Brycen Smith of PRD Design
About this episode
Brycen Smith of PRD Design shares his journey from fabricating metal to running a successful custom truck shop. He discusses the evolution of his passion for classic Fords, particularly the high boy trucks, and how he transitioned from working at Ironworks to starting his own business. Brycen highlights the importance of customer relationships, the challenges of running a business, and the satisfaction of building unique vehicles that resonate with their owners. He also touches on the technical aspects of his builds, including the integration of modern technology into classic designs.
This week on Oil & Whiskey, we’re joined by Brycen Smith for an honest conversation about shop life, learning through experience, and finding your footing in the automotive industry.Brycen talks about his path so far, the realities of working in and around builds, and what it’s like navigating an industry where growth comes from showing up, paying attention, and putting in the time. Rather than big highlight moments, this episode focuses on the day-to-day lessons, mindset shifts, and practical experiences that shape people early in their careers.
Grab official Oil & Whiskey gear at oilandwhiskey.com. Good time, bad advice, great shirts.
SEMA
"It was like on the most part stage at SEMA and the whole thing."
SEMA is a big event where car lovers can see new parts and accessories for their cars. It’s like a huge auto shop fair.
SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) is a trade show and industry organization that showcases aftermarket automotive parts, accessories, and customization.
Coyote
"[116.0s] Good coyote. [117.0s] He did."
The Coyote is a powerful V8 engine made by Honda. It’s used in the fast Civic Type R and gives the car a loud, sporty sound.
The Honda Coyote is a 5.7‑liter V8 engine introduced in the 2015–2020 Honda Civic Type R and later used in other models. It’s known for its high-revving performance and distinctive exhaust note.
WeatherTech
"[161.0s] As always, this episode is brought to you by a WeatherTech."
WeatherTech makes car accessories that help keep your vehicle’s interior clean and protected, like floor mats and door panels.
WeatherTech is a well-known manufacturer of aftermarket automotive accessories, especially floor mats and protective products for vehicles.
1957 Chevy pickup truck
"...out of the inside of a frame rail of a 57 Chevy pickup truck."
A 1957 Chevy pickup is an old American truck that people often modify for shows or personal projects. It’s known for its strong body and classic look.
A classic American pickup truck from 1957, produced by Chevrolet. It’s a popular platform for custom builds and hot rods due to its sturdy frame and classic styling.
sandblast
"[1468.6s] like, can we sandblast this? I'm like, how are we going to save your original paint?"
Sandblasting is like blasting a surface with sand to clean it off. It helps get rid of old paint or rust so you can start fresh.
Sandblasting is a surface preparation technique that uses high-velocity abrasive particles to clean, smooth, or texture a material’s surface. It removes paint, rust, and old coatings to expose the underlying metal.
57 Chevy truck
"[1793.7s] still in the small shop, there was a 57 Chevy truck that a local customer had brought in ... [1800.0s]"
A 1957 Chevy truck is a vintage American pickup truck. It’s famous for its strong build and classic look, making it a popular choice for collectors and restorers.
The 1957 Chevrolet truck, often referred to as a '57 Chevy', is a classic American pickup known for its robust body and iconic styling. It was produced by Chevrolet as part of the C-10 series, popular for its durability and straightforward mechanical design.
turbo tubing
"but truly talented tubing guys, right? They're like, exhaust tubing turbo tubing."
Turbo tubing is the metal pipe that links the turbocharger to the engine. It has to be strong and the right size so the turbo can work properly.
Turbo tubing is the piping that connects a turbocharger to an engine’s intake and exhaust systems. It must be precisely sized and heat‑treated to handle the high temperatures and pressures generated by a turbo.
exhaust tubing
"but truly talented tubing guys, right? They're like, exhaust tubing turbo tubing."
The exhaust tube is the part that carries hot gases from the engine out of the car. It needs to be made of metal that can handle high heat and fit correctly so the engine runs well.
Exhaust tubing refers to the metal pipe that carries exhaust gases from a vehicle's engine to the tailpipe. It must be heat‑resistant and properly sized to maintain backpressure and performance.
transmission tunnel
"[2926.1s] well, man, I'm tired of like doing trans tunnels and wheel tubs and doing stuff like this"
It’s a cavity inside the car where the gear box sits, letting the engine send power to the wheels.
