Chrysler Forward control amphibious

[rob love]

While part of me is happy that this truck found a good home, and at the same time saved me 15K and a drive to Ottawa, another part of me knows I will likely never get another opportunity at this model of truck.

Congratulations Jack. You have a nice piece. The suspension and drivetrain was my main worry about purchasing it, as I'll assume these were unique units made specifically for this truck. A set of spares will certainly offer piece of mind.

[Robin Craig]

Dear All,

I have been speaking with Jack by phone today and just wanted to chime in a bit here.

I think it is important to note a few things about this truck and it now finding a home with Jack for the meantime.

Obviously I am delighted that my trolling the net and taking the time to copy and paste the link to the vehicle for sale has led to it being purchased by Jack but it would also be grossly unfair if we did acknowledge that "Andre", from whom Jack has bought it also deserves much credit.

Andre has preserved and loved the vehicle for many years and has kept all the spares dry and intact and has not butchered it. Infact he has had several opportunities to sell it but upon vetting the prospective buyers has decided not to sell it. Andre has to be credited with fashioinng a new exhaust but doing so without drilling any holes or welding anything on. He really took care of it. Anything he did remove, such as the shielded wiring, has not destroyed the vehicle as he has kept all the parts and it is all reversible.

Having met Jack Innes myself, I can tell all of you who have not had the honour, that he is a very informed and passionate man in our hobby. It is a very good match.

My hat is off to both Andre and Jack.

Robin Craig
Howe Island

[Robin Craig]

I also can not help but strike out on a tangent a bit and show you all a couple of pictures of one of the Land Rover 101 FC 1 Tonne trucks that were under test around the same time.

I have many more pictures and all the test data.

R

[Jack Innes]

Here are some pictures of test vehicle #3 as it is now.

The rear differential shows the cooling system that involves a 2" spacer between the housing & pressed steel cover with hoses to pick up & return the oil, a belt driven gear pump & a small radiator in front of the main radiator.
This was the end result of several attempts to cool the axle. Part of the testing process involved driving the vehicles from Montreal to Quebec City repeatedly at 62 mph - the overheating is understandable.

The brake calipers are Chevrolet.

The front axle is almost the same but hard to access. It does not have the cooling system since it is disengaged for highway use. To do the brakes or any other maintenance on it the manual directions begin with " remove engine & transmission". This will happen in the spring.

The opening above the fuel tank should have a Pioneer kit rack. I understand the M series vehicles have a standardised rack that measures 39" X 12". Is this correct? Hopefully one will be easy to find.

In the side view you will see the 9.00 X 20 tires on a skid. If you look at the bottom 3 you will see experimental grooves cut into the tread. These look like they would be more effective than the standard tires. The rear 16.00 X 20s on the truck have the same grooves. In the test results there is a notation that the truck can become unstable at speed on a newly wet road.

The current project is to free up all of the cables that control the 4wd, winch, etc.

[David Dunlop]

Fantastic vehicle, Jack. Good to know it is in good hands. The unique aspects of it certainly make it an item worth preserving, although I am certain that same unique quality is going to stress your hair follicles sooner or later.

Curious about the cab. It looks to be a lot deeper than the other survivors. Is there any indication this is original to this particular truck as a 'crew cab' test, or does it look like a post service modification?

David

[Jack Innes]

Thank you David.

The cab was built post service. It looks like someone capable of aircraft work built it & it is very functional. The original trucks had either a fiberglass hard top as you described or a soft top. This truck has evidence of the soft top.

Jack

[rob love]

A cooling system for a differential sounds very much like a technical failure to me. While common on controlled differentials, I don't think I have ever seen it on a normal diff.

I wonder if today's synthetic oils might control the over heating.