WSDMetal's 2021 Prototyping Rig

This truck is my daily driver, parts runner and prototyping rig. It was purchased new in December of 2020 to be used for personal transportation and support for my other project vehicles and metal fabrication needs.

Since then, it has turned into a mini build and prototyping platform for various parts. Although metal fabrication is no longer my day job, I still develop parts occasionally under contract or when available parts don't suit my needs and expectations.

I've come to terms with the fact that nothing I own can escape turning into a project. This is a build log created to track the progression of my latest project vehicle.

Vehicle Info:
2021 Tundra Crewmax TRD Sport 4WD
Magnetic Grey Metallic

Current Parts List:

Front Suspension:
- FOX 2.5 Factory Series DSC coilovers
- Camburg Engineering X-joint upper control arms
- Timbren Active Off-Road bumpstops

Rear Suspension:
- FOX 2.5 Factory Series DSC shocks
- Deaver F85 mini pack
- Timbren Active Off-Road bumpstops

Wheels & Tires:
- Fittipaldi Off Road FT102 17x8.5 +0
- Falken Wildpeak R/T 315/70R17

Lighting:
- Baja Designs XL Linkable 50" system
- Baja Designs OnX6 Arc Dual Control 30" bar
- Baja Designs Squadron Pro Combo white pods
- Baja Designs Squadron SAE amber fogs
- Baja Designs S2 Sport Flushmount in rear bumper
- Baja Designs S1 Hitch Light
- WSDMetal Roof Mounting System

Electrical & A/V:
- sPOD BantamX HD 8 circuit system
- Kenwood KSC-SW11 subwoofer
- Kenwood door speakers

Exterior:
- Chassis Unlimited Octane front bumper
- WSDMetal HD Tailgate Cap
- Softopper folding soft top

Exhaust:
- Magnaflow 12198 muffler w/ custom resonator

 

Past Projects. All started as bone stock vehicles:

 

New roof light mount currently under development for the Baja Designs XL Linkable 50" system:

- 2007-2021 Tundra fitment
- CNC machined 6061 billet aluminum bracket base
- lasercut & CNC formed 10 gauge steel brackets
- ETA Sep 15

 

Build a roof rack with that or a fairing!
[/QUOTE]

 

This looks great, do you have a website that we can share with people who are looking for this setup?
Best,
Brandon

 

Thank you!

No website, just my IG: @wsdmetal

 

Maybe in the future!

I designed this one to be super low profile and add zero height to the cab for those who are looking for a streamlined race look. These are 3D printed brackets that I used to position the lights where I wanted them.

 

Switched up my wheel and tire setup.

Wheels: Fittipaldi Off Road FT102 Bronze 17x8.5 +0 https://www.fittipaldioffroad.com/wheels/ft102/?cat=122

Tires: Falken Wildpeak R/T 315/70R17 https://www.falkentire.com/wildpeak/rt

The wheels come with centercaps, but I prefer the no cap look.

 

Made a little progress on the roof light bracket system. Successfully assembled the machined and formed parts and bolted up perfectly to the @Baja Designs XL Linkable bar.

Just making a couple final tweaks and spec'ing hardware before test fitting on my Tundra.

 

Installed some @Baja Designs goodies over the long weekend.

1. Squadron-R Sport Fog Pocket Amber lights
2. S2 Sport Flushmounts in the rear bumper

Super happy with the results. Quality, fit and finish on these lights is unbeatable.

Squadron-R fog light install went super smooth and easy, since they are vehicle specific bolt-on and supplied with plug & play harnesses. Turns on and off with the factory fog light switch. Little extra measure for a super solid mount: I drilled 2 holes per side and secured the factory fog light pockets to the bumper to eliminate any potential rattle.



S2 Sport Flushmounts were a bit more involved since I had to cut pockets in the rear bumper, but all necessary mounting hardware is included, so no biggie. Also made some foam gaskets because there is a slight curvature on the bumper cap. Measure twice, cut once.

 

Pretty stoked on the new FT102 wheels and Falken R/T tires, but still undecided on the cap situation...

Fittipaldi Off Road FT102

What are your thoughts? Cap or no cap?

 

First test fit of the roof light mounting system on the Tundra was successful!

I still see some room for improvement, so I'm going to tweak the design a bit more. Not bad for first test, fits perfect.

