TRD pro grille - need help

Hello. I am a new 2023 SR5 owner. I love my truck. Attempting to replace the grille with a new TRD pro grille. I have the grille removed from the truck and am having difficulty removing the grille from the frame. There are about sixteen plastic clips that release the grille from the frame which seem impossible to release. Is there a trick or secret? I already removed about 8 Phillip head screws that seem to also hold the grille to the frame? In the videos I watch the owner seems to be able to do this but doesn’t provide advice. Help would welcomed

 

Here is the video I found helpful swapping my grille. No safety sense on the early 3rd Gen grilles but I imagine all the clips and fasteners are the same. I do remember having to yank the grille from the frame. Thought I was going break some clips but didn’t.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBwm6yT0BiE&t=2s

 

After viewing the video it appears there are plastic teeth type protrusions sticking out from the back of the grill. It looks like they slide in to slots in frame. The guy in the vid seems to struggle a bit but it seems that firm persuasion is the way to take it out. Doesn't appear to be any clips to remove but simply elbow grease. Maybe put on work or safety gloves to protect your hands. Looking at your new grill will give you an idea of how it attaches.

 

Those clips require lots of patience. Once you get one or two to release you have to wedge something between the grille and the frame or they will pop back in , once you get 3 or 4 to release it gets easier

 

Pinch them one at a time and work around the grill. Once the screws are out, work slow it’s not too difficult. I used my fingers and no tools to remove all the clips.

 

It's going to be more difficult if you're trying to do it in the cold. Make sure all the screws are out. The factory has screws, while aftermarket probably does not. Go one at a time with the clips and wedge a little something between the grille insert and the frame to keep them from snapping back in place. Take your time--it will come out. The new one should snap in pretty easily.

 

Thanks for the advice. On the SR5 there is a chrome ring do you know if you have to remove that first? How many screws? I count 8 that look to hold the grille and chrome in place.

 

Yes remove the chrome bezel you no longer use it with the new pro grille.

 

I broke just about every other clip getting my stock grill out of the frame! I was being careful at first, but after snapping a few clips off I said fuck it. Needless to say, my stock grill went into the trash bin.

 

Yeh I’m getting to that point!!! I live in northeast so advice about not doing it in cold weather is well taken. May bring grille into house and let warm up before I start. I think I at least broke one clip already. Hope new one goes in easier if I get there??

 

Thanks for the advice. It worked. I think bringing the grille in doors to warm, removing the chrome bezel first and using rags once you get a couple of those suckers loose helps. Great advice thank you. Attached photo of the finished product

 

Do you have any issues now with the cruise control option? I was told not to swap it out.

 

No. I was worried about. Made sure the garnish was installed tightly and then installed the TSS sensor. I took truck out for drive and TSS working properly.