Grille Craft install with a twist....(2hrs total!)

I looked at the Grille Craft install threads and then decided to get both grilles(top and bottom) for my 2012 Taco.
I love to de-badge every car I get if possible and this allowed me to do so..
I knew there was an easier and faster install method than the procedure that Grillecraft suggests in the instructions.
I ended up installing both grilles and aslo scuffed and painted them semi-matte black in two hours total without removing the bumper cover.

 

The short cut comes on the lower grille install. Grillecraft tells you to remove the bumper cover(a lot of work). If you cut two relief areas(left and right ends) on the upper part of the bumper air duct it will allow drill access w/o pulling the bumper cover. The top hole must be approximated by eye. Not too hard to do if you use a marker to make reference points and measure accurately.
The picture is top of the duct(drivers side/LH) looking down.

 

Nice!

 

Nice When are you coming to CT to do mine???

 

I do want to come out to see the fall colors some time!

 

So, what did you end up doing that was different than the instructions? Looks great. I might have to do that instead of the santoshi. Looks clean.

 

In my second post the shortcut is explained.
Basically I eliminated the need to remove the bumper cover.

 

That does look great.

 

The Grillecraft grilles come in gloss powdercoat. I personally prefer a semi-matte finish so I scuffed them down and shot them with a commercial grade black semi-matte trim paint. I wish they had offered a matte finish in powdercoat but if they did I could not find the option on their web site.

I had a 2011 Tacoma 2.7 stick for a few months just before getting this truck and had added a similar grille that was misrepresented on line to have a nice fine mesh like these grilles. When it arrived the mesh was much larger and the grille looked wrong IMHO. Thanks Grillecraft for displaying exactly what you sell and for your excellent build quality and fit and finish. Something that is hard to find in this day of online shopping!

 

Look me up. While you make the trek I will order the grill. Lol