The 4 month $27k 2007 RCSB TRD Pro build (Full 2014+ conversion, Front Clip, Interior, Bed)

2/5/2021 Purchase

The beginning…

Quick backstory is I bought my first RCSB Tundra in 2009 at age 19. It was a 2007 Red 5.7 truck and quite possibly one of my favorite trucks to ever own. Unfortunately it was the victim of a freeway accident in 2014 and a total loss on insurance. After this, I went on my way to finish college and try to start a career.

Fast forward to 2019 and I have two engineering degrees from a well respected college here in Texas. As soon as I started my career with a real income I also started hunting for my next regular cab Tundra. I have always loved the single cab short bed Tundra but was sad to see them only offered in a long bed after the 2014 Tundra update. In the 2018 Tundra update the regular cab was cut from production entirely. For years I dreamed of a 2014+ style RCSB V8 Tundra and realized the only way to make it happen was to build it myself. Sooooo here we go…

I searched for a nice RCSB on Craigslist, AutoTrader, Facebook Marketplace ect for almost two years before purchasing this one. I decided I did not want to shorten the frame on a 2014+ Regular Cab long bed, so my search was limited to a 2007-2013 RCSB. It had to be a 5.7 truck with a center console shifter and 4x4. The 4x4 made it incredibly hard to find as these are pretty rare. In February on my 31st birthday I stumbled across this white 2007 that met all my requirements and was about 2 hours away from me. The very next day it was mine for $9,000 cash and I drove it home. Truck was originally sold in Arizona and then moved to Texas at some point. I believe I am the 4th owner now but it is a 100% stock truck that just needed some cleaning and TLC, a great starting platform with no rust. The biggest downfall was the 214k miles on it but it still ran like a champ the 2 hour drive home.

 

The Build Plan

Here is a quick layout of the build plan. Originally I wanted to create a 2014+ RCSB Platinum Trim truck. After doing more research and seeing other Tundra options, I decided I would rather prefer a loosely based TRD Pro theme for the truck. Keep in mind this is a street truck build with performance in mind, not a lifted off road build. It was also a goal of mine to keep it as Toyota as possible. I wanted authentic Toyota parts and I wanted your regular person to see it and just assume that is the way Toyota made it from the factory. A nice clean and professional build.

I decided to start working front to back for the most part the build happened in this order

• Front End Removal Prt.1
  
• Engine Bay Cleaning
  
• Front End Removal Prt.2
  
• Front End Conversion/Install from 2016 Tundra Front Clip
  
• Full 2014+ Interior Swap (Dash,Gauges, AC Controls, Steering Wheel/Controls, Seats, Console, ect.)
  
• 2017 TRD Pro Stamped Bed swap, Taillights, Rear Bumper
  
• Suspension, TRD Big Brake Kit, and AWD Conversion (Coming Soon)
  
• Engine and Performance/Supercharger (Coming Soon)
  
• Paint/ Finalize (Coming Soon)

I think now would be a good time to also note that basically this entire truck was built in my 2 car garage of a rent house my younger brother and I share. I have a good collection of basic hand tools and did 90% of the work all by myself. My brother helped with some big things like hood install, bed removal ect.

 

2/22/2021 Front End Removal

Soon after getting the truck home I started tearing the front end apart. The previous owner said he had rear ended someone as you can see the damage to the front bumper. I didn't care as the plan was to replace this all anyway. After getting it apart I realized the bumper cover was the only thing really damaged. As I mentioned before the truck is all complete and 100% stock, just very dirty and neglected. I don't think the previous owner had even washed it in over a year by the look of the interior and exterior.

 

2/27/2021 Engine Bay Cleaning

Once I got the majority of the front end taken off I had access to all parts of the front core support and engine bay, It was time to do some deep cleaning. I spent a full weekend removing parts from the engine bay, cleaning and reassembling it all. Hard to tell from the pictures but it made a world of difference.

