FC-170 DRW

The largest of the Forward Controls was introduced by Willys in 1958. Service Bulletin No. 401 dated November 26, 1958 provided preliminary service information to Jeep dealers. The FC-170 DRW, equipped with dual rear wheels (Thus DRW) was available in gross weight ratings of 8000 pounds or 9000 pounds. The rating depended on whether the truck was equipped with the three speed transmission or the four speed transmission. Since the latter's first gear was a "granny" gear (something not seen in modern pickup trucks) I suppose Willys felt the truck, so equipped, was capable of getting the extra thousand pounds moving from a dead stop.

Serial numbers of these DRWs consisted of the FC-170 prefix plus a 2 digit number to distinguish the 3-speed (13) from the 4-speed (15) model, Thus:

The picture to the right shows the FC-170 DRW in its basic factory configuration as a platform stake truck. The heavy truck was ideal for a number of other applications and FC-170 DRWs can be found equipped as fire engines, backhoes and dump trucks.

Like the basic FC-170, the DRW was equipped with the Continental 226 cid Flathead (L-head) inline six cylinder engine.

Some differences from the basic FC-170 include obviously, the dual wheels, heavy-duty 9-leaf rear springs and heavy-duty rear shock absorbers, 12" front drum brakes and 13" rear drum brakes with a larger master cylinder. The FC-170 DRW was available with an optional vacuum brake booster called a hydrovac, a sort of power brake to assist in bringing the heavy vehicle to a stop. The booster componants were co-located with the brake master cylinder beneath the dashboard. The addition of extra equipment however, required that the speedometer be raised above the surface of the dashboard. (See Phil O'Brien's FC-170 DRW dashboard to the left) The standard brakes were also larger than those used in the basic FC-170 and of the self-adjusting type. Finally, the rear axle was the Spicer model 70, having a 7000 lb. capacity. The standard gearing was 4.88:1 with an optional gearing of 5.87:1.

Backhoe	Fire Engine

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