tydukes1213
New member
Anyone wanna fab a 03 Satoshi Grille? Give me a price and I will pay..nothing off the wall though
Anyone wanna fab a 03 Satoshi Grille?
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oljedi11950
New member
Just out of curiosity Matt what's the going $ for one these days ?
gaterose
Senior Member
I don't really know Mike, I haven't built an '03 until now. The going rate for '06s was $200+the grille, that's $100 parts and $100 labor but options can lower or raise it by a fair amount.
The '03 is most likely going to be more expensive due to extra labor, but some lowered material costs may keep it close to the '06 price.
I'm not trying to make a killing off these, it's just a lot of work if you want it to look just right. It's much easier when you DIY because people can live with their own mistakes but when they pay someone to do it they expect it to be just right.
oljedi11950
New member
I hear ya , thinking out loud is all I'm doing ! Assume 03-05s same ?
AZ4runner08
New member
Picture? That is one thing I want to change on my 08 sport...
gaterose made a satoshi for me 2 years ago now and he does a great job. His prices are very fair for the amount of labor involved, and you'd much rather have someone who has done it before do yours than go through the trill and error and end up with a shoddy job after hours of labor.
Having said that, here's my two cents on satoshis for 4th gens - they just don't quite look right in my opinion for 4 reasons, all of which are tied to how Toyota designed the grill for our T4Rs to start with - see comparison photos of a satoshi on my old Taco and T4R to get an idea of what I am talking about:
There is also no one making a behind the grill light bar for our 4Runners - such a shame. I had the lights mounted right on the grill and it worked, but I eventually tired of the look and sold the satoshi and lights to someone here.
Good luck!
Having said that, here's my two cents on satoshis for 4th gens - they just don't quite look right in my opinion for 4 reasons, all of which are tied to how Toyota designed the grill for our T4Rs to start with - see comparison photos of a satoshi on my old Taco and T4R to get an idea of what I am talking about:
- The front end/nose of our truck is 'thinner' (or shorter is a better way to describe it) than a 2nd gen Tacoma (where satoshis started).
- At the same time, the bottom lip is thicker, making the actual recessed grill area much smaller than on a Taco.
- The way the 4runner grills are designed, there isn't the accompanying little 'vents' on each side in between the grill and the headlights, making the whole front grill look small and puny compared to the whole hood.
- The bottom lip of our 4th gen grills look like they are a different piece glued on. What's up with that Toyota???! The Taco grill seems like a flush, all-one-piece whole, but ours do not.
There is also no one making a behind the grill light bar for our 4Runners - such a shame. I had the lights mounted right on the grill and it worked, but I eventually tired of the look and sold the satoshi and lights to someone here.
Good luck!
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gaterose
Senior Member
Not sure where you got your materials but the mesh I use from CustomCarGrilles.com and the OEM match paint & clear from AutomotiveTouchUp.com is around $90 after shipping. Then I have to buy fiberglass materials/tools, bondo, and paint for the mesh.
gaterose
Senior Member
The grille actually started on Hilux Surfs (4Runners). "Satoshi" himself had a 3rd gen which had an even thinner grille.
Satoshi's Home
edit - this was before 2nd gen Tacos even existed.
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NOVA46
New member
I ordered the mesh from Amazon for about $40. Painted the mesh with acid etch primer, semi-gloss black acrylic enamel, and clear. Did the inside of the grille frame with adhesion promoter and the semi-gloss. Reused the emblem.
Yours was certainly more labor intensive than mine; much different preferences for the look. The oem paint match, emblem, and fiberglass would certainly run up the cost. I also used 45-45 carbon fiber that I had left over. I think it depends on what the OP wants; could be gold-plated mesh!
oljedi11950
New member
@Gatorose ??? $$ for 03-05s satoshi thank you & thanks everyone for treatese on said theme ! Just sayin
gaterose
Senior Member
Sorry but I don't have a price, check the previous post I quoted you in.
oljedi11950
New member
:moping: Doh sh*t moron I am , not smart enough to realize OP is 03 & your quote jeez :repuke::repuke:
