2018 TRD PRO Grille w/ TSS-P Radar Info/DIY

Hey Guys,

So I apologize if this topic has already been covered, but here we go. I have a 2018 Tacoma TRD Off Road with the new "TSS" radar system (which comes standard.) What is TSS? "Toyota Safety Sense-P (TSS-P) bundle includes lane-departure warning with audible warning, adaptive cruise control to maintain a set distance from traffic ahead, automatic high-beam headlight control and autonomous emergency braking to increase brake pressure if potential collision is detected, or even fully autonomous that can stop the vehicle to mitigate a frontal collision with another car or a pedestrian.

I purchased an OEM 2016+ Tacoma TRD Pro Grille, directly from Toyota. Part number is

$281 PT228-35170 Toyota Genuine Parts - TRD Pro Grill Tacoma (PT228-35170)

PT228-35170. Almost all of the threads state that the grille will not work with the newer vehicle due to the TSS Radar module that is previously mounted behind the center Toyota emblem. The recommended solution for this would be to purchase the 2018 TRD Pro Grille (PT228-35180) which has a hole for the new radar module at the bottom, and additionally a glass garnish/lens (

$365 53141-35060 Genuine OEM

53141-35060) that will fill the space of the hole in the lower portion of the grille. The first thing to note here is that you DO NOT need the newer grille at all (although it is significantly cheaper.) On the 2016/2017 pro grille, the lower section where the radar mounts is already there... and even better, the section is actually an "insert" that can be removed from the back side.



Point being, if you get the 2018 and have an error situation... you can just remove the panel from the rear and then you have the hole like the 2018 grilles have. Now if you have already purchased/installed the 2016/2017 grille and have and error, you just need to remove the lower panel, and install the garnish/lens listed above. I installed the radar module directly to the lower grill and did not remove the grill insert that is in front of it. I have received no errors so far, and all functions are working exactly as they were prior to the swap. I did not see a dealer, get things re-calibrated, or even take measurements. Now I must admit, I did this rather quickly because I was not expecting the grille to work without an error, I would have been much more detailed if I knew it wasn't coming apart again. Guess this is a good problem to have.

From this point on, I'm going to show pictures and instructions of the install and the new radar mounting set up. Any questions please let me know!

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There are 6 points that hold the grille surround to the vehicle. There are two 10MM bolts that hold the main surround arms to the rad support (these are no longer Phillips Head like the 16/17's.) Then towards the top right and left side of the grille near the headlights there are plastic rivets. To remove the rivets just put a small flat head under the circle head, and wiggle it until the rivet comes up, then pull the rivet out. Lastly there are 2 smaller rivets on the left side and ride side inner edges that are removed the same way. I've included an image below with the whole thing removed so you can see the mounting points. Once these 6 fasteners are removed, grab the grill surround by the lower open section and pull straight out. BEFORE YOU DO THIS - be sure to disconnect the wire to the TSS module which along the Right side bolted support. (Use a small pick or flat head to lift the tab securing the pigtail connection together.



Now you have to remove the chrome surround/inner area. There are 8 screws (in red) which need to be removed, and additionally, you need to depress each tab that holds the inner grill to the chrome surround. I used pliers to do this however there's a good chance you'll break them this way, so be patient and take your time. You'll also need to remove the radar module at this time since the wiring connects to both the grille and the surround. There are 3 phillips screws (in yellow) that hold the module to the center emblem, and an attached wire that has 3 mounting tabs to secure it. Once the tabs are depressed and radar module is removed, you'll be able to pick up the grille surround and separate from the grill insert. Also at this point, you'll need to remove the round bolt fasteners from the original emblem assembly, these will be transferred to the new TRD Pro Grille radar bracket.







Now the TRD PRO grille just lines up and snaps directly into the surround. Make sure the new grille tabs are 100% before you try to snap it so that no tabs break. In my case, no screws are needed (this may differ from previous models.) You'll hear the grille "click" into place and that part is done. Now flip the entire assembly over and look at the lower mount. There are guides on both sides that will accept the bolt fasteners from the step above. Square side down, round side facing you. Slide them into the bracket and they will also kind of "snap" in. Now line up the radar module, and use the 3 bolts from the other grill that you removed to secure the radar on the pro grille. 2 of the wire tabs mount right back in their original location, and the 3rd was not needed.





Now back to the Tacoma, line the lower guides up and push back into the vehicle. Start with the inner left/right lower push rivets, insert, and re-secure. Then Install the pop rivets on left/right near the headlights, secure to the 2 10MM bolts and lastly, reconnect the wire to the TSS Sensor harness. Take this time to remove your tools that are probably lying on the rad support or headlight.



