We’ve featured a few Forward Control Jeep trucks before on Barn Finds, and most of the time they are really rusty and/or a long way from running. This one is both pretty darn solid and it runs! It’s located in Moutain Top, Pennsylvania and is for sale here on craigslist for $6,500.
The seller tells us that the truck’s owner died this past March, and that it has been used as a work horse on family farms in Dorrance and Hobbie, Pennsylvania for decades. Prior to that, it was used at a sawmill/lumber mill near Red Rock, Pennsylvania, so it’s spent it’s whole working life in Pennsylvania. That winch on the front sure looks like it means business, doesn’t it? The seller says it’s functional!
That’s a 9 foot dump bed that is fully functional according to the seller. Wow! That would be useful around the farm! The bed has been “reinforced” with diamond plate steel; we don’t know what’s underneath. Yes, the fenders are dented, but more importantly, they are solid metal with only surface rust showing.
These Jeeps feature a flathead 6-cylinder “Super Hurricane” engine of 226 cubic inches. Known for it’s torque but not high RPM or horsepower, the power plant is ideally suited to a workhorse like this in it’s original role. If you want to travel on interstates, you may need to look at other drive trains, or at least change the rear axle ratio. But I don’t think that’s what this truck is all about anyway.
All business, the driving compartment reminds me of a bus with the angle of the steering wheel being so close to flat. Even the seats look to be in pretty good shape–it’s obvious at least some parts of this truck have been well taken care of. I liken it to some of the tools in my tool box–worn, a little beat up, but very, very functional. Overall, if you want one of these Jeeps, I can’t imagine a better project to start with. Some hammer and dolly work, a coat of paint, a check over of systems, and you’d be there! Interested?
Hmm, let’s try again. (apologize if double post, don’t know where the last one went)
This is a great find, as most of these were the smaller 150 and not the 170. Most of these “Cab over Jeeps” were used for plow duty, and withered away. The winch appears to be an 8K lb. Ramsey drive shaft powered one ( you can see the aux. drive shaft on the left in image 12) I had one just like that on my Toyota Landcruiser. I don’t see any evidence of a dump bed, but had a plow at one time, so it must have a “wet kit” somewhere. Ton of issues here, leaking ( and soaked clutch) rear main seal, “country” exhaust, sacked out front springs, and probably worn steering. Still an unbelievable find, and just shows, they are still out there. Can’t go wrong here.
That 226 engine is the same one used in Kaiser-Frazer cars, 50’s forklifts and other industrial equipment. A torque monster and capable of interstate speeds with the right gearing and overdrive.
Not being anywhere near an expert, I assume it is a 4×4, being as such, I am surprised I have never seen one of these to my knowledge, growing up so close to the beach.
Hi randy, this vehicle was designed by none other than Brooks Stevens. The FC (Forward Control) was based off the Jeep CJ chassis, and being inspired by cabover semi trucks of the time, he created this. Kind of a funky deal to drive. Hot in the summer (as with all cabovers), weird driving position, a pain to work on ( again, like all cabovers) and just a handful to drive. They turned real sharp, which plow drivers liked, but the salt took care of most of these. Pretty rare now.
I come here to learn, reminisce, and to get away from reality for a while. I am never disappointed here. Thanks for the ejumacation.
This is a great barn find and at a reasonable price IMO. Love it.
The only place I’ve ever seen one of these is here on barn finds they look pretty cool and would make an interesting project. Even though they look dirt simple the limited excess might make these a real knuckle buster to work on. I’m glad there are truck guys out there as I have no desire to own something like this.
I am not familiar with these but years ago drove a cabover box truck for a job in college. Does the cab tilt forward for any better access to the engine compartment?
Too funny!
I “rubbed elbows” with one just a month ago, on it’s way to a complete restoration. That little orange one makes this truck look really long!
Hi Alan. A local farmer had one just like the one in your picture. Brings back a lot of memories. It seems to me that he had a lot of problems with the defrost in winter but he put up with it and kept that Jeep for years. His wife drove it quite a lot and she actually liked it better than the family car.
very cool
The beauty of that 226 is the flywheel… enormous. You get that spinning and the torque is endless. I have a ’59 Pickup with 32,000 original and it has plowed my farm for years… at just above idle!