Satoshi do it yourself'ers: A few questions

I have a '10 white tacoma and am seriously considering taking on this project. My grill is chrome and I would like to paint it white. For those that have painted theirs, what brand did you use and was it matched pretty closely? Where can I get the mesh? Lastly, I am considering putting the FJcruiser toyota emblem in the grill. How is that attatched to the mesh? I'm sure I'm forgetting something, so if you have any tips, please give them. Thanks for the help.

 

If you search satoshi, it should give you plenty of results to answer all your questions and more.

 

Paint- i used duplicolor, i have heard white is the hardest to match, i wasnt happy with my clear coat
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/de...r-matched-my-grill-clear-coat-isnt-shiny.html
Emblem- heres how i did mine
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...school-toyota-badge-question.html#post5514923
Mesh- i got a grillcraft thats pricey tho, customcargrilles.com sells different styles in sheets

Oh ya and try search if you havnt yet, im sure you will find better info than i provided

Oh ya again... Go for it! Its not very hard and it changes the whole look of your front end you will be happy you did it

 

I used expanded metal for mine

 

Lol I just used chicken wire from lowes. Unless u are sniffing the grill it isn't noticeable. If I can figure how to post a picfrom my phone ill show

 

Here's the write up I followed. It's easier than it looks. Just make sure to take your time!

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/28831-my-satoshi-grill-write-up.html

I bought a color match grille and sold my chrome on here for almost the same price. You may want to look not that so you don't have to worry about painting.

I got the mesh from http://customcargrilles.com/ . He's sells a piece that is perfectly cut for this mod. Here's some pics of mine



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How sturdy is the mesh from custom car grilles?

 

where can i find a colormatch grille? I haven't been able to find one. I have found a grille from partsgeek that homertaco uses but it has to be painted.

 

Camelback toyota, they are a vendor on here, or create a WTB thread and you might get a better deal

 

Its holding up great so far.. The tape that came with the fasteners didnt hold so well so I ended up using Gorilla glue and now that things going nowhere!

 

Heres the part number for a superwhite grille: 53100-04370-A0 Just google it..

I got mine from: http://www.toyotapartszone.com/oem/toyota~grille~radiator~53100-04370-A0.html

 

Custom car grilles mesh is great. That's what I used. To attach the FJ Toyota badge I cut off the mounts with a Dremel and epoxied several 1/2" bolts to the back. I could have just used 3M tape but I wanted something stronger.

 

Most of what customcargrills.com supplies is .032 thick which is about the same thickness as the "gutter guard" material you'd find in a hardware store. It will do the job but if impacted by a rock will dent easily.

I've used their mesh sucessfully on a couple builds but I prefer my own. I use a mesh that is twice the thickness - .063

To the OP - Unless you are doing a bunch at once it pays to purchase a colormatched grill from a dealership rather then getting an aftermarket one painted. Just be sure to keep the outer surround well protected while doing the mod!

Best of luck with your build!