How to fix metal strip under headlight

So this piece keeps popping out after a few days of driving. Does anybody else have the same problem and how did you fix it? I dont want to use an adhesive if possible. But if that's the only way I get it. This is a 2000 extended cab.

 

Had the same problem, manipulated the metal tabs out a bit and they seem to hold well. I commute on dirt roads with washouts so it has not been an issue.

 

That filler panel has four clips on the backside that interlock with tabs on the grille. If they're bent wrong (easy to do) or not aligned properly (also easy) the filler will be loose. Once you've got it in, it's really quite tight.


Now if I could just get the paint to stick to mine... After stripping, priming, and repainting it got several down-to-the-metal chips on it's first road trip. I'm considering a tough film applique or a urethane coating next time. Never had this problem with my Lunar Mist 2001 -- only the Super White 2003.

 

I think you need this part

$16 53245-04010 2PCS

53245-04010. It normally breaks when someone changes out their headlights.

 

This must be a Gen 1 / Gen 1.5 difference I've not encountered yet (I've had two Gen 1.5s and a 1980 truck before that...)

Here's an earlier discussion:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/headlight-filler-bumper-filler-clips-are-these-it.523177/

 

I am guessing your repainted 040 white that chipped easily was the Duplicolor stuff which i agree is junk, I had the exact same chipping problem. It is designed to have a clearcoat layer added for mechanical protection. Plus I find it does not adhere well even when cleaned with acetone first and can be picked off easily.

The solution as you mentioned is to paint them with the real single stage 040 white from an auto body shop. I just got a quart of it from PPG for around $70.

I’ll be painting some parts 040 white again when it warms up. PM me if you want me to spray a set of these while I’m at it.

 

Hate to thread jack but does anyone have any for sale for a 01? Lost mine going over some rough roads.

 

I lost mine and found it on eBay for $10 or so. It was black primer but I have imperial jade mica touch up paint.

you’re going to have to paint it to match

 

Google “headlight filler 2001 Tacoma”, you’ll get plenty of after market options. You’ll have to keep digging if you want an OEM P/N.

 

Same here. Just ordered one from Rockauto for $3. They had OEM ones for $20. Amazon also has them for under $10 and $15 for the pair.

 

It might have indeed been Duplicolor. I've used it before, but it seems too yellowish for my color matching abilities, especially if it's clearcoated. I've also used SEM (I really like their rattlecan paints) although theirs seemed too blueish. Whichever one I used would have been over DuPont self-etching primer and the fresh chips were down to bare metal, so it was the primer-metal bond that failed.

I had my local paint shop make up a small bit of 040 in their single-stage base (Nason, from Axalta/former DuPont). I wasn't happy with the color match here at all and didn't use it. But my batch was smaller than a pint and that might have made matching more challenging.

I just might take you up on that offer to shoot my filler panels in 040, @tacoma_ca!

 

I ordered some off the web last week, should be here tomorrow. Less than $12 for the pair including shipping. My drivers side fell off and gone.