 

3/6/2021 Wheel Change

I was playing around on Facebook marketplace one night and stumbled across a set of 2019 Platinum 20’ take off wheels. The ad was 30 mins old and the guy was 5 mins down the street. Not long after seeing the ad I owned them for $400. They look much better than the factory 18’ wheels.

It was also around this time I swapped out the tow mirrors for regular ones. I then picked up some white door handles and mirror caps from Sparks

 

3/16/2021 Front End Removal Part 2

As I got closer to parts arriving for the front end conversion I had to finish disassembly. Here are some quick photos after the fenders were removed and the truck is ready for new front end parts.

 

3/19/2021 Front End Conversion

In an effort to make sure I have every part needed for the front end swap, I just bought an entire 2016 Front Clip from an Extended Cab Tundra. I paid $3,500 for it and it was shipped to me from Missouri. First time I have ever received a truck in the mail. An added bonus was this truck was already white and would hopefully match my truck paint closely. It being white already was a big reason I was willing to pay the high cost for it.

With the help from a buddy and a forklift I got the front clip in my garage and my truck in the driveway. I just started removing one piece from the clip and bolting it onto my truck. Did the hood, fenders, grill, headlights ect. The front clip was from a work truck trim so I originally threw that grill on the truck, but I had a brand new 2019 TRD Pro Grill and Hood bulge ready. I decided not to use the front bumper that came with the clip and picked up a 2016 White TRD Pro bumper from a guy on Facebook for $150. With the front bumper on and some headlight wiring, the front end conversion was complete.

I started this thread with some info on the swap. If you are wanting to do this, this could be a good place to start. In one of my post I linked a TundraTalk thread this explains it pretty well. https://www.tundras.com/threads/2007-to-2016-3rd-gen-front-end-conversion-on-my-rcsb.85764/

 

4/1/2021 Interior Swap/Instrument Cluster Swap

I knew when I started that the interior would be the biggest challenge of the project. I had seen a few trucks with the front end conversion and the bed swapped, however to my knowledge nobody has attempted to swap the 2014+ interior into a 2007-2013 truck. I originally told myself I would hold out on doing the interior until the very last step because I wasn't sure it could even be done.

One night I started looking at wiring diagrams and before I knew it I was building pinout diagrams for the 2007 and 2014 Instrument Clusters. I soon after purchased a 2015 Tundra Instrument Cluster Part #83800-0CR00 for a 5.7 Non Flex Fuel 26 gallon fuel tank without parking asst or aid. In my mind the instrument cluster was the biggest hurdle in the interior swap. IF I could get this to work the rest of the interior swap was still possible.

My research showed that the majority of the wiring was the same between the two. Toyota had just moved some of the wires to different pins in the connector. I had the interior wiring harness from my front clip I purchased, so I cut the Female Plug off with about 10 inches of wiring attached to it. I then sourced a Male type plug for the other end. Now I was able to build a crossover harness where the Male end plugged into the 2007 Truck and the Female end plugged into the 2015 Cluster.

I plugged the cluster into the truck, turned the key and boom it came to life. I was honestly a little surprised it worked the first time. I started to work the bugs out. Few things to note here. The Speedometer signal comes from the VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) ECU, Fuel Gauge directly from the Tank and Voltage from the Electrical System. Almost everything else is run on the CAN bus. (RPM, Oil Pressure, Temp, warning lights ect.)

The 2015 Cluster does not have an RSCA Off indicator (Roll Sensing Curtain Airbags). Without some form of an LED indicator to let the driver know the system is off, the Airbag ECU stored a trouble code. My solution to this was to use the illumination +- wires from the RSCA button/switch as the ON/OFF indicator rather than as a light during night. So when you hold the RSCA button to disable the system, the button just lights up orange to let you know it is off. When I turn my headlights on, the RSCA button stays dark. This actually works well because all the new interior switches light up blue with the lights. The RSCA only lights up orange when the RSCA system is turned off.

Other than that I just wired the display wire to my 2018+ Steering Wheels so I can change through the display screens in the cluster. That took care of all the wiring for the 2015 Instrument Cluster.

