Preference: Badged or Debadged..?

I'd like to see an unbranded OEM looking front grille (specifically not something attached by rivets/bolts) that has no badging at all and isn't fully mesh (or honeycomb), or billet horizontal slats. It's not about "stealth" look. It's about a clean look. That's why I specifically said TACOMA and not brand/manufacturer in my OP. The Pro grille is reminiscent of vintage Toyota trucks/SUVs and doesn't look like braces and/or cheese grater. Again, I don't need to be told I drive a Tacoma 9 times from the front, side, and rear of the truck.

 

My SR only came with a 4x4 badge, which I like ... not crazy about any of the other badges/bedside decals. I agree though, the grille needs something to break up the mass. Let's call it a "secondary" mass, which should never compete with the primary. It's all about balance and rhythm ... which is one reason I like the Pro grille so much. The second big reason is the obvious nostalgia factor.

 

I don't think money has anything to do with it. If you're buying a 40k truck and "can't afford" or are stressing over $400 then I'd guess you're probably not so great with the whole money thing to begin with. Its a matter of personal taste. I didn't buy a pro so I see no reason to try to make others think I did.

 

All the badging is fine by me except for the trd sticker on the bed.

On a side note, I hate the lawyer stickers they put on everything these days. I do take as many of those off as possible!!

 

I chose to debadge and remove the black vinyl between the doors. I like a clean, simple truck.

 

No one besides an enthusiast would even know that a pro front grille came off the Pro. And said enthusiasts who know that would already know you didn't buy a Pro, nor would they assume you want to pass it off as a Pro because you're missing everything else. Everyone has Pro grilles because the ones that came on the trucks besides said Pro is ugly as fuck so we change it to the only other OEM grille available.

 

For me, the only badges I like to take off are the ones from the dealer. Although that V6 badge on the back might be going soon.

 

Debadge:

 

Not de-badged, RE-badged, all black. I like the contrast and don't mind letting the masses know what the truck is. Bro grill on front too. Now I just need to figure out the easiest way to black out the stainless bolts in the fender flairs.

 

I have a limited and I've been considering the debadge as well. I like the chrome and wheels on the limited and I won't do much OR anyway. I am not a fan of the badging. Front marking and rear was typical. I used to love the firebird decal on my TA and the Olds emblem on my buddies 442. I just hate to look at cheap plastic now on vehicles. My wife will think I'm crazy but probably will debadge mid August when it's hot as hell. Still not entirely sure. I added the black tailgate letters. I like that.
I forgot to add that I love the pro grille. Again, with the wife comment above.

 

I've debadged tons of vehicles. Most recently 3/4 on my TRD Pro.

Here is what I suggest.

First of all debage in stages. If there is something that has to go (door badges for me) do those first. As you are aware it's way easier to take them off than put them back.

Safest way to do it is this:

Park so the desired badge is in the sun and let it get hot, like 30-60 minutes. I prefer noon to afternoon. Then come out with thin monofilament or dental floss and work one end only. Just enough to get the tips of your fingers under the edge of the badge. Try to keep the adhesive tape on the panel side. Not the badge side. While doing this be careful not to push the badge down as it might already have lose spots or air bubbles under it that will make it easier to remove later.

Once you can get your finger tips in between the panel and the badge begin to remove the badge by hand being careful not to pry anything back into your paint. Pull it off and away from the panel by that one end to get more room, then work the other end till you can get a good grip with both hands. This process on my PROs huge door badges took about 20-30 seconds on each end.

Once you get a good grip with both hands pull it off slowly and carefully, straight away allowing the adhesive to slowly give in and try not to rip it. Ideally the tape is left on the panel in one piece with no tears.

Once the badge is off, leave the tape in the sun another 10 minutes or so. Once it's good and hot, work to get it started to peel ideally at the end that is more loose. If you get lucky, you will get a clean end to start with from your pro flossing job.

All you do is get a little grip with your finger tips then lift at a 45 degree angle to the panel, and gently stretch it away. If it starts to tear it's not hot enough. It should peel away cleanly. Go slow!

If you do it right you will get it off in one piece with no or almost no residue at all. Maybe one tiny spot where you had to use your nail to get a corner up. This process took me about 2 minutes per badge, minus time sitting to heat up.

Once it's all removed, I use a tiny spot on a soft microfibre cloth with 99% isopropyl to remove any residue, then wash the panel, polish, then wax. Once done you have a perfectly removed badge, no indication it was ever there and nearly no risk to the paint what so ever.

Good luck!

 

Debadged no questions asked - now I have to remove trd sticker off bed next

 

It's all personal preference! I think some amount is a nice touch but the stock amount is overkill / too much

I debadged TACOMA door and V6 tailgate badges, changed TRD bed decals to black ones, added black inserts to the tailgate letters, added a Pro grill, and and made my own TRD decal for my skid plate

 

How did you remove the black between the doors? Major process or simple? I think it looks great and I think my QS limited would look better like this. Thanks

 

I haven't done mine as I prefer that area protected with vinyl as generally speaking I use that part of the door to close the door.

But if I was going to do it, I would let it sit in the sun to get good and hot, then peel it from the top down starting in the middle of the piece of vinyl and peel it downwards. Then one hand to manage window trim and work it slowly. Should be a little slow but not too hard.

 

I didn't realize that it was vinyl on it. I never use the post to shut it. Thanks for the tip. I'll look at it closer.

 

All love here, I traded my '13 for one! Miss that truck every once in a while

Yeah that's where I'm at. Keep the Taco's, lose the V6/4x4 and most definitely the dealer. Probably start with one, and move on as mentioned.

Yeah, I definitely agree. I like something on the door, just not the gaudy chrome. The black flares of the OR and the chrome clash imo.

Wondrous, I like the TACO hahah.

 

If you think there's a chance you will ever trade in your Tacoma to a dealer, then it might be better to leave the badges and decals in place. My experience with two previous Tacomas has been that friends and family members want to buy them when they get older, so the badges and decals on my '16 went on day one. Losing the "chrome" does make it easier to wash and wax. QR

 

I like it to say Tacoma but wanted lower door protection. Also went flat black on the trd sticks

 

Yep, just do it on a hot sunny day. Find an edge and start slowly pulling. It will likely leave some adhesive which can be cleaned with Goo Gone. I removed the vinyl early because I didn't want the sun to fade the paint differently than the rest of my truck.