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Grille removal

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by da0023, Oct 29, 2009.

  1. Oct 29, 2009 at 7:09 PM
    #1
    da0023

    da0023 [OP] The One, The Only

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    Drew
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    Hey guys, I am wanting to take my grille off of my tacoma and paint it black due to the orginal black paint starting to fade(who would have thought after 10 years?) How do i go about removing the grille from the front of the truck? Also, how do I remove the Toyota emblem from the grille? Thanks
     
  2. Oct 29, 2009 at 8:51 PM
    #2
    wolfgang123

    wolfgang123 Well-Known Member

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    To get the grille of there should be something like 5 ish visible tabs. On top you pop off. 2 ish tabs extending from the bottm of the grill to the truck. Again use a flat head to pop those off. And then there should be again 2 ish tabs behind the corner light area ( not the headlight) and you will have to remove the corner lights to get to those.
     
  3. Oct 29, 2009 at 9:04 PM
    #3
    topgun155

    topgun155 Well-Known Member

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    On the 2nd gen it is 2 screws and 4 tabs not sure on the 1st.
     
  4. Oct 30, 2009 at 5:41 AM
    #4
    wolfgang123

    wolfgang123 Well-Known Member

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    yea that would be nice but its not like that on the 1st gens...and you cant remove the Toyota emblem from the grille, the grille is all one piece.
     
  5. Oct 30, 2009 at 8:56 AM
    #5
    98_Mud_bug

    98_Mud_bug 98_mud_bug

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    i have a 98 and im not sure how much they changed the grill but there are some small plastic clips behind the grill and there are 3 small screws in the back of the toyota emblem you should be able to just pop out the clips and the grill will pop out.. you dont have to remove any lights or anything
     
  6. Oct 30, 2009 at 9:39 AM
    #6
    da0023

    da0023 [OP] The One, The Only

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    thanks guys for all of the replies. I will investigate further tonight, I just wanted to get an idea of what I was in for. Thanks again. Happy Halloween
     
  7. Oct 30, 2009 at 1:03 PM
    #7
    Werloc

    Werloc Large Member

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    Those clips are a PIA to take off. When I bought my new black grill, I pulled the old chrome one off breaking the grill and every clip which I didn't care. Putting in the new one on, was a snap. Took about 10 seconds. Now I have to remove mine again to get to the chrome bumper ends that I'm replacing with black ones. Let me know what you used for the clips. I know where they are, it's just that you have to push the top & bottom in on the clips at the same time while you pull it out. You really need three hands.....:(
     
  8. Oct 30, 2009 at 2:21 PM
    #8
    wolfgang123

    wolfgang123 Well-Known Member

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    ay. they made small changes from the 1997 (my truck) to the newer trucks i guess that was one of the changes.

    screw those black tabs,,,i use zip ties
     
  9. Oct 30, 2009 at 3:22 PM
    #9
    Werloc

    Werloc Large Member

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    Actually, you just gave me an idea on removing those clips. If I put a small zip-tie around the clips, they will press them for removal.......BINGO.....;)
     
  10. Oct 30, 2009 at 8:23 PM
    #10
    da0023

    da0023 [OP] The One, The Only

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    it's me again. after further review, my grille had 7 Clips that had to be pressed down in order to remove the grille. It was pretty simple, I just had to have a long screwdriver to reach the clips on the bottom left and right, even though most of them broke in the process, I plan on using zip ties to replace the ones that were broke. Sorry for no pics., my camera got wet a few months ago and apparently water is bad for a digital camera. Who would have thought. Thanks again.
     
  11. Oct 30, 2009 at 8:28 PM
    #11
    wolfgang123

    wolfgang123 Well-Known Member

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    man i wanted before and after pics
     

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