GoGriz406's 2017 TRD OR Build Thread

I bought my first Tacoma back in November. I'm finally getting around to starting a build thread.

 

Day after purchase.

 

Removed B pillar vinyl, bed decals and V6 emblem. It was super easy. Just a little heat with a hairdryer and they peeled right off. I used fishing line to floss behind the V6 emblem to ease the removal. After they all were removed I used goo-gone to remove any residue.

Before


After

 

I found a fellow TW member that was getting rid of his tonneau cover. I like the vesitilty of added storage and security.

 

Nothing major, just a few novelty accessories.



Key fob from @AJT DESIGN



I chose paint over stickers to make the TRD stand out. I sprayed paint into a small cup, dipped a toothpick into the paint and filled in the letters.

 

One step closer to removing all of the chrome.

Before (prep work 3M stipping pads)


During (2 coats self etching primer)


After (3 coats high temp matte black)

 

A while back a got an extra set of badges and soaked them in bleach to remove the chrome.

Here is the extra set.



Soaking in bleach (day 1)


Letting the bleach do it’s job (Day 3). I changed out the bleach every few days and cleaned the badges with 3M scratch pads.


This is what they look like with all the chrome removed. (Approx 1 week)



The reason I got the extra set of badges was so I could keep mine in their original position. This made removing mine and adding the new ones much easier. Plus I didn’t have to ride around for a week without badges. I used masking tape to surround the badge to make alignment easier.


I heated them with a hairdryer and flossed fishing line behind them for removal.


I removed the remaining adhesive with my thumb and goo gone. Then cleaned and prepped the area. I left the masking tape in place to make placement and alignment of the new badges easier. On the back of the newly flat black painted badges I used 3M automotive trim tape.


Here are the results.

 

Installation of the China bro grill. The whole process took less than 45 minutes.



Remove the 2 10mm screws.


Use your fingernail or a small flathead screwdriver to remove the 2 plastic retainers. There’s one on each side.

Here’s what they look like when removed.


Now, just pull on each side of the grill surround and it will pop out. I took it inside and laid it on the kitchen island to make it easier to work on. Remove the 18 little black screws.


After that I used needle nose pliers to squeeze the tabs on the plastic retainers. Don’t pry or the tabs will brake. Take your time.


Once the old grill (and bezel) are removed the tabs on the new bro grill just pops in place.


Reuse the little black screws you removed but you will only use 10. The remaining 8 were used for the bezel and will not be necessary.


Mine is a 2-piece grill so the TACOMA letters are separate and screw in from the back.


Now just reinsert the grill surround and secure with the 2 plastic retainers and 2 10mm screws.

BOOM! Finished