2008 to 2012 front conversion mod

Hey guys, here is newest mod
Back story, i was looking at a 2015 at a dealer, wanted $28k w 75k miles...said hell no, so found a 2008 for $16.3k w 104k miles TRD off road....hell of a deal.
Picked up a new set '16 wheels for $350 (already deducted the $when I sold the stock 08 set)

Now the 2012 front conversion mod, or rather a half conversion. Goal: I like the 2012 lights and grill but not willing to pay $2-3k like some of the guys on here. Granted parts are more available now than some years ago.

1) oem headlights from ebay $130

2) oem grill $90

3) oem hood $100 + 6hr drive

4) oem bumper fillers $50 from Conicelli Toyota

5) 1 can of spray paint $5 for the fillers and bracket

6) i thought I'd needed the brackets from previous posts....but that was a waste. Made my own bracket. L shape, 2" width, 3" height, bend and grind to fit. 1 side screws into the light, the other guided floats on the bumper reinforced bar

7) a couple rubber washers, as spacers under the headlights bracket, the ones closest to the radiator

So for less than $400, my 08 look 's like a 13...somewhat lol

I chose not to do the 2012 bumper bc of cost, time, and bc even though the '12-'15 bumper looks aggressive, I like the wide stance/look of the '05-'11, plus I'll add a bull bar anyways so the bullet change in the '12 won't even be noticeable.

Here we go...

 

Came out pretty good!

 

Thanks

 

Great job!

I looked at doing this a while back and decided against it because of cost and having to paint everything. Now you have sparked my interest again!

 

definite give it a try man, the new face is more appealing. Not many people can tell, even up close, but my 08 stock paint is sand pearl, the hood came from a 13 magnetic graphite...I think it look better than matching color. (or it could be my wallet telling me so)

 

Looks good! Did you get a new hood latch or modify yours to work? I'm collecting parts for my conversion as well.

 

didn't even mess with it...it should latch right in.

 

Don't force anything, especially the headlight bracket.
Headlight:
1) prop the top mount (near fender) into place
2) lightly screw in the side mount--the one you have to crawl underneath and reach your arm up (small socket wrench will do, i think #10)
3) Prop L-bracket base between the metal bumper bar and bumper cover (the bracket should bend at about 70 deg to sit well).
4) the L-bracket arm should hold up the little tab in pic#5, unscrew the bottom screw on the headlight, and rescrew with the bracket on to hold in place
5) place 2rubber hose washers/seals (i might switch these but theyre working fine), act as 1/2 inch spacers, and place under the 2nd headlight mounting tab (ones near the radiator)
6) tighten all screws

 

Final product. ...until I get some bar lights

 

Great work!

 

Not going to put a 2012 bumper on it?

 

Nope, the 2012 bumper looks like an open mouth bass, or a British bull dog. I like the wider look, plus the bull bar kinda masks the middle portion of the bumper anyways.

 

Anyone doing this Gen2 to Gen2.5 facelift. I'm selling two parts that are wanted for it.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/fs-gen2-5-hood-scoop-and-scoop-grille-bracket.766866/

 

Looks great! I did the same thing on my 2005 except I went with a customer front bumper.

Before


And after.