2011 Grillcraft Install Pics

I joined TW not too long ago and I quickly realized how AWESOME this place is! Not to mention how much money I have spent since I have been here looking through all the threads and pics.

Before I replaced my grille on my 2011 I couldn’t really find anything to guide through the installation with cutting out the honeycomb grille, but noticed there were a few concerns with this task. So I took a stab at it and installed a Grillcraft on my Taco while taking pictures through the process.

This was actually very easy and took me about an hour and a half to complete the installation and relocate the horns.


Tools:

Phillips Screwdriver
Flathead Screwdriver
Drill with 3/16 drill bit
Reciprocating Saw
w/ 6” general purpose blade (don’t gotoo long on the blade or you risk cutting into the radiator behind)


Rather than removing the grille to cut out the middle portion, I left the grille on the truck. This made the cutting process a lot easier. I taped plastic to the bottom of the grill to catch the shavings.



I started at the top of the grille and began to cut the legs of the honeycombs. The trick with the saw is to not go too fast or you will shake the grille pretty violently and risk cracking the whole thing. I cut along the top and worked around the corners to the center peice.







I then did the same to the bottom section, cutting each leg and working around the corners. Make sure to reinforce the bottom of the grille since there is less support. I used a few zip ties on the bottom of the center leg that holds the grille in place and this worked pretty well. I also did the bottom section before removing the center part which provided a little more stability.

After the bottom peice, the center is pretty easy and quick:



I then removed the grille to install the Grillcraft which fits like a glove. I lined up the grille and marked/drilled the holes.



I also painted the radiator using high temp grill paint which you only really need a couple coats



I relocated the horns to behind the front bumber





And the final Product:





This is my contribution back to the community andI am not responsible if you mess up your grille while deciding to adopt my installation methods.

 

Looks nice but I would have color matched the grill

 

Nice Work!

 

Thats next on the list - I think the chrome part pops off pretty easy so I can swap them out

Thanks!

 

Awesome man! Did you scratch up the border plastic piece a lot when you were cutting out the stock grill? I have a black billet that i had on my 08 that i want to put on my 2011 and afraid i will mess it up because there is so much to cut.

 

I like!

 

I didnt scratch the plastic border or the surrounding chrome pieces, or at least not noticeably.. Its A LOT easier than it looks and you only have to cut the small legs of the honeycombs. Plus even if you do screw it up you can always pick up a cheap used 05-10 grill here and cut that out.

 

Thanks for the review/write-up. Looks good.

Frank

 

has anyone created a satoshi grill out of the 2011 oem grill? i cut mine out and looks likei have to fiberglass all around the grill?

 

Yeah I cut mine up pretty good since the 2011 grill attaches in more places. I'm actually doing the satoshi mod this weekend, but I ordered a 2010 grill online which will be a lot easier to work with. I wont have to fiberglass the whole thing around to cover all the cuts and since the 2011 grill isnt as deep as the 2010

 

yeah i figured, i bought someones 05 chrome grille and just turning that into a satoshi....where did you order the 2010 grille? is it the aftermarket one?

 

I ordered it from http://www.toyotapartszone.com. It's a color matched OEM 09-10 and got it for 200 shipped to my door. I figured I could just sell my chrome one with the grillcraft here once I'm done with the satoshi mod.

 

Sub'd. I know it's an old thread but getting ready to change mine and you made it look pretty easy, thanks