[BrianSD_42]

Pictures are now located here ---------> BrianSD_42 Photo Journal Build Maintenance Thread



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

Originally Posted by BrianSD_42

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Satoshi Grill Mod
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I wanted to add this to my build thread. I already posted pictures in a separate thread as well.

Link to expanded pictures of my Satoshi Mod:
Satoshi Grill Mod Build Thread (pic heavy)


I decided to add the Satoshi Grill Mod to my truck a few months ago. I am pretty happy with the result.

This is not the same as a normal "grill mod" - the Satoshi mod is from a poster on YotaTech. In order to do the mod you need to insert a blacked out mesh grill and a Toyota FJ Cruiser "TOYOTA" logo.

/*********** Pictures Down ***********/

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]

[awpsome]

i did this on my truck as well, but im wondering how it will turn out with you skipping the bondo part.
i didnt fiberglass either but bondo/sanding? with those holes there left over from cutting the grill out, i figure it was a must have..
unless only way i can think of you doing it, is putting the mesh up front?

[BrianSD_42]

as you will see when I post the pics, the bondo isn't necessary if you don't damage the grill. After the cutting, I used a polishing bit to smooth the plastic where I cut.

Also note that since I am using a non-Toyota grill, the "holes" might not be the same.

In the pics you can see single hole on each side of the grill. These are not visible when it is finally mounted.

[BrianSD_42]

@ awpsome: do you have pics of your grill mod?

[awpsome]

you must be doing it differently, and by holes im talking about the ones on the side of the grill that appear after you gut it out.
but im assuming your mounting it direct fit on the front side of the grill.

[SQ.MD]

Lol I see you also went with rain gutter guards/shield for the mesh grill. Good thinking. However when I did mine, I also didn't use bondo but then again I did not have a huge hole on each side of the grill. Mine too was aftermarket

[BrianSD_42]

@awpsome, from the pics I have seen of the Toyota Grill vs. my aftermarket one, I think you don't get those holes with the standard aftermarket grill.

Even the grill I replaced was aftermarket due a minor crash 5 years ago. For me the plastic ground away smooth so no bondo was needed.

I will post update tonight.

[fightman80]

Lookin good man! Can't wait to see the finished product!

[BrianSD_42]

@SQ.MD - I also saw your thread before doing mine. Thanks for the info.

I am not going to paint the letters white. I think it looked good on the truck @ 4Runners.org because it was a white 4Runner. Mine is black and the silver looks good. I am also keeping the chrome edging on the grill.

[Nelsonmd]

Originally Posted by brianemc2_42

@SQ.MD - I also saw your thread before doing mine. Thanks for the info.

I am not going to paint the letters white. I think it looked good on the truck @ 4Runners.org because it was a white 4Runner. Mine is black and the silver looks good. I am also keeping the chrome edging on the grill.

I think that's a good decision. I like the silver for the logo. If I could find a grill for cheap I would do this in a heartbeat.

[BrianSD_42]

{ PICTURES ARE DOWN DUE TO IMAGESHACK - Some Pictures were persevered and moved to my build }


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.

[BrianSD_42]

let me know what you think!

[fightman80]

Nice work man! Do you have an overall pics of your rig?

[HuntNFish]

Looks good. How are the quality of the new lights versus the old?

[BrianSD_42]

Thanks fightman for the recommendation on the headlights. I bought the same ones off ebay. I like the fact they are glass.


Here is an outdated pic of my truck.

This is before the recent front end mods, also the fenders are off getting painted.

Next week I will post pics of final status.

Current mods:
SS 1.2 Lift
Sliders
K&N Intake
Flowmaster w/ Tundra Resonance Silencer




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VIDEOS - no music, sorry