Now I've already ordered the garnish/glass panel and I'm expecting an error to come up in 2-3 days, but hey - you never know! If that is the case, you can remove the lower panel section without taking everything apart or even removing the TSS module. If I don't wind up needed it, I'll be posting that for sale for whoever calls it first. Just a heads up, dealer said there are 98 on back order and it will take around 3 weeks to receive. Also if anyone is interested in the OEM TRD Off Road grille, let me know!

 

Nice write up, thanks. It's interesting because I'm running the 2016-17 Pro grille on my 2018. I was getting a sensor error for the first 100 miles or so. I'm up to about 500 now and I haven't seen the error since. I can confirm that adaptive cruise is working. My dealer is ordering the garnish piece and I'll probably have them install it when it comes in, but like you said it's on backorder right now. I do wonder how necessary the garnish is, as it looks better to me without it.

 

No problem man! And I do agree, the setup without it looks much better. But it would be super simple to do yourself and save some $$ unless they're barely going to charge you. I have non so far, but I'll update this as I go and see if there are any changes.

 

Oh yea, I didn't mention that them installing the grill was part of the negotiation when I bought it. So I assume they'll be providing the part and installation at no charge.

 

Very nice and detailed write up sliderule01, thanks. You answered lots of question and that's much appreciated.
Taking this a bit further. The location for the sensor package appears to be a rectangle shape on the TRD Pro grille and located at the lowest point of the grille. On the off road grill the location is centered on the grille an in a oval configuration.
At the moment is would seem a creative individual could incorporate the sensor array from either grille into any grille, aftermarket or Toyota brand and the system would continue to operate correctly.

From you recent hands-on experience would you say that is possible?

Additionally, there is a thread on TW regarding weather conditions, snow, ice hard rain and dust, and mud build up on the sensor plate rendering the sensors non-operational til the cover plate is cleaned; if the sensors are in a non operational state what's the affect on drive ability?
Thanks

 

Tacoma only has the warning, not the correction.

 

Good write up. I never noticed the steering correction either. It must be on the high sensitivity setting? Im glad mine hasnt done it ...

 

No problem at all! I would say that as long as you're able to securely mount the sensor (in the forward facing direction...) then the only other concern is how thick the material is in front of the sensor itself. The whole thing is around the size of a credit card, and the section of the TRD PRO grille that it sits behind is not THAT thin however it is plastic. I'd be curious as to how it reacts with a metal grill?

As far as driveability, all of the TSS functions can be toggled off regardless... so no it does not affect the normal function. However, that does mean the new safety senses would obviously not function either so you'd have to drive it like any other normal vehicle that doesn't have the new tech.

Thank you for the correction, this makes sense! I've updated the OP.

 

Thanks very much OP. I was not aware those features could actually be turned off. Since all the vehicles I've owned, including my 2011, did not/do not have those features it would not be a learning curve. For me, the learning curve would be using them.

I'm one of the very few TW members who does not like how the 2018 TRD Pro glille protrudes outward, kinda pucker style in my humble opinion. Reverse the 2018 TRD Pro grille to be recessed and I'd be the first one in kine to get one.
With that said, I'm gonna end up with a 2018 TRD Pro in April.

Again thanks for the additional info.

 

There's always this one (or similar style...) https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bamf-3rd-gen-recessed-raptor-style-grille.406245/

 

So, does this fix the issue when you lift it or???

 

Man, with everyone swapping to the pro, my oem 2018 off-road grille will be a rare sight.

 

I would guess that within reason, the height of the sensor won't make much difference at all. Now I'm not a technician or engineer, so I'm sure this will piss a lot of people off... just my .02

 

Thanks sliderule01,

That pretty much fills the bill and bet I could figure a way to make the sensor package work with a little a ingenuity if I wanted.
Cheers

 

I appreciate that! I am looking to do coilovers and an aal so not gargantuan by any means but, I want to be able to do what I want without disabling the truck or making it unsafe.

 

Quick Update: I have daily driven the vehicle with almost no errors what so ever. I can say, the only time I received any warning was when it was snowing/sleeting and the precipitation was physically ON the sensor (parts are exposed from the grill assembly being honey-comb style. I would guess that with the garnish panel, the same issue would be present but might just take a bit longer depending on how much builds up on the lens. The issue went away all on it's own once the weather calmed down.

 

If you get the new garnish I would like to buy your black Insert.
I have a 17 no sensor I’m ordering the 18 pro grill for now but I was going to put the new garnish just to cover the hole in CA the 16-17 pro it’s $350 plus everywhere

 

PM sent

 

I wish I had seen this sooner. The dealer installed the garnish for me on Saturday, but I didn't even think to ask to keep the insert.

 

I received the garnish, Just have to find the time to swap it out. Once I do it, then I'll sell you the piece! I'll update soon as I get around to it.