Update: Completed my Memorial Day Grillcraft Install..

Well first things first, I must preface this by saying that this install was not a "smooth" one, as evidenced by my mid-install thread here:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...tempting-memorial-day-grillcraft-install.html


Before:


I proceeded to take out the grill which was relatively easy once I figured out that nothing was holding it in place at the bottom. There are two pushpins and two bolts holding it in place from the top of the grill.

The bottom bumper was a pain to remove though, there was approximately 6 screws, two fender flares, 4 pushpins and 10 blue "clips" that had to be removed in order to get out. The re-installation was much easier than the removal.

Middle - everything removed pre-spray painting:



I then proceeded to tape up and cover everything that did not need to be spray painted and once that was done I used Rustoleum High Heat Black Matte spray paint to paint the radiator and other odds and ends black. I allowed time to dry and then added a second coat.

Middle 2 - post spray painting:



I then proceed to install the lower grillcraft, I decided to leave the existing factory "grill" in place for the lower as I thought it looked great with it in place. It was hard to get the holes drilled and then screws inserted without the removal though. If I had to do it over again I would probably cut out the bottom "grill" prior to installing the grillcraft.

Once this was complete I started working on the upper grill. The install on it was much easier, after the original grill was cut out I was able to hold the grillcraft in place and drill holes exactly where they were needed and the install took minutes to do.

Finished product:



I am waiting on a TOYOTA badge and a TRD badge to be delivered that will be installed along with some T-Rex eyelids - this will all hopefully be in place within the next two weeks.

What do ya'll think?

 

Sexy. Can i has?

 

looks great bro!!!!

 

Thanks guys. Haven't decided yet if I want to do the horn relocation mod.. I don't think they are noticeable where they are, and kind of afraid that relocating them may make them less effective?

 

Not that noticeable from the picture you took. Maybe take one outside in the sun with no flash.

 

Looks good.

 

Ill try that tomorrow Krazie SJ.

The flash wasn't on in any of the photos I took, the glares are from the son reflecting off the paint etc..

 

Man that looks so good! I want to do mine so bad.

 

My opinion is the horn relocation is required only if it really bothers you. Heard many opinions that "you should do it". But left mine alone after doing the install and haven't gone back to move 'em. If I ever do move them, it will be down behind the bumper, and not into the engine compartment though.

Only time that I notice the horns to any significant degree is when the sun, or a light of some sort, is shining right through the grill.

I tend to take additional steps only when I decide they should be done. I didn't originally paint the radiator section, but that ended up being quite noticable, so that ended up getting done.

 

Yeah, I am currently leaning toward not relocating them as even today they are not noticable "to me". I'll see how it looks once the emblem/badges are added, maybe they will be a little more of a nuisance at that time?

At either rate, I am happy with the install, just waiting on badges/eyelids and N-Fab steps to be delivered and I'll be finished modding.........










for at least a month, haha.

 

Looks great same as mine

 

great job. i want a new grill sooooo bad!

 

Yeah I wouldnt worry about relocating your horns. I think its just mostly for guys that have grill lights either behind their grillcraft grill or behind their satoshi. I had to relocate mine cause I have a satoshi with grill lights behind it. I relocated it behind that battery and it sucks right there!! I will be relocating it here pretty soon somewhere behind the front bumper. There is a thread on relocating it there and I heard the horns work pretty good from that spot.

 

Thanks for the info, I was curious how they sounded after being relocated.

Well I got my TRD badge in this evening, but it is not going to work. I got the kind with the screw on back and the brackets will not fit/align through the grillcraft without cutting and I dont want to cut the new grill. Anyone want to buy it? haha, Now time to order the sticker kind.

 

Can't you just cut off any protrusions and 3M tape it on?

 

Yeah, I could have, but my sawzall bit the dust during the install and I thought the protrusions were cheaply welded on (could see the markings around the bracket) and I thought holding a soldering iron up to it would allow it to "release" (Yes, I was an idiot), to make a long story short, it did help release the brackets, but it also warped the emblem. I've since received the tape mounted emblem in and have it in place - I will try to get update pics soon, but waiting to install eyelids first.

 

I have a black billet set on its way and, while looking on their install instructions, it looks like they saw off the stanchions for the main grill but leave about a 1/4". Does this help with positioning the new grille?

Jeffo

P.S. I was going for the mesh, but since I couldn't find a hoodscoop companion....