The surface body coating is a TGIC Teflon/polyester hybrid powdercoat which emits no CFCs or VOCs in its application. The powdercoating was developed with Andrews Powder Coating and Cardinal Coatings and is far tougher than paint. The powdercoating keeps the vehicle's body looking new: All you need to do is simply wipe it down with organic dishwashing soap mixed with 50-percent water. Best of all, the finish never needs waxing and is UV-stable.
Instead of the traditional petroleum-based undercoatings, TLC uses heat-cured polyurea from Line-X which not only helps protect the body from road debris but also adds heat and vibration insulation with no potential negative effect on ground water as with petroleum-based coatings.
The original frame is modified by reindexing the rear suspension hangers, removing the crossbrace, adding a removable center crossbrace, and boxing the nose. That frame is then powdercoated, and the process begins.
The original axles are replaced with new Dynatrac Dana 60 and Dana 44 assemblies that are offered with either a limited-slip in the rear, a locking ARB differential in the rear, or locking ARB differentials front and rear. Brakes are four-wheel-vented and slotted power-assisted discs based on GM designs. For improved load rating and ride comfort, special Old Man Emu leaf springs from Australia are used on all four corners with greasable pins and anti-inversion shackles, nitrogen shocks, and poly bushings. The rear leaf springs are 7.5 inches longer than the original design.
For improved weight distribution and a lower center of gravity, the fuel tank has been enlarged and repositioned to the rear and boxed by the frame. The original fuel tanks were directly under the fixed passenger seat. TLC also redesigned the floor structure to ease rear-seat entry and to expand the front passenger foot area, which was always an issue with the vintage FJ40s.
Painless Performance helped develop a specific wire harness and switch package for the vehicle. Steering is accomplished via an ididit collapsible tilt steering-wheel column using a PSC 17.5:1 steering box mounted to the frame ith an Advance Adapters fit kit. ARB supplied the front bumper, lockers, compressor, and Dakar suspension utilizing FJ40 and FJ60 parts for an improved ride. GM was chosen for the fuel-injected, 350hp, roller-rocker, 5.7L Ram Jet small-block engine, and the Dodge NV4500 transmission with the Advance Adapters Atlas II transfer case delivers power to the axles thanks to J.E. Reel custom driveshafts. A McLeod CNC clutch system was used to ensure long-term service under heavy demands.
TLC is now offering the Icon in four standard colors, including Quartz Rock White, Mocha Brown, Rocky Mountain Gray, and Slate Blue. After exploring the trails in Johnson Valley and hugging plenty of thornbushes, a quick wipe-down with Simple Green and water restored the finish.