Pickup trucks and off-roaders are vehicles that already leave gearheads feeling more than capable when behind the wheel. But Icelandic company Arctic Trucks takes trucks and 4×4s up another notch.

Arctic Trucks specializes in truck conversions that go to the extreme level. Rugged and reliable in below freezing conditions, and ready to take on the arctic (and Antarctic). Who remembers the modified Toyota Hilux that took James May, Richard Hammond, and Jeremy Clarkson to the North Pole on an episode of Top Gear? That brilliantly converted Hilux was the product of Arctic Trucks.

Arctic Trucks doesn’t just make truck conversions for TV. This re-engineering company specializes in modifying trucks that will overcome the most challenging conditions on the planet. Arctic Trucks provides vehicles for a number of expeditions in the Antarctic and arctic regions. In order to conquer an area of the world where life is in short supply, you can’t be shy about it. Arctic Trucks has made some of the most incredible conversions that have shattered both ice and records.

Arctic Trucks came to be in 1990, and today they have facilities in the United Kingdom, United States, United Arab Emirates, Poland, Norway, Finland, and Russia – in addition to their native Iceland. They have a few car brands that they seem to prefer to modify, such as Toyota, Isuzu, Nissan, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, and Ford. With all of those iconic car companies, the end result are extreme trucks that are even more iconic.

Arctic Trucks’ line of durable off-road trucks will make you reconsider your next vacation for something a bit more uncompromising instead.

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What Makes Arctic Trucks Different From The Rest

Blue Toyota Hilux by Arctic Trucks
Via: Arctic Trucks

Arctic Trucks have set the gold standard in terms of what requirements there are to make a successful trek into the harshest of territories.

They understand that each component will potentially be dealing with constant abuse, and that durability and performance is the difference between life and death. The truth is, no one else is doing what Arctic Trucks does on this scale – especially to their standards. You may be able to find mod shops or kits for off-roading, but none of them can hold a candle to the entirety of what the Arctic Trucks team provides. After all, would you trust a Greenland glacier expedition to a random kit car build? Better let a legendary Arctic Trucks' Toyota Hilux take you there instead.

Feats Accomplished By Conversions From Arctic Trucks

Toyota Hilux
Arctic Trucks

If you’re a fan of Top Gear, you may remember the episode where Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond venture to the North Pole. The vehicles used for that journey were none other than specialized Arctic Trucks conversions of the Toyota Hilux. The Toyota Hilux became the truck for the job, due to their high durability. While Clarkson, May, and Hammond may not have been the most suitable candidates to take on that journey (well, they were as far as good television goes), the Toyota Hilux barely broke a sweat – thanks to Arctic Trucks.

On the other side of the globe, quite literally, Arctic Trucks has another Toyota Hilux take on the Guinness World Record for the fastest overland journey to the South Pole. Arctic Trucks vehicles have been a part of over 50 international expeditions since 1996, covering rugged geography and harsh landscapes in Antarctica, Greenland, and Canada.

RELATED: This Toyota Hilux AT44 6x6 From Arctic Trucks Is A Monster Pickup That's Ready For Antarctica

How Much Does An Arctic Truck Conversion Cost?

2021 Lexus LX 570
Via Arctic Trucks

Let's find out just how much you'll have to spend to get your snow-gloved hands on one of Arctic Trucks' iconic conversions.

The Toyota Hilux AT35 is the vehicle of choice for several reasons. It’s built like a tank, and in its standard form it is already built for workhorse projects. A majority of Arctic Trucks’ expeditions in the past were mainly with a spotlight on the Hilux. Recently though, they’ve seen more entries for conversions for other Toyotas and even brands such as Nissan, Isuzu, Lexus, Mercedes, Ford, Volkswagen, and Iveco.

While Arctic Trucks requires serious inquiries for conversions, possibly due to a case by case basis of what the truck will need, pre-specified vehicles prices vary wildly. According to their US division website, a Ford AT44 F-350 4×4 model starts at $78,616 with a customer-provided base vehicle. If you want a camper van to drive around Iceland's ring road, a Mercedes AT44 Sprinter starts at $315,331.

Where Can You Find Arctic Trucks?

arctic trucks Toyota Hilux driving
Via pinterest.com

Depending on where you are or what you plan on using an Arctic Truck type vehicle for, the best place to get started is their website.

From there, they have a list of vehicles they will be able to mod for you. You can contact them about certain vehicles with buttons under each model, or if you’re not sure where to get started, you can contact them through their contact page. They will help you get the ball rolling for your particular needs and in the location you’ll need the adventure vehicle.

Don't let isolated landscapes or foreboding climates stop you from chasing your daydreams – in an Arctic Trucks conversion, almost anything is possible.

Sources: Arctic Trucks, Professional Pick Up