'03 to '06 Facelift & Satoshi

[gaterose]

I upgraded to the '06 projector lamps back in January. After installing them, I didn't like the little triangle gaps created so I waited around and found an '06 grille (already white luckily) on eBay for ~$40 (I think, it's been a while somewhere between $25 and $60).

Some of you may remember the poll I put up way back then asking if I should Satoshi or leave the grate (Satoshi won) and I knew I'd have to modify it because of the extra height of the '06 grille compared to the '03, after a few minutes of work and planning I realized it would be easier to Satoshi it than to try and make it work as it sat.

One of the main things I wanted was to keep the factory secondary hood release. I also wanted the grille to be more 3D and bulge from the hole in the grille rather than sit flat behind the hole like most Satoshi's, as well as the $600 Jaos grille.

Here's the final result:

Hood release:

I had to trim the plastic shown in these pics to make the hood close properly.

 

[808inDenver]

looks awesome!

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

Looks awesome!

 

[stanleybb50]

That is sweeeet.


- Sent via Tapatalk for Android

 

[gaterose]

Thanks, I'm liking it so far but there are a few touches I need to finish if I decide to keep it on.

It really needs to be sanded and painted by a body shop, and the mesh needs a little reshaping, but you can't tell unless you're close up and really trying to critique it.

 

[Bacon]

yup, looks great. love seing TOYOTA across the front of these things.

 

[Snuph]

I love that look, keep up the great work.

 

[Casper421]

Looks sick!! Keep up the good work!! :bravo:

 

[shootersanks]

Awesome. I am totally jealous. I have been watching ebay for a cheap '06+ grill to buy so I can try my hand at a Satoshi mod, but no luck. Anyways, again great job, I love it.

 

[paraordnance]

looks good. Is that 06+ grille is direct fit other than little trimming? I might redo mine since 04 one is so flimzy its started to crack in couple places.

 

[8086bruce]

GR I really like the way that looks! Nice job!

 

[Whitebeauty]

Hey if i send you mine could u do it??

 

[CXS]

Thanks, I'm liking it so far but there are a few touches I need to finish if I decide to keep it on.

I think it looks like cr*p, you need to take it off and send it to me!

 

[krupnation]

in the word of Peter Griffin, friggin' sweet....

 

[thirstyturtle]

I usually don't like the Satoshi grills AT ALL.

This however is gorgeous and I want to do it for myself! Where did you get the "TOYOTA" symbol?!

 

[Autbond]

Lookin good mane!

 

[gaterose]

Awesome. I am totally jealous. I have been watching ebay for a cheap '06+ grill to buy so I can try my hand at a Satoshi mod, but no luck. Anyways, again great job, I love it.

Thanks a lot! Just keep watching and you'll find one. It took me a while too, and remember if there's some minor scratches or breakage it'll be ok since you're going to fiberglass & bondo everything anyway.

looks good. Is that 06+ grille is direct fit other than little trimming? I might redo mine since 04 one is so flimzy its started to crack in couple places.

Thanks, you're grille is part of the reason I was inspired to do mine.. and I WISH!!! I cut the bottom bar out and removed about 1" from each side, then cut about 1.5" off the bottom of the vertical bars. I have pics somewhere I'll try to post em later

Hey if i send you mine could u do it??

I could, but it would take longer than I would feel comfortable having it for and I'm worried it might not be as clean as you think if you saw it in person. I think I said it earlier, but it still needs some final touches I just wanted to mount it for a while to make sure I like it before I spent any more time or money.

I think it looks like cr*p, you need to take it off and send it to me!

HAH, I guess you're right. Maybe next time I'm out you're way I'll just drop it off to you :nono:

I usually don't like the Satoshi grills AT ALL.

This however is gorgeous and I want to do it for myself! Where did you get the "TOYOTA" symbol?!

Thanks! I got the emblem from eBay, I believe it's for a 70s or 80s FJ40. I don't see any on there right now.

 

[gaterose]

Lookin good mane!

Thanks! Never would've finished it without your nagging :guitar3:

 

[simple]

You've perfected it! How on earth did you retain the factory hood release? THats the reason I tossed my old 06 grill. Did you do some body work to the lower shelf of the grill, because I definitely don't remember having anything on the bottom.

Great job man!

 

[gaterose]

Thanks simple, I did it with a lot of work and planning hah..

I removed the lower horizontal bar, trimmed about 1" off of the vertical bars, and then removed enough from each side of the horizontal bar to make it fit back into the new shorter upper piece.

Then I cut the corners from the metal subframe and trimmed it down enough so that it would fit in the now smaller grille. Then I drilled a couple of holes and bolted the subframe back together.

I test fitted the grille to the hood throughout the process to make sure everything was gonna line up and look right when closed, so the numbers I used above aren't exact.

As long as you keep the subframe you can keep the hood release.