My 08 RCSB 5.7

New member here to this forum but long time Toyota subscriber.

I have owned a few Tundras starting with my 2010 Limited CM with red rock interior, 2008 Limited DC, and recently a 2015 Limited DC all 5.7's OF COURSE !

Few months ago I was cruising offerup for some Tundra goodies and saw this 2008 RCSB 5.7 2WD in UW and my eyes were hooked. I usually like to mod modestly so will try and keep this going through my ownership here. Shout out to "Rex Kramer" for giving me the path to go with mine

Here is how she looked when I took her in:



I had an issue with this thing being so high and only 2wd so street truck was definitely the way to go especially with that 5.7...

First mod I did was add my freshly powder coated OEM BBS wheels with custom red BBS center caps on 275/55/20 Coopers and matching TRD 5.7 fender badge.

 

Welcome. That looks much better with your wheels and that badge, which I don't think I've ever seen before. Is that something that is factory on a particular model? Maybe a regional vehicle?

 

It was a Ebay purchase. I looked at a few badges and this was the only one that looked legit.

 

Freaking sweet truck!

 

Outstanding!

I am glad I could help.

 

Thanks guys

Thought I'd add the interior too with the little things done so far. Kept it simple as I like the layout clean OEM. Added a "Atoto A6 Pro" head unit and highly recommend. It's basically a Google Tablet with Radio functions and a decent amp built in plus it worked well with my rear camera install/Cerwin Vega slim 10" sub under the passenger seat. Best of all imo is the Torque app that comes pre-installed. Just need the OBD Bluetooth plug.



And my Toyota Camry Shift Knob install. Was $12 shipped so said what the heck let's try it. Hasn't grown on me yet...

 

Ill keep trucking along with updates since I have time in the midst of our current events.

Ill cover my performance mods now. Toyota has always done a great job with their factory CAI's so like most felt no need to rip it out and replace but rather create some efficiency to gain something modest. Of all out there I felt the AFE Super Stock system was the best designed as it kept the OEM intake design. Kit came with an nice powder coated aluminum intake tube, AFE Pro Dry filter, and T/B spacer. I added the TRD accelerator to top it all off. One thing to note is you want the OEM gasket that replaces the factory screen over the TB should you add a spacer otherwise you will get a whistle which gets annoying. Minimal gains felt with this combo, definitely throttle tip in has improved and not laggy.



I had my "FTRD" (Fake TRD) exhaust off my 2015 DC sitting in the garage so decided to adapt it to my RCSB. I liked the use of the OEM gaskets so decided to cut my flanges off my rusted through Blowmaster catback which droned like crazy. I had to install a 45* angle due to the connecting pipe different designs between 2007-2009 and 2010+.


Found a pair of 3in Aero Turbine mufflers which I found interesting they way they used airfoil technology rather than standard packed mufflers. Scored the pair on Offer Up for $30 so couldnt lose out too bad was my thought. The existing mufflers on the FTRD kit were HUGE and of poor quality so wanted to replace them anyways.



Moving onto my exhaust cut job lol. I re-used the factory hangers and added an H-Pipe to my exhaust to help with that low end loss and to also help with sound. Excuse the poor quality welds as I am by no means an expert just a typical hobbyist who prefers to do his own.



Once I had the H-Pipe built and mufflers welded on I finished off the rest with the existing 2.5 mandrel bent tail pipes and used band clamps to secure so it can be removed at anytime.


I'm sure your wondering how does it sound/drive ? I will say I really like the sound. I expected a metallic straight pipe exhaust note but instead I got a nice full note that reminds me of a blend between Flowmaster/Magnaflow. The power band definitely shifted but what I lost in the lower RPMs I feel pulling harder mid-top end. Truck spun the tires easy prior and petered out once I was going but now I still get some wheel spin but get a push into the seats mid-top that wasn't there prior. Its not loud at idle or cruising and will get noisy only at WOT really, so its mission accomplished here.

