Willys Forward Control Trucks

From 1957 to 1964, Willys (then owned by Kaiser Jeep Corporation) produced a series of military trucks based on the Forward Control FC-170 commercial truck. The four military variants were:

  • M676 - Cab plus open cargo body
  • M677 - Four door crew cab plus shorter cargo body
  • M678 - Van body with windows
  • M679 - Van body without windows, ambulance

Over the lifetime of the FC series, Willys built an estimated 1000 military FCs in the four variants, primarily delivered to the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps in 1964. Most of the military FC trucks were M677 with the crew cab.

Restored M677 owned by Timothy Burk, front view. The six slot grill has one wide slot for mounting lights, a feature only found on the military FC trucks. Photo courtesy of Timothy Burk
Restored M677 owned by Timothy Burk, front view. The six slot grill has one wide slot for mounting lights, a feature only found on the military FC trucks. Photo courtesy of Timothy Burk.

Today in WW II: 9 Sep 1939 In large pincer movement east of Warsaw, German forces trap and reduce the remaining Polish forces [9-17 September].  More ↓
9 Sep 1943 With Italian cooperation, Operation SLAPSTICK lands 3600 men of the British 1st Paratroop Division at the port of Taranto in the Italian heel.
9 Sep 1943 Operation AVALANCHE, invasion of Italy at Salerno uses 450 ships to land a total of about nine divisions.
9 Sep 1944 Communist coup and Bulgarian armistice with USSR.
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Willys Forward Control Military Truck Characteristics

Length 184.25 inches
Width 78.0 inches
Height 87 to 94 inches, depending on model
Gross weight 7000 lbs
Curb weight 4240 to 4750 lbs, depending on model
Ground Clearance 8.9 inches
Wheelbase 103.6 inches
Cargo bed (M-676) 108.0 inches
Track 63.5 inches
Engine 3 cyl 170cid Cerlist 85hp 2 cycle diesel engine was typical, but some were equipped with the 105hp gasoline Continental 226cid 6 cyl L-head "Super Hurricane"
Transmission Warner T-90A 3 speed was typical, but some units may have had a 4 speed
Transfer case Spicer 2 speed
Front axle Spicer 44-F 4.89:1
Rear axle Spicer 53 4.88:1

The Nomenclature and Federal Stock Numbers of the military FC trucks are:

  • M-676 Truck, Cargo, Pick Up FSN 2320-889-2004
  • M-677 Truck, Cargo, Pick Up w/4 door cab FSN 2320-889-2005
  • M-678 Truck, Carry All FSN 2320-889-2006
  • M-679 Truck, Ambulance FSN 2320-889-2007

An article by Steve Turchet about the Willys FC trucks appeared in Military Vehicles Magazine, October 2001. For more information, Military FC Jeeps is recommended.

Prototype of the M679 FC van body without windows (ambulance), 1963
Prototype of the M679 FC van body without windows (ambulance), 1963.

Willys FC-170 (civilian M676), 1957. Photo: Willys
Willys FC-170 (civilian M676), 1957. Photo: Willys.

Restored M677 owned by Timothy Burk. Photo courtesy of Timothy Burk
Restored M677 owned by Timothy Burk. Photo courtesy of Timothy Burk.

M677 owned by Timothy Burk. Photo courtesy of Timothy Burk
M677 owned by Timothy Burk. Photo courtesy of Timothy Burk.

Restored M677 owned by Timothy Burk, interior of cab. Note M-series light switch and military standard gauges. Photo courtesy of Timothy Burk
Restored M677 owned by Timothy Burk, interior of cab. Note M-series light switch and military standard gauges. Photo courtesy of Timothy Burk.