Grillcraft Mod Question

I'm in on the GC group buy and was wondering if you installed a GC mesh grill WO/Satoshi, did you remove the existing grill bars or leave them in, if you left them in did you remove the emblem? Links or pictures would be great. Thanks
Nick

 

Most everyone cuts them out. I think I've only seen one picture of the install with the bars still in tact...looked pretty bad.

 

chop it out

 

Cut it out.. I needed a few cold ones before i could start hacking

 

Cut the upper and lower grill out completely. Other wise it just looks "half arse" if you know what I mean. Also install both upper and lower.....don't half arse it with just the upper. Do it right install both. The grillcraft offers much more protection to your cooling system than stock.

Borrow a sawsall from a friend and buy a new blade. Very carefully begin cutting. Be extra careful not to cut any hoses.....wires etc. I cannot bold, underline extra careful enough. Then cut the lower, you will see its just not that hard. Just pay attention to the blade location all the times.

Have a buddy help you and have beers after the cutting and install.
It took me 1.20 hrs by myself. Turned out perfect. Easy........

GL,

Taco4x4nc

 

^ be careful not to cut any hoses? Did you leave the grille on the truck while cutting?

Either that or you have way too many hoses on your work bench.

 

Thanks for the advise guys, I did buy both upper and lower. I'll probably remove the stock grill before any cutting. Is anyone repairing the cut locations where the horizontal bars attached to the sides or just leaving them as is? Is there an actual mod write up out here for the CG? I'll search to see what I can find, but if you know of the link, please advise. Is a sawsall the best tool for the job?

 

I know you saw my post but just an FYI, I did not do any cutting to install the lower grillcraft and actually prefer the look of it without it cut, but I did cut the upper.

Pics were on my project post, but I've since added the TOYOTA emblem along with a TRD badge.

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

 

haha seriously did you leave the grill on? takes 30 seconds to take it off...

 

Removed it. Easy to just use a saws-all. Smooth whats left a bit with a grinder.. it was pretty fun.

 

If you don't have access to a Sawzall, you can go get a "close quarters" hacksaw. It's basically a handle that holds a hacksaw blade. Works well as the plastic is pretty soft and by not using power, less chance of losing control or cutting too much. Then just finish up with a file and/or sandpaper to smooth out the cuts.

BTW, I did not remove the lower stock grill, just the upper.

 

do you have to do that figerglass shit where you cut out the bars?

 

Not necessary. Only if youre anal and dont want to potentially see the cut plastic behind the mesh.
Personally, I filled those areas.

 

Cut the bar out. I did it with a hack saw blade (no handle). With just the blade, it will curve to fit your needs.

 

amen on the protection. haven't done it yet but i looked through my stock "grill" the other day and saw some bent radiator vanes on my 3 month old truck. that's ridiculous. my very next investment is a grillcraft mod. that way i also get to install a custom emblem from "metalmiller" too!

 

Is that a grillcraft kit? That is sweet!

 

I used a hack saw blade no handle to do mine also, worked great.

 

remove the bars **EDIT** i used a hacksaw blade to help form to the curves of the grille

 

Grillcraft. Top & bottom.

 

Definitely a two person job with the little clips.....cut out the bars on the upper grill for sure because otherwise it really wont fit flush. Supper ill looking once its done. I hated hacking into it with a Dremel but came out awesome