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