SEMA-Bound 1964 Jeep M677 Forward Control Went From Navy Surplus to Overlander
If you’re looking for an adventurous escape in the great outdoors, why not do it in a former marine vehicle that has withstood rugged conditions? That’s exactly what this 1964 Jeep M677 Forward Control offers as a patina overlanding build, set to make its debut at the 2022 SEMA show next month.
Converting this cab-over machine into an adventure-ready vehicle, complete with a tent in its bed, follows a pattern that defines the life of any M677. These vehicles have experienced a back-and-forth journey between military and civilian service.
The M677, a four-door cargo pickup truck, is one of the four variations derived from a workhorse acquired by the Marine Corps in the mid-1960s. The other variants include the M676 two-door pickup, M678 carryall, and M679 ambulance. These vehicles were based on the civilian Jeep Forward Control, which itself was built on a CJ-5 chassis and engine, with the four-cylinder models featuring an engine similar to the CJ-5. The CJ-5 owes its existence to the military Willys MB, which played a crucial role in WWII.
Despite its initial promise, the Forward Control struggled to find widespread success in the booming post-War economy. It was ahead of its time and not perfectly suited for either personal use or utilitarian purposes. Consequently, production of the Forward Control, which began in 1956, ended in 1965, leading to limited activity for the M-series FCs.
Today, both the civilian and military versions of these vehicles are rare finds, with the military variants being particularly scarce. The exact production numbers remain disputed, but it is believed that around 400 units were built for the entire series, with the M677 being the most popular.
Most of these vehicles were assembled in 1964, hence the year mentioned in the title. However, the exact year of the truck being showcased by Greg’s Restorations, a Massachusetts-based shop handling the build, is not specified in their Instagram post.
This particular build has been in the works for four years. Greg’s Restorations, known for their restoration of the Back to the Future 1985 Toyota SR5 Pickup in the last decade, explains that their release at the 2022 SEMA show is the culmination of four years of hard work.
The original 170ci (2.8L) three-cylinder diesel engine, which produced 85 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque, has been replaced. In its place sits a 4.0L fuel-injected V6 from a 2000 Jeep Cherokee, keeping it within the family.
The engine is paired with an automatic transmission, and the list of upgrades also includes Dana axles at both ends, disc brakes, electric power steering, four-link suspension, and Detroit Steel Wheels fitted with BFGoodrich Mud Terrain tires.
While all these enhancements ensure that the vehicle lives up to the Jeep name, the cabin has also been transformed into a comfortable space. It now features a leather interior, complete with a Boss audio system and other modern amenities.
The image presented here is a rendering, as the full release is being kept under wraps until SEMA. The restoration specialist has maintained the patina look of the M677 Forward Control, and although glimpses of the initial stage and build moments are visible in the image gallery, the showcase will include renderings that provide a more complete picture of the vehicle in its final form (credit to Adam Tolman, aka Box Rocket Designs, for the CGI work).
At the 2022 SEMA show, the Jeep will share the stage with another project from Greg’s Restorations—a modified FJ40 Toyota Land Cruiser. You can catch a glimpse of both vehicles in the teaser video below, and for more details on the Toyota project, there are additional renderings on the artist’s Instagram page.
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