Recently Installed Dbcustomz Grille & Baja Designs Cubes Installed - 2016 Tacoma

So we are fairly new to TW but some of you may know our 4Runner @Fargo4x4 on Instagram. We recently bought a Quicksand 2016 Tacoma TRD Off Road (@TorconTRD on Instagram). So naturally one of our first mods was to get rid of the lame stock grille.

We will attempt to provide a step by step of how its installed with pics of how it all turned out. This doesnt include the wiring of the lights.

TOOLS REQUIRED (FOR THE MOST PART)

· (1) Phillips screwdriver or drill bit

· (1) flathead screwdriver or drill bit

· (1) towel or soft blanket


HARDWARE INCLUDED

· (6) ½” Phillips stainless steel screws

· (4) 1” Phillips stainless steel screws

· (4) ¼” plastic spacers

The Front Bumper Unit is comprised of three main components, as explained below.



1) Pop open the hood of the vehicle and locate the two (2) Metal Tabs near the inside edge of the headlights and the two (2) plastic middle ledges as shown below.



2.) Locate the two (2) black retainer clips on the metal tabs. Insert the tip of a flathead screwdriver under the button lip of each clip and push the button up until the entire clip comes out.



3.) Locate the Philips bolts found at the end of the plastic middle ledges. Using a Philips screwdriver or drill bit, remove both bolts.




4.) Use one hand to support the bumper faceplate at the bottom and the other to begin removing it. Gently lift the bumper up and out (away from the vehicle, towards your body), loosening one side at a time until the entire bumper faceplate is removed.



5.) Place the bumper faceplate face-down on a flat surface, covered with a towel or soft blanket to prevent scratches.

6.) Using a Phillips screwdriver or drill bit, remove the eight (8) black Phillips screws that hold the Outer Trim in place. The pink circles below illustrate the approximate location of the screws.



7.) Gently squeeze in the eight (8) silver tabs that hold the Outer Trim, while lightly pulling on the outer trim with your other hand, to ease its release.



NOTE: These tabs are made of plastic and can break easily! Be gentle to prevent breaking.

8.) Squeeze the remaining sixteen (16) tabs of the Inner Grille, pushing the Inner Grille out as you loosen the tabs, while simultaneously pulling the face of the Inner Grille out with your other hand.



You should now have the unit separated into three parts: Bumper Faceplate, Outer Trim and Inner Grille.

9.) Insert the new Inner Grille into the Bumper Faceplate, with the tabs sitting inside the ledges of the Bumper Faceplate.



10.) Snap the Outer Trim back into place.

11.) Secure the Outer Trim with the eight (8) original black Phillips screws.

12.) With the Front Bumper Unit face-down, locate the four top tabs on the new Inner Grille. Using the four (4) 1” Phillips stainless steel screws and the four (4) plastic spacers, place a plastic spacer between each tab and the Outer Trim assembly as shown below. Gently insert each screw completely so that it bites into the plastic components, while simultaneously pulling the Inner Grille outwards to prevent any gaps between the Outer Trim and Inner Grille.



13.) Locate the remaining six tabs at the bottom of the new Inner Grille. Using the six (6) ½” Phillips stainless steel screws, place in the remaining tabs and gently screw in until the plastic bites.

! SAFETY FIRST !The tips of the screws may be exposed. Take extra precautions when handling the Front Bumper unit to avoid injuries.

14.) Ensure the Inner Grille is securely in place without space between the Outer Trim and Inner Grille.




15) To reinstall the Front Bumper Unit, align the tabs with the tab slots as indicated by the pink boxes below. Insert the Unit beginning at the bottom and continuing up as all tabs fall into place.



16.) Once the Front Bumper Unit is sitting securely in place without any visible gaps, reattach the two (2) Phillips bolts on the middle legs and the two (2) black retainer clips near the headlights.

17.) Installation is now complete!





Some shots after we rattle canned the chrome grille border


Some shots of the Baja Designs lights, our Blue Sea Systems Fuse Box & Mictuning Switch w/Relay

 

Sub'd

 

thanks for this. the warden is wanting this same grille w/o the light squares and Tacoma letters in blue.

just waiting for warmer weather to order this, probably in april. thanks for the pics and the write up.

 

Very cool, thanks for the step by step.

 

ghettofaboulous

 

above and beyond!

 

Thank you Sir!

 

Excellent write up. Thank you.

 

I really like the grill with light mounts but I feel like it would be an epic pain in the ass to adjust the lights properly.

 

Awesome, think this is in the future for me...nice work!

 

Just made a nice truck Fugly! Really, you think that looks better???

 

Took me about 3 mins to adjust their angle, it helps that these new tacos have a ton of room between the grille and the radiators, the light mounts have a swivel up and down mount that you simply have to loosen and tighten once you tilt them w.e angle you want

 

Nice write up, but that grill just aint doin it for me. We all have our own tastes and opinions though, and there are plenty of things I like that I'm sure other people think are ridiculous. The extra lights look useful though

 

Your so right! what was I thinking!! Good thing i kept the stock one! =p smh

 

Ya i hear you, as always to each their own.

This post wasnt really to gain opinions on style or preference haha, it was just to shed light on how to remove and install this grille for those who are looking to get the same grille or do their own mods. Thanks for being respectful tho!

We do like the extra functionality of integrated lights! =)

 

Just sent you a message

 

I think it's just the text they use. Looks like it's cut out of construction paper or something by hand. Needs a tough crisp font. Lights are cool though.

 

I think they have a couple font options and stylings and if you have a font you prefer they can definitely make a custom one

Here are some other custom ones i know they did




Obviously a tundra but still very nice!

 

Can I get the Tacoma in the bronze color of the TRD wheels? That would contrast well with the BBP.

 

funny how you post all those different front ends and the base front grille is still the same company as the OP's grille. I imagine DB will be more than happy to make a unique front insert/lettering if your willing to pay.