If ARH can only push through a 20% or better discount than Long tubes are next along with a tuner !

 

So today I completed one of the better mods so far. I have owned the higher tiered Tundras in the past so missed that Texas Cadillac feel in my RCSB SR5.


And so paying it forward of course and after searching here located good info how to complete it amazingly easy.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/ret...ts-into-tundra-sr5-seats-without-power.35888/

After reading I went into hunt mode. Chicken hawked EBay stumbling upon a pair of leather seats from a 2013 Sequoia. Wanted to go the Katzkin route but that's some hours having done a previous Tundra and it was pricey for a custom kit so OEM was ideal if I was going to pay anything.


This pair was the perfect combo for my Black/Grey interior. I probably splurged more for my vehicle than I'd like too but i justified it somehow to keep my WAH life entertained and sane. Hint I paid less than a new eBay katzkin kit.


I used the wiring directions from the supplied link and knocked it out in maybe 5 mins. The hardest part was removing/installing the seats Also the salvage yard left cut harness pigtails so I reused it to make it plug in play. Blue wire was HOT and Black/White wire ground. Ran a 12g wire to a junction with 15a inline fuse just in case then chassis grounded. The power seats worked perfect along with lumbar !


Yes I know my connections suck but was one of them let me try it moments due to excitement and now it's still in place for this day ...



Cool thing was they are heated ! The next phase is planned already and getting tired of the orange cluster so got something in the mail for that currently. Wrenching definitely was my CHI today and much needed. Stay safe out there !

 

Looks good! I've been wanting to do this as well. I just haven't been real focused on hunting down the seats. I'd prefer to see them in the flesh before commiting, it's something I struggle with.

Quick question if I may. I'm not interested in giving up the folding aspect of the passenger seat. Does the Sequoia front passenger seatback fold forward and flat like the factory one? Now that I think about it, if not, maybe I would be able to swap the cover materials, cushions, heating element....

Thanks!

 

Thanks ! Passenger is a manual seat too, I thought it wouldnt fit than saw the tray behind it on eBay and knew it was a winner. Not sure if it's some super rare option or not but cool if so because it matches the truck imo.

 

Sweet rig.

 

Thanks for the pictures! In your previous post, I did notice that second smaller lever that I knew on my truck was there for flipping the seatback to flat. That functionality I suspect would be of interest to others as well, suddenly increasing demand for it. Now, I should probably make more of an effort in locating a set before the price rockets .

 

Happy Easter, hope everyone stays safe !

Here with another update. This aesthetic mod I found well worth the money. I find the orange instrument cluster gross...


After some research I landed on info around a cluster swap from another forum. So early model Limiteds had an optitron cluster which is similar to Lexus clusters. And best of all they swap right in !

After hunting through eBay I located a salvage yard parting an 07 Limited with the 4.7 V8. Picture was vague but showed an all black cluster so knew this had to be it. Tossed out a $70 offer and it was a done deal.


It had some fine scratches so polished it before I installed.


I will say it's SO MUCH better to look at now. Even during the day they look appealing. And the bonus was I gained the trans temp gauge which I didn't have prior. Win Win, once this Covid stuff passes I'll swing by dealership to reprogram my correct mileage.

 

Nice rig!

 

One of my favorite mods. I like having the blacked out cluster when the vehicle is off. Let me know what you think of yours when driving at night, mine won't dim far enough for my taste, I like a dim cluster at night to try to preserve my night vision. I actually wish that they'd had a red version as my reading indicates that red has a lesser effect on night vision.

For anyone else interested in this mod and is concerned about the tinted lens condition on used ones (scratches), new ones are ~$25 and are just clip off/on. P/N
83852-0C880

 

Been raining for almost 3 weeks straight it feels like so I finally cleaned her up yesterday and stopped by the dead end next to my house for a pic. Yep she sits level now... I'll save that update (Nightmare) for another day

 

Does your dimmer still work with this cluster?

