Front end swap from pre-2012 to 2012+ without the bumper?

Hey guys,

Come summer I'm gonna be building myself a plate bumper to mount on my 08. Now, in the past, I had toyed with the idea of doing a front end swap to a 2012+ style front end. I ended up never doing it because I spent my money on a lift and a couple other mods instead. That being said, since I am building a bumper, and won't be using the 2012+ stock bumper, there's a whole section that I wouldn't be swapping out; I would just be swapping the top half of the front end out. Because of this, what all would I need in order to swap just the top half? Would I only need the lights, grille, hood, and the lower light valences? Or is there more that I would need as well?

 

you would also need new fenders as well since your 08 and 12 front ends house different style headlights. everything should bolt right up too since it was 12 was just a front facia update.

 

From what I remember the fenders are actually able to be kept, as the curvature at the end of the headlights on the pre-2012s and 2012+s are the same. I meant more odds and ends things like mounts and what not.

 

I'm pretty sure the members who have done the swap needed new fenders but i could be wrong. but like i said since the front end skeleton is the same on both years every thing should mount right up with out any new brackets or mounts.

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...nqp9LDdjdv_n2p6GQ&sig2=ueuCcWJJBkNVFpg2Ivok5w

 

People keep saying this but the fenders are apparently the same. I think the "you will need new fenders" thing was talked about when people were first starting to do the swaps and weren't sure.

 

05-15 tacoma fenders are the same!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-Taco...ash=item4d3e03e8e7:g:CCQAAOSwoydWmWgP&vxp=mtr

 

Nick, your parts list is accurate and no, you won't need to replace your fenders.

 

Awesome, so doing the swap WITHOUT the bumper seems much less involved then, no? Like it would just be like swapping the grill and headlights and what not without creating new mounts?

 

Correct, but keep in mind the new arrangement if buying a weld together kit and order one for the later year models.

 

Awesome, thanks. I'm gonna be building my own bumper, as I work at fab shop during the summer, so I won't have to worry about that. I'm just gonna be doing all the measuring on my own

 

relevant build thread: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-pictorial-history…-homertaco’s-build.131392/

you need headlights, headlight attachment hardware, headlight trim fillers, grill, hood, hood lock and attachment hardware, and all the little fiddly connectors for those parts.

 

You need brackets that head lights mount to and clips .

 

Do you happen to have a parts list I would need? If not, it's ok, I'm sure I can do some searching around, but I just don't wanna buy stuff I would need for the bumper and spend the extra money

 

Also is it possible to just move the brackets I currently have to a different location?

 

http://www.toyotaonlineparts.com/ dig in, make your own list of parts.

http://www.toyotaonlineparts.com/au...-gas-engine/body-cat/hood-and-components-scat

http://www.toyotaonlineparts.com/au...dlamp-components-scat/?part_number=8115004181

http://www.toyotaonlineparts.com/au...as-engine/body-cat/grille-and-components-scat

http://www.toyotaonlineparts.com/to...-scat/?part_name=bumper-filler&position=right

use those to help get you started. I got some of my parts used off ebay to save the cost of buying new, but I bought all the little fiddly connectors and the trim fillers off that site.

I don't think so, they have different attachment points and shapes. youd have to get awfully creative with zip ties and hay baling wire to pull that off.

 

So from that, and assuming some parts are interchangeable between pre-2012 and 2012+ models, it just seems like I need:

Headlights:
-bumper fillers
-Headlight assemblies
-Upper retainers
-support arms
Grill:
-grill & screws
hood:
-hood
-hood lock assy & lock
-lock assy lower insulator
-seal
-seal clip

 

no skewp? that's the most important part man! (j/k)

yeah that looks good. the wiper washer nozzles and hood hinges can be swapped. not doing the bumper saves you 1/3 of the work.

 

haha I was thinking about doing the skewp, but then I saw it was $75 dollars. Maybe down the road. But awesome, now I got myself a parts list. Thanks!