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Topless Usmc Fc

Discussion in 'Jeep Truck and FC Tech' started by ojgrsoi, Jan 19, 2024.

  1. ojgrsoi

    ojgrsoi Retired 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Last edited: Jan 19, 2024
  2. jeepermc

    jeepermc Active Member

    I can't imagine the cab had much structural integrity missing the top.
     
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  3. PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Not needed, back when vehicles had frames.
     
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  4. jeepermc

    jeepermc Active Member

    Disagree. Yes, a frame makes things stronger than a unibody without a roof, but that front grill would fold back and pin the passengers in even the most minor frontal impact with no doors and no roof structure. But things were different back then, my FC had no seatbelts when I got it.
     
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  5. PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Not even on the radar back then. As a kid I routinely rode in the front seat of cars with steel dashboards and no seatbelts. An absolute non-issue regarding that FC. Don't you think it would be at least as safe as a stock early CJ5, no belts or roll bar?

    And consider - they were shown hauling ammunition, a howitzer, and what looks like a 155mm anti-tank rifle, as if their way to combat on the frontline. Nothing about it intended to be 'safe' in the first place.
     
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2024
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  6. Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    I bought an FC150 that came with the top cut off, but was included in the bed of the truck. It came from western Nebraska, and a friend towed it to the Outer Banks for me. I rejoined the roof because the rest of the truck was very solid/rust free.
    The center tunnel braced the front panel pretty well, but when I welded in the front windshield pillars, it was very strong.
    I have seen an FC “convertible” (maybe in Arizona?) with a cut top and no doors, but still had the windshield in place. I wish I had taken a photo of it as it looked really fun. It may have been used as a tour vehicle as it had 2 or 3 rows of bench seats behind the cab.
    -Donny
     
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  7. jeepermc

    jeepermc Active Member

    There are a few around. Jason Monday owns one, Craig Brockhaus owns another, and David Eilers now owns the one that Jesse Ybarra rebuilt. Jesse lives in Phoenix, but all 3 have been there for the FC Roundup that Jesse used to host in Phoenix, so it could have been any of the 3 that you saw. They were used as tour Jeeps originally by San Juan Scenic Jeep tours in Colorado.
     
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  8. colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    I remember seeing those in the San Juans in the early 70's.
     
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  9. Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    If someone's shooting at you do you really want to be in a vehicle where you have to release a seatbelt (remember people in flight mode are not the best at the fine motor control required to not fumble things like seatbelt latches), open a door & bail out backwards (you've got to evade the door wanting to close again after you've opened it)

    ~OR~

    Would you rather just be able to reflexively bail straight out or straight up?
     
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  10. PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I want to be where I can say, "What was that?"
     
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  11. ojgrsoi

    ojgrsoi Retired 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hey, no sweat. The driver has a windscreen.
     
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  12. jeepermc

    jeepermc Active Member

    Unless that vehicle is disabled, I can drive a helluva lot faster than I can run. I'm stayin in it and stayin in it most likely. Seeing as how no FC that I'm aware of ever saw actual combat duty, it's probably moot. But.. I can see your point about bailing if I really want to get out of a rig and hide. I'd certainly be able to do that faster with no seatbelt or doors. But on the flip side, I'm wondering if I can even tell where the shooting is coming from to make sure I hide on a shielded side of the rig. I suppose I'm a sitting duck most likely in either situation.
     
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