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is it better to get the $300-$400 real trd pro grill or a knock off one for $150?

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Samuel, Sep 8, 2019.

Page 3 of 9
  1. Sep 8, 2019 at 8:42 AM
    #41
    Redferdaze

    #41
    Redferdaze Member

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    I bought the knockoff two years ago. No issues here. I typically only buy oem parts since they have been tested but this is purely aesthetic.
     
    Redferdaze, Sep 8, 2019
    #41
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  2. Sep 8, 2019 at 9:31 AM
    #42
    St0rm-Tr00per

    #42
    St0rm-Tr00per Well-Known Member

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    “Semi-Pro”/“PrOff-Road”
    My preference is almost always OEM ... ask yourself this ... if your truck is ever in an accident, do you care if the insurance company uses cheap reproduction parts or do you prefer oem replacement parts? My guess is most people would prefer the OEM.
     
    St0rm-Tr00per, Sep 8, 2019
    #42
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  3. Sep 8, 2019 at 9:40 AM
    #43
    BalutTaco

    #43
    BalutTaco Moja_Przygoda

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    I Bought an OEM one... Before owning the truck.. :anonymous:
     
    BalutTaco, Sep 8, 2019
    #43
  4. Sep 8, 2019 at 9:44 AM
    #44
    elduder

    #44
    elduder Well-Known Member

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    I have an OEM one, with OEM garnish for sale...
     
    elduder, Sep 8, 2019
    #44
  5. Sep 8, 2019 at 9:51 AM
    #45
    prickly_goo

    #45
    prickly_goo Well-Known Member

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    Knockoff grill. It’s just a molded piece of plastic. I’ve compared the two side by side and there were no differences.

    I wouldn’t pay 400$ for a piece of plastic that’ll eventually be covered in big guts.

    I paid $79 and used the $300+ I saved on other cool stuff.
     
    prickly_goo, Sep 8, 2019
    #45
    payrow, Lt. Dangle, mauigrown and 5 others like this.
  6. Sep 8, 2019 at 10:14 AM
    #46
    raskal311

    #46
    raskal311 Well-Known Member

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    5100 set to max, pending LSD and TRD CAI
    People who say oem probably wears $400 jeans too lol
     
    raskal311, Sep 8, 2019
    #46
    payrow, HighCountryTacoma, ZachPrerunner and 3 others like this.
  7. Sep 8, 2019 at 10:16 AM
    #47
    johnnyroid

    #47
    johnnyroid Well-Known Member

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    $10 jeans from rural king fit and look just as good as $40 levis. Just saying.
     
    johnnyroid, Sep 8, 2019
    #47
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  8. Sep 8, 2019 at 10:21 AM
    #48
    polloloco81

    #48
    polloloco81 Well-Known Member

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    I personally can’t justify spending $400 on a piece of plastic, so I got the knockoff pro grille. I definitely was paranoid that it would have issues, but the grille cane and everything fit perfectly, and frankly looks damn sexy. Even in my head, I was thinking that for the price of an OEM grille, I can buy 4 knockoff grilles.

    I do recommend getting the OEM sensor garnish though.
     
    polloloco81, Sep 8, 2019
    #48
    payrow, mauigrown and ZachPrerunner like this.
  9. Sep 8, 2019 at 11:26 AM
    #49
    Soundchasr

    #49
    Soundchasr Well-Known Member

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    How much? Which garnish are you using?
     
    Soundchasr, Sep 8, 2019
    #49
  10. Sep 8, 2019 at 11:35 AM
    #50
    BillsSR5

    #50
    BillsSR5 Looking out for #1

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    anyone know the country of manufacture for the OEM grilles? its probably the same factory that's making the knockoffs in China
     
    BillsSR5, Sep 8, 2019
    #50
  11. Sep 8, 2019 at 11:37 AM
    #51
    Garyji

    #51
    Garyji Well-Known Member

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    Not going to read 50+ posts, but my 2 cents is: No Fake Stuff on my truck!!

    G.
     
    Garyji, Sep 8, 2019
    #51
  12. Sep 8, 2019 at 11:38 AM
    #52
    BillsSR5

    #52
    BillsSR5 Looking out for #1

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    BillsSR5, Sep 8, 2019
    #52
  13. Sep 8, 2019 at 11:40 AM
    #53
    Garyji

    #53
    Garyji Well-Known Member

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    Thanks, but money is not an issue for me. Only OEM for me.

