2019 TRD Sport - removal of trim behind front license plate...

I am replacing the painted trim behind the front license plate with the black one from a TRD OR and I was wondering if anyone could tell me how that piece releases from the bumper cover. Are there any screws or problematic retainers? Or do I just use the pull and pray method? I have the grille off (replacing with a Pro) and I can see 4-6 slide in retainer clips but I fear what I cannot see. I don't want to wreck the thing.

 

There is a video on YouTube showing the grill replacement as well as that bumper cover replacement. Guys have some other helpful videos too!

https://youtu.be/w4zmvqFh4dk

 

Perfect. Thank you. Those nasty blue clips are the ones I feared. I also want to keep my painted Cement trim for later use or sale so I won't be cutting those tabs like these guys did with their trashed piece.

 

That is the video I watched to replace mine. But I snipped to remove the two blue clips. Pretty simple job. Just work carefully.

 

I finally got it off but it was not easy to get the clips to release. It's a miracle I didn't break any. There's one at each end that proved to be most difficult (not the ones with the blue clips) because I couldn't really grasp them and they are impossible to see. Hard to know which way to bend/pry. One way breaks them and the other releases. Cheapo plastic, too. Almost seems as if they are made to break so you have to buy another.

I have to say, these 3rd Gen's are made with some pretty darn cheap plastic. The entire front grill felt like it weighed 2 pounds. My kid's 2000 Tacoma has more robust materials.

Pics of the bumper trim below. Lots o clips, with 4 versions of the same type of retainer on the same piece.

In the first pic below, the troublesome clip is top right in the photo. Almost ripped them both off but they finally let loose.


This is what you're dealing with in totality.

 

Good job! I was happy to have the new piece to reference while removing the old.

 

You can pull on the blue clips and they come right off.

 

Oh, for sure the blue clips come right off if you pull on them. The rest of the clips and the entire trim piece is a whole other story. Stubborn to say the least.

 

Had mine off and replaced in about 30min with no broken clips. I guess every truck is different.