When I first got the cluster wired properly and working I started this thread. It shows some wiring diagrams and more info. https://www.tundras.com/threads/i-h...nstrument-cluster-into-my-2nd-gen-2007.86447/

 

4/10/2021 Interior Swap/ AC Controls

When the instrument cluster was working, the next big thing was the A/C Controls. I grabbed a manual A/C control panel from a 2016 Tundra on Ebay for $87. The 2007 was a simple 16 pin connector while the 2016 used an 8 pin connector. I used the same technique as before and did a crossover harness from the 2007 body into the 2016 AC controller. I did have to add a wire to turn on/off the hazard lights as that button is on the new AC controls.

It took some time playing with AC Amplifier, the AC Controls and Techsteam to get the system where it would all communicate properly but I finally got it to work. I later realized the 2007-2013 trucks have dual zone AC which means the blend doors for driver and passenger side operate on their own individual servos. The 2014+ AC is only single zone and the driver side servo controls one blend door for both sides of the cab. As of right now the 2014+ AC controls and AC amp do not control the passenger temp settings. Mine is just stuck on full Cold AC since it is summer time. I will fix this eventually, just not sure how yet.

 

4/16/2021 Interior Swap/ Full Dashboard Swap

Well now we are all in on a full interior swap….... Time for the dash.

I found a full 2015 dashboard assembly in Missouri again (weird I know) that was shipped to me for $500. It was one of the only ones I found that was not a bare dash. It came with everything but a radio, AC controls, and an instrument cluster. I mean everything such as, all buttons, airbags, AC system, trim ect. To me this was easily worth $500 because I needed all the extra parts I could get just in case.

Watching Youtube I realized a 2016 Regular Cab had the new dash but the 2007-2013 door panels still, this was the biggest hint to me that the newer dash would bolt into my 2007 truck. Seems Toyota didnt want to redesign the regular cab door panels during the 2014 update.

Anyway, I started pulling my 2007 dash out all while hoping the 2015 dash would bolt right back in the same way. To late to turn back now....

I laid both 2007, and 2015 Dashboard next to each other. When I realized it was essentially the same, I pulled all the wiring and pass airbag from my 2007 dash and laid it into the 2015 dash. I now basically have a 2007 Dash internally but the outside shell looks like a 2015.

I would say 95% of the bolt holes lined right up. I quite literally took out the bolts that held my 2007 dash in, swapped the wiring over, and used those same bolts to bolt in the 2015 dash. The biggest problem is the 2014+ dash has the radio stack shifted a few inches closer to the driver. This was a problem for the steel brackets that support the radio. The new 2014+ dash will hit the brackets so they need to be removed and/or relocated.

When I got the 2015 dash bolted in, I added the AC controls and laid my Ipad in front of the radio hole (I didn't have a radio at the time) to snap some quick photos.

Over the next few weeks I worked on all the final details on the dash. I ordered the TRD Pro Trim Panel for above the glove box, bought a silver center trim panel as well as the correct chrome ring AC vents.

The 2014+ Dash buttons are all illuminated blue, while the older 2007-2013 buttons are an ugly orange/amber color. I bought a new style Tow Haul button and it was plug and play on the 2007 harness. I had to repin the new style 4X4 switch to work on the 2007 body harness. The side mirror controls, cargo light control from the 2015 dash plugged right in just worked. I did have to repin a wire or two for the dome light switch. Now all of the buttons on the dash were correct and illuminated the correct color with the headlights on.

I picked up a factory 2015 Navigation headunit from Facebook marketplace for $250. Around the same time I scored a 2018 steering wheel and set of TRD Pro leather seats out of a Crewmax TRD Pro truck that had been in a rollover. The side airbags were blown out of the seats but that could be fixed. More on that later.

I spent the better part of a week wiring in the steering wheel controls and the nav radio. My 2007 SR5 did not have any of this wiring in the body harness so I had to add it all to the connector behind the clock spring in the steering column. I now had hands free/voice calling (with the addition of a mic), full radio control and instrument cluster control from the steering wheel after this.

