Series IIB Forward Control

History

Land Rover entered the light forward-control truck market in 1962 with the Series IIA Forward Control, a 109-inch chassis carrying its cab above the engine to free the whole frame length for a load bed. The IIA FC's tall build and carried-over running gear earned it a reputation for instability and underpowering, and in 1966 the factory answered with the thoroughly revised Series IIB Forward Control. The wheelbase grew to 110 inches (strictly 109.75in), the track was widened by four inches on heavy-duty ENV axles, a front anti-roll bar was added and the rear springs moved on top of the axles, while the cab gained relocated gear and handbrake levers and repositioned lighting. Rated payload was 30cwt on the road and 25cwt cross-country, and the IIB was built only as a forward-control - there was no normal-control Series IIB.

Engine choice broadened alongside the familiar 2.25-litre petrol four: a 2.25 diesel and, as the home-market standard, the 2.6-litre inline-six petrol. Production figures reflect how small this niche was for Land Rover: 2,305 Series IIB Forward Controls in total - 527 petrol fours, 524 diesels and 1,254 six-cylinder vehicles - before the model was dropped in 1972 when the company rationalised its range ahead of the 101 Forward Control military project; a special South African military contract continued Forward Control production into the mid-1970s.

Most IIB FCs went to work as drop-side trucks, fire appliances, breakdown trucks and camper conversions at home and in export markets, and the type's hard working life means few survive today. The registry's images show a preserved 1968 example in the UK and a IIB in Norway, where the type served with civil and military operators.

Imagery

Registry record

Manufacturer

Land Rover (Rover Company)

Manufactured

1966-1972 (South African military contract production into the mid-1970s)

Engine type

2.25 L petrol or diesel inline-four, or 2.6 L petrol inline-six

Production run

2,305 vehicles (527 petrol four / 524 diesel / 1,254 six-cylinder)

Country of origin

United Kingdom

Status

production ended 1972; scarce survivors preserved by enthusiasts

Catalogue data

Record kind

Named model

Family

series-forward-control

Wheels

4

Nominal wheelbase

110″

Base catalogue fields are exported from the Difflocked game. In-game physics values are arcade tuning, not certified historical measurements, and are deliberately not shown as specifications here.

Related base model variants

• Series IIA Forward Control — Series IIA Forward Control 109″ · High headlights · Curved rear mudguards

Sources & citations

Researched sources

• The Land-Rover Series II 109" Forward Control FAQ (IIB 1966-1972; 109.75in wheelbase; production 2,305: 527 petrol, 524 diesel, 1,254 six-cylinder; wider ENV axles, anti-roll bar; South African military contract to the mid-1970s) ↗ — retro.co.za (Land Rover FC FAQ) (accessed 2026-09-10)
• A Brief History of the Land Rover Series 2, 2A and 2B FC (IIB 1966-1972, 110in wheelbase, widened track, ENV axle, relocated gear lever and handbrake; 2,305 built; FC-only model) ↗ — Silodrome (accessed 2026-09-10)
• The Land Rover History: Forward Control IIA and IIB (1962 IIA launch, 1966 IIB; 30cwt road / 25cwt cross-country rating; diesel and 2.6 six options; few survivors) ↗ — Winwaed (accessed 2026-09-10)

Development reference notes

• 101 Forward Control ambulance · MILITARY-MODEL-REFERENCES.md

  - [Production ambulance photographed by Steve Glover, 1981 vehicle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Land_Rover_101_Forward_Control_Ambulance_(1981).jpg): split raked screen, separate medical body, projecting roof brow, twin corner vents, low headlamps, central grille, steps and rear doors. - [Dunsfold Collection's prototype ambulance](https://dunsfoldcollection.co.uk/collection/101-forward-control-ambulance/): useful side/body reference; its large overhead grille differs from the production front used here. - [Factory 101 manual](https://www.landroverweb.com/Pdf-files/Manuals/Land_Rover_101_Forward_Control_Manual.pdf): 101-inch chassis. Model and physics use 2.5654 m axle spacing.

• [Production ambulance photographed by Steve Glover, 1981 vehicle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Land_Rover_101_Forward_Control_Ambulance_(1981).jpg): split raked screen, separate medical body, projecting roof brow, twin corner vents, low headlamps, central grille, steps and rear doors. · MILITARY-MODEL-REFERENCES.md

  - [Production ambulance photographed by Steve Glover, 1981 vehicle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Land_Rover_101_Forward_Control_Ambulance_(1981).jpg): split raked screen, separate medical body, projecting roof brow, twin corner vents, low headlamps, central grille, steps and rear doors.

• [Dunsfold Collection's prototype ambulance](https://dunsfoldcollection.co.uk/collection/101-forward-control-ambulance/): useful side/body reference; its large overhead grille differs from the production front used here. · MILITARY-MODEL-REFERENCES.md

  - [Dunsfold Collection's prototype ambulance](https://dunsfoldcollection.co.uk/collection/101-forward-control-ambulance/): useful side/body reference; its large overhead grille differs from the production front used here.

• [Factory 101 manual](https://www.landroverweb.com/Pdf-files/Manuals/Land_Rover_101_Forward_Control_Manual.pdf): 101-inch chassis. Model and physics use 2.5654 m axle spacing. · MILITARY-MODEL-REFERENCES.md

  - [Factory 101 manual](https://www.landroverweb.com/Pdf-files/Manuals/Land_Rover_101_Forward_Control_Manual.pdf): 101-inch chassis. Model and physics use 2.5654 m axle spacing.

• 101 Forward Control ambulance · MILITARY-REFERENCES.md

  - 101 Forward Control ambulance: https://dunsfoldcollection.co.uk/collection/101-forward-control-ambulance/ — cab-over layout, overhead ventilation grille; rear photo RGN239P-2.jpg used for door windows and medical panel.