 

I like no cap, and I’ve got the same tires and like them so far as well

 

How much will these be? I'm really digging this lol

 

I likey

 

For those

Still working out final pricing, but probably around $350.

This price would include all brackets, hardware, gaskets, powdercoating, installation tools and supplies.

 

Not the sexiest, but definitely one of my favorite additions to any truck I've built...

This @sPOD BantamX HD system makes wiring, powering and controlling accessories absolutely delightful!

The initial install of the system isn't all that bad either. Basically, mount everything using the provided drilling templates and connect it to your positive battery terminal and a chassis ground. The hardest part was literally routing the wires, which is easy once you stop overthinking and actually start doing it LOL.

Mounted in the most obvious location for now, works great and easy to access. The default blue backlight matches the factory lighting perfectly. Super solid feel and button feedback. Now I have to find 6 other accessories to power, this could turn into a really pricey mod...



Again, mounted to the most straightforward location. All necessary hardware is included.



Once the system is installed, it's really easy to add accessories. Ditch whatever clusterfuck of a wiring harness came with your powered accessory. Grab a couple connectors and crimp them onto your hot and ground wires. Heatshrink the ends and connect them to this power distribution unit. Each circuit is numbered and labeled so you know exactly which button will control it from inside the vehicle. A bunch of crimp connectors and heatshrink tubing is already included too.



This mod will pay for itself over and over, every time I add another powered accessory. No more dreaded wiring after spending hours installing a new part or creating a rat's nest of messy wires in the engine bay. Well worth it.

 

Mocked up some Bushwacker flares today. Fits great but I'm going to try something different.

 

Pulled the trigger on some @RCIoffroad aluminum skid plates after some bozo on Facebook tried to rip me off on a used transmission skid sale with missing hardware and bracket.

I believe their Black Friday Sale is on now if anyone is looking for a deal on some super beefy, well made skid plates.

 

Great build! Did you stick with the Bushwacker flares?

 

Looking great! Love the mods so far!

 

Ended up ditching the flares and keeping it factory.

 

Gave the @RCIoffroad engine skidplate a sanding and polishing before installing. No real purpose here other than aesthetics.

 

Ordered an Octane Series front bumper from Chassis Unlimited and had it custom powdercoated. Not a perfect match to the factory MGM, but I'm pleased with the outcome.

I had to fill the bumper with @Baja Designs lights of course! OnX6 Arc Dual Control 30" bar, Squadron Pro Combos and Squadron SAE Ambers. The SAE lights are great for fogs that stay on all the time, no blinding oncoming traffic.

Solo install made possible with the help of another Toyota product!

 

Pictures of the Chassis Unlimited bumper, @RCIoffroad skidplate and @Baja Designs installed

 

Hey @WSDMetal,
The new bumper, paired with the BD lights, is looking dialed! How are you enjoying our GEN2 SAE? Have you been able to take the rig on the dirt yet?

Best,
Bill

Bill Sonevongxay | Forum Sales & Support 
Email: Bill@bajadesigns.com Phone: (760)560-2252

 

Installing the Chassis Unlimited bumper made a lot more of the underside of the truck visible, including the open sides left by the @RCIoffroad skidplate install. Not really a functional issue, but the emptiness bugged me so I started making some side filler plates. Integrates the skidplate in with the frame components nicely and feels a lot more like a complete system, I think.

Should help keep rocks and other debris from getting stuck in there too.

Before (no filler plates):


After ( w/ filler plates):




Complete with mesh insert:

 

I love them! They put out a lot of light and look great. The fact that they're SAE approved, street legal and don't blind other drivers was pretty important to me.

Maybe I'm just getting old but I never was a fan of having blinding off road lights on while driving on the highway.

 

Some photos from Johnson Valley, getting my money's worth out of this Camburg, Deaver & Fox mid travel setup, haha!

 

Hey @WSDMetal,

I'm happy to hear that these suit your needs and wants! Seeing those photos of you ripping in Johnson Valley is killer! Rad seeing you putting the truck to good use. If, down the line, you are interested in getting some chase lighting on the rig. or would like to get some more information about Baja Designs products Feel free to send me a email at bill@bajadesigns.com and I can help you out!

Best,
Bill

Bill Sonevongxay | Forum Sales & Support 
Email: Bill@bajadesigns.com Phone: (760)560-2252