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HomerTaco Grill Install

Discussion in 'HomerTaco' started by canyonchaser, Apr 19, 2012.

  1. Apr 19, 2012 at 1:50 PM
    #1
    canyonchaser

    canyonchaser [OP] Member Known Well

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    Dave
    Utah
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    I hadn't seen one of these so, as my new grill arrived, I thought I'd document the process for all to enjoy.

    Look! The new grill! It's very brown and square;
    IMG_1946_e38f8bda10aed1fa56dfec3f676821f8bde2e399.jpg

    Out of the box, this is a thin lip M4
    IMG_1947_fe83165fd85524639b9558bd309a074456cc2e91.jpg

    Here's my truck before I started
    IMG_1945_ec089455aab870dd854a33485995f558b422704e.jpg

    As soon as you open the hood you'll notice these two clips on either ends of the grill.
    IMG_1949_33c862fcafaff1e77befb0bb942ca30ece888704.jpg

    Simply use a small flat-head screwdriver and slide it under the smaller of the two heads - It should pop right open. If it's stubborn you may need to slightly twist.
    IMG_1952_38008a502dc7509ba791fd2a9d488bc9ff35f45d.jpg

    Open - Now simply, and carefully pull the entire plastic faster directly up and out.
    IMG_1951_e7fae4e3ff316f14730e29284bd2a4d800515989.jpg

    Next, undo the two 10mm bolts. Careful, they are just threaded into plastic. When it's time to put thing back together be VERY careful not to over-tighten these.
    IMG_1948_a73148bca8eb289560214943a374092a23740f92.jpg

    At this point, the grill will be feel like it wants to come out, but there are two more fasteners - down on the actual headlight body.
    IMG_1953_c258d1442099e7c11236b418f9f1cc843082bf25.jpg

    Deliberate but careful force will release them. They hook into the headlight. My right one came out immediately, the left one took some negotiation.

    The old grill will lift up and out of the truck - leaving you with this view. You'll notice the bare aluminum sides to the radiator/cooler as well as those unsightly horns.IMG_1954_821fa1367eab2c79f665b22c895c49e8eb49fa1d.jpg

    IMG_1955_e5efc9c9f6326ca4245578043bd1b291b40e62c8.jpg

    Most people will want to relocate the horns. This too is quite simple. Start by removing the plastic radiator cover. It uses the exact same clips used by the grill.
    IMG_1956_8d5444a9c1291f7f4dcf955b56f1822d1da0a58d.jpg

    Removed:
    IMG_1957_54dcd2db47f3c8e76d320e4a53b1784851174498.jpg

    Unplug and remove the two horns using a 12mm socket and set them aside. The cable is routed underneath the radiator sub-frame. The cable's held in place with these black clips.
    IMG_1958_d14c65d9a96fa5e32e6ebba5c66cb3c916f05108.jpg

    Simply squeeze them and they will release;
    IMG_1959_1962250d30136f15881a4940dec52f3ef30b5943.jpg

    You'll also need to free this little sensor.
    IMG_1960_2b8548d63862ce47b6f1190d1efb7d96a76b28c0.jpg

    Works exactly the same way as the other clips;
    IMG_1961_ec549279e9c1d9ffc20d1fd8f319dcfe6ee17027.jpg

    The horn wiring should now free for you to relocate it
    IMG_1962_82c834fd1d182ca4a8620ddb8a68a7543c9c3656.jpg

    I went around through one of the small ports near the bottom of the left headlight. This gives you lots of extra cable to work with.
    IMG_1963_afc8d5a63cb6bffe4d81fd556ff4fcaa63620f7c.jpg

    You can almost see the port I used.
    IMG_1964_bf6acdb99a1643c906352ad99ecd1f3412110bb3.jpg

