Thai Builder Turns Tacomas into ‘Tundras’
These trucks are cool enough, you have to wonder why they’re pretending to be something they’re not!
Generally, unless we’re talking about a Shelby Cobra, a Porsche Speedster, or a Lancia Stratos, I’m not a big fan of kit cars. And I always find it kind of sad when people take a performance badge on a standard-issue car. Wrestling with the idea of just who those folks are trying to impress totally makes my head spin. So I probably shouldn’t like the Tacoma-to-Tundra builds Thailand’s Icon Cars is doing — but I think these babies are tough as hell.
They’re so cool, actually, that I wonder why they’re bothering with calling them Tundras. Why not just call the package a crazy body kit and call it good? Because while the build quality looks great, I don’t think putting these Tacomas under the knife makes them look much like Toyota’s big rig. In particular, the tailgate doesn’t look like an actual Tundra’s, and the size difference alone will tip off anyone who has seen an actual Tundra.
Regardless of authenticity, I totally dig some of the details here. The flared bed in the lead picture looks fantastic, so much so that I think it should be a factory option. Icon Cars has also absolutely nailed the wheel and tire package, lift height, and overall stance here. These machines look poised to pounce on a trail, where the fact that they’re smaller than the Tundra should generally be a more of a help than a hindrance.
It’s also worth noting that driving a full-size pickup truck through the packed steers of a bustling metropolis like Bangkok would likely prove difficult — if not impossible. Even talking a Tundra to the parking lot of my local coffee shop here in California can be tricky, so I’d be hesitant to merge into the fray there. That said, what do you think about these rigs? Too fake, or are they cool enough the posing doesn’t matter? Hit me up and let me know!
Photos: Icon Cars