NewB With a Grille

Hey everyone! Just got a 2012 V6 Manual 4x4 ACSB TRD Off Road. I managed to keep the modding bug at bay for almost two weeks. The really crappy interior and instrument lighting from Toyota made me get started with electrical stuff, and now I can't stop. I have Sarah Winchester Syndrome where I feel if I stop modding I will surely die. HELP!

P.S. I just FINALL got my grille off. From what I have read about earlier years, the 2012 grille removal is a bit different., It most definitely did NOT pull out straight up and there were no "pinch those little things in the lower/outter front corners." ...there are two little push DOWN tabs there and the grille pulls out FOREWARD. ....I only have one 2012 though, so I can't say they are all that way. Can just tell what got my grille off with out raining plastic tabs everywhere.

peace,

-TD

 

(Gotta try the pic-posting thing) We had to get the tires dirty some time before first service (3500 miles from now) pic below:

 

Lookin a little hairy man! Cool picture

 

Hey Nate, Tilley doesn't have a driver license, and I DEFINITELY take the keys when I get out. I've seen scary-smart stuff from her, so I'm not gonna chance it.

Bengland, Thanx. I am a photo nut and Flickr picker. That pic is nice and flat. The hairy stuff was the mud-flap-destroying rain-rut rock fields on the downhill. They self-destruct in 5 seconds, so I carefully removed all 4.

-TD

]http://www.flickr.com/photos/agliozzo/6562428535/[/url]

 

Great pic! I dont think you're supposed to let your dog drive though.

What are you planning on doing with your Grille? And what did you do to your dash lighting to make it more your style?

 

Hey Zul - I'm blacking out the chrome surround on the grille for now. My neighbor has a 2010 and it is definitely different, so the mods here need modding before they'll work on a '12. Convenient to have it off though, because it's much easier to add an airhorn and scab the hot off the factory one to trigger the new relay. (I have a horn choir) Also wiring more fog lights is a snap with the easy access with the grille off.

As for the lighting: The dang white instrument lights screw night vision. I turn them as dim as possible so as not to blind myself. Once done, I then can't see the illumination on any of the million switches. My answer, as a pilot and former avionics technician, is shrouded red LED post lights strategically placed to cast light on switches without shining in my eyes. I also added a second, manual only, red LED dome light so the interior can be lit if necessary for extended periods while driving without white-light-blinding me.

fun fun fun!

-TD

 

Very cool! We got my dad a red LED flashlight years ago (he's also a pilot) and he uses it all the time. Loves the thing. Red dome lighting in the cab sounds like a good idea to me...

As for the grille, I'm sure blacked out looks better than chrome. I cant stand my chrome grille either. But I want to wait until I can find a factory painted one to match - thats the best look for our trucks if you ask me.

 

Zul - There's a bit of futility about it, as the ground-based world is fairly awash in white light at night. ...but when I add light, it's gonna be red so as not to add to the problem for me.

Yessiree black beats chrome any day, we agree. The color-keyed grille surround comes on the Sport, right? It's a matter of taste. I'm going black for now. Let's see yours when it comes. I reserve the right to remod and previously modded mod on my veHickles!

-TD