    G.
     
    Garyji, Sep 8, 2019
    #53
  14. Sep 8, 2019 at 11:47 AM
    #54
    jcayce

    #54
    jcayce Well-Known Member

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    Oddly enough, I think my box said made in USA? I know it is in the attic somewhere.
     
    jcayce, Sep 8, 2019
    #54
  15. Sep 8, 2019 at 11:51 AM
    #55
    BillsSR5

    #55
    BillsSR5 Looking out for #1

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    its very possible there are a few Toyota oem parts made in the USA, I got front brake pads and my air filter made in USA,OEM Toyota, I also think the factory OEM Front A arm assemblies are US made
     
    BillsSR5, Sep 8, 2019
    #55
  16. Sep 8, 2019 at 11:52 AM
    #56
    mauigrown

    #56
    mauigrown Well-Known Member

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    If I were to buy one I’d get the knock off, it’s just plastic. I’d buy oem parts where it really matters.
     
    mauigrown, Sep 8, 2019
    #56
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  17. Sep 8, 2019 at 12:50 PM
    #57
    swils

    #57
    swils Well-Known Member

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    I got mine from Runnin4Tacos, but you can go lookup the OEM TSS Garnish online or at a dealership, they've brought the price up to several hundred dollars for a essentially a piece of plexiglass
     
    swils, Sep 8, 2019
    #57
  18. Sep 8, 2019 at 1:25 PM
    #58
    Eddie1958

    #58
    Eddie1958 Well-Known Member

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    I have a black Taco and have a question. Are there different color Pro grills. I think some one said Matt and one was a different shade. I assume glossy. I have a sport and also will be getting wheels soon also. If I had the off road Matt color would be fine because of the flares. Which is which. I am also thinking about red letters.
     
    Eddie1958, Sep 8, 2019
    #58
  19. Sep 8, 2019 at 1:33 PM
    #59
    THE_KiRRAx

    #59
    THE_KiRRAx Well-Known Member

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    AFAIK, the OEM pro grills have a slight sheen to them where as the knockoffs (can only vouch for one specific seller) come in more of a matte finish no glossiness at all. You can always paint the letters yourself, or some sellers offer a limited choice in letter colors.

     
    THE_KiRRAx, Sep 8, 2019
    #59
  20. Sep 9, 2019 at 2:02 AM
    #60
    VaToy

    #60
    VaToy Life Long Member

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    2018 TRD DCLB Sport 4x4 Silver Sky
    Bilsteins 5100s on the top setting, 4runner Gray TRD Pro Sema wheels, 285/70/17 Toyo AT3s, Sumo Bump stops, TRD exhaust, ECGS Clamshell bushing, 1/4 shim for the lean and one inch rear block, OEM Pro grill and garnish OEM TRD Skid plate, TRD CAI, Demon Brackets, Rigid Industries Pro fog lights, OEM Trail Rails sidebars, Diode Dynamics LED SL1 high and low beam lights, OEM Roof racks, Clazzio leather heated seats, Remote Start, TRD Pro shift knob, tinted windows, Rockford Fosgate 4 channel amp for the headunit and sub and amp combo, OEM Puddle lights, OEM tailgate lock, OEM bed mat, LED interior lights, OEM blackout kit for letters, JLT catch can, upgraded 27F toyota True Start battery, Vleds led tail light kit with Pro tail lights, OEM Rave4 side mirrors with convex spotters,just to name a few mods.
    I have a OEM Pro grill and garnish. Paid $250 for both. For some reason the 18-19 grill is cheaper than a 16-17. However I have seen the grills side by side and I personally think the OEM has a better fit and finish. Its not as rough around the edges so to say, no finish issues and the paint on the letters is simply just better. The clips break easier on the fake grill, as the plastic feels more brittle and the OEM grill is a little thicker feeling, not as flexible. I mean to me the OEM grill feels more sturdy. I sold off the fake grill for two reasons, my son changed his mind and he didn't want a fake grill. Now for me the fake grill if it was the quality of the fake grill I sold would not be an issue for me to use.
     
    VaToy, Sep 9, 2019
    #60
Page 3 of 9

Products Discussed in

2018 Tacoma TRD PRO Grill Garnish TSS Sensor Cover 53141-35060 Genuine OEM
$365.00
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