 

Yes sir

 

Hey i have no trans temp either. When you swap to the limited one did it work. And how much was it to reprogram the miles.

 

Yep it started working automatically. Not sure on dealer price yet, haven't called. Sure it will be another 2 weeks maybe if things settle down around here.

 

Had some time over the weekend to tune up my brake system. TRD brake setup is awesome but nothing I need for my build which is keeping it N/A with full bolt ins. The other thing is that price....

Items installed:
Raybestos Element3 rotors F/R
Raybestos Element3 Pads F/R
G2 Epoxy Caliper Kit
High Temp TRD decals

I have had a great/reliable time using their Element3 stuff with no complaints in my Lexus's through the years so figured I give them a try on the Tundra. I will say they definitely have more bite/less dust that OEM pads.



Took my time throughout the day laying silver frost coatings on the calipers after a good cleaning. Started at 10am and by 8pm ready to put he decals on.



And they look pretty good behind the wheel I have to admit.



I also picked up a AC/Delco Fleet Runner belt and while looking under the truck noticed some pink stains under my WP darn...

I got something for another update soon now

 

I did my calipers in silver as well. I wanted to keep it low key. They still look fresh and new, I think it's been nearly six years....

 

Wow 6 yrs is great ! Did you use the epoxy kit as well ? I'd love to give an extended use review but don't ever keep my vehicles more than a year to do so. I do however plan on keeping my RCSB, I just enjoy driving it too much. Blend of sport/practicality can't go wrong

 

Yes, I used the same product. I think I could reasonably say that this is after 30k miles.

 

Circling back around on a few updates done recently.

After much research weighing pros/cons I decided to add a Bully Dog to my list of mods. For me the fact its available now, support is a phone call away, trail tune supports my LT header plans, price (TY Keith @ DD), can be removed easy, and there are proven gains to be had are the my reasons for choosing a BD. If I had plans to SC and wanted to maximize every potential possible I would have chosen a different tuner.

So my take on the BD... It definitely feels like it added some energy as truck moves around with less hesitation which is very noticeable on the 93 performance tune. Havent tried the economy/trail yet. I literally added the BD tune and put it back inside the box it came in as I use my Torque app in my head unit to monitor my truck variables as needed plus its a MUCH larger screen than the tiny one used with BD which I find almost comical but then again that impacts price so js.


I didn't even bother with my BD decal as there is a bigger dog on my back window already





My most anticipated mod coming soon. Ended up pulling the trigger on ARH Direct Connect LT system with the "TRD" option. I originally asked if they could build a 3in collector instead of the 2.5 but they wanted an extra $100 per header for that so kept the 2.5 in place as I can purchase 4 nice 3in flanges under that online and weld myself.

 

Excellent!

Please post some pictures of the TRD option kit after you unwrap it, I am really interested in seeing what they send you and how it looks when it arrives.

Thanks!

 

5 weeks later and they have arrived ! Really excited here with an exception.

UPS just delivered my setup along with the Swank501 mid pipe for my 08 aka the TRD option. Mid pipe looks good and overall headers look nice. Like others mentioned they could do better with the tooling marks and weld splatter but no oval connection points.


My gripe outside of the mentioned above is a 3in gouge on passenger header. They were well packaged so not sure if that left ARH or happened in transit. Either way not happy about it so will call later.


Lastly it came with new hardware, wasn't expecting I'd have to remove the OEM studs on install but maybe someone can confirm. I also purchased OEM header gaskets so will be using those over the supplied gaskets.

 

Nice... your RCSB must have a different factory muffler than my 2007 had, I hope you don't run into any issues with the installation.

 

Now that you mention it lol

Looks like the 2010 + Mid Pipe ugh. Fun times ahead.

I should have questioned the written "Land Cruiser" all over the inside packing

 

Yep... did you order what ARH calls 2007 - 2009 (TRD)?
If yes, then ARH needs to send you a replacement ASAP.

Here is a picture from another owner.