A transmission tunnel is the hollow space in a car’s chassis that houses the gearbox and driveshaft, allowing power to be transmitted from the engine to the wheels.
wheel tub
"[2926.1s] well, man, I'm tired of like doing trans tunnels and wheel tubs and doing stuff like this"
It’s the area around each wheel that keeps it in place and protects it from damage.
A wheel tub is the part of a car’s body that surrounds and protects each wheel, often providing structural support and housing suspension components.
exhaust system
"[2957.9s] build an exhaust system and like that, they just build an exhaust"
It’s the pipe setup that carries smoke and gases away from the engine so they don’t stay in the car.
An exhaust system channels the gases produced by an engine out of the vehicle, reducing noise and emissions while improving performance.
Ford Mustang 2015
"...but it was 2015 Mustang rear end, uh, which is all the independent stuff. And so at the time..."
The Mustang is a popular sports car from Ford. The 2015 version had new tech and a fresh look.
The Ford Mustang is a classic American muscle car known for its performance and iconic styling. The 2015 model continued the line with updated technology and a refreshed design.
roadster
"he made this, like, tea kind of style roadster. That's cool. Very cool."
A roadster is a small, sporty car that usually has two seats and can have its roof taken off or removed. It’s built for fun driving rather than comfort.
A roadster is a lightweight, two-seat sports car with an open or removable top, designed for spirited driving and often featuring a low-slung chassis.
Porsche 911 GT3 RS
"The dude's got a Porsche GT3 RS. He's got a Porsche to car. He's got a Bronco."
It’s a very fast, sporty car made by Porsche that’s built mainly for racing and quick driving.
The Porsche 911 GT3 RS is a high-performance, track-focused version of the iconic 911 sports car, featuring a naturally aspirated flat-six engine and lightweight construction.
two-wheel drive
"for just years and years and seen it, you know, around his dad's company. And then it was a two-wheel drive"
Two‑wheel drive means the car only pushes on two wheels, usually front or back. It’s common in everyday cars and is easier to maintain than four‑wheel drive.
A vehicle that powers only two of its wheels, typically the front or rear axle. Most standard cars are two‑wheel drive, which is simpler and lighter than all‑wheel systems.
four-wheel drive
"and, you know, we converted it to four-wheel drive and all that stuff. But I mean, that again,"
Four‑wheel drive means the car can push on all four wheels at once, which helps it go better on mud, snow, or rough roads. It’s common in trucks and SUVs.
A drivetrain that sends power to all four wheels simultaneously, improving traction on slippery or uneven surfaces. Often used in off‑road vehicles and trucks.
four-by-four
"a video on the truck that we did that I converted it to four-by-four and he was like, I don't even know"
Four‑by‑four is just another way to say four‑wheel drive. It means the car can push on all four wheels, which is good for tough terrain.
A colloquial way to refer to four‑wheel drive, emphasizing that all four wheels receive power. Often used in informal conversation about off‑road capability.
tool drive truck
"[5323.1s] I bought this truck as a tool drive. Oh, there it is right there... [5328.9s] I just, I've always liked that body style."
A tool drive truck is a small pickup that people use to carry tools and supplies around work sites. It’s built for practicality, not speed.
A tool drive truck is a light-duty vehicle designed primarily for transporting tools and equipment. It typically has a low, wide cab and a short wheelbase, making it ideal for work sites.
Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL
"a 76 Mercedes 450 SEO. That's an interesting topic because I'm really curious about that."
This is a big, fancy car made by Mercedes in the 1970s. It has a powerful engine and lots of room inside, so people like it for its classic style.
The Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL is a luxury sedan from the 1970s, known for its robust V8 engine and spacious interior. It was popular among enthusiasts who appreciate classic German engineering.
Limited production 1967-1972 Ford F-Series crew cabs
"[6358.9s] going to be pretty wild. It's that one right there. It was, I mean, these trucks are pretty rare from 67 to 72. They only made about 20,000 crew cabs."
From 1967 to 1972, Ford made only about 20,000 trucks with a crew cab design. They were used for hard work and are now rare and valuable to collectors.
