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 pump | Electric, in tank |
Carburettors | Two Zenith 175 CD 2S |
Range of action, road | 545 km (340 miles) |
Fuel consumption target road | 20 litres/100 km (14.2 mpg) |
Max tractive effort top gear | 1002 n/tonne (229 lb/ton) |
Wheel type | Steel, well base |
Suspension
Road springs | Semi-elliptic taper leaf |
Hydraulic dampers | Telescopic, non-adjustable |
Dimensions
Height (overall) | 2,500 mm |
Length (overall) | 4,330 mm |
Width (overall) | 2,350 mm |
Ground clearance | 254 mm |
Tire size | 315/75R16 |
Tire pressure front | 28 lb/sq in |
Tire pressure rear | 35 lb/sq in |
Weights (unladen) | 1,924 kg |
Weights (laden) | 3,651 kg |
Transmission | 4 speed manual |
Front differential | Hypoid Bevel, Salisbury 8HS |
Front wheel drive | Enclosed constant velocity joints |
Rear differential | Fully-floating shafts |
Wheelbase | 2,565 mm (101") |
Electric system | 12 Volt negative earth |
Engine type
Type | LPG/Petrol V8 |
Number of cylinders | 4 |
Cylinder capacity | 3,528 cc |
Bore | 88.90 mm |
Stroke | 71.12 mm |
Max torque at clutch | 261.9 mm |
Net power/gross wt ratio | 38.8 kW/tonne (52 bhp/ton) |