At this point the dash, AC, Radio, Instrument Cluster, Steering wheel are all done so I turned my attention to the seats,floor and console. Ebay got me a 2017 shifter assembly, for right at $100, that bolted right in place of my 2007 shifter. All the wiring was the exact same as well. The same salvage yard I got the dash from sent me a full SR5 center console from a 2015 for $300. I also bit the bullet and paid Toyota $700 ($550 + $160 shipping) for new black molded carpet. I pulled the old seats and carpet out,spent some time cleaning and then put down some off brand dynamat, the new Toyota carpet, followed by the new shifter and center console. At this point the only thing really left for the interior swap is the seats.

Toyota doing what Toyota does changed all the connect styles between the 2007-2013 seats and the 2014+ seats. My 2007 seats were old and dirty so I decided to cut the SRS Side airbags out of them and have the upholstery shop put these airbags in my new TRD Pro seats. The Pro seats were in a rollover and the airbags had to be replaced anyway. A few days work and $200 at my upholstery shop and the seats were ready. With them bolted in the interior was now basically done.

I converted all the dome, cargo light, door lights to VLEDs and added the VLED puddle lights in the mirrors. I also got a set of TRD Pro floor mats and some other small touches to finish out the interior. I am sure before it is over I will add a few more things here and there. A wireless phone charger for the console lid is definitely on the list.

 

5/15/2021 Bed Removal / Suspension Lowering

After my front end swap was complete I posted my older fenders, hood, headlights ect for sale on Facebook marketplace. A local guy came to get them and while he was looking at my truck he made mention that his bed was damaged pretty badly. I jokingly said oh I will sell you the bed off my truck and he said ok….

We have gone this far, can't stop now so it is time for a 2014+ bed swap.

I spent a Saturday morning removing the bed, rear bumper tail lights ect and he came and got it all. I decided this was the perfect opportunity to install a rear flip kit to lower the truck. After some research I went with the SOS performance 2/4 kit for about $1,100 total. That got me new shocks with the kit as well. After a few hours the truck was sitting much lower, it was hard to tell however because it looked odd without a bed on it.

As I was waiting for my new bed to arrive I spent some time adding wiring for the backup camera and cleaning up some other loose ends on the truck.

 

6/04/2021 TRD Pro Stamped Bed Install

The crown jewel of the build maybe?

Back in February when I was dreaming this build up I told myself I had to have a TRD Pro stamped bed. Without it the truck just would feel like it was lacking something to me. I knew Toyota offered the Double Cab TRD Pro with the stamped bed for a few years around 2016+. I also knew the regular cab short bed and double cab short bed both shared the same 6.5 Ft bed size. The crewmax trucks are only 5.5 Ft so that option is out. Long story short, I had to find a double cab TRD Pro that had been wrecked or something if I was going to get a TRD Pro stamped bed.

I started looking back in March, within a day or so I had found one AND it was white. It was on a 2017 Double Cab TRD Pro that had an interior fire, the bed was in perfect shape. The only problem was that it was in Canada and I am in south Texas. I called the salvage yard to ask about the bed and when I told them I was in Texas they just laughed at me. I think he asked something like would you really pay $xx for this? My response was yea maybe. I knew all along this would not be a cheap endeavor.

I decided to keep looking but for months I never found another 6.5Ft TRD Pro stamped bed for sale anywhere. At this point a bed, rear bumper, tail lights, and tailgate was all the truck was missing to be drivable again. So I called my friends back in Canada and we made a deal. $3,000 for the bed and another $2,000 to ship it. Did I pay $5,000 total for the bed on my truck? Yes but it was totally worth it….

As soon as it got here we unloaded it down the street with the forklift and set it on the truck in the parking lot. I then drove home 2-3 blocks to finish installing the bed in my garage..

I had a set of tail lights I got off Facebook marketplace, a rear bumper from craigslist and even a set of “TRD Pro” letter stickers for the bed I got online. Within a day or so of the bed arriving I had a complete truck again that I was driving.

 

6/05/2021 Today

I bought the truck exactly 4 months ago today, I think it is finally time to show it off a little.

