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Chinese replacment grills

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by agalloch07, Oct 9, 2021.

  1. Oct 9, 2021 at 1:08 PM
    #1
    agalloch07

    agalloch07 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    The entire grill on my 2002 Tacoma needs replaced not just the center section. Do the Chinese replacements sold on ebay fit good enough? This truck is a beater so it dont need to be 100% perfect. But i have bought chinese parts in the past and they fit so poorly in some way i wish i hadn't went Chinese. This is the one i am looking at it's half the price of the toyota one. https://www.ebay.com/itm/174003936124?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
     
    Last edited: Oct 9, 2021
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    #1
  2. Oct 9, 2021 at 3:10 PM
    #2
    agalloch07

    agalloch07 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Anyone? OEM Toyota one is about $100 more than a Chinese. But this truck is a beater with 300k on it so I'm trying to keep it cheap.
     
  3. Oct 9, 2021 at 3:23 PM
    #3
    Black DOG Lila

    Black DOG Lila Well-Known Member

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    Stock. EZ pass.Dump pass.Inspection sticker.Convict printed lic.plates.FG cap.
    First off it's eBay:facepalm:
    Grill has 0 reviews, 0 ratings.
    Roll the dice to be the first :spending:
    The cheap counterfeit knock off are extremely flimsy and lightweight.
    If it arrives unbroken :fingerscrossed:
     
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    #3
  4. Oct 9, 2021 at 3:30 PM
    #4
    agalloch07

    agalloch07 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    The factory grill was flimsy and light weight so idk if it could get any worse. It ended up getting broken while i was replacing the radiator. Those stupid clips that attach it are the cheapest shit i have ever seen in my life. I would just leave the grill off but i want it to look somewhat respectable.
     
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    #4
  5. Oct 9, 2021 at 3:43 PM
    #5
    Black DOG Lila

    Black DOG Lila Well-Known Member

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    Stock. EZ pass.Dump pass.Inspection sticker.Convict printed lic.plates.FG cap.
    The factory grill is Extra Heavy Duty compared to EXTREMELY FLYMSY eBay counterfeit.
     
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    #5
    Kwikvette and Nessal like this.
  6. Oct 9, 2021 at 4:30 PM
    #6
    kgw

    kgw Well-Known Member

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    140 amp alternator, Big 3 upgrade, Ultimate Headlight Mod, Trans Cooler
    I use black zip-ties to hold my grille on...They last a good while! I broke a few while putting the grille back in after a trans cooler install.
     
  7. Oct 9, 2021 at 4:37 PM
    #7
    agalloch07

    agalloch07 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I was trying to line all of the factory clips up while reinstalling. But the clips were sliding and the other end while i was fighting with the opposite end. So by the time i got down to the other clips were not where they should have been. I tried pulling it back and busted it and just ended up grabbing it and ripping the whole damn thing off. I am disappointed in the quality of how that thing is held on. I have installed a lot of radiators and this was by far the worst one i have ever done. I think i will just order the china one and attach it with zip ties. It will look better than not running a grill at all.
     
  8. Oct 9, 2021 at 4:40 PM
    #8
    agalloch07

    agalloch07 [OP] Well-Known Member

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  9. Oct 10, 2021 at 12:57 PM
    #9
    Kevin Jones

    Kevin Jones Well-Known Member

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    I purchased a cheap eBay grill for my '96 Tacoma 4x4. The first had a broken mounting tab straight out of the box. Sent it back for another, tried to install it and mounting screw retainers would not line up correctly and grill was loose. That was enough aggravation so sent it back and ordered an OEM and it arrived perfect and fit perfect. Do yourself a favor and go with the OEM.

    IMG_1173.jpg IMG_1175_LI.jpg
     
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  10. Oct 10, 2021 at 1:21 PM
    #10
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette Chief Executive Officer at Kwik Fab

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    Stock
    You take chances buying cheap stuff on ebay.

    With that said, I bought one on Ebay for mine some years back without issue.

    Clipped in just fine, all holes matching.

    I even bought a cheap knock-off for my 4Runner and it even came with new clips to attach to the radiator support.

    The old grill with new, knock-off side markers -

    20190220_151231.jpg

    The grill some thousands of miles already on the truck -

    20200204_080332.jpg

    I'd post better pics but I never bothered with any "frontal" shots.

    Here's the 4Runner factory grill and the knock-off -

    20210303_153118.jpg

    Factory emblem went right on -

    20210303_155550.jpg

    And again, the only close-up of the front some thousands of miles later. Still holding up fine and aligned like the factory grill was -

    20210827_122541.jpg
     
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    #10
    Das it mang likes this.
  11. Oct 10, 2021 at 7:16 PM
    #11
    treyus30

    treyus30 cntl-y

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    Two spooly snails, Haltech 2500, 35s, 125kmi
    My replacement from RockAuto was like 40 bucks and was perfect
     

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