1 Of A Kind - Handbuilt ICON FJ44 Offroad Vehicle - V8 Powered Dream Vehicle

http://www. jaylenosgarage. com/video/icon-fj-44/1421390/

2 YEAR WAITNG LIST FROM ICON TO HAVE ONE BUILT. DON'T WAIT!!! OWN THIS ONE TODAY!!!

World renowned ICON handbuilt this beautiful off-road vehicle. Many hours of engineering and time went in to building this one of a kind machine.

Icon's latest. the FJ44. is a four-door. six-seater based on a 1966 Toyota Land Cruiser — marrying a vintage aesthetic with a modern driving experience.

Icon founder Jonathan Ward Builds everyone of these Amazing vehicles with specific attention to detail throughout.

Considering its price tag and careful attention to detail. it would be easy to mistake the FJ44 for a poseur — a rich kid who geared up at REI but hadn't ever gone overnight camping.

Rarely does so rugged a car call out to be touched. But this FJ44. with its powder-coated "volcanic green" matte exterior and multilayered Mercedes canvas top. was handsome and fetchingly tactile. Bespoke craftsmanship is what Icon and the FJ44 are all about. That's clear from the attention to detail inside and out.

To put the FJ44 through its paces I had to first get into the driver's seat. which was no easy feat. The FJ44 is tall. and there isn't a doorway handle or a low step to assist. The floor of the cabin is thigh-high to accommodate the 12 inches of clearance under its belly. so it was an inelegant entry that landed me in my climate-controlled Chilewich seat.

A twist of the key brought the fuel-injected General Motors LS 5. 3-liter V-8 to life. Getting it in gear came courtesy of a five-speed stickshift protruding from the floor next to twin sticks that switch the FJ44 from two-wheel to four-wheel drive. A trio of aircraft switches on the dash lock the front and rear differentials in place for powering up grades as steep as 55 degrees.

The FJ44 shares the exterior dimensions of the vintage Toyota Land Cruiser it is based on. It is sanctioned with an agreement that Ward brokered with the Japanese manufacturer. Ward said.

The only actual Toyota parts on this Icon are its imported. modern-day hood and pieces of its original frame. Its center of gravity is lower than the original. and its weight distribution is evenly split front and rear for improved handling.

The alloy body of the FJ44 is made by a pontoon boat manufacturer. and the floor is outfitted with drainage holes under marine-grade mats for easy cleaning.

The heavy-duty steering wheel was lifted from a Caterpillar earth mover. The thick metal latches attaching the windshield to its frame were the same as those on a Sub-Zero freezer.

The analog instrument panel and glove box panels were both inspired by Bell & Ross aircraft watches. The dashboard vents were sourced from Cessna. and the double-anodized sun visors were from Leer.

What sounds like a schizophrenic parts catalog is actually a careful sourcing of purposeful. aesthetically appealing details that. surprisingly. coalesce into a complementary. and unique. minimalist design.

The wind didn't leak in because the soft-top ribs were wrapped with Velcro closures. and the zippers were overlapped with heavy canvas. The zipper pulls were also equipped with "monkey ball" ends that didn't endlessly shake and rattle.

The FJ44 has the longest wheelbase of any of the previous three Toyota Land Cruiser customs that Icon builds. While that was a benefit on the highway. it was a mild detractor on twisty roads. where it felt a little unwieldy.

http://www. popularmechanics. com/cars/reviews/trucks/rugged-off-road-trucks-you-wont-find-in-the-showroom#slide-1

Also published at eBay.com

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