by Matt Konkle
Quadratec Channel Editor
It is not exactly a Transformers-Moab type thing, but the 2012 Easter Jeep Safari concept named Mighty FC certainly did the whole conversion thing extremely well before it found its way to those Utah red rocks.
Concept vehicles are no strangers to automotive shows across the globe, and while many really focus on new ideas or technology, Jeep has made its concept mark by dabbling as much with its history as its tech.
And every year around this time, normally, Jeep rolls out a slew of concepts that it takes out west for the annual EJS.
While world events have curtailed EJS this year, Jeep did announce it will release the full 2020 concept lineup later this year.
The Mighty FC started life off as a two-door 2012 Wrangler, with some cues from a JK-8 Mopar Pickup kit. Along the way, designers pulled the wheelbase out to 117 inches, and stretched its length to 200 inches. They then added 39.5 inch tires on 17 inch beadlocks, coil over shocks with remote reservoirs, TeraFlex Suspensions Control Arms and Track Bars, and Mopar's Portal Axles that gave the truck about 5.5-inches of lift. Altogether, this gave the vehicle a 6,500 pound curb weight.
The concept’s interior consists mostly of familiar Wrangler JK items, including the dash, steering wheel, and shifter, while its seats are wrapped in red, black, white and yellow plaid upholstery. Under the hood, designers kept the brand’s signature 3.6L Pentastar engine and automatic transmission.
“As soon as we unveiled it in Moab, everyone recognized it, which amazed us," said Jeep Head of Design Mark Allen. "We thought it would have a fan base of about five people. As it sits here, it’s somewhere between an engineering mule and a static concept vehicle.”
Jeep FC vehicles first made an appearance back in 1956, and quickly drew attention for their forward cab-over-axle design. However, the vehicles never really caught on in the mainstream market—instead finding a place in the service industry as airport vehicles, tow trucks, fire truck, dump trucks and other types of cargo vehicles.
Sadly, the FC never reach the potential that Willys (and later Kaiser Jeep) had hoped, and the line was eventually discontinued in 1965. All together, just over 30,000 had been produced during the vehicle’s lifespan.
