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Cows Not Included: 1962 Jeep FC-150

front right

In the 1950s Jeep introduced their “FC” or forward control, trucks to make better use of the available wheelbase.  This model was based on the CJ-5. There were other variants in size and configuration. There were even vans prototypes created, but production vans were only sold in other countries. Jim S found this one listed on eBay. It has has had a busy history, found in a barn in Texas and revived in 1998 and now found it’s way to Los Angeles. It’s mostly original and complete. This Jeep has had improvements along the way including new paint, replacing the engine with an NOS engine and more recently, completely overhauling the brake system. The pictures in the eBay posting are the most complete and revealing photos I’ve ever seen.

seats

Inside, the utilitarian interior is rather tidy and the seats look to be in good shape.

dash

You can even see the state of a bit of the wiring, not very tidy but easily tended to.

engine

It appears engine access may be a bit challenging. That’s a little 134 CID Hurricane 4 banger under there somewhere mated to a 4 speed transmission.

bottom

They provided very detailed pictures of the underside. There is no damage from rust under here.

rusty corner

What they did show in great detail is the rust damage in the front corners of the cab where water accumulates. It appears an easy repair. Perhaps a drain hole can be added.

left rear

Could this resolve your craving for a 4WD pickup? It would certainly be different! There’s not much to be done beyond repairing the pair of rust holes and replacing the speedo cable. One of the pictures shows a couple of loose wires underneath so there might be a bit of rewiring to be done. If you look at the video on youtube and watch the driver bouncing around, you’ll see this won’t be the most comfortable truck to cruise in, sitting over the front wheels. Is this worth preserving or should it just be used? I look forward to your comments. Perhaps someone will suggest lowering it, and installing an LS 7 (in the bed?) and tall fancy wheels.

Comments

  1. Avatar Mark P

    Nice, would love to be running around the bogs in this. Has literal floor boards, not sure how those would survive New England winters. Maybe some water seal sprayed on would help. Unusual too how the temp gauge starts out cold on the right and moves left as it heats. The only other thing is something my father inlaw said years ago after having an accident in his old flat faced Econoline van. That it wasn’t good that your feet arrive at the accident the same time the front bumper does.

    Like 1
  2. Avatar Frankie

    The rubber undercoating can be used to seal up the floors, it will also deaden some sound to, probably enough to listen to the radio. Hey, where is the radio?

    Like 0
  3. Avatar Frankie

    Where do I plug in my iPod?

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  4. Avatar Mark P

    The radio is the sound of all that old equipment humming along as you drive it.

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  5. Avatar Terry J

    Had an old CJ once with that F head engine. Overhead / Flathead hybrid. Intake valves were in the head, exhaust valves were in the block. Tough old engine until it blew a radiator hose and overheated. Took all the starch out of the rings. Replaced it with a 289 Ford, but that’s another story. :-) Terry J

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  6. Avatar PaulG

    Had the FC 170 and it was quite fun off-roading in, especially going down hill. A friend described it as a “amusement park ride you can take to the store…”

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  7. Avatar Trent Poole

    My Dad had one of these when I was a kid. Used it for his work truck and once a year it would haul out the old Owens 24 ft cabin cruiser for a bottom job and paint. The FC wouldn’t go fast (you wouldn’t want it to) but it was stout. The sentimental side of me says bid but the matrimonial side of me says “NO!”. ;)

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  8. Avatar Bill McCoskey Member

    Most of the FC trucks I’ve known were bought by service stations and outfitted with towing rigs. With the combo of 4WD and short wheelbase, they could get into tight spaces to hook up to vehicles, and they were cheap to operate. They were frequently equipped with snow plows too.

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  9. Avatar Geoff S.

    Damn, that is too cool! Too bad Texas is as far away as it is…

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  10. Avatar Jeffrey Duddles

    Be sure to check out the other videos on their channel. I’ve been drooling over their videos for some time now. Lots of cool vehicles well shot.

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  11. Avatar JW

    If it was still in Texas I might have made a bid myself but Californy is a might too far !!!

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  12. Avatar Paul R

    Never seen one before.. It’s cool!

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  13. HoA Howard A Member

    This is a wonderful example of quite possibly the most miserable vehicles made. While the cab over design was Brooks Stevens idea from semi trucks, and they did maneuver well in tight areas, they rode rough, front heavy, making them hard to steer, hot, noisy, extremely hard to work on, meager brakes, and serious rusters. The tried and true CJ was a much better unit, and not many of these were sold. Top speed was about 45 and with bias ply tires, even that was a chore. Great find. BTW, Jeep did experiment with a V-8 ( a 272 Ford motor) in 1957 with the FC-180, which had a longer wheelbase to accommodate the V-8, and the FC-190, with tandem dually rear axles, neither of which were marketed. ( thank heaven) You could get all kinds of attachments with these. Kind if the precursor to the skid steer. Cool truck.

    Like 0
  14. Avatar Mike

    The local fire dept. I was part of for years had 2 of these, we got them from US dept. of interior back in the 70’s, we used them to haul a water buffalo in the bed, and a trailer water buffalo, to brush fires, we could haul nearly 1000 gallons of water at a time. They rode like a brick, but they would go, and stop with that much water that was a blessing.

    Like 1
  15. Avatar Don

    My parents had a ’62 Pontiac Catalina when I was a kid. It had a Green “Cold” light that I always thought was unique. I haven’t seen another one since they traded it in in ’74.

    Like 1

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