TRD pro grill on TRD OR with TSS

This thread has a ton of great info; just diving in as there are so many discussions going on out there.

I was just about to pull the trigger on swapping out my factory grill/garnish to something else, maybe even OEM. Then the consideration of recalibration came into question. I see a ton of people posting that we can simply angle the radar sensor to rid TSS warnings or wait for the system to "recalibrate". I'm not entirely sure these are safe measures to be taken. Just because we don't get errors, that does not mean the TSS system is going to function properly. I actually sat down and read thru the TSS system in our vehicle books; it does a tremendous amount and there are a ton of "what if" or "special" scenarios the system as designed can act improperly, usually referred to as "edge conditions". If we alter that system w/o a radar sensor recalibration, we are potentially putting ourselves and others at risk by creeping in at those edge conditions.

Sorry, def not trying to cry wolf here. Just trying to spur additional consideration for this community. Yeah, I'll play the "I'm an engineer" card and I will say this; I work on sensing and algorithm systems in another industry, and we can only plan for so much. We spend tremendous effort to calibrate out variability in parts/processes. By us changing out grills we are adding in new variability.

I'm def interested in learning more about what others are calling "auto calibrate" after a new grill/garnish is installed. What does that mean and how is the TSS system doing that?

For what it's worth, to be practical and still stay on the safe side, maybe the best thing to do is to just deactivate the TSS system if we swap out grills/garnishes.

 

Oh, and I do question why Toyota would put such a sensitive sensor on a plastic injection part that often gets into collisions. Wondering why they didn't mount the radar sensor to the windshield near the camera.

 

@mattybouges

You bring up good points about the radar detection. This video reviews the following sensors:

Pre-Collision
Lane Departure Alert
Automatic High Beams
Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
Pre-Collision w/Pedestrian Detection



I will say, the Pre-Collision did not detect the 2 deer that crossed my path this past Monday.

I normally accelerate with delight on a road I turn into but that morning, I was noticing how dark it was since it's usually brighter just before 6am.

I have NOT swapped out the EmpyreOffRoad Grill/Garnish so the Pre-Collision Low-Light Detection that is supposed to detect vehicles & pedestrians did not detect the deer crossing in front of me.

Here's more explanation of the System:

 

@TacoTime55

Sorry, with the deer mishap, are you saying you had all the OEM stuff on your truck? I wouldn't be surprised, none of those systems are perfect.

 

@mattybouges

Yes, OEM TSS is still on my truck. I've yet to install the aftermarket grill...as I've explained, I need to bore-out the holes (just a tad) so the garnish post fit flush against the mounting/holding area.

TSS does what it's supposed to do as far as Dynamic Cruise Control/monitoring distance and applying brakes.

It also beeps at me when I'm approaching a vehicle too fast so that I brake in time.

I think I've had the Lane Departure Alert beep at me once.

I've yet to use the Automatic High Beams.

 

@TacoTime55

Thanks again for sending the TSS system videos. I need to dig a little further into these.

I just found a typical radar sensor calibration workflow for toyota: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kchQuR2Iz1U&t=902s

It's a bit long, but the overall point is that calibration involves algorithmic calibration, meaning the Toyota techs are not in there changing the angle of the physical sensor. The video shows, if you look closely, they spec out an accuracy of +/- .5 degrees for alignment. There is no way on earth we can align to that degree using shims/washers on the physical sensor. All this said, I have made my decision. If I do a grill swap, I am going to get a true calibration done or just disable the darn system.

 

That is quite involved.

I'm gonna bore-out the holes on the grill where the garnish posts slide through so it seats right up against it.

It's supposed to have an angle for the garnish and isn't flush as the TacoGarage video describes.

If I get the error on my dash, I can always switch back to the OEM grill.

I wouldn't consider disabling the system altogether.

Most everyone who has done this mod has not had any issues...so hopefully, the same goes for me.

 

Okay, I took the lock washers off and looked at the holes...they don't need to be bored out...lol!

The area where the garnish is installed is angled so IT does not sit flush with the grill...I've said that before.

My son-in-law looked at what I was inspecting and pretty much said, "just install it and go with it".

This, after I explained to him my concerns about alignment/calibration.

Most everyone who's installed these after market grills have "went with it" and have not had any issues.

I'm keeping the OEM grill so if there are any issues, I can swap it back.

 

Take a look at this comparison between the OEM Grill that came with my Sport and the EmpyreOffRoad grill.

Can you notice a slight difference on the edges?

I tested the TSS as well as the Lane Departure Alert (LDA) and both worked as they did before.

 

Aftermarket edges look like there is less of rib. But it’s supposed to be different; I don’t see anything wrong with that.

I narrowed down to the EmpyreOffroad version as well. Looks nice!

 

Thanks!

I like the way it came out with the Amber Raptor Lights. (I did wash her tonight & finished just in time to watch "House of the Dragon."

 

Did House of Dragon started already!?
Nice looking truck btw.

 

YES!

"House of the Dragon" has started!

I took my time removing/installing grill then routing the Raptor Lights wiring too!

The add a fuse allowed me to set up for headlight only "ON" feature...so the Raptors only turn on when headlights come on.

Of course I use the "auto DRL" feature. lol

 

I’ve got a 2021 TRD sport with a front camera. I am looking to get the TRD pro grille, which I think I can directly from Toyota, it’s the same one that comes with the TRD lift kit. Does anyone know if this is a good replacement? Meaning, it will fit? And also, will the camera just fit into new camera holder? Or will it need a new mount? Or I’ll be good with just the grille? Thanks!

 

I got the grille that comes with the lift kit, I just gave the VIN from a TRD Pro. I have an Off Road but it’ll work on a Sport too. I don’t have an OEM camera so I rigged something up using an aftermarket one, but this should allow you to use your OEM camera with a pro grille.

https://westcottdesigns.net/product/toyota-tacoma-front-camera-relocation-bracket/

 

Thanks so much for the link!!

 

@Borracho Loco were you able to use the camera holder on the oem just fine. Or did you need any kind of bracket?

 

I needed the aftermarket bracket. I couldn't get the OEM to work.

 

Did you use the Westcott Designs one?

 

When I was swapping mine I tried theirs and it didn’t work. I ended up buying the Pro Camera from Toyota. That was about a year ago though.