    I ran the cable along the lower brace of the radiator sub-frame. there is a suitable existing hole for the sensor clip to snap back into right next to the right radiator lower mount (the black thingie in the corner of the photo).
    IMG_1965_210bca0604d37be799bca6328cd0e29307b548f9.jpg

    To reattach the horns, you'll need some nice giant fender washers and some lock-nuts. I just happened to have these on hand.
    IMG_1966_577a309f4fea59df311c87fc386de1085f7054ca.jpg

    I chose the two center most oval holes and placed the horn towards the center. You can see my fender washer on the back side of the radiator sub-frame.
    IMG_1967_a53179cb97ad9678fff3196b9b601dae16d7dafc.jpg

    This places the horns immediately behind the lower grill. (only one horn fit here).
    IMG_1968_e3ef3f1a10b7acdc8abf5ca8df13e85eb371421b.jpg

    Another image of the new horn placement. I used a couple of long zip-ties to fasten the horn wires to the lower radiator sub-frame.
    IMG_1969_b7d875cbbd3d6f945940ab34f0d3779d5f4f8023.jpg

    Now time to paint. I cleaned up the aluminum bits and sprayed them with some satin black heat paint. Not overly concerned as it's mostly to obscure stuff. It doesn't need to look perfect.
    IMG_1972_6dcfc1a49205cbe04031e4b14b6ca30afb51d495.jpg

    You insert the new grill from the top down and gently press the clips into the headlight (the HomerTashi grill comes with new clips - no need to remove them from your old grill).

    All done.
    IMG_1973_f86b1e54cbd2cb4bc28bba66391739d717b803b1.jpg

    Because nobody seems to mention. I chose the thin lip, M4.
    IMG_1976_c055ae823c0ceed2da82fbd6cedd68bc5e4cb439.jpg

    From the right now...
    IMG_1977_16d56163fe0c8033133fde4886eef1ab447d0bae.jpg

    The end result
    IMG_1978_37630e17409ff163e2bf2eeaeeafd416ae4ecd1b.jpg

    Good luck!
    dp
     
  2. Apr 19, 2012 at 2:16 PM
    #2
    HomerTaco

    HomerTaco also HomerTaco Vendor

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    HomerTaco
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    HomerTaco ...................................................................................................................................................... Core-Hurst short throw shifter & T-handle / Carbon Fiber Interior / custom console light / De-badged / leather interior / Heated Front seats / Red Line Hood Struts / Painted speaker grills /one-off TRD Satoshi Grill with 12-15 front-end swap/ Pioneer AVIC-X920BT HU / Scangauge II / Black LED Tails / Dash Mount for iPad mini / Safari Snorkel / Auto-pilot mode / Leer 100XQ Cap / 4x Innovations sliders / Rear Diff Breather Mod / front windows tinted to 35% / Brute Force Fab Hybrid Front Bumper / BAMF Rear Diff Skid / Budbuilt Skids / CBI Trail Master 2.0 rear hybrid bumper / Fox rr coils/ TC UCA's/ TC spindle gussets/ TC Cam Tab gussets / Dakar leafs / Defined Engineering shackles / All pro U bolt flip / Timbren Rear Bumpstops / BAMF LCA skids / Exhaust re-route / Fog Light anytime Mod / LowRange Off Road extended rear brake lines / ATO Shackle Flip / sectioned Bushwhacker flares / re-geared to 4.56 / ARB Front & Rear Locking Diff / ARB CKMA12 compressor / PrInSu full rack system / 1" body lift / Inchworm 4.7 crawlbox / twin stick FJ t-case / Davez off-road triple-stick kit/
    +1

    great job! Thank you! :thumbsup:
     
  3. Apr 19, 2012 at 2:59 PM
    #3
    canoeski

    canoeski Well-Known Member

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    Debadged. ARE Topper. Tailgate mods, including locking handle. BAMF LCA skids.
    Nice job there Dave!!
    I loved the pics and thorough explanation.

