Toyota Land Cruiser Specialists (TLC) has taken its restoration business a step further and started offering its own line of FJ40 Land Cruiser-based vehicles called the Icon. Recently, one of the Icons received an optional 2.8L International diesel engine that combines great fuel economy and torque wrapped in a classic package. Since the FJ40 was never available with a diesel engine in the U.S., the Icon gives Land Cruiser lovers the diesel they never had. Called the Biocon for its ability to run on B100 biodiesel, we decided to take a closer look at what makes this clean Cruiser tick.
A differentiation must be made between a restored vehicle and one that is basically built from the ground up. The only actual stock part on the TLC Icon is a '60-'78 frame, and even that is reinforced, modified, and then powdercoated. Suspension mounts are also revised to stretch the wheelbase, improving weight distribution. Every other part on the vehicle is custom built, including the entire body, suspension, powertrain, electrical system, and interior. In addition to the frame modifications, the floorpan of the vehicle is changed to make more usable space. The vehicles are assembled by a six-man team one at a time at TLC in Van Nuys, California. While TLC also restores older vehicles, the Biocon uses virtually all new parts to practically make it a brand-new vehicle.
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Installation of the turbocharged and intercooled 2.8L diesel is very well packaged. With 276 lb-ft of torque at only 1,400 rpm, crawling along is not a problem. |
This is no normal restoration. All parts used on the Biocon are brand new, not refurbished originals. | 
These Land Cruisers are so custom they even get their own name badge. |
Suspension upgrades include Old Man Emu leaf springs from Australia, nitrogen-charged shocks, and poly bushings. The rear leaf springs are 1/4 inches longer than the original design for improved ride and performance. | 
The interior can be custom ordered with any number of custom options and hides many high-tech features; Ididit helped design a stock-appearing collapsible tilt steering column, and the console hides an Alpine CD XM/AM/FM/iPod stereo, with four Infinity Kappa speakers integrated into the body structure. |