ICON completes 500th Toyota Land Cruiser wrist mod.

Icon has completed its 500th Toyota Land Cruiser, the California restomod specialist recently announced.

Icon's New School Edition 1964 Land Cruiser FJ44 follows the same template as the 499 that came before it. The exterior remains largely original, with subtle updates such as LED headlights, power side steps, and new wheels.

The interior, however, features heated seats, an updated audio system, and a rearview camera. Rear jump seats are accessible through a bifold tailgate, and a roof rack and ladder give the Land Cruiser a classic expedition look.

The mechanicals have also been updated. Power comes from a 6.2-liter V-8 connected to a five-speed manual transmission and a four-wheel drive system with locking differential. Brakes and suspension have also been upgraded, and a ceramic-coated exhaust system ensures passersby know what's under the hood.

Icon founder Jonathan Ward was inspired to work on the Land Cruiser after seeing it in action on an African safari in the 1990s. Impressed by the reliability of Toyotas compared to Land Rovers, which were also used on safaris, he returned to California and founded TLC 4x4, a company focused on restoration rather than restomods.

Ward then deviated from the factory restoration and built a 1965 FJ43 with more modern touches, including a custom leather interior and Audi gray paint. Reaction to this updated Land Cruiser was so positive that it became the groundwork for Ward's founding of Icon in 2003.

Icon has since branched out into restomods not only for the Land Cruiser, but also for other classic cars like the Chevrolet Thriftmaster pickup truck, as well as patented Derelict restomods. But the company will always be best known for the Toyota restomod that started it all.