Anyone modify aftermarket PRO Grille to fit factory camera?

I found a grill I like from Built NKO. However, these aftermarket grills don't fit for the front camera on the advanced tech package. I watched a RobMotive video where he installed a OEM TRD Pro grill because of this. But someone in the comments section below the video stated they just cut out the middle tab above the toyota letters. They didn't go into any detail as to how they mounted it then. Could I probably just JB Weld the back bracket into place? Just wondering and any help on this subject is appreciated.

Thanks

Well looks like I found what I was looking for on YouTube. I'll try and link the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRGo8ZVhVuc&t=352s

 

I placed mine in the middle above the radar garnish below the Y and O. I considered having it at the top but it would be way off from where it normally is and the 360 cam would be extremely distorted. It's still distorted right now but it's useable because it's close to the OE location.

Basically I took a dremel and cut out a slot the size of the camera, then used gaff tape to wrap the camera so it would stay in the slot with pressure alone and used the same tape to keep it from sliding back. Despite how ghetto it sounds, it's worked perfectly for the past year and doesn't move unless I purposely touch it. I don't have the skills to make a bracket and modifying the existing bracket wouldn't work with how forward I placed it. The only thing visible from the front is the camera.

 

Thanks for the info on your install. Do you feel it was worth losing a clear image on the front camera just to have the Pro Grill? I guess I'm torn, I have ordered a truck out of allocation that I paid for the advanced tech package, and seems it would be a shame not to have it all work. However, those grills do look damn good. Just wondering what your thought are.

 

In my opinion, yes because the pro one looks 100x better than the standard ones but also because the distorted image isn't that bad. I'll take some pictures later and show you so you can compare with yours.

 

I placed a snowbrush in the front left of the truck so you can see the distortion. Everything is slightly shifted forward from the front cam because the new location of the camera is slightly lower than the OE location so it's angled up more to avoid capturing too much bumper. But you can see that it doesn't really affect your view because you still see everything and can still judge via the side cameras. I use my cameras almost all the time to judge parking and whatnot to prove that the distortion doesn't really affect it.



This is how the camera looks on the truck, I also notched the front cut so the camera bump can seat nicely and prevent it from shifting forward. Doesn't block the TSS at all. How I installed it was meant to be a temporary solution honestly but because it's held up so well, I haven't bothered with it haha.

 

I just did this, hang on...die grinder and some imagination. Not perfect but better than sticking out IMO. I'll probably, knowing me, go back an polish that cut up later.

 

Pretty good idea putting it up a little higher, I like it.

 

From a far...

 

Your right, that image still allows for a clear enough picture to do everything that needs to be done. So if I understand you right, there is a notch you cut into the grill that the top of the camera seats up against to, to prevent forward movement?

Also, thank you for the great pictures of your work, including the props for reference. Your truck looks awesome with the grill, totally night and day difference.

 

Now that is some ingenuity! Great job on your modification, looks rock solid. Thanks for posting your solution

 

That looks Great!

 

Won't work on your 22.

 

Yes, I see that because of the sensor, but was still pleased to see people making things work.

 

Make it Work! Stuck out in the middle of the ocean and you only have so many parts? You learn to need what you have...

 

Yup, check out the picture below. The hole is just enough for the camera to poke out at an angle and for the back of the camera to fall through. I did it this way to get the right angle for the camera but if you do this then you'll have to play around to see what angle you want. The front edge of the hole is sharpened to slot right above lens bump to hold it in place. Because the camera has a wide lens you want it as forward as you can to avoid capturing the grille and to get in front of the tss cover. There will be some plastic you have to cut out so the camera can get into that space but it wont affect the integrity of the grille, just don't cut into the tss box or out the top. I also wrapped the camera with some thin adhesive foam to hold it in place and if I remember correctly, I think there's a bump at the back of the camera so the cables aren't touching the grill or anything.

 

Wow, that illustrates it perfectly. When my truck arrives this is the first mod I'm doing. The help you've shown is appreciated!

 

No worries! I'm sure it'll turn out great.

 

They do make an adapter plate..... https://www.offroad-lifestyle.com/tacoma/p/pro-grille-front-camera-bracket-2020-2021