    Just one question:
    What is that "little sensor thing"?
    Is it a thermometer, and will changing the location affect the readings?
    Or if it were some sort of position sensor or part of the air bag system, would relocating it or changing it's orientation affect it's function?

    ~bill
     
  4. Apr 19, 2012 at 3:02 PM
    #4
    AbunaiXR

    AbunaiXR Active Member

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    that looks tight!!
     
  5. Apr 19, 2012 at 3:04 PM
    #5
    HomerTaco

    HomerTaco also HomerTaco Vendor

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    HomerTaco ...................................................................................................................................................... Core-Hurst short throw shifter & T-handle / Carbon Fiber Interior / custom console light / De-badged / leather interior / Heated Front seats / Red Line Hood Struts / Painted speaker grills /one-off TRD Satoshi Grill with 12-15 front-end swap/ Pioneer AVIC-X920BT HU / Scangauge II / Black LED Tails / Dash Mount for iPad mini / Safari Snorkel / Auto-pilot mode / Leer 100XQ Cap / 4x Innovations sliders / Rear Diff Breather Mod / front windows tinted to 35% / Brute Force Fab Hybrid Front Bumper / BAMF Rear Diff Skid / Budbuilt Skids / CBI Trail Master 2.0 rear hybrid bumper / Fox rr coils/ TC UCA's/ TC spindle gussets/ TC Cam Tab gussets / Dakar leafs / Defined Engineering shackles / All pro U bolt flip / Timbren Rear Bumpstops / BAMF LCA skids / Exhaust re-route / Fog Light anytime Mod / LowRange Off Road extended rear brake lines / ATO Shackle Flip / sectioned Bushwhacker flares / re-geared to 4.56 / ARB Front & Rear Locking Diff / ARB CKMA12 compressor / PrInSu full rack system / 1" body lift / Inchworm 4.7 crawlbox / twin stick FJ t-case / Davez off-road triple-stick kit/
    It is the temp sensor for the overhead outside temp gauge I've been told.
    I personally left mine there bu I did relo the horns.
     
    Sir4taye likes this.
  6. Apr 19, 2012 at 3:05 PM
    #6
    The1youluv2hate

    The1youluv2hate Well-Known Member

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    oem pro grill 17” pro rep wheels Fox dsc shocks
    Nice write uP + 1 for you
     
  7. Apr 19, 2012 at 11:28 PM
    #7
    Tbaytaco

    Tbaytaco Well-Known Member

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    quick question. When painting the rad do you need to clean it well or just wash and spray away?
     
  8. Apr 20, 2012 at 1:10 AM
    #8
    canoeski

    canoeski Well-Known Member

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    Debadged. ARE Topper. Tailgate mods, including locking handle. BAMF LCA skids.
    Thanks Homer.

    How are the grills for the 2012's coming?:rolleyes:
     
  9. Apr 20, 2012 at 4:15 AM
    #9
    DOUBLLD

    DOUBLLD Well-Known Member

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    Alot
    Sweet write up
     
  10. Apr 20, 2012 at 4:31 AM
    #10
    Delmarva

    Delmarva Mayor of TW

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    It's the wife's T4R so it's stock
    clean any dirt off it, but don't have to go crazy...

    or

    just spray away... :D
     
  11. Apr 20, 2012 at 7:24 AM
    #11
    canyonchaser

    canyonchaser [OP] Member Known Well

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    Yeah, I just did a quick wipe with a degreaser to get most of the shmutz off. It's not uber critical. If it starts to look shabby, you can just pull the grill and respray.

    dp
     
  12. Apr 20, 2012 at 7:29 AM
    #12
    TacoCat

    TacoCat These pretzels are making me thirsty

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    Now you should show how you remove that sexy grille, repackage it, and send it to me :D
     
  13. Apr 20, 2012 at 8:45 PM
    #13
    DOUBLLD

    DOUBLLD Well-Known Member

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    I just can't wait till I get mine. I'm 24 on the list then I'll def be referring to this to see where to relocate the horn
     
