We need another project like Carter needs liver pills; however.... a couple years ago I was in Moab and got a ride in an original Forward Control and it was slow, didn't wheel particularly well and drove like a bus. But I liked it and thought one of these would be a cool build, something unusual. So the question is what would we would we do? I've thought about everything from a Gen 5 V6 to a LT4 and make it a wheelie King.
But the reality is if there is enough interest we'll make it a shop build. I need some ideas and inspiration?
I saw the forward control concept Jeep that was built and it was on a Ram or a JK chassis I don't remember. Certainly would ride better than four leaf springs.
Thinking full OE restoration on the body with Terremoto chassis and running gear. Hand painted old school shop logos on the door and write that thing off as marketing expense....
Let me know when you want to get started and I'll be there!
Great suggestions. This thing reminds me of the Jeep version of a MOOG.
Off road capability appeals too me but so does on street performance. Coils will have a better ride but leafs will keep it retro. In some way I think throwing the body on a modern chassis is a cop out and not staying true to the build. Then I think about my Toyota with 4 leafs that beats the crap out of me off road.
It's definitely getting a powerful lightweight powertrain LS, LT etc. Maybe 40's, leafed live axles with articulating shackles, high steer, mid engine.... I remember the FC I was in was front heavy and the rear tires had little traction. I would like to correct weight distribution so the rear tires don't turn into smoke with an LT.
Robbie , you really need to do this .
A light weight Gen 5 - 5.3 and a ten speed , in a way you would need to keep the patina regardless of weather or not you stay with the leaf springs or use coils . Me I'd be inclined to go modern suspension , whatever you go with it will still be cool .
make it your shop parts runner | advertising tool * , paint that sucker Candy Apple Blue ,put some freaking forged ,WELD drag beadlock with bigger ,dragster ones on the back ,a trippy MOTECH graphic on the side and wheelybar cargo carrier or an actual engine hoist crane optional mount in bed and you've got a badass ,tax-free marketing uptick toy. Nobody will forget that if you pipe it right ...
Seeing as you now know where a second FC in need of restoration is, I'd suggest it is time for someone to build an FC Unlimited similar to the military 667 (I believe)
its not a bad idea, I was just considering how that'd been so well done by several others recently that that fact, plus ,who wants to wheel a forward cab lifted like every JKU out there? I see crazy potential for advertisement and something different ...you know who'd rock this idea would be Chris Durham in South Carolina ...he has a very creative sense of what's appropriate for stuff like this proposal. :jeep2:
Aside from Forward Control Jeeps being built for civilian use, there were also four models manufactured for the military.
M676 - Basically a civilian FC with minor modifications
M677 - A four-door crew cab with a canopy over the bed
M678 - An FC with a van body
M679 - An M678 refitted as an ambulance
Would be nice for this project to be different than what's out there, no reason to duplicate what's already been done.
I like the military theme, almost half our guys are/were military. We're just a few blocks from Nellis AFB, every day F35's, 16's, B1's, A10's......fly over our shop. Maybe olive drab with a white star on the roof like the Redball express.
What about using the new Camaro 2.0 turbo engine? I think the small size and great power output would be great. I can use the manual transmission from the car as well but the transfer case adaption will be the tricky part. A small Diesel would be cool to but the power on those are so low. the camaro is 275 hp and 300 trq. I am sure I can bump the power to 300hp and torque up to 325.
Motech is the king of LS conversion power. A 2 litre would be ok in the renegade, but not a Motech skunkworks project.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
JKOwners Forum
2M posts
62.8K members
Since 2007
A forum community dedicated to Jeep Wrangler JK owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, classifieds, reviews, engine swaps, troubleshooting, suspension, and more!