03-05 Grille Swap to 06-09

[chrisbagnell]

I plan on making a full write up of this on this post once I figure out how to actually complete the swap. As of now I am looking for guidance as I have not been able to find answers searching the forum.

I currently have a 04' Sport Edition 4 Runner with the 03-05 grille. I have already upgraded the headlights and trim, as well as put on a Demello Offroad bumper for the 06-09 model.

I attempted the swap a couple of days ago and knew that the Hook Auxiliary Catch may need to be extended, but what I did not prepare for was the metal bar that went the entirety of the base of the 03-05 grille. Upon trying to switch this to the 06-09 grille, the bar was not only too short with the ends that flare up not reaching the sides of the inside of the grille, but also none of the holes lined up with the holes on the grille.

Hook Auxiliary Catch
03-05: 5355035010
06-09: 5355035020

If anyone went through with this upgrade and got the 06-09 grille to work on their 03-05 vehicle, your advice and pictures would be greatly appreciated.

For Reference, here is my vehicle with the 04' Grille
<a href="https://imgur.com/fSERql6"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/fSERql6l.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

 

[aemravan]

A couple of pictures of what you're faced with could help.. I didn't do the 03>06 grille swap, but rather the entire tacoma front end swap to my 03, and I promise if there was a way for me to make a '15 latch from a tacoma work on my 03 4runner there is a way to make yours work as well

 

[chrisbagnell]

For reference here is the original 03-05 grille

<a href="https://imgur.com/akQ78uc"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/akQ78ucm.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
And here is the 06-09 Grille. Only the middle hole lines up, it looks like this bracket would either have to be cut into 3 sections or if I am able to find this bracket for the 06-09 online, but so far no luck.
<a href="https://imgur.com/5rYt3op"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/5rYt3opm.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
And here it is with the bracket set on
<a href="https://imgur.com/ZsHYi09"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/ZsHYi09m.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

 

[aemravan]

Gotcha, makes more sense now.

If i'm not mistaking, the bracket is more or less a reinforcement bracket for the bottom and sides of the grille, as well as the mounting holes for the latch..

I've never really thought about this since I converted my '03 grille, but does the grille physically line line to the hood? I've never really figured out how the hoods haven't changed but the grille looks so significantly different.

If the grille physically lines up to the hood, do any of your top mounting holes line up? I'm assuming they should since the hoods are listed as unchanged? If those line up, what I would do is just drill new holes in the bracket and chop the ends off and see if the 03 hook will mount and work and call it a day..