What do you get when you team up a world-famous designer with a first-class Toyota restoration business? A one-of-a-kind ICON pickup that takes its styling cues from the legendary Toyota Land Cruiser FJ-45 and gets fitted with all the right equipment to make this pickup look like it rolled off the showroom floor. When we first caught up with Marc Newson's ICON cruising the hills of Southern California we instantly gravitated to it as we heard the delightful sounds of a turbodiesel engine reverberating from under the bright orange hood. Although this may look similar to your typical FJ-45, we quickly learned that it was all ICON.
Starting off as a basic '66 FJ-45, a 2.8L International diesel specially tuned for biodiesel was dropped in the hand-crafted aluminum body and then mated to a beefy NV4500 transmission with an Atlas II for a powertrain fit enough to make any wheeler salivate. Keeping with the spirit of the original Cruiser, a set of removable half doors was tossed on along with a custom canvas top to keep the occupants from matching the bright exterior. The ICON is outfitted with all the right stuff to make it survive on the dirt, and we're hoping the engineers over at Toyota are paying close attention to how to really convert a legendary platform into a modern-day ICON.
Lowering the bed line to create...
Lowering the bed line to create a smoother and more unified truck appearance, the ICON incorporates a classic fit and mates it with modern design. From the custom canvas top to the integrated lockable bed storage, Newson's rig was designed for function and fun.
With 4.09 gears matched with...
With 4.09 gears matched with a set of ARB Air Lockers, turning the 33-inch-tall BFG M-Ts on and off the road is not a problem. Boosting the ICON a little over stock is a 2.5-inch Old Man Emu lift that keeps the springs under the axle just as Toyota intended.
Tucked neatly under the hood...
Tucked neatly under the hood is a four-cylinder International diesel. Running on a strict bio diet, the 2.8L intercooled engine uses a variable vane turbo to ensure plenty of ground-pounding power at all rpm ranges.
Taking its cues from the classic...
Taking its cues from the classic 1960s styling, the interior of the ICON is filled with subtle touches of modern amenities, like a built-in iPod holder, a tilt wheel, and a CNC stainless and enameled dash. And if the soft half doors and undercoated floors don't give you that off-road feel, then the NV4500 five-speed should make you feel like a real driver again.
Tech Specs
1966 Toyota FJ-45/Icon Prototype
Drivetrain
Engine: 2.8L International 4-cyl turbodiesel
Transmission: NV4500
Transfer case: 3.5:1 Atlas II
Front Axle: Dynatrac 44, ARB Air Locker, 4.09 gears
Rear Axle: Dynatrac ProRock high-pinion 60, ARB Air Locker, 4.09 gears
Suspension
Springs & Such: 2.5-inch Old Man Emu
Steering: PSC box
Tires & Wheels: 33x10.50 BFG M-Ts on 15x5.5 stock wheels
Other Stuff: The first ICON pickup created, custom stainless in-bed lockbox, Marine-grade aluminum hand-formed body, four-wheel disc brakes, custom canvas top