Around the world in my Icon. Looking for ideas.

[Smails]

Hello, all.

My first post here.

Looking at having a custom top made for my 2009 Icon to prepare for my Trans-world adventure, which I am doing in two years.
Price is not an issue, I only need the best and most durable options. Racks, clips, tiedowns... all built from scratch.
I will be having some lower-downs do research for me but I thought I might get my hands dirty on the keyboard, as well.
There will be a team building this for me so I can feed them options as we roll along.
Also, I will have my personal IT division download pictures.

Regards!

Smails

[Flagster]

top notch!...top notch!...will you be having a little party at the yacht club for the christening??? hmm...hmm...

[BIGdaddy]

Have you asked ICON? They've got a quality first, money-is-no-object type of mindset, which I'm sure you're familiar with.

Also, aren't those based off of landcruiser fj40's and 45's? I'd start researching in the landcruiser section to see what solutions they've come up with.

There's a couple that have travelled around the world in a very, very nice vintage troopcarrier. They've had a lot of custom work done by some very inventive craftsmen in south america that rivals ICON stuff in level of creativity...

[hks3sgte]

Will you be driving, or will you hire a driver? Or, just get live webcam updates ...

[Smails]

top notch!...top notch!...will you be having a little party at the yacht club for the christening??? hmm...hmm...

Negative on the yachters...they don't give a penny stock about my terra firma jaunts.

However, I believe some of the boys from Bohemian Society o S. will be giving me a sendoff at the grounds in Monte Rio...I am sure there will be some bubbly.

[Smails]

Will you be driving, or will you hire a driver? Or, just get live webcam updates ...

Seems like a silly question, but, I can assure you, I will be driving. There is a very good offroad drive trainer here in the bay area who I hired full time to give me an edge.

[BIGdaddy]

Will you be driving, or will you hire a driver? Or, just get live webcam updates ...

[Smails]

Have you asked ICON? They've got a quality first, money-is-no-object type of mindset, which I'm sure you're familiar with.

Also, aren't those based off of landcruiser fj40's and 45's? I'd start researching in the landcruiser section to see what solutions they've come up with.

There's a couple that have travelled around the world in a very, very nice vintage troopcarrier. They've had a lot of custom work done by some very inventive craftsmen in south america that rivals ICON stuff in level of creativity...

Thank you, Bigdaddy, for the pertinent information.

My Icon is based off of the FJ43 series. A little obscure, but I like it a lot. Bells and whistles is an understatement when it comes to this ride.

[yohavos]

Thank you, Bigdaddy, for the pertinent information.

My Icon is based off of the FJ43 series. A little obscure, but I like it a lot. Bells and whistles is an understatement when it comes to this ride.

What engine/drivetrain are you going with?

[BIGdaddy]

Thank you, Bigdaddy, for the pertinent information.

My Icon is based off of the FJ43 series. A little obscure, but I like it a lot. Bells and whistles is an understatement when it comes to this ride.

No worries. I've got a lot of respect for the builder of ICON vehicles and understand his concept, though I'll likely never be a customer.

You'll find lots of creative solutions to overland/world travel on this website, from the $500,000 rigs to the $5000.00 ones. It all comes down to finding the best solution for your travel needs, not getting too caught up with the vehicle part, and to focus on the joy of the trip itself.

One common thread you'll find, is encouragement to not scrimp on key components. Many folks will say that it's WAY better to save/scrimp/spend money on a quality piece of equipment ONCE, rather than have a failure on the road. That said, simple wood, aluminum and steel components have been serving overlanding shelter duties for a long time, so no worries if that is where your build leads you, rather than to the latest/greatest materials from the laboratory like kevlar, carbon fiber and sythetic honeycomb materials (even though those are WAY cool).