first time that a truck was sold where the bed length exceeded the wheelbase of the truck.

Factory “fresh air” heater unit.

Has thirty different grease fittings on the chassis.

Spare tire mounted on the right side of the bed is the original wheel design. as the existing wheels are on the truck are late model aftermarket 15” wheels. The spare tire is the original size tire used on the vehicle (7. 00 x 16”). Four original. stock 16” factory wheels are also included in the purchase.

Not shown in the pictures are wooden side panels that fit around the pick up bed and that extend the sidewalls level with the cab roof. that are included as well.

Brand new brake shoes. brake cylinders. brake springs and freshly ground brake drums. New emergency brake cables. New master brake cylinder. All new metal brake lines.

Gas tank was recently refurbished and resealed. Freshly rebuilt carb and fuel pump.

New radiator hoses and heater hoses. New points. condenser. plug wires. spark plugs.

All fluids (engine oil. oil filter. engine coolant. front and rear differentials. transfer case. transmission. oil bath air cleaner) recently changed. New spark plugs and spark plug wires. Engine runs fine and doesn't blow any oil though I noticed an occasional oil drip from the front or rear oil pan seal. I installed a new oil seal in the transfer case.  

Truck appears to have been in California all of its life as the title indicates that it was first registered in California. The body and truck bed are very solid though I noticed that the lower front and rear corners of the cab appear to have some surface rust or bubbles (see pictures) and the interior windshield frame has some rust where I think water or moisture may have gotten in around the windshield frame at some point in the vehicles life. The interior window metal frame is currently covered with black tape that covers this rust. In addition the area directly below the exterior driver's door window (just below where you would rest your arm on the window frame) has a thin rust line about 3 inches long that you can see in the picture. The frame. entire under carriage. rear pick up bed. rear fenders. interior floor pans and wheel well humps as well as the engine compartment areas and panels appear to be rust free as it appears that the truck was rust proofed or undercoated many years ago.   The truck bed has plywood installed many years ago. on the sides and floor of the bed to protect it. When I lift up the back edge of the plywood and look underneath the rear edge of it I don't see any rust and I think the truck bed maybe very solid.   

Drive train works just fine with the 2 speed transfer case working great and the 3 speed trans being in excellent condition. First gear is not synchronized and you have to be careful about shifting it as the FC's have a tendency to lock gears if you are not paying attention when shifting it. Saying that I recently purchased a plate that installs underneath the shift lever that eliminates the locking problem but I haven't had time to install it.

The truck was painted sometime ago a tan or sandy color as I can see indications of “Bell System Green” color under some spots.   

Top cruising speed for these old FC -170 Forward Control Jeeps is is about 45 to 50 miles per hour given that they run steep original gears in the front and rear differentials. It clearly is NOT a Freeway Flyer!! Saying that though in low gear and low transfer speed I believe it will climb horizontal walls!!  

Jeep Forward Control trucks were built from 1957 until 1965 with 3. 01 built in 1957 and 1. 22 made in 1958. So the truck is pretty rare.  

Price is $12. 00 Firm.

Please email me your phone number if you want to talk about the vehicle.  

Also published at eBay.com

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