ICON 4x4s ‘Old School Edition’ FJ44

[Gary Lewis]

I thought some of you might enjoy this article on ICON 4x4s ‘Old School Edition’ FJ44.

These two paragraphs reminded me of something.  How 'bout you?  

There’s no disputing this truck’s rugged capabilities, but I’m not sure how often you’ll be seeing one on the trails, considering the price tag of $237,000. Even so, this FJ44 is an exceptional example of a re-engineered classic.

There’s no more trundling in the slow lane, as the FJ44 has an aluminum 6.2 LS Generation GM fuel-injected V8 that can produce an impressive 430 brake horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. This is combined with an Aisin Warner AX15 five-speed manual transmission and an Atlas II two-speed transfer case. ICON’s hydroboost-assisted Brembo Sport Brakes ensure this 1972 truck has a stopping distance as obscene as its horsepower.

Thoughts?

[MarkF100]

"obscene as its horsepower."
I don't know about others but, the horsepower is just down right beautiful to me. However, that price tag, $237,000, is as obscene has it gets.

[Gary Lewis]

Yup.  The 6.6L engine in Dad's truck hit 400 HP and 500 ft-lbs on the dyno.  The 7.5L in Big Blue is said to be only 360 - 370 HP and 500 ft-lbs, although it has not been on the dyno.  Both were spec'd to get the power down low, which holds the HP down.  But, it makes it more useable in a truck.  So I have no doubt that either engine could have hit the 430 HP # they got out of the 6.2L had I wanted HP and not low-end torque.

As for the price, I agree it is obscene.  But in this day and age someone will buy it.

[Nothing Special]

That's ICON.  They make some really cool stuff that very few people can touch.

[85lebaront2]

I just wish I still had the ex-NASCAR 430 MEL engine that I put in a 1958 Country Squire. In stock form it was 375 hp @ 4100 rpm and 490 ftlbs @ 3100 rpm. The one I had was .030 over to make it just under 436 ci. I had a single coupling Hydramatic attached with a Trans-dapt adapter, rear axle was a 2.69:1 9", 235/75R15 Michelin radials. Exhaust was built using 2.5" mandrel bends and run by Auto Muffler King in Newport News VA.

Car would go roughly 1 car length and then light the rear tires from a WOT start. Light throttle, we had a traffic circle with the road I was on through the center, shifted into 3rd in the length of that section.

I built the car with the intent to enter the Cannonball Baker Sea to Shining Sea memorial trophy dash. Plan was a large capacity fuel system and a car that could sustain long high speed runs. 1973 Galaxie front disc brakes so it would stop well. Externally except for the dual 2.5" tail pipes exiting behind the rear tires (in the low pressure area) and the 15" vs 14" wheels, there wasn't anything to draw attention to it.

Unfortunately when dad sold the shop out from under me, I had to move the car and a "friend" who owned a body shop was storing it. I went down there before winter to check the antifreeze, shop and car were gone, never did find it again.

[FuzzFace2]

I think they took away what the true FJ4x were about - rugged off road trucks!
I loved my 73 FJ40 230 L6 motor, 3 on the floor, did have over drive.
It would go anywhere you wanted to go just not fast.

I did a GM manual steering box swap to tighten up the steering some.
Then 4 wheel drums with 2 half wheel cly braking was the worst!
I say half because each wheel had 2 cly but only half had a cup to push the shoe out and you adjusted the other side like normal drum brakes.

During the winter it was the shop truck and the first summer the top & doors came off to use.
2nd year for summer a full cage to frame went in with some other safety items and went racing off road.
After 2 years racing and a few roll overs it would not go down the road to good so was just a race truck at that point.
Yep I miss it!
Dave ----

[Vic Roma]

Geez, Bill, that’s a bittersweet  story. Did you report it?