Newbie Help

New Taco guy here. Question, is there a blacked out lower valance panel available on 2nd gen Tacomas? I can only find for gen 3.

 

Second gens are 2 piece, if we talking about the same part. and Welcome!

 

Like that area below the lower grill, in the bumper? When I ripped my bumper off avoiding a dog, I had the bodyshop NOT paint that area, and it’s black to this day.

I believe X-Runner’s had that area blacked out as well, but not sure if it’s an insert.

 

Pics tell a 1000 words

 

You mean that? Google 2013 Tacoma Front Bumper Cover...theres all kinds

 

I actually never seen a bump a cover come without that. Odd. Is that stock?

 

For the 05-11 Tacoma, no, that piece of the bumper isn't separate. When you see that portion blacked out, it's because it was painted that way (or left unpainted).

On the 12-15, yes it's a separate piece.

 

That is what I suspected, but I wanted to make sure before I attempt to paint it. I am surprised there is not an after market one out there. Thanks for the info. I will post before and after pics when I get done.

 

I'd go with black Plasticoat, not paint. The Plasticoat will be much more durable than paint. AND if you don't like it you can just peal it off.

 

You mean this?

Yeah, I saw that on the ‘06 X-Runner when I bought my truck and loved it. Plasti-derped it on my bumper and it held up for years. Then I almost hit a dog, went through a bush and tore up the bumper. Had the body shop NOT paint that part and that’s how it’s been since. 16 years and I still like it.

 

I’ve been contemplating this mod for a couple years. I actually bought some 3m flatt black wrap as was going to attempt it. And also painting the pinch weld black

 

If it helps: the 2014 Tacoma eBrochure has a picture of a white Regular Cab with a black bumper and lower valance. It appears to be standard equipment. All of the other models have the black lower mid section and a color-keyed bumper.

 

I plastic dipped the lower valence and added skid plate. Thoughts on skid plate? Leave it as is or paint dark gray or black?
before
after

 

I think it would look good both ways. But if you dip it you will probably constantly have to to touch it up from road debri.
I’ve been contemplating wrapping my lower valance.i would leave it as is . It looks good

 

plastidipped the whole grill to rid of the chrome and leave skid unpainted

 

As the truck is white, I think it looks perfect as-is. If the truck was any other color I'd paint it satin/semi-gloss black. It looks like you changed the lower grille strip behind the license plate back to black. I liked the white look there too. Only tweak I might consider would be changing the thin vertical strips to black and leave the horizontal strip white for a "floating/suspended" look. A 1/4" inch of black at either end would give it a "floating-effect" look.