Conversion... Need Help

Hey guys. So I'm 20, just getting that out there. And I'm thinking about starting the possibly terrible task of replacing the front of my 2006 tacoma with a 2012 tacoma. With some slight alterations. AKA TRD Pro grill. I'm obviously new to this, and I know this is a huge job to take on. But for lack of a better word, I'm "Connected" I'm friends with people who actually make a living working on and painting cars. SO that being said. The biggest thing that I'm having trouble with. is actually getting ahold of the parts that I need. My thought was to look own junkyards for some of the big things, hood grill cover, bumper cover etc... And trying to find the ones that (If possible) would be silver. That way I could (hopefully) cut down on the amount of painting required. So far... I got nothing. So I thought I'd ask you all for help, if you yourselves are either selling, throwing out, or just know where to find stuff. PLEASE give me a hand. My theory is. if I have 20 people looking across the country... then I've got a much better shot.

Below is a picture of what I'd like for it to look like when completed. Thank you.

 

The Install is the easiest part imho. Shouldn't take more than 2 to 3 hours if you laid all the parts down. It's a complete bolt on process.

The hardest part is sourcing all the parts if you're not going to buy new. I think as of today (3/11/16), it's very easy to find used and new parts. I was the first one to do this bolt on conversion on my 2007 in late 2011 and early 2012. The only other person to do it prior was a guy who had fabricated mounting points on his Long Travel Tacoma. He only did the hood, grille, and headlights. When I did this conversion, it literally took me 5 months to find the parts as they were scarce due to the new design.

You'll need a new bumper support bracket and hood locking latch/bracket. This is the stuff you'll need behind the exterior parts

I ended up painting all the parts once I was ready to. I knew going in I had to repaint it as they discontinued the Radiant Red color in 2009.

Your best bet is to check Craigslist, Ebay, & Tacoma Forums frequently. I'll keep an eye out for you if I see anything.

My fear is all the difference in silver parts from each source may not match up. You'll see the color will be off due to care from each individual person. You're better off buying whatever color at the cheapest cost and then repainting it all to blend in with your 2006 Tacoma color now. Thats the tricky part with mixing painted parts that have been exposed to difference elements.

Good Luck as this project will make you love your Tacoma all over again.

Kind regards,
RAD​

 

edit: nevermind, rad beat me to it.

can confirm. still stare at mine for a few minutes each day almost a year later.

 

What color front bumper are you looking for...mine will be for sale in a few weeks

Never mind I see where it says silver

 

If you're going through the trouble to do all of this, I would say go ahead and do an aftermarket bumper. That would cut down on paint costs as well as be easier meaner looking and more protective for the truck, i.e.. Not having to worry about paint marks and chips on the front bumper. Then all you have to source is a hood, grille, and headlights. Hood and grille being the only things needing to be painted.

 

^ That's what I did as sourcing the bumper and repainting will increase the cost tremendously.

^Sorry TruKnight

Saw you did this conversion and on a SWB. Great job on that! That makes it very rare and unique like a Radiant Red version. I haven't seen a Desert Mica nor Impulse Red yet. . .

 

thanks! yep, it being unique was a big part of the attraction in doing it. having to get everything painted and using only oem parts was pricy tho, but some things are worth doing right. I ended up doing the whole interior too.

 

@TruKnight ^ Interior too! Okay sir, I need to see pictures. Thats one where I cut corners on.

 

Just to let you guys know I'm not at all opposed to buying aftermarket parts. I'm frankly in no hurry, Mostly because my bank account really doesn't wanna take a $2000 hit all at once lol So if this takes a few months then ok. But I think you guys may be right, I may never get the silvers to match... Which i guess means that I've got free reign to get whatever colors I need

 

I wanna see the interior too. I priced custom leather seats. Found a great guy who would do them for $1,200 and they'd replace the stupid carpet on the doors lol

 

I never said to do aftermarket parts. I think the guy was saying an aftermarket bumper meaning, Pelfreybilt, All-Pro, Demello, etc. That's if you've got other mods to compliment the bumper. Buy everything else OEM and used in any color and just paint it all at once imho.
​

 

I advise against aftermarket parts, the fitment will never be good enough. I did OEM only on mine, yes it cost more, but its put together factory tight.

well, you have clearly found TW, so the chances of your bank account staying intact have basically dropped to zero. 6 years on and im definitely past the 10k mark on mine.

just know going in, even Toyota cant match their own paint, so expect a shade or two difference no matter what. but that said, the hood and fender angles are sharp and catch light differently, so it wont be super noticeable.

the hood will be one of the hardest things to find. most salvage yards wont ship that at all, so unless you find one locally, you may as well just get a new one.

link to my build thread is under the sig. tons of pics there.

 

Yeah get oem brackets and pieces for better fittment. Where are you located?

 

I'm in southern Indiana. I work about 30 seconds from the Ohio river. About 15 minutes from Kentucky or Illinios.

 

I have a TRD Off Road hood if you are interested.

 

I've got a bumper in perfect condition but it's white

 

At 20 years old I spent all my money on booze and wimmin.

 

This might be just me but I like the different styles of the gen2 fronts and wouldn't change it. I'd do like others have said and get a Pelfrey or some kind of of off road bumper.

 

Rad, lets see some pics!

 

I could be wrong but he had a thread somewhere. Maybe I can find it. He was one of the first ones on here to do it