Pro grille suggestions

To all 3rd gen owners who replaced your factory grille with a knockoff pro grille (TSS). What's a quality product. I was looking at this one... just want to know if anyone has suggestions.

https://www.tacomalifestyle.com/products/tacoma-trd-pro-grille-2016-2020?variant=35261164814488

 

I got mine in early 2019 from madhornets.com. There are innumerable threads on this here, concerning whether to use an official Toyota sensor cover or a knockoff. I have been using the one that I got with my TRD Pro grill from madhornets now, with no problems. Just as long as you alter the angle of the sensor to make up for the difference in height from the toyota symbol logo that comes on the truck and where the sensor is located a little lower in the TRD Pro grill, you will be fine. To do this, simply add a thin washer or two, behind the sensor to change this angle. This will work.

 

I just used empyreoffroad for a pro grille, good quality, very fast shipping. I’m happy with the purchase

 

I think all the grilles are practically the same. Its just the garnish that is a hit or miss on some grilles. I also bought mine on madhornets.com

 

Amazon, the reviews will guide you

 

same, but mine arrived cracked on one side. I just used gorilla glue and installed it.

 

I always follow the reviews on Amazon.

 

Keep in mind that if you have a front view camera your options are much more limited. I have it and the only one I've been able to find is the OEM all black grill.

 

I went with the Cali Raised one which has been fine and I had no issues with the install. I know that brand has somewhat of a reputation for being cheap but the factory grills aren't exactly engineering masterpieces either. No matter who you go with, expect to trim a little bit of excess plastic from the molding process.

 

I too was faced with that same decision, Pro Grill, Raptor Grill etc... Being that mine had the TSS and front camera I really did not want to by a grill and then have to cut it to support the front camera, as with some of the grills I looked at.

I ended up going with a OEM Nightshade Edition grill. No issues with TSS or Camera... Just trying to source a camera mount for it. But in the end was able to find one...

 

Not to hijack the OP's thread, but if I may ask whether you used an OEM or aftermarket TSS garnish, and where you found the front camera mount?

 

Used the same garnish that was on my Limited grill. Camera mount came from a TW member who 3D printed one.

 

This is a good point, as the earlier 3rd generation years did not come with a front mounted camera. I think this started with the 2020 models[?]. So yeah, in the case of those with front mounted cameras, your options are a little more limited. Good point...

 

No front camera here. It's for an SR, so just TSS

 

Does anyone make a correctly colored garnish yet? This is what stopped me from using an aftermarket garnish, the gray on them are terrible looking as far as shade of gray they use. I was able to find an OEM garnish that someone didn’t realize was worth $300 now on eBay for $50. Got the 2020+ pro grille from sparkparts for cheap using a VIN from a pro my dealer had for sale, lol.

 

I'm just gonna go with the full taco garage setup. I've been researching for a couple days now and this is a gift for my son. I would like to know more about the TSS and the "washer" method to correct the angle.

More important. Where do you add the washers?

 

I kindly disagree. I personally believe Amazon’s review & rating system is so broken with fake reviews that it’s not really worth being used as a research tool anymore.

$0.02 of opinion, of course. I think reviewing the forum here for member feedback would be a better bet for OP

 

Reviews help but I have no doubt they rig the system as well. Seems like every product now is "Amazon's choice" listed at the top... I think they put that on there to move stock, then switch it the next day after rebalancing inventory, just the impression I get, I have no data to back that up...


As to the OP's question, aftermarket grills are NOT created equal. I went with taco garage when I bought mine on 2018, back then they were the best and closest OEM match. Mine has worked flawlessly the past two years with no issues at all with the TSS sensor. They'd be my "go-to" stop to check first, but things may have changed since then

 

Agree. I’ve noticed the same thing lately with Amazon’s recommendations. Reminds me of a Chinese flea market now. It’s actually kept me from buying shit from Amazon as often as I used to.

 

That’s sucks, the only problem I had was they sent black Tacoma lettering, but they are mailing me the white ones and I get to keep the black so I’m not mad haha