  14. Apr 20, 2012 at 8:56 PM
    #14
    sernaj64

    sernaj64 Aight

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    ditto^^^^
     
  15. May 22, 2012 at 10:33 AM
    #15
    eppy

    eppy Well-Known Member

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    Homer M3 thin lip Satoshi, BAMF Light Bar, BAMF Batwing Tie Downs, Coupe Custom Battery Hold Down, Mattgecko Bed light kit, nj636 hub/wheel bearing set-up,Shorty Antenna, JL Audio & Boston set-up, 4x4 switch light MOD, Icon 2.5 coil overs and rear shocks, All Pro flip kit, Wheelers AAL, OcTaco SS brake lines, Light Racing UCA's and custom 6 speed Ellis Precision Shift knob. Coupe modified short shifter, AISN clutch pack, URD TOB kit, and Sachs flywheel. Mobtown's rocking tailgate skin!
    Hey guys,

    Was wondering how you place an order with Homer. I have a silver Taco myself and would like to order this same grill. Just looks Tits & Tacos!!!! Also, what's the cost????

    Thnx,
    Eppy
     
  16. May 22, 2012 at 10:34 AM
    #16
    Aw9d

    Aw9d That one guy

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    Looks good! Great write up!
     
  17. Jun 17, 2012 at 7:27 PM
    #17
    darktaco

    darktaco Active Member

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    Looks good !
    Great step by step.
    I like the thin lip over the satoshi . Do you plan to leave it neckid or put/paint any type of toyota emblem on ?
     
  18. Jun 18, 2012 at 6:41 AM
    #18
    canyonchaser

    canyonchaser [OP] Member Known Well

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    Thank you!

    I think I really want to put an old FJ40 toyota badge on it.

    [​IMG]

    But it's summer, so I haven't gotten around to it yet. :)

    dp
     
  19. Jun 18, 2012 at 7:41 AM
    #19
    Mr. LaBeef

    Mr. LaBeef Well-Known Member

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    Looks good. I'm getting mine soon and Ive seen a lot of people relocate their horns there. In getting the lower grill as well and didn't want to put them there. I have tried searching but couldn't find a different spot that isn't behind the grills.
     
  20. Jun 18, 2012 at 10:40 AM
    #20
    HomerTaco

    HomerTaco also HomerTaco Vendor

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    HomerTaco ...................................................................................................................................................... Core-Hurst short throw shifter & T-handle / Carbon Fiber Interior / custom console light / De-badged / leather interior / Heated Front seats / Red Line Hood Struts / Painted speaker grills /one-off TRD Satoshi Grill with 12-15 front-end swap/ Pioneer AVIC-X920BT HU / Scangauge II / Black LED Tails / Dash Mount for iPad mini / Safari Snorkel / Auto-pilot mode / Leer 100XQ Cap / 4x Innovations sliders / Rear Diff Breather Mod / front windows tinted to 35% / Brute Force Fab Hybrid Front Bumper / BAMF Rear Diff Skid / Budbuilt Skids / CBI Trail Master 2.0 rear hybrid bumper / Fox rr coils/ TC UCA's/ TC spindle gussets/ TC Cam Tab gussets / Dakar leafs / Defined Engineering shackles / All pro U bolt flip / Timbren Rear Bumpstops / BAMF LCA skids / Exhaust re-route / Fog Light anytime Mod / LowRange Off Road extended rear brake lines / ATO Shackle Flip / sectioned Bushwhacker flares / re-geared to 4.56 / ARB Front & Rear Locking Diff / ARB CKMA12 compressor / PrInSu full rack system / 1" body lift / Inchworm 4.7 crawlbox / twin stick FJ t-case / Davez off-road triple-stick kit/
    Mine are now back on the drivers side behind the fuse box... There are two threaded holes ready to go back there... :D
     
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