If you’ve heard of the ICON CJ Series, then you probably know that these babies are expensive, starting at a cool $50,000 (approximately) for a turnkey Icon CJ3B, then up to a possible $100,000 with optional kits ranging from $15-$27,000, but what do they offer consumers that the original Willys CJ-3B didn’t?
Posing the question, “What is your fancy?” to potential clients, ICON designer John Ward opens the floor for creative freedom and improvement in these ultra-custom vehicles, providing a rare opportunity for those who can afford it. These “throwbacks” are loaded with both classic style and modern performance, and are even designed with environmental impact in mind. The CJ3B’s 260-horsepower GM EcoTec motor makes fuel emissions so low that the vehicle is deemed exempt from smog laws. But don’t let that fool you, this revised version of the CJ3B can go almost anywhere, with 31 or 33″ tires, 4:10.1 axles, 2.72:1 low range gears and two locking differentials. With 45-degree approach and departure angles, the ICON CJ3B will crawl over just about anything you have in mind…
Then consider the paint job, or the non-paint job for that matter. Icon’s Cardinal powder coat blend, available in seven colors (theoretically) will never wear out, so to clean these “Dogs”, as Mr. Ward calls them, all you have to do is mix up some Formula 409 and water (1:1), and off you go!
Offered in “new school” and “old school” versions, the Icon CJ3B includes options such as the “XJACK”, an award winning jack design that is safer and easier to use than a Hi-Lift, has an 8,000 lb. capacity and inflates via a hose connected to the tailpipe. Rear seat options for the CJ3B include an original style removable bench seat, with three point seat belts (New School) or two point lap seat belts (Old School).
The frame is a 2″x4″x.140″ mandrel bent wrinkle free frame rail that supports the platform specific coil-over suspension, while the all-new steel body “captures the original Willys character but with even greater longevity and resistance to the elements. The body is built by hand, and finished by hand by the leaders in replacement Jeep and Willlys body parts for over four decades.”
Still in awe, I could tell you so much more about these landmark Willys re-creations, but you are probably ready to get back to work, or grab a coffee, or get in your Willys and take a spin, so let’s just say that from head to steel toe, the Icon CJ3B is packed with imperial design, utilitarian innovation, and downright love that only your momma could match.
For more information on the Icon CJ3B, or other vehicles available in the CJ & FJ Series, visit the Icon Homepage. For details on the CJ3B model, visit http://www.icon4x4.com/overview/cj/models.
If you are looking for, Willys Jeep Parts, Willys replacement parts, Willys body parts and much more for your 1941-1971 Willys vehicle, you have come to the right place! Don’t forget to check out our sister site, LiveOffroad, an online site dedicated to offering the lowest prices on parts and accessories for 1976+Up CJ & Wrangler! Live Well. Offroad Better.
Me too. I want one. Just for a day! My other Jeeps would be jealous. Not crazy about the grille but, the hood looks more proportionate? I applaud these guys for keeping the fun going. Someday they will be restoring these, wow, what would it be worth then?
I want one!
Very nice but the reason I drive a CJ3B is because I like the old Willys
I’ve heard some “Jeep experts” say that the CJ-3B never served in the Armed Forces. Absolutely, positively WRONG. I was in the Air Force serving with US Army aviation at Fritzsche Army Air field, Fort Ord, Ca. from January, 1964 to May, 1966, then on to the Mekong Delta, vietnam. The Army provided us with a maintenance vehicle to operate in the sandy area around the field.
The vehicle was most definitely a US army CJ-3B and it was a sweet little vehicle. The high hood made it look a little funny, but then, what jeep doesn’t look funny? The 1948 I,m rebuilding is “Petit Char”, or French for “Little Tank”. “Petit” for little, “Char” is the French word for tank.
100K?
That would buy exactly 100 flat fender Jeeps.
I’ll stick with the original.
Chris Salisbury
Hutto, TX
The CJ3B was ugly when it was first introduced & I see nothing has changed. I know they raised the hood to accommodate the engine, but it’s still ugly. I started driving a 1942 GPW & have owned MB’s & CJ2A’s, CJ5’s & I now own an M38. These are great looking jeeps.
My oppinion.
Very impressive but I still prefer the original