LandCruiser ICON FJ44 : Custom 4X4OTY contender

We’ve assembled an incredible list of modified machines for the inaugural Custom 4X4 Of The Year award.

Built to celebrate the delivery of the 100th ICON vehicle, this Petersen Special FJ44 is Jonathan Ward’s most advanced and special build to date.

The new Sierra Brown powdercoated body was stamped out of heavy-duty 5052 H32 aluminium and mated to a custom chassis designed by Art Morrison, featuring boxed and mandrel-bent mild steel rails.

Beneath the bonnet, this off-roader features a 6.2 LS3 GM e-Rod crate motor, an optional Magnusson supercharger, custom Griffith aluminium radiator, twin thermos fans, 4L65 Hydra-Matic auto with adaptive shift, and an electronically controlled capacity clutch for an amazing 0-100km/h time of 5.9 seconds.

For off-roading, this iconic vehicle has been fitted with an Advance Adapters Atlas II transfer case, twin-stick controls and custom diffs using Dynatrac Dana 60/44 axle assemblies with 4.09 final drives. General Driveshaft units are paired with heavy-duty 1310 units.

An all new radius arm suspension system improves on-road driving performance, paired with new Fox Racing 2.5 nitrogen-charged shocks, external reservoirs and Eibach springs. A new Panhard front linkage and rear four-link is married to Currie Anti-Rock swaybars, heavy-duty Johnny joints and equal-length two-inch steel control arms. ARB air lockers and a matching on-board compressor system round out the set-up.

Keeping contact are cast aluminium 18x8in rollers wrapped in BFG 285/70 all-terrain rubber. Stopping comes through Brembo six-piston and four-piston brakes with 355mm rotors up front and 345mm rotors in the rear.

The 75L fuel tank is fitted with a steel skid-plate to protect it on the trails, and an in-tank sock filter and large Bosch filter are mounted on the chassis rails.

The waterproof cabin has a Polyurea floor coating, removable plugs for drainage and seven heated seats. Dakota Digital made custom electronic gauges for the instrument cluster, which also features MIL-spec connectors, 12V and USB power ports, isolated engine harness, LED lighting, and 140A alternator – all finished with a matching brown and black powder trim.

Vote for Jonathon's FJ44 to decide this year's Custom 4x4 of the Year.