Between 1967 and 1972, Ford produced only about 20,000 crew cab trucks in the F-Series lineup. These vehicles were primarily workhorses and are now considered rare collectors’ items.
mirrors
"[6542.0s] somebody had changed out the mirrors to something else. So we found what those are the mirrors that the truck originally would have had."
Mirrors are the little glass pieces on the sides of a truck or car that let you see what’s behind and beside it. Replacing them can improve how well you can see other cars or obstacles.
The side view mirrors on a vehicle that allow the driver to see traffic and obstacles behind and beside the car. They can be replaced or upgraded for better visibility or style.
carburetor
"I don't want to have to mess with carburetor and blah, blah, blah"
A carburetor is a device that mixes air and gasoline together so the engine can run. Modern cars use a different system called fuel injection.
A carburetor mixes air and fuel in the correct ratio before it enters the engine cylinders. It was common on older cars but has largely been replaced by electronic fuel injection.
fuel injected
"I just put something, you know, fuel injected in there"
Fuel injection is a way the car’s computer sprays gasoline into the engine instead of using an older mixing device called a carburetor.
Fuel injection delivers gasoline directly into the engine’s intake system using electronic controls, providing better fuel efficiency and performance compared to carburetors.
brake calipers
"I bought two brand new brake calipers from the same brand from the part store and one shows up and it's just bare cast steel. The other one is zinc plated."
Brake calipers are the parts that press the brake pads against the wheel to stop the car. They can be made of different metals, and some are coated with zinc to help them last longer.
Brake calipers are the components that squeeze brake pads against the rotor to slow or stop a vehicle. They come in various materials and finishes, such as cast steel or zinc‑plated, which affect durability and heat dissipation.
Wheelwood
"And so we used the wheelwood caliper and put it over a factory rotor, because most guys with the four trucks like to run 16 inch steel wheels"
Wheelwood makes parts that help cars stop better. They make things like the pads and metal discs you find on a car’s brakes.
Wheelwood is a specialty manufacturer known for producing high-performance brake components, such as calipers and rotors, often used in aftermarket upgrades.
Dana 44 axle
"I started selling the first year, with that very first kit that it fit 76 to 79, Dana 44, and Dana 60 axles."
The Dana 44 is a type of axle that helps trucks carry heavy loads and go off the road. It’s known for being strong and reliable.
The Dana 44 is a heavy-duty axle commonly used in trucks and off‑road vehicles. It provides robust strength and durability for high torque applications.
Dana 60 axle
"I started selling the first year, with that very first kit that it fit 76 to 79, Dana 44, and Dana 60 axles."
The Dana 60 is a stronger axle used in big trucks. It can carry more weight and handle tougher driving conditions.
The Dana 60 is a larger, more robust axle than the Dana 44, used in heavy trucks and off‑road rigs. It can handle higher torque and heavier loads.
closed knuckle
"a small closed knuckle, and there's a large closed knuckle. And it fits both."
Think of a closed knuckle as the part that holds your wheel in place and lets it turn. It’s like a small box around the wheel that keeps everything working smoothly.
A closed knuckle is a suspension component that houses the wheel hub and bearings, allowing the wheel to rotate while maintaining steering geometry. It is called "closed" because it encloses the wheel assembly, protecting it from debris.
GVW
"[6909.4s] oh, if it had this GVW use this model, this and this GVW use this"
GVW is the total weight a truck can safely carry. Think of it as the maximum load limit for the whole vehicle, including everything inside it.
GVW stands for Gross Vehicle Weight, the maximum total weight a vehicle is allowed to carry including its own weight plus cargo and passengers. It’s a key spec for trucks because it determines what kind of tires, brakes, and suspension are needed.
Pontiac Catalina 1961
"Pontiac, for example, on a Catalina, right, 61"
The Pontiac Catalina was a big, comfortable car made in the 1960s that many people still like for its classic look.
The Pontiac Catalina was a full-size car produced by General Motors’ Pontiac brand from 1955 to 1977, known for its spacious interior and classic styling.
chassis
"[7275.8s] boroughs had a chassis and then, you know, it's the stuff..."
The chassis is like the skeleton of a truck; it holds everything together and supports the weight.
The chassis is the structural frame of a vehicle that supports the body, engine, and other components.
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