BUDGET '12-'15 front end conversion

2012-15 conversion

Update: April 2018

*Well I suppose "budget" is relative lol. In the end I don't think $1,800 is too bad. I bought all the parts last year so the spending was pretty spread out.

Couldn't be happier with how it turned out! Every time I walk outside I feel like I have a new truck.



Items purchased:

• Used 2013 hood 202 black - Craigslist: $40
• Used 2012-15 grill 202 black - eBay: $135
• New BHLM headlights - eBay: $168.99
• Used 2012 MGM bumper - TW member: $100
• All brackets, crash bar, misc fasteners - eBay: $305
• New headlight filler pieces - eBay: $68.96
  
• All parts painted Toyota Black Sand Metallic: $980

Total: $1,800

Random notes:
-reused the same hood latch with zero issues, I can reach through the grill just fine
-filled in the front license plate holes with a plastic welder and then body filled and block sanded

***all my old 2007 parts are for sale! I'll try to post them up in classifieds sometime***

Timelapse video of the install process (2 hours real time):

https://youtu.be/o6wX7IcKo74

Original post:

I wanted to make a thread on doing the 2012 conversion on a budget so people can see how easily it's done without spending too much on new parts.

I wasn't even aware people did this until @DC-USAF pointed out a $40 2013 hood on Craigslist that I promptly drove 3 hours to purchase.



Comparing grill and headlight styling. The 2012 grill is much thinner.


I mocked up the grill and headlights. This is with the 2007 hood. You can see how the hood does not close and there is a pretty big gap between the bumper and grill. The headlight filler trim pieces are also missing.

 

If this helps, this is the thread I've been using to collect part #'s for the conversion https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2012-tacoma-front-end-conversion-rg11.293318/ I have all the brackets and hardware ordered and on it's way, won't be much longer until I tackle the conversion myself. Good luck

 

Hood latch pretty much the same except for part that goes through grill .See arrows

 

Could I get away with using the old latch then? If I did a little metal bending perhaps?

 

Sub'd for awesomeness. Reminds me of a Johnny Cash song

 

To me yea. Those latch thing that accessed through grill is how you release the hood safety latch but also has one on top .Can just open the one with the top. Straightening the old one would work too I think.
If you can find some one who replaced there bumper and selling with crash bars that would be the best .Don't have to by crash bar and related parts.
Also if they trimmed inner fender well linner would be good to grab it too so can mod old one to fit .
Last pic.Secured to old linner with stainless

 

Try and find a Keystone automotive or any other aftermarket parts house, those headlight filler are around $20 from them, or $40 from Toyota.

 

I remember reading somewhere someone modified their 05-11 latch to work with the 12+ conversion. The new latch isn't too expensive so I ordered the 12+ latch

 

Pretty sure wont even have to modify . I got grill craft so cant stick fingers in grill to open safety latch .Just release from top latch.

 

Still got old latch . If got time might try to confirm fit without modding

 

this would have been nice to know, it's way more similar than I had thought.

 

Put old one back .Confirmed on my 10 works no mod needed . Old one too short to stick finger in grill to operate latch but between hood and grill same .Got grillcraft grill so cant stick finger in grill to acess latch

First pic is old one I put back.Oter pic is new. Only difference is new one latch longer for acess through gril
Oh and left old one on since it works lol...

 

Just dropped $374 on all the brackets, crash bar, headlight clips, etc on eBay. The OEM headlight filler pieces are coming from Camelback Toyota. I did not buy a hood latch, latch support bracket, or new fender liners. I also did not buy the front lower bumper support bracket that goes in the center of the crash bar. It doesn't really appear to be structural and I'm sure I can fab something up.

So far I am in the project $817 and I think I have everything I need. Time to get to painting!

 

Not sure if old lock support bracket . If not maybe you could fab something up for that too. You certainly are doing it on a budget . I spent about 2200 new and used parts. But sold used parts for about 1000 so ended up being not to bad.

 

You can get the headlight filler pieces on rockauto for pretty cheap. They come unpainted.

 

Just updated the original post now that I finally got around to having the parts painted. Old hood latch is still working fine.

I don't have amber running lights yet, have to do some wiring. And I need to order adapters for the fog light wiring.

 

Nice job looking good . You had a lot of patience waiting that long lol... Yea when i first did mine did feel like a new truck

 

Can anyone post a pic or part number for what ever piece is needed for the body fillers under the headlights. I have the pieces that attach to the quarter panels. But what does the plastic plug go into?

 

I should've mentioned, i just did the front end conversion on my 2009 to look like the 2012.
Thanks

 

That green plug goes into a hole. I have popped it off a few times messing with my headlights.

That may not have been helpful now that I reread it..