We debuted our first ICON prototype at SEMA back in 2006. It is a great show and a perfect match for us because, simply put, custom vehicles like this would be all but impossible without the SEMA member community. So ever since, we make sure to cook up another unique ICON variant or two each year for the show, in addition to our OEM projects.
In 2007, we debuited the first ICON SCORE Baja 1000 Limited Edition , and a one-off FJ45 pick up style ICON. This year, we are excited to launch our new GEN II ICON, featuring coil suspension and a host of other new standard and optional equipment upgrades. Meet our first ICON FJ43, built in our SCORE Baja 1000 Edition package. This photo was taken on Sept. 12th. It may look done, but there is no door on the drivers side, no electrical system, no recovery gear.... tons of work left to do yet.
We built this one to allow fo four passengers within the confines of the chrome-moly cage, with Recaro Carbon Sport seats. 450HP LS series aloy V8, 4L65E auto, Atlas II transfer case. Dynatrac axles with four wheel power assisted vented and slotted disc brakes blah blah blah..... really fun simple and strong design with just what you need to drive like a lunatic on or off road. ;)
Here is where we started. Hope you find our lunacy entertaining.
Add one part derelict vintage 1970's Toyota Land Cruiser...
Add one ICON designed .180 wall 2" x 4" mandrel bent frame...
This is our first of this new design, built by Art Morrison for us as a replacement frame. Since our old Cruiser's frame has seen a bit too much action over the last 3 deacdes, it was perfect for this plan. We decided to build it as a FJ43, so we stretched the chassis design by 18" to improve the ride quality and give us room for all of the planned recovery gear (for helping our Land Rovers and Jeeps in distress :) ).
Here is the chassis back from powder coating.
Assembled chassis....
Here you see our new fuel system designed with Transfer Flow, Dynatrac ProRock high pinion Dana 60 based rear axle...
The PSC steering box (new ratio for us...)
Our new design rear bumper system in the raw...
Sway Away 2.5 Nitrogen shocks with remotes, DJ Safety limit straps, Eibach coils, Currie sway bars...
12" travel but still with road manners...
Hand crafted ICON aloy body (5052 H32 5/32" thick alluminum) to our new length...
Put them together...
Build and fit the cage (tied to the frame), design the layout of all the gear and seating. Prefit everything...
Take it all apart for finish coating and hustle it all back together one final time!
Now we are building the wiring harness (two days of soldering...) and final fitting the assemblies.
Just finished the shade canopy. Looks good. Next we will fine tune our valving and spring rates. ALMOST DONE!
Could lie and call it done, but tons of details left to address! Took the kids to school with it yesterday though, and it drove quite well. This chassis is quite smooth.
