Land Rover 101

Jeep Military vehicle
Military Vehicle, Land Rover 101

Vehicle overview

The vehicle was primarily produced to meet the Army’s requirement for a gun tractor, and was designed to tow a field gun (the L118 Light Gun) with a ton of ammunition and other equipment in the rear load space, giving it the alternative name of the Land Rover One Tonne.

About the vehicle

The vehicle was designed to be easily transported by air; the positioning of the 3.5 litre Rover V8 engine beneath and to the rear of the cab eliminates the bonnet at the front, making the vehicle more or less cuboid thus reducing unused space in transport aircraft. Of concern was the payload and limited stability, particularly when crossing an incline.

The official name of 101 Forward Control is derived from the vehicle’s 101-inch (2,565 mm) wheelbase, and the position of the driver, above and slightly in front of the front wheels which used a fairly large 9.00 × 16 inch tyre. By the late 1990s, the 101s were decommissioned by the MoD and were replaced with Defenders and Pinzgauer vehicles. Many 101s have entered into private ownership and there is a thriving owners club supporting these sourcing spares and providing technical support.

Interesting facts

Thirty-one 101s were converted by Land Rover with artistically styled bodyshells for the 1995 Sylvester Stallone film Judge Dredd. Land Rover is supposedly the world’s only surviving vehicle manufacturer in 2139 when the film is set, and the green oval logo can be seen on the side of the vehicles, known as “City CABs”. Several of these prop vehicles still exist in driveable condition and are often seen at Land Rover events.

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Many 101s have entered into private ownership and there is a thriving owners club supporting these sourcing spares and providing technical support. The club also keeps a register of known surviving vehicles throughout the world. A prototype 101 was built based on a recovery vehicle. Only one of these are known to be in existence at the Heritage Motor Centre in Gaydon, Warwickshire.

Technical specifications

Capacities

Fuel pumpElectric, in tank
CarburettorsTwo Zenith 175 CD 2S
Range of action, road545 km (340 miles)
Fuel consumption target road 20 litres/100 km (14.2 mpg)
Max tractive effort top gear1002 n/tonne (229 lb/ton)
Wheel typeSteel, well base

Suspension

Road springsSemi-elliptic taper leaf
Hydraulic dampersTelescopic, non-adjustable

Dimensions

Height (overall)2,500 mm
Length (overall)4,330 mm
Width (overall)2,350 mm
Ground clearance254 mm
Tire size315/75R16
Tire pressure front28 lb/sq in
Tire pressure rear35 lb/sq in
Weights (unladen)1,924 kg
Weights (laden)3,651 kg
Transmission4 speed manual
Front differentialHypoid Bevel, Salisbury 8HS
Front wheel driveEnclosed constant velocity joints
Rear differentialFully-floating shafts
Wheelbase2,565 mm (101")
Electric system12 Volt negative earth

Engine type

TypeLPG/Petrol V8
Number of cylinders4
Cylinder capacity3,528 cc
Bore88.90 mm
Stroke71.12 mm
Max torque at clutch261.9 mm
Net power/gross wt ratio38.8 kW/tonne (52 bhp/ton)