There is almost nothing worse than untapped potential. Tons of vehicles show promise to be something great, but never live up to the possibilities of what the consumer’s mind concocts.

It’s then up to the aftermarket and customizers to make these visions a reality, bringing the vehicle up to speed to what it could have been from the factory. In some cases it’s as simple as changing up a tune, but in this situation a Land Rover Defender is completely overhauled by the guys at ICON.

The Defender was originally designed as a minimalist vehicle. By that we mean that it would seem a fitting workhorse or strictly an off-road application. While it didn’t have all the bells and whistles, owner testimonials seemed to say that it was damn good at what it was designed to do.

The Defender’s intended purpose wasn’t enough for this ICON customer, he wanted to have his cake and eat it too. Therefore, the Defender needed a complete head to toe overhaul. The original parts consist of the frame rails, steering box, wiper motor and linkage, and body shell. Everything else was updated using aftermarket parts or made in-house from scratch.

First and foremost, the tired engine needed to be replaced with something a bit younger and with a bit more kick. An LS3 took its place, and according to the narrator the truck is now “stupid fast.” With over 400hp we will take his word for it. Finished with a host of custom parts, aftermarket brakes, Dana 60 and 44 axles, and a custom cage structure, the product you see in the video “>above is quite stable and tight, a welcome change from the Defender of old.

The interior is where the most time was spent. From stainless dash to carpet to modern leather seats, every aspect of this Defender has been upgraded. It’s all topped off with a custom wheel and tire package, along with a flat metallic black paint and custom Icon bumpers. With more new parts than not, we would say this Defender is ready for dirt, snow, or anything else you could possibly throw at it.