Can the lower grille be removed without bumper skin?

Talking about this piece. Can't get the plasti dip out of the crevice.

 

I'm curious about this too. How exactly does this piece remove?

 

Can't you crawl underneath and see?

 

I actually tried to remove it and had all the various clips detached around the entire perimeter and there is still something holding this piece in the middle. There must be some clips or something that attach to the aluminum bumper body but I can't for the life of me see what they are. Without knowing I'm afraid to pull or yank too hard for fear of breaking something.

 

This. I'm surprised there isn't answer to this one.

 

Believe it or not, I've actually talked to two service people at two different dealerships and they couldn't tell me either. One said he thought it must be glued. A body shop tech would likely know but I couldn't reach any when I tried. Couldn't find a vid online either.

 

I also did a search but came up empty; decided to try it on my own. Its being spray painted with Krylon Fusion Satin right now!

So there are tabs along the top and bottom around the edges as North222 said, but there are also 3 clips; Left, Right & Center. The Left and Right can be taken off, you'll need get under so you can see the clip, mine were blue clips (Found mentioned in Post # 38746; http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/6499-what-have-you-done-your-tacoma-today-1938.html)

After all other clips and tabs were off; for the center clip I just pulled really hard and it popped off. I then looked and I broke the tabs on the center clips but OK with that. If you dont want to break the center tab, the whole front bumper needs to come off.

Took me about 15-20 mins to figure it out. If you need pics, I might be able to after I put the valance back on.

Good Luck

 

it just yanks out, sounds brutal but you can simply pull on it and it will come out, I found this out by hitting a deer....

 

OP, this is true. I took mine off to install the lower grill craft mesh, ended up breaking the center tab as well. Doesnt really matter to me as it bolted back on fine and is stable. If you want to get it off be prepared to break a few clips and give it a good yank. No idea how they got it on there with the clips. Good luck!

 

Thanks! You guys are great!

 

The lower grill "can not" be removed without pulling the skin. There are clips behind the bumper reinforcement bar that are completely covered and inaccessible.

I just did the front end conversion and can tell you for a fact. If you yank it off, you will damage it!! Plus you will "not" be able to properly install the replacement.

Hope this helps.

 

Since the plasti-dip is kind of buried in the crevice of a almost impossible part of the truck to see, i may just leave it there.

 

May be able to see it with a couple of dental mirrors. LOL I had my bumper cover (skin) off and on a few times during the mod. It's really not that big of a deal to remove. Grill comes out with a few fasteners. I got pretty good at it by the end.

 

I just read the thread on your mod. Like others, I thought it was nutz at first but I'm a convert now. Pretty cool. Funny thing is, i considered swapping in the other direction just so I could choose from some aftermarket headlight options since none really exist for my model.

 

I'd never look back. I love the new look. The new wheels make it all pop too. I wouldn't recommend it to most people. But I like what I like. So to me it's worth it. My wife doesn't always understand. Although she does really like the wheels. She told me I done good. She also told me, "looks like when your gone, I'll have a nice truck". Good to know she's looking out for me huh?