Bottom two Radiator Bolts on 2000 Tacoma

My radiator fractured and I'm replacing it. Everything was going according to videos that I watched until I got to the bottom two bolts on the radiator. I can't for the life of me figure out how to get to them without taking off way more of the bumper than people say it was needed. I removed the grill and tried every extender I had (even a flex) but could get it to work. Even tried a wrench but there was no leverage.

Anyone solved this?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_ub78ICQw8

 

What wrench is that at 2:47 that he used to do easily remove the lower bolts. I watched that video but there is some flex to it

 

I use a short handle 3/8 flex head rachet with a deep socket...

I have to actually put the rachet into the back side of bumper and slowly back those out.

 

These work

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-12-mm-Flex-Head-Ratcheting-Combination-Wrench-HFRW12MM/202942517

 

I literally got done this week putting everything back together from replacing radiator (which involved a timing belt/WP change as well)

I used a standard 3/8s ratchet with a 4 inch extension and standard 12MM socket. no issues whatsoever with the grill off.

unless the 95-00 bumper top piece extends further inward than 01-04?

 

Go to HF and get some "wobble" extensions and perhaps a swivel head ratchet. It just takes the right combo so you can get in there, no biggie.

 

I did mine 10 years ago. My irst repair on a 1st gen.
I had no problem with 3 of the 4 bolts. The 4th one, I had to buy a universal extension to get it in since I didn't want to pull the grill off. Hindsight is I should have pulled the grill. Would have made it much easier

 

I actually had a problem with the two lower bolts....I ended having to get the next size longer.....to get a good bite...