Anyone replace an 06-08 grille lately?

[SimonSez]

I'm posting this to see if anyone that has recently replaced their 06-08 grille remembers how the grille attached to the hood. I'm doing research into replacing the grille on my 04 with one from an 06-08, while I'm doing the 06 projector headlight conversion. Yes, I know the bumper is different, I'll be modding the grill or getting a new bumper cover for the later year. The hoods are the same for the SR5/Limited from 03-08, at least according to Conicelli Part Center (partznet.com). I think the grille for the 06 sits on the outside of the front lip of the hood, whereas the 04 is inset, if that makes sense. My overall goal is to get rid of the "corner gap" that's left after doing the projector conversion. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[JP4RNR]

As I recall there are 8 nuts that are plainly visible when you raise the hood on the backside of the grill

 

[HB 4X4]

As I recall there are 8 nuts that are plainly visible when you raise the hood on the backside of the grill

Correct. I can't remember if 8 is the right number though. They are small, about 8-10mm I want to say. Takes less than 5 minutes to take them out and pop the grille off.

 

[SimonSez]

What I'm really asking is what the difference is between the 03-05 and 06-08 grilles? The 03-05 is inset under the lip of the hood, and I believe the 06-08 is mounted on the outside of the lip of the hood. Anyone concur? Thanks.

 

[JP4RNR]

What I'm really asking is what the difference is between the 03-05 and 06-08 grilles? The 03-05 is inset under the lip of the hood, and I believe the 06-08 is mounted on the outside of the lip of the hood. Anyone concur? Thanks.

Your observation about how the grilles fit the hood is correct. However if the hood (part number) is the same for years 03-08 then you can safely assume that the grilles from 06-08 will fit the 03-05 hoods as well

 

[SimonSez]

Thanks, JP4RNR, that's more or less the response I was looking for. I was more concerned with where the grille fit not how it fit. I just didn't have a 06-08 around to view at the time. People look at you strangely if you're staring at the front of their rig for too long in the parking lot of the grocery store. I might just do the projector swap and not worry about the gap left behind.

 

[truckhigh]

i have fitted the 06 grill into the 03 you would need to vut about an inch off the bottom of the 06 and you would also need to rig the lever of the 03 with a bracket to fit the 06.

 

[icantsee]

SimonSez,

Perhaps this helps a little...

2003-2005

2006+

Bonus

'04 SR5 vs '07 SR5...(pictures)
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=32372

 

[ran]

Thanks for the comparison shots, I wondered why I see different grills shots.

_______________
2007 SE Titanium 4x4 V6

 

[SimonSez]

Thanks for the pics icantsee. Something I didn't notice was where the front bumper meets the fender well there's a difference between the two models. I thought I could replace the grille and bumper when I did the lights, but that just won't work now. I guess I'll have to deal with the gap until someone works it out. It would seem like a lot of work to mod just the bottom of the front grille. Unless I get an 06 grille for cheap somewhere, it'll be an expensive experiment as well. If there's anyone on the site that has one for cheap, even chrome would do, I'll take it. Thanks everyone for the help.