After getting the bed installed, I took some pictures and realized how beautiful this thing actually is. It is quite the feeling to see something that was once a dream become a reality right in front of you. I drove the truck around town a few hours over the weekend running to go get coffee ect.

Honestly I am impressed with myself a little as I believe this to be the first ever 2nd generation Tundra with a 3rd generation interior swap. I am also excited to see other members accomplish this and I know a few guys are very interested in starting the swap soon.

To say I love the truck would be an understatement.

However it is not done yet…..

Future plans:

Interior: I still need to get a steering wheel airbag. I will soon install my TRD Pro floor mats and a TRD Pro badge on the center console lid. Eventually I will add the Sequoia Diff Lock button on the dash and change the 4x4 ecu. I think I would also like to upgrade my AC controls to the digital dual zone ones soon. That could fix my passenger side temp issue. I do have 2018+ style instrument cluster also. The CAN system changed drastically when Toyota added the Safety Sense stuff in 2018. Eventually I would like to get the 2018+ cluster to work in my truck so I can have a digital speedo ect. This will take lot of work but I will get to it.

Exterior: I still need a tailgate and to finish wiring in the backup camera. I might grab a set of LED headlights as well. In the near future I want to send the truck to the paint shop and have it all resprayed white to match perfectly. I think at this time I will spend alot of money on new black plastic trim and rubber seals/weather stripping around the windows ect. After this the truck should look brand new outside. Still trying to think of ideas for a custom license plate also...

Performance: I will install a TRD Big brake kit soon, If I can find one for sale. The Red Calipers with black TRD will fit well with the truck theme and it will need to be able to stop fast. The whole reason I have to have a 4x4 was for the AWD mod by swapping in the Sequoia Transfer case. Thanks to Viktor G for that one. It will be happening soon to my truck.

Prospeed in Houston is only an hour drive from my house. I am so so tempted to take the truck to them and let them build me a forged 5.7 good for 1,000 hp. This will easily cost another $10k and then I will want a supercharger and tune on top of that. One way or another this truck will eventually be a supercharged 500+ AWD truck and I think it will take me at least another $15k to get it there. If everything goes well we have that and the truck is 100% done in the next few months. We will see.

As of right now I am right at $27,000 into this and I do not regret any of it. This is something I am passionate about and a truck that I built and never intend to offer up for sale. More importantly than anything I am just excited to be back in a regular cab Tundra and driving a Toyota again. The fact that it has my own custom twist on it just makes it better.

 

Reserved for future update...

Small update 6/18/2021

I installed a steering wheel airbag, threw in a set of TRD Pro floor mats and added a TRD Pro console badge (Thanks TRDBeast)

I just now plugged in the digital AC controls and AC amp for them. The full auto AC install is not done yet (adding temp sensor ect) but soon.

 

Not a single picture. Get it together Jeff.

 

Uploading them now. I have pictures for every post it is just going to take some time

EDIT: Ok after an hour of uploading photos I think I got them all.

 

I know I know bare with me I am uploading all the photos now....

EDIT: Ok after an hour of uploading photos I think I got them all.

 

Wow! Amazing work. (I assume)


lol

 

RCSBs are sexy to begin with, you've turned that one into something special. Good job.

 

Epic build!!!

 

Holy Mother of God. This is absolutely 100% baddest tundra on the planet. Soooo much want. Major props to you, great job.

 

Looks great, very nice work!!

 

There aren’t enough words to describe the awesomeness of your truck. WOW

 

Beautiful! Do I dare say…it’s the toyota version of the lightning??? Awesome job!! I want one…

 

I told someone the other day I see it similar to a lightning or an SRT10.

The AWD and Supercharger should make it much more fun. Similar to the setup Viktor G has in his truck. Now if only I get get it to move as fast as his.

 

Well, its white, so you've got the fastest color...

 

Nicely done man! The interior is the most impressive upgrade IMO.

 

These are the builds these forums are truly for.

 

Well done and appreciate the backstory and details