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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 4 of 9
  1. Sep 9, 2019 at 4:53 AM
    #61
    MaTaco_4x4

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    MaTaco_4x4 Well-Known Member

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    I wasn't going to pay $500 for a plastic serving platter that leaks.

    I wanted a front camera, couldn't identify a good mounting point for a camera on the OEM Sport grill.

    I had already ripped all the fake chrome off, and that OEM grill HAD to go.

    $149 grill from running4tacos.com
    $23 TSS garnish from Amazon

    It took ~40 minutes to pull the OEM grill, mount the camera, align the TSS sensor (.004 shim at the top to compensate for lower TSS mount position), and install the new grill.

    It performs perfectly and looks good.
     
    MaTaco_4x4, Sep 9, 2019
    #61
    THE_KiRRAx likes this.
  2. Sep 9, 2019 at 5:08 AM
    #62
    MaTaco_4x4

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    MaTaco_4x4 Well-Known Member

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    State Farm will use aftermarket parts, but guarantee them for the life of the vehicle.

    That works.

    I'd rather they use OEM, but not enough to pay the difference in parts cost.

    If I was packing it in grease w/ 7mi on the odo, and parking it in the barn for 50 years, I'd go OEM everything. I'm not though.
     
    MaTaco_4x4, Sep 9, 2019
    #62
  3. Sep 9, 2019 at 5:08 AM
    #63
    Sch0227

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    Sch0227 Well-Known Member

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    I've had both.. wasn't a noticeable difference in them. I just picked up an OEM because I sold the copy for a different grill and someone was selling an OEM cheap.
     
    Sch0227, Sep 9, 2019
    #63
  4. Sep 9, 2019 at 5:24 AM
    #64
    johnnyroid

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    johnnyroid Well-Known Member

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    I have a '17, so this is not an issue for me. Website shows that there is a nominal amount of filing a tab to facilitate other model years, but from what I've been hearing about the prices elsewhere, this should be an option for somebody.

    http://www.madhornets.com/garnish-acc-drcc-sensor-cover-for-tacoma-trd-pro-grilles-53141-35060/
     
    johnnyroid, Sep 9, 2019
    #64
  5. Sep 9, 2019 at 5:49 AM
    #65
    SamOfSteel

    #65
    SamOfSteel Well-Known Member

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    Amidst of all the "money is not a problem for me" posts, I would recommend just getting the knock-off and use the extra money for other stuff that you would rather have better quality. This is just a molded piece of plastic that looks and feels exactly like OEM. Spend the extra money on an audio or suspension upgrade. I normally don't see things from the "if I have the money, I buy it OEM" perspective, I see it from the "if the quality is 1:1 or dam near exactly the same, why would I spend more?".
     
    SamOfSteel, Sep 9, 2019
    #65
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  6. Sep 9, 2019 at 5:54 AM
    #66
    Crimson Flam3s

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    Crimson Flam3s Well-Known Member

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    Had my knockoff for 2 years now and still looks like new.

    So I say don't be foolish and use the savings for a different mod or take your family out to eat at a really nice place.

    Don't see the point in buying oem when the quality is practically the same and they overprice the hell out of this grill.
     
    Crimson Flam3s, Sep 9, 2019
    #66
    mauigrown, Soundchasr, johnnyroid and 2 others like this.
  7. Sep 9, 2019 at 6:25 AM
    #67
    Soundchasr

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    Soundchasr Well-Known Member

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    I don't have much preference between oem or knockoff for a part that's basically for aesthetics only. The garnish is the only thing that needs to perform.

    All the best,

    Warren Buffett


    BTW - haven't heard from Tacogarage. Other places to buy that people have had good experiences?
     
    Soundchasr, Sep 9, 2019
    #67
  8. Sep 9, 2019 at 6:51 AM
    #68
    johnnyroid

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    johnnyroid Well-Known Member

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    johnnyroid, Sep 9, 2019
    #68
    Soundchasr[QUOTED] likes this.
  9. Sep 9, 2019 at 7:37 AM
    #69
    Soundchasr

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    Soundchasr Well-Known Member

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    Soundchasr, Sep 9, 2019
    #69
  10. Sep 9, 2019 at 7:39 AM
    #70
    johnnyroid

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    johnnyroid Well-Known Member

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    Matte Gray/Silverish.



    20190724_065503.jpg 20190723_172807.jpg
     
    johnnyroid, Sep 9, 2019
    #70
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  11. Sep 9, 2019 at 7:45 AM
    #71
    johnnyroid

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    johnnyroid Well-Known Member

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    I would further add that the letters are all one piece. 2 screws to attach. I've seen others around here that come in separate packages, and also they have to be attached individually. Not with this one.
     
    johnnyroid, Sep 9, 2019
    #71
    Soundchasr likes this.
  12. Sep 9, 2019 at 11:56 AM
    #72
    polloloco81

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    polloloco81 Well-Known Member

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    polloloco81, Sep 9, 2019
    #72
  13. Sep 9, 2019 at 12:03 PM
    #73
    mjp2

    #73
    mjp2 Living vicariously through myself Moderator

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    Ebay's where it's at. What could possibly go wrong?

    :p
     
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    mjp2, Sep 9, 2019
    #73
  14. Sep 9, 2019 at 12:28 PM
    #74
    THE_KiRRAx

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    THE_KiRRAx Well-Known Member

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    I'm just gonna run out there, swap my letters around, and confuse the hell out of everyone.



    20190902_133218.jpg
     
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    THE_KiRRAx, Sep 9, 2019
    #74
    Savoia, SogBecks and mjp2[QUOTED] like this.
  15. Sep 9, 2019 at 2:48 PM
    #75
    SawOne

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    SawOne Member

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    Might be a dumb question, but the truck I got recently already had a pro grille on it. How can I tell if OEM or not? Has TSS sensor and all and performs just fine.

     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2019
    SawOne, Sep 9, 2019
    #75
  16. Sep 9, 2019 at 3:57 PM
    #76
    Jtwizzle

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    Jtwizzle Member

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    Knockoff. No brainer imo.
     
    Jtwizzle, Sep 9, 2019
    #76
  17. Sep 9, 2019 at 4:14 PM
    #77
    Aldo98229

    #77
    Aldo98229 Well-Known Member

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    Get the knockoff grille and, if you need to, the OEM sensor cover.

    There are plenty of threads on these forums about what vendors to buy knockoff grilles from, and which ones to keep away from.

    Good luck.

    60355033_10156710727402600_1187830354543_d5d2c53383fd63b78b5f7d7de37b187bc7f8fee1.jpg
     
    Aldo98229, Sep 9, 2019
    #77
  18. Sep 9, 2019 at 7:09 PM
    #78
    Brenny627

    #78
    Brenny627 Well-Known Member

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    Get the oem. I bought a cheap one from mad hornets and the garnish did not fit properly, so I had to buy the oem anyways
     
    Brenny627, Sep 9, 2019
    #78
  19. Sep 9, 2019 at 7:18 PM
    #79
    photogr4x4

    #79
    photogr4x4 Well-Known Member

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    The SR5 grilles are probably the best non-pro options. The newer TRD OR ones look pretty good, but SR5 takes the cake for me.
     
    photogr4x4, Sep 9, 2019
    #79
    Tullie D[QUOTED] likes this.
  20. Sep 9, 2019 at 7:39 PM
    #80
    Lt. Dangle

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    Lt. Dangle RIP @stun gun 2016-2020

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    Knockoff.

    In 2 years no one has ever said anything one way or the other about it. It fit just the same as the OEM grille I replaced.
     
    Lt. Dangle, Sep 9, 2019
    #80
Page 4 of 9

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