2016/17 TRD Pro Grille on 2018 TRD Sport

This thread addresses the issue of using your 2018 TSS sensor on a 2016/17 knock-off grille.

I have a 2018 TRD Sport, and I wanted the Pro grille. I didn't want to pay stealership prices so I bought one from the Amazon store "Areyourshop". After I installed it I saw the dash light indicating the TSS sensor was not functioning.

At this point I thought, do I just cave in and get the Toyota 2018 Pro Grille for $499?

F#%k that!

But I did let Toyota reach into my wallet a little more for the garnish insert.
Now, with the garnish insert mounted on the knock-off grille my front facing sensor is error free.

I did this simple install in 20min. No reprogramming of the sensor is required.

Parts used
TRD Pro grille (knockoff from Amazon) $160
Toyota garnish Part# 53141-35060 $65

Tools used
furniture blanket
flathead screwdriver
philips screwdriver
10mm ratchet
Glue of your choice

1. Unplug TSS sensor
2. Remove grille (click here for thread detailing this)
3. Place grille face down on furniture blanket
4. Remove TSS sensor (three philips screws)
5. Remove knock-off insert (Use handle of screwdriver to knock out melted plastic pins)
6. Insert Toyota Garnish (it holds itself in partially with clips)
7. Glue Toyota Garnish pins in place
8. Replace TSS sensor
9. Replace grille, plug TSS sensor back in

 

Considering getting this exact one! How’s the quality?

 

I'm stoked with the quality of the grille. Looks just like the Toyota counterpart. Only real downside is the TSS sensor insert issue. I fixed that and it's all good now.

 

Sweet, I was worried about the tss sensor myself as I have an 18 but glad to know it’s doable!

 

Yeah, I bought the grille off ebay for 140.00 shipped and the garnish off ebay for like 62.00 shipped. Fits great on my 2018 Sport. I knew buying the '17 grille that the same looking garnish plate had to be replaced since the '17's didn't come with TSS.

 

for the pics and details...sounds way easier than i thought...looks great by the way...

 

Sorry dude. I can't bring myself to ride around with Fake Shit on my truck.

G.

 

its cool we all have our priorities in life, mine is to always have money in my account and still have a sweet ride regardless of who pays full price for things or pays less than half for the same potential of having a wreck the very next day after you install it on your truck... by the way sweet truck @Garyji

 

there is a whole thread about this.....

 

where is said thread?

Would be super helpful, I like the thought behind this because personally on my 2018 I dont like the silver trim on a red truck.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2018-trd-pro-grille-w-tss-p-radar-info-diy.530769/

 

thanks!

 

I can understand this when there’s a functional difference between the OEM and knock-off.... but we’re talkong about a piece of plastic that does nothing more than add aesthetics.

I’ll always pony up for the name brand when it makes sense or there’s a valid reason. But in the case of the grille.... literally nobody will know a difference. It doesn’t function any differently. Plus Toyota was being a dick about selling the OEM part....

 

I just installed mine from ebay 2017 knock off and the tsf light got on Im gonna buy the 2018 garnish tomorrow thanks

 

Cant wait to get a knock off pro grille. I find it hilarious that the dealerships won't sell you one if you dont have a Pro (called and confirmed)

 

The reason I was not sold a pro grille by some dealerships and online Toyota parts dealers they needed them for TRD Pros that needed replacements first. A lot of TRD pros wrecking their tacomas? One online Toyota parts dealer wanted a pic of my wrecked pro grille before they sent me a new one (pro grille).

 

Seems strange. I'd figure Toyota would see the money on the table and crank out more grilles.

 

So if I have a 2018 Off road and want to put on the 2018 knock off grill, do I need a garnish plate? Not sure if the garnish plate is for just for the 2017 grills

 

Did the grille came with the lettering? Some grilles you need to buy them separately and glue them or so... i will like them to be the screw one type.

 

If you buy a knockoff TRD Pro grille from the same seller on Amazon as I did, you will need the garnish. The letters are stick on (they come with 3M tape but I reinforced mine with glue).

Off brand sellers aren’t as certain as name brand, so you may get a slightly different item (letters may screw on instead of glue, etc). But who knows, maybe the garnish window comes installed?