2007 to 2016 (3rd Gen) Front End Conversion on my RCSB

So I converted the front end of my 2007 RCSB to the newer 3rd gen style over the weekend. I have gotten quite a few questions, so I decided to type this up to share my experience.

First here are some before and after photos of my truck. I added the white hood bulge and white 2019 TRD Pro grill from Sparks. To say I love the look would be an understatement. It came out even better than I had envisioned.

 

As far as the process:

So far this is one of the best write ups I have seen: For parts I bought and entire 2016 Front clip so I that I knew I would have everything need and them some.

1) Hood is a direct bolt on. I used the 2016 hinges just because I had them, but my old ones would have worked also

2) Fenders, 95% direct bolt on. You must add a standoff bracket at the hole nearest the headlight. I drilled mine into place and secured it with machine screws with nylon locking nuts. All the other bolt locations lined up fine EXCEPT the middle on the top of the fender. Mine is just an empty hole at the moment on both sides.

3) Grill/Radiator Support was straight forward. The biggest thing is you need to remove and replace the “wing” brackets on the core support that tie in the fender, headlight, filler panel together. I drilled out the spot welds on mine and used machine screws again to secure it.


4) Headlights/Filler Panels. Direct bolt if you swapped of the new retainer brackets that go along the bottom of the grill.

5) Front Bumper I bought a 2016 TRD Pro pull of bumper from marketplace. It directly bolted to the 4 studs at the front my frame rails. 8 bolts total and the front bumper was done.


Issues so far.

I had to remove my factory transmission cooler. The grill will not fit over it and no way I was going to cut a brand new TRD Pro grill.

Wiring, all the connectors on the headlights and fog lights are slightly different. I am working on swapping and repining them all over so my truck will have a 2007 harness with the 2016 connectors for the lights.

Hood latch, the 2007 hood latch works perfectly fine except now I do not have a safety catch. The 07-13 style trucks have the release lever at the bottom of the grill. The 2014+ ones have the release lever built into the latch up top. The new latch will not directly bolt on the older core support without some cutting.

 

Damn, that thing looks good..... I've thought of this for my bedsides, since my old snow chains made quick work of them...... might as well follow your lead and upgrade.

 

I am in the process of buying a 2014+ 6.5 Foot bed off of a double cab. It is my understanding it will basically bolt in place, then with taillights and a rear bumper I will have a 2014+ RCSB all the way around. I have my eyes on a TRD Pro Stamped bed (the dream) its just so expensive to get it shipped to me.

Bed swap is coming soon hopefully. Then a full respray to make everything a nice new matching white.

 

Nice work. And you inadvertently figured out why they removed the transmission cooler from the 3rd gens! Double nice work!

 

My research shows that the 2007-2010 trucks (mine) have the small external rectangle transmission cooler. Rumors are this was done away with in 2010 and that became integrated into the radiator.

My old style external one (you can see in the photo above) was in the way of the new grill.

 

Looking good!

Location?

The bed is the worst part of my 2007 RCSB, what condition is your original bed in?

 

Looks great!

 

I am in Texas, around Houston area. My original bed is straight with no major dings or dents. It has a spray in bed liner also. The paint is kind of dull and dirty. It could use a good white respray to shine nice again. The previous owner had a bed cover on it that rub a line in the top of the tailgate where the paint is now gone.

 

I dont care much for the 3rd gen styling, but it does look way better on a single cab. Nice work.

 

Wow very well done! I’m not a huge fan of the 3rd gen front end but I can appreciate the work and craftsmanship.

now I think the bed swap would be awesome!

I can confirm that the transcooler was moved to lower in front of the radiator on my 2013

 

What did you do with your tow mirrors?

 

I like the look of the "3rd" gen better than the 2nd gen. The old bed doesn't look too odd with the newer front end and that's only because I'm well aware of the differences. Anyone else might not really notice.

 

Sold to a local guy two weeks ago... sorry

 

Damn that looks nice!

 

Rumor is true, my 2010 has the trans cooler built into the top of the radiator.

 

Maybe crewmax still got it in 2010?

 

You can see where the transmission lines come in and out and how the fins on the top of the radiator are smaller vs the others.

This is on a 2010 CM Platinum with a build date of 1/10. Maybe there was a running change. I know starting 1/10 there was a different "radiator support" for the Tundra. It was also a running change during production.

 

This is the factory setup on my '12. I added an additional aftermarket cooler downstream of the factory cooler.

 

I love these swaps. If I was still single I'd have one only 4x4 woth 37s

 

Did you ever do the bed or anything else?

 

Yes, I ended up buying the expensive TRD Pro bed. It bolted right on. Had to do some wiring for the tailights and get a new rear bumper. Truck is a 2007

 

I like this, a guy who owns a truck that doesn't exist. Gotta say I'm impressed.