1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Grill mods/fab work

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by BurritoClimber, Dec 28, 2020.

  1. Dec 28, 2020 at 9:09 PM
    #1
    BurritoClimber

    BurritoClimber [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2020
    Member:
    #348284
    Messages:
    67
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2007 Tacoma 2.7L
    I have had this idea for a while, but I do not know how I would go about it. My idea is to take the newer tacoma grills, or the toyota ones, and somehow mash it up together will 1st gen grill,(I know they are different.) I mean, how would you go about it? Cutting, fiberglass and paint? I think it would pretty unique, but just not sure how... Any opinions?
     
  2. Dec 28, 2020 at 10:10 PM
    #2
    earlyberd

    earlyberd Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2016
    Member:
    #203770
    Messages:
    37
    Vehicle:
    1996 Tacoma 4x4 V6 MT
    Toyota built the new trucks with a lot of help from computers and machines, it's going to be hard to replicate that by hand.

    I would probably try to 3D print something, that seems to be the cheapest method nowadays for doing such an intricate one-off design. Luckily the grill is just plastic so it's not like you're losing much by swapping it with another form of plastic.
     
  3. Dec 29, 2020 at 7:19 AM
    #3
    96BlueTacos

    96BlueTacos トヨダ

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2017
    Member:
    #223188
    Messages:
    1,137
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mikey
    Earth, 3rd planet from the Sun (CO)
    Vehicle:
    1996 Single Cab Taco Manual 4x4 3.4L V6 370k /1985 4Runner 4x4 22RE 200k /2001 Double Cab Taco Auto 4x4 Supercharged 3.4L V6 180k
    1996-JBA upper control arms, replaceable Cardan joint drive shaft, leveling kit, camper shell, trailer hitch... 2001- TRD Supercharged, TRD headers...
    I was just looking at all of the 3rd gen grille inserts last night and thinking the same thing:thumbsup: if I do it I’ll write up. If you do it, do a write up!
     
  4. Dec 29, 2020 at 9:17 PM
    #4
    BurritoClimber

    BurritoClimber [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2020
    Member:
    #348284
    Messages:
    67
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2007 Tacoma 2.7L
    So it has been done... Do you know how?
     
    Taco critter likes this.
  5. Dec 29, 2020 at 9:57 PM
    #5
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette Well-Known Member Vendor

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2019
    Member:
    #284735
    Messages:
    80,556
    Gender:
    Male
    Fresno County
    4 run, 2 don't
    Tons of people do it.

    Just cut out the center of a new grill.

    Cut out the center of an old grill.

    Use glue, mesh, etc or even fiberglass and just mold it together.

    Personally, I hate the new grills. I hate raptor lights even more.
     
  6. Dec 29, 2020 at 10:01 PM
    #6
    BurritoClimber

    BurritoClimber [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2020
    Member:
    #348284
    Messages:
    67
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2007 Tacoma 2.7L
    Yeah, I can see not liking the raptor lights. Are there any pictures of those grills on here?
     
  7. Dec 29, 2020 at 10:02 PM
    #7
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette Well-Known Member Vendor

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2019
    Member:
    #284735
    Messages:
    80,556
    Gender:
    Male
    Fresno County
    4 run, 2 don't
  8. Dec 29, 2020 at 10:04 PM
    #8
    BurritoClimber

    BurritoClimber [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2020
    Member:
    #348284
    Messages:
    67
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2007 Tacoma 2.7L
    Kwikvette[QUOTED] likes this.
  9. Dec 29, 2020 at 10:05 PM
    #9
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette Well-Known Member Vendor

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2019
    Member:
    #284735
    Messages:
    80,556
    Gender:
    Male
    Fresno County
    4 run, 2 don't
    There's a guy that sells them on ebay for ideas I guess; way cheaper to make your own.
     
    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
    #9
  10. Dec 29, 2020 at 11:52 PM
    #10
    bagleboy

    bagleboy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2017
    Member:
    #226018
    Messages:
    7,253
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Scott
    Norcal, Santa Rosa
    Vehicle:
    2014 5-lug AC 2.7L VVTI
    Snug top Rebel, Thule tracks, ditch tracks, Bagged rear suspension, F/R anytime camera, intermittent wiper switch...
    Homertaco has done some nifty things. You could check out his threads for ideas. I picked up some hex grill material and replaced my second gen to cut down on the size of rocks that could hit the radiator.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top