And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
One of the weirder, but still very cool, Jeeps they used to make.
I love you guys that think old Jeeps and old International Scouts and Ford Bronco's were so great and wish they would bring them back...........The stopped making them cause they were junk. You don't stop making something that's a proven winner.
That's such a great idea that Japan has a whole segment of their vehicle production based on small but very useful vehicles. Especially cab-forward pickups. Kei trucks have become very popular as work vehicles on farms and ranches.
They were 4WD, and could drive off-road easily as well as climb grades over 45 degrees. https://www.wikijeeps.com/models/fc The only drawback was their low speed; 45 mph typically wide open. But they weren't designed for that. They were designed for farm and off road use.
I own a 1965 Jeep FC150. They were launched in 1955 and manufactured until 1964 but some were sold in 65.
FC150s have 4 cylinder engines that had 75HP when new. Who knows how many HP are left 60 years later. Like someone mentioned these are not fast trucks. Mine struggles to reach 42mph and can hold that speed for about 3 minutes. If you face a moderate hill then your speed falls to 30mph and if it is a steep hill you will be doing 20mph. You could add an overdrive and gain about 10mph of top speed... but then you would also have to think of the brakes. (FC170s are larger and have inline 6 cylinder engines but are not any faster)
These trucks were built on the CJ5 underpinnings. Same chassis with the engine pushed back about 2 ft. Same axels, gearbox, transfer case, etc.
The FC150 has a 6ft long bed on a VERY short wheelbase. Great for tight spaces and fits in a standard garage with plenty of room in front or behind it.
When you are driving this thing the engine is right next to you ass. Which means the cab is very loud and also incredibly hot! You can't keep a conversation in the cab and after 10 minutes in the summer you fell like you are in a very hot sauna.
Having said all that I would not sell mine and love it! It is not a daily driver or a work truck. I drive mine weekly but I would HATE driving it everyday in traffic and heat!
These were meant to be farm trucks in the 50's. Speed was not important. It was not about moving fast but about keeping moving when there was mud, snow, etc. In it's day Jeep was the only company offering 4WD trucks from the factory. If you wanted a 4WD Chevy or Ford you had to take it to a vendor that would modify the truck Chevy/Ford sold to make it 4WD for extra $$$.
Jeep was ahead of the game with these trucks. Jeep launched the FC lineup in 1955. Ford launched the Econoline truck in 1960, Chevy launched the Corvair truck in 1961 and Dodge launched the A100 in 1964. None of them had a long bed or 4WD options. Having said that cabover trucks didn't work in the US. Jeep canceled the FC line in 1965 and by the early 70's Chevy, Ford and Dodge had also canceled their cabover trucks.
I love you guys that think old Jeeps and old International Scouts and Ford Bronco's were so great and wish they would bring them back...........The stopped making them cause they were junk. You don't stop making something that's a proven winner.
ReplyDelete… or they can’t sell them in the U.S.A. due to government regulations, and selling them off-shore doesn’t make enough $$$.
DeleteThat's such a great idea that Japan has a whole segment of their vehicle production based on small but very useful vehicles. Especially cab-forward pickups. Kei trucks have become very popular as work vehicles on farms and ranches.
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted one of those.
ReplyDelete"Plus off-road traction". Yeah, not so much.
ReplyDeleteThey were 4WD, and could drive off-road easily as well as climb grades over 45 degrees.
Deletehttps://www.wikijeeps.com/models/fc
The only drawback was their low speed; 45 mph typically wide open. But they weren't designed for that. They were designed for farm and off road use.
I own a 1965 Jeep FC150. They were launched in 1955 and manufactured until 1964 but some were sold in 65.
ReplyDeleteFC150s have 4 cylinder engines that had 75HP when new. Who knows how many HP are left 60 years later.
Like someone mentioned these are not fast trucks. Mine struggles to reach 42mph and can hold that speed for about 3 minutes. If you face a moderate hill then your speed falls to 30mph and if it is a steep hill you will be doing 20mph.
You could add an overdrive and gain about 10mph of top speed... but then you would also have to think of the brakes.
(FC170s are larger and have inline 6 cylinder engines but are not any faster)
These trucks were built on the CJ5 underpinnings. Same chassis with the engine pushed back about 2 ft. Same axels, gearbox, transfer case, etc.
The FC150 has a 6ft long bed on a VERY short wheelbase. Great for tight spaces and fits in a standard garage with plenty of room in front or behind it.
When you are driving this thing the engine is right next to you ass. Which means the cab is very loud and also incredibly hot! You can't keep a conversation in the cab and after 10 minutes in the summer you fell like you are in a very hot sauna.
Having said all that I would not sell mine and love it! It is not a daily driver or a work truck. I drive mine weekly but I would HATE driving it everyday in traffic and heat!
These were meant to be farm trucks in the 50's. Speed was not important. It was not about moving fast but about keeping moving when there was mud, snow, etc. In it's day Jeep was the only company offering 4WD trucks from the factory. If you wanted a 4WD Chevy or Ford you had to take it to a vendor that would modify the truck Chevy/Ford sold to make it 4WD for extra $$$.
Jeep was ahead of the game with these trucks. Jeep launched the FC lineup in 1955. Ford launched the Econoline truck in 1960, Chevy launched the Corvair truck in 1961 and Dodge launched the A100 in 1964. None of them had a long bed or 4WD options.
Having said that cabover trucks didn't work in the US. Jeep canceled the FC line in 1965 and by the early 70's Chevy, Ford and Dodge had also canceled their cabover trucks.
Thanks for that info.
Delete