Originally Posted by brianemc2_42

So I really liked the pictures I saw of the "Satoshi Grill Mod" and decided to do it.

I also recently purchased new headlights, bug shield and corner lights but that will come in another thread.

References:
This guide will help you out in your quest; I didn't follow exactly.
4Runners.org Tech Write Up
4Runners.org - The Satoshi Grill Mod

What I did differently:
* no fiberglass or bondo work; it is IMO unnecessary.
* did not build steel supports for the emblem
* did not build/attach at outer liner for the mesh grill



OLD LOOK




I decided to buy a new grill since the old one was damaged and I am hoping for this mod to last 100k.
The new grill was $82 shipped on ebay.



OLD GRILL & NEW GRILL




Here is the old grill's road damage; there is also some rusting



ROAD DAMAGE




I bought supplies at home depot; you can probably skip the white paint, I didn't use it.

SUPPLIES




On the first cuts I only intended to remove the center piece. I suggest you use a small hacksaw so that you don't risk damaging the (new) grill. The less damage you do when cutting, the less need for bondo/fiberglass work.



1st cut





2nd cut





3rd cut




Cut the grill mesh to match outline
No pics of this step. Simply trace out the mesh using a sharpie, then cut. Beware, the mesh is extremely sharp once it has been cut with sheers; I found this out the hard way.



Polishing Bit




Time to paint the gutter grill. I bought two so that I'd have a backup.



Painted Mesh




Grill Paint 1



[Grill Paint 2 [/B]




/** assembly pics to be posted tomorrow **/

Originally Posted by brianemc2_42

continued



Preparing to attach the mesh to the grill.

For this i drilled two small holes for each spot where i am going to attach the grill. I used black zip ties to attach it as you will see below.

mark the spots for drilling two holes.




















































































just painted the blaster horn covers black so that you can't see them through the grill.




final picture!








after-thoughts:

i would say this mod was not very difficult but very time consuming.

Originally Posted by GottaBeTRD

Not quite the satoshi, maybe more of an Ivan Stewart? But eventually ill be doing the whole grill like yalls.

Originally Posted by ichambers

Hey guys, I haven't done the mod yet but have plans to do a satoshi inspired mod. I like most of my mods to be original and since I have the experience custom fabricating pieces I thought I would give it my own twist. I posted this pic in my build thread but it seemed better suited here. This is a custom fabrication I plan on making out of fiberglass inspired by a combination of the 2012 tacoma grill and the satoshi grill. This is just a sketch but i would love to hear what you guys think. I may end up making a mold so i can make multiples.

Originally Posted by bulger22

It looks pretty cool actually and obviously original. You plan to keep the chrome around the outer grille area or tie the color in with the hood and the middle piece as well? Originally I was going to do the bottom part of my mod in black to match the bumper, but time and patience ran thin so I went ahead and sprayed it all the same sunfire red. And will You be making the whole grille or are You going to add that middle piece into the already designed grille for the 4runner? If you're implementing the middle section to the already existing grille, how do You plan to attach it to the very limited durability and room of the factory grille?

Originally Posted by ALBPM

Hibachi !!.......

Originally Posted by GottaBeTRD

bigfish that thing is so sick! good hell when i saw that my mouth was OOOpen It ties in with the silver perfectly!