2012 TACOMA FRONT END CONVERSION RG11

Finally back from the body shop and I couldn't be happier. I also installed new wheels and tires so, I feel like I'm driving a new truck.

 

The truck looks great!

 

Thanks!

 

I can’t wait to finish mine! Waiting on my hood to arrive and my projectors from the retrofit source. I’m sooo impatient waiting for parts

 

Can you reuse the 05-11 crash bar MOUNTS with the new 12-15 crash bar?

 

Doing this swap currently. All going well but I'm wondering how are people with bull bars and winch bumpers securing the bottom of the grill in place? The old grills as ya'll know had a centering bottom post, as well as a clip on either side low down to hold in place but the 2015+ does not so all I've got right now is the two screws + two pop-in button fasteners at the top of the grill. I've searched the EPC and doesn't seem like I'm missing any bracketry, I'm assuming if you're running OE bumper that the grill clips to that?

 

Im about to start mine, don't quote me but I think you need these parts from post #1
52125-04020 EXTENSION, FR BUMPER 1 24.42
52126-04020 EXTENSION, FR BUMPER 1 24.42
52521-04050 RETAINER, FR BUMPER 1 34.37
53273-04030 BRACKET, FR BUMPER A 1 22.86

 

You are right..the grille is just held by the two 10mm and clips. Nothing on the bottom and I don't have any issues. I suppose you can make shift some sort of bracket if you want the bottom to be more secured.

 

Well I'll quote you anyways hope you don't mind too bad.
So 52125-04020 RH & 52126-04020 LH these are the brackets that go from the fender over to the center support section. The plastic filler that fits under the headlight fits to this but not the grill.
52521-04050 this is the center support piece that the 2 above fit to. There's no clip or ? that I can tell that the grill connects to.
53273-04030 these are the support brace things that extend forward from the radiator mount area and what these above brackets fit to. Still not seeing a way for the lower part of the grill to connect.

In anycase, I think I've got all the parts from post #1, I'm just not seeing how the bottom of the grill can attach? I could be blind and dumb, it's happened before.

I took a picture and labeled the parts and circled the 4 mount holes that are at the top of the grill. It's a big picture so might now show well on mobile?

 

In the voice of Nicholas Cage... "Well Gosh"

Thank for the the confirmation.
Hmm. I'm going to have to channel my inner Project Binky and fix this missing bracket problem then.

 

The factory bumper is what secures bottom of grill. So guess if using aftermarket bumper would have to make some kind of bracket if you want to secure bottom . I'm guessing many have .
Tabs on grill slide into top of bumper

 

Oh cool. Thanks for that pic @hemitruk Gives me an idea of how factory connects to steer my custom jobber.

 

Better pic

 

Sub'd. She needs a facelift

 

For the lower grill attachment I ended up using some 16ga? steel and bending up some slotted brackets. I actually made 4 but after testing with just the 2 it seems pretty solid so, going with 2 for now.

without the grill.


From the front not fully clipped in but you can see how the tab from the lower grill slides into the slot


From the rear facing out toward the front of the truck

 

Genius idea and well executed.

 

Nice, did you make the slots / holes or find metal that had slots and bent it up?

 

@indescription I did the whole thing, slots and bends, from just blank sheet material

 

Nice work! Very clean.

 

@Tac05 Thanks man. I try.