true dat.
CK5
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If money were no object
- Thread starter DarkandShiny
- Start date
Money no object....?
If you don't enjoy turning wrenches but want something unusual, try these guys:
http://icon4x4.com/overview/br/models
Their modern interpretation of the classic Bronco is insanely well executed with loads of custom CNC parts everywhere and a great "modern industrial" feel to it. Prices start at $150,000 and go up to just under $200,000 fully optioned and equipped.
They have a division that does "special request" vehicles for customers..... So you choose the platform and they can equip it any way you'd like.
A lot of guys will hate on ICON for the type of trucks they build (more emphasis on comfort and appearance than performance) but there is still plenty of "good stuff" on their build sheet to let you get out into the woods without worrying about breakage or issues.
Check out a few of the videos if you haven't seen them before, The company started out as a high-end LandCruiser restorer (TLC) so you may already be familiar with their work.
-G
If you don't enjoy turning wrenches but want something unusual, try these guys:
http://icon4x4.com/overview/br/models
Their modern interpretation of the classic Bronco is insanely well executed with loads of custom CNC parts everywhere and a great "modern industrial" feel to it. Prices start at $150,000 and go up to just under $200,000 fully optioned and equipped.
They have a division that does "special request" vehicles for customers..... So you choose the platform and they can equip it any way you'd like.
A lot of guys will hate on ICON for the type of trucks they build (more emphasis on comfort and appearance than performance) but there is still plenty of "good stuff" on their build sheet to let you get out into the woods without worrying about breakage or issues.
Check out a few of the videos if you haven't seen them before, The company started out as a high-end LandCruiser restorer (TLC) so you may already be familiar with their work.
-G
Yeah...if money is no object, why couldn't you find a 1969~1975 Blazer with full vert...family would love it...definately unique at the driving range...
I saw a show on cable the other night where they took an old camaro and and removed the body....bought a new camaro and took the body off...then they put the old original body on the new car and made it fit.....
all the looks with the new reliability....why couldn't you do that with our trucks?
I saw a show on cable the other night where they took an old camaro and and removed the body....bought a new camaro and took the body off...then they put the old original body on the new car and made it fit.....
all the looks with the new reliability....why couldn't you do that with our trucks?
MontanaJohn
Registered Member
I would recommend you talk w/ Stephen or James @ ORD about your project. I installed their 3" lift on an '86 K20 Silverado, along w/ a Dana 60 frt axle (it already has a 14B FF). It's a conventional leaf spring suspension w/reverse shackles and their single traction arm. It rides really nice, comparable w/ the later model rigs w/ IFS. It has good articulation w/ adequate clearances. I run it w/ a locker in the rear and open front diff, on 35" tires w/ 3.73 gears. Motor is a 406 ci SBC, w/ 420hp/507lbs on the dyno, mated to a sm465 and np205 w/ twin sticks. The reason I'm listing all this is because it's all old school stuff, and it works well. I run a Quadrajet built by SMI (tuned to my specs), and it runs almost flawless, even in our cold/white winters up here.
I would recommend you run an open front diff for winter/snow conditions, or at best an E-Locker by Auburn(doesn't need a compressor). The older tech can be easier to work on, and it's factory stuff(vs Atlas type), w/good availability of replacement parts and guys to work on it. I think your family is probably open to an older rig w/ less creature comforts because it is part of the 'outdoors experience'......that's why it's called 'roughin' it'.
This fourm is awesome, and the guys on here build some incredible rigs. I've learned a ton from this site, these guys know their stuff. If you haven't seen it already, here is a link to ORD's older Sub build-up w/ almost the same suspension. Good luck on your project.
http://offroaddesign.com/action/burly-burb.htm
DarkandShiny
Registered Member
The response from my original post has been fantastic.
The subject of ICON was brought up and I thought I'd share my experience with them. I contacted Jonathan Ward at ICON and set up an appointment with him in his shop in Van Nuys. I flew in and grabbed a rental car and fought traffic for over an hour. When I got there I could not have been more impressed with their shop or the show room. The product is absolutely top notch. Unfortunately I priced out what I wanted and it came in at 178,000. That unfortunately, is simply not possible. On a side note their product is not as customizable as you might think, while pretty much any version LS engine is possible, I mentioned that I would like to see if 37's would work. I was quickly shut down on that as it would "throw off the aesthetic".
Anyway, I've spent this weekend shopping around and it looks like I will be going with a newer version of Suburban - somewhere in the range of 02-07. But that means that I'm going to have to work extra hard to have something completely unique.
This forum has been invaluable to me. I've already made several contacts from members that live around me. I'll be buying lunch for as many as I can to get some plans together on paper. Thanks for everybody's thoughtful responses. I'll keep everybody posted as soon as I make a purchase and then I'll start a build thread. Until then, please keep opining on what is a good idea and what isn't.
The subject of ICON was brought up and I thought I'd share my experience with them. I contacted Jonathan Ward at ICON and set up an appointment with him in his shop in Van Nuys. I flew in and grabbed a rental car and fought traffic for over an hour. When I got there I could not have been more impressed with their shop or the show room. The product is absolutely top notch. Unfortunately I priced out what I wanted and it came in at 178,000. That unfortunately, is simply not possible. On a side note their product is not as customizable as you might think, while pretty much any version LS engine is possible, I mentioned that I would like to see if 37's would work. I was quickly shut down on that as it would "throw off the aesthetic".
Anyway, I've spent this weekend shopping around and it looks like I will be going with a newer version of Suburban - somewhere in the range of 02-07. But that means that I'm going to have to work extra hard to have something completely unique.
This forum has been invaluable to me. I've already made several contacts from members that live around me. I'll be buying lunch for as many as I can to get some plans together on paper. Thanks for everybody's thoughtful responses. I'll keep everybody posted as soon as I make a purchase and then I'll start a build thread. Until then, please keep opining on what is a good idea and what isn't.
Good idea= coming to Blazer Bash
You're in my year range now, and I'm never above whoring pictures of my junk out. Its not hard to make something unique, no one is building newer rigs. Mine's simple and beat, but it gets attention about anywhere it goes, from people that know that solid axle doesnt belong in the front to people who cant change a flat tire. It will be unique, just keep it nicer than mine so your wife will like it. My girlfriend isnt nearly as proud of my mismatched rear end sagging beater as I am.
Unique? Bah, don't worry about it. I find blending in with the crowd but being able to outperform when needed a whole lot more interesting. You get a whole lot more "WTF was that?!" out of people. I just installed a bigger turbo in my old Volvo wagon. You ought to see the look on the face of the guy driving the Mustang that just got totally blown away at the lights by a 22 year old 740 wagon. 
Same applies to your Burb build. It won't exactly blend in at the country club with 37" tires and some bad ass bumpers, rock sliders, maybe even an expo style roof rack for extra cargo. But appear mildly built and outperform wildly built rigs out on the trail and people will certainly look twice. Jeepers get all sad when their rigs get outperformed by something not so Jeeplike
Same applies to your Burb build. It won't exactly blend in at the country club with 37" tires and some bad ass bumpers, rock sliders, maybe even an expo style roof rack for extra cargo. But appear mildly built and outperform wildly built rigs out on the trail and people will certainly look twice. Jeepers get all sad when their rigs get outperformed by something not so Jeeplike
