Set to Order Grillcraft + Hella 500s...

Hey guys, I am planning to install the Grillcraft MX Black Mesh Grille with Hella 500FFs behind. I have been researching for the last few hours and have come up with an "order list" and would love any feedback/things I overlooked/tips before I hit the "purchase" button! Thank you ahead of time and for any others thinking about this mod I will include links with part info and seller.

1. Grillcraft MX Black Mesh Grille... I also like the look of a billet grille but after CLOSE inspection I think it would be harder to clean real well.
https://www.amazon.com/GrillCraft-T...sr=8-1&keywords=2008+toyota+tacoma+grillcraft

2. Hella 500FF Driving Lamp Kit... Not going with the black magic kit because I want to see the lights behind the grille.

$79 HELLA 005750941 500FF Series Driving Lamp Kit, Multi, 6"

https://www.amazon.com/HELLA-005750...F8&qid=1480792129&sr=8-1&keywords=hella+500ff

3. Light Bar Mount (made by Bay Area Metal Fabrication)... SO psyched I came across this.
http://www.bayareametalfab.com/Behind-The-Grille-Light-Bar-Brackets_c_9.html

I will also be painting the area behind the Grillcraft with some high heat flat black. Will probably follow this tutorial on horn relocation https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...i-grill-horn-relocation-w-lots-a-pics.139680/ . Anything I overlooked? I found a few install pics of the Grillcraft which was my main concern. Pretty psyched about doing this.

 

I have the same grill. You'll probably be disappointed. Kinda cheap and the mounting is...cheap.

 

Sounds like you've got it covered. I did all the same steps minus the lights.
A few words on the install. Follow the pics on the install/ tutorial section at Grill Crafts site, their order of disassembly makes it fairly easy. The bumper cover is somewhat hard to get unclipped. It will feel like you are going to break the tabs. I was able to use a small flathead to push out a few of the clips then pull harder than you think you should and it will pop loose. Be carful with the trim pieces under the headlights those tabs are brittle, I broke one of the tabs on mine. When you get the grill out you'll see about 16-20 Phillips head screws holding the color matched grill surround on. Remove those and the color surround prior to cutting the inner grill to avoid scratching it.
All in all I wish now after a few yrs. I'd gone ahead and spent a few extra $'s and gotten an @HomerTaco one.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/homertaco.128/

Good luck with it and welcome to TW!!

 

Thank you for the tip on the HomerTaco grilles! I've never came across these. Only read a few pages in that thread so far. At first I thought he was charging almost 300 for the mesh but it looks like he fabs the entire grill?!? If that is the case I think I will definitely be going this route, they look too good to pass up. Thanks for the tip!

 

I did my grill mesh from Customcargrills.com

http://www.customcargrills.com/Custom-Toyota-Grills.asp

1/2 the cost of the grillcraft and I was very happy with it, once I relaxed and cut apart my stock grill.


The "Toyota" is from a older FJ40, that I painted red.

 

Very happy with the grill I got from @HomerTaco. Craig does some excellent work. The wait sucks, but the grill was well worth it.

 

Better get you a dremel cause you'll need it!

 

Here's mine. I was to lazy to relocate and paint. Didn't really care for it

 

Never heard a bad thing about HomerTaco's work..that's my advice to you. Otherwise, looks impressive.

 

Same here.



Pay no attention to my fogged up eBay headlight

 

Got it!

I like it, think it would look better not seeing anything behind as much like you said. Where did you get your TRD emblem? How'd you get the grillcraft emblem off?

The HomerTaco grille would be my first choice hands down but I don't want to wait a year. I'm planning on ordering within the next week.

 

The grill craft emblem is easy to come off and trd emblem from eBay. But I'm thinking of selling it

 

Is the grillcraft emblem on with adhesive or a couple screws?

 

The emblem came separate on mine. It had a capture clip that goes behind the grill, you screw thru the grill into the emblem. I just left mine off.

 

THIS. I did CGC too. Very pleased except for when a chunk of retread flew up in front of me at 70mph on the interstate and dented the thing. The dent *mostly* popped out, but I can still see it if no-one else.

 

yeah mine also came separate

 

You guys that did the lights behind the grille, any helpful links you could suggest on wiring? I'd love to wire them for off, on and auto on with high beams. I'm currently searching through old threads.

 

I purchased a homer taco grille 2 weeks ago. I decided to pursue another route, it is still in the shipping box that came from homertaco. I paid 130 with shipping. Id be willing to let go for 110 bucks shipped

 

Craig does solid work. I have one of his inserts in my Satoshi grille. Highly recommend him even if you dont buy a full grille from him

 

I would most likely take you up on that offer if our front ends matched. I have a '08.

His inserts would only work for a satoshi correct?