FC150

[FINOCJ]

A friend in Montana has seen this fc150 pop up quite often around his hometown recently....just liked it so much wanted to post the photos. I truly prefer this short bed (fc150) design over the more practical long bed (fc170) in terms of aesthetics and proportionality. My only complaint on this one is its an early version narrow track - axle track width was widened a couple years into production for a bit better stability (maybe when the fc170 started production?) - but if this were mine I'd be more than happy to drive it and wheel it a bit as well! FWIW - the fc150 essentially sits on a ecj5 frame and running gear....in other words if I parked my early cj5 next to it, the wheelbase and track width are identical - its 81" wheelbase and 52" track width!
https://beamingpix.com/images/2019/01/22/BF26D698-AE5F-4272-8F92-A350A3FAAA9C.jpg
https://beamingpix.com/images/2019/01/22/A2346DD8-7E5A-43E8-8FE5-DBB890569BD5.jpg

[Jim]

Any more pix you can get of it - post'm up!

[FINOCJ]

I found one more he sent:
https://beamingpix.com/images/2019/01/16/501938B8-B608-4522-92FD-B1AFCAA7C8BF.jpg

[FINOCJ]

Here is a red one in Minnesota - also local to a jeep friend there and he took pics and chatted with the owner. Guess the owner was in his 90s....don't know if he was the original owner or not...
https://beamingpix.com/images/2018/12/11/IMG_20131010_110033_926.jpg
https://beamingpix.com/images/2018/12/11/IMG_20131010_110057_814.jpg
https://beamingpix.com/images/2018/12/11/IMG_20131010_110111_387.jpg

[FINOCJ]

the found in a parking lot pictures have been popping up as yet a different jeep friend bought one recently and we are finding 'inspirational' shots to help him along...of course, he has been so into this project that he doesn't need much help now...but in a year or two it might be a different story. This is what and how it looked when he bought it a couple months ago...

http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?attachments/upload_2018-12-11_11-59-23-png.45899/
http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?attachments/upload_2018-12-11_12-0-33-png.45900/
http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?attachments/upload_2018-12-11_12-4-9-png.45901/
http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?attachments/upload_2018-12-11_12-7-6-png.45903/

[FINOCJ]

He also added a 2nd one to his collection for parts etc....I think he mostly wanted it for the cab sheetmetal....
http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?attachments/resized_20190118_100512-1-jpeg.46626/

[Jim]

How is the engine accessed - does the cab flip forward? Access from above the motor by removing the seat from the cab?

[FINOCJ]

How is the engine accessed - does the cab flip forward? Access from above the motor by removing the seat from the cab?

Can access the engine through a removeable cover in the cab that is between the seats:
https://images.craigslist.org/00n0n_1FIMO5LB90i_600x450.jpg

Looking down into the engine bay from the cab:
https://images.craigslist.org/00000_4qY3UScZZKe_600x450.jpg

There is also an access panel on the rear of the cab that is accessed from the bed. see here:
https://images.craigslist.org/00u0u_ghH0YljGKx6_600x450.jpg

For full access to the engine I assumed you would flip the cab forward like an old semi. But here my friend flipped the cab rearward (?) - this is my friends after he removed the rusted out bed and was trying to get the engine running. Honestly, now that I think about it some more...its seems odd that the cab flipped backward as that would not be possible with the bed still on...I'll look into it a bit more...maybe he just tipped it back as it was easiest at the time...
http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?attachments/upload_2018-12-20_6-14-58-png.46147/

The first two pics are from CL posting for a fc170 down in southern CO - has a v8 in it!
https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/monte-vista-jeep/6782969819.html

[FINOCJ]

How is the engine accessed - does the cab flip forward? Access from above the motor by removing the seat from the cab?

So decided to ask my friend how to access the engine bay with the cab on - here is his response:
the doghouse is the only way. there is a diagram to build a gantry in the FSM to lift the engine up and out the door to do any engine work.
hinging the cab forward would be ideal, but i wouldnt trust my work. hit the brakes and it would tilt forward with me and my dog in it, no thanks. there is no access panel in back. you take the box off and can get at the transmission easily.
in the wide track FC's, there are two removable vented panels in the front wheel wells above the frame, but on the narrow tracks, nothing.
its 4 bolts to remove the cab from the frame, plus misc throttle/brake/clutch linkages. im thinking a shop would be proficient at this if they didnt have the gantry on hand.

The doghouse is what the cover lid inside the cab is known as. His comment that there is no panel on the back is kind of interesting...wonder if that feature was added later, or if a lot of people just cut the back of the cab to help with access (especially with engine swaps) as I think I have seen it on a few of them? One thing to keep in mind, the original narrow track fc150's came with a little 4cyl (the same F134 'hurricane' found in the cj3b and cj5s). It would have lifted in and out of the 'doghouse' and through one of the doors. Guessing the later optional 6cyl 'super hurricane' would also have fit through the doghouse. The v8 in the white CL add I don't think has any chance without removal of the cab.

[FINOCJ]

One more response about the rear panel/grate:

http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?attachments/upload_2019-1-23_11-43-49-png.46690/

the grate is welded to the body. a removable panel may be nice, but with the dog house off, you really can reach everything but the radiator.

[Jim]

And to think - the driver wouldn't even need to get out of the driver's seat to change carb jetting...

(I'll go sit in the corner now)

;)

[alanmikkelsen]

Enjoyed this whole thread!

[Spieg]

Not a 150, but probably the coolest FC I've run across (I have a thing for tow trucks);
http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44950&d=1491345486

[FINOCJ]

One in action...
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/49202814_10161333737245438_3043591354123812864_n.j pg?_nc_cat=104&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=81ef2d195b6c899210c68efe8a5c0704&oe=5CD94422

[Jim]

And now we know the difference between "Tow truck service" and "Wrecker service".