Need help building my "Satoshi" style grille

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From the sounds of it, I had the same problem with my recent satoshi build (mounting to a 97). The aftermarket grill i purchased had a rounded shape around the clips, while my original grill had a flat spot top and bottom on each attachment point. When I tried to mount it on the 4runner, I realized that the attachment points did not fit. Simple enough to fix: I just used a dremel and a utility knife to shape the round ends to match the original grill shape. This is not a model year problem, it's a manufacturing problem.

 

[4Runnin Tahoe]

Well I guess I need to buy another grill and start over...but this time check to see how, or if it fits before I start my build. I feel like a bigger idiot then i did before! I guess I need to buy somewhere else besides eBay!

Sorry for wasting everyones time. Thanks for the help!

One of the best Satoshi grille's I've seen! I'm sure you'll find a way to mount it. If you don't mind me asking, where did you find the black mesh and Toyota emblem?

 

[cj80cruiser]

[MENTION=72272]RussToy[/MENTION]

You don't need all clips in place for the grill to hold. I would shave the mounts enough for them to fit in the stock locations and cut the lower mounting tip off. Leave most of the lower mount in place so it can rest against the middle support behind the grill and let the other mounts hold your grill in place.

 

[TheArkMaster]

Its been said a few times but that thing is awesome. BEST satoshi i've seen. Props

 

[BigSlim]

See if this might work for you:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...r-grill-mod-clip-delete.html?referrerid=95066

 

[THatfield]

Great looking Satoshi! I hope you can make it work!

 

[pnoize]

I agree, that's one of the best looking satoshi grills! BTW, where did you buy your grill from? I'm planning on doing the satoshi grill mod.

 

[J4R]

Yuuppp. Just sand down those tabs down at a 45degree angle at the end and around the edges and your good to go. I had to do this as well..

 

[So Many Roads]

Can you post a link to the grille you bought - might help others avoid the issue... Thanks.

 

[Brian757]

All but the bottom middle tab lines up...which might be do to what CJ80 is talking about. But that's not my biggest problem...my really problem is the tabs are too big around to fit into the mounting holes in the radiator support bracket. They only go in about an 1/8 or 1/16 of an inch. I just assumed since all the tabs were to big...that it must be due to the different year.

After hearing everyone's comments that all years are the same...I'm really thinking I just got a crappy built Chinese grill! There's no way everyone else's fits...and I have the only one on the plant that doesn't!!

It looks like the inserts are only a little too big for the holes. I would take some sand paper and thin out the inserts very mildly, until they fit. And then I would ziptie them into place. That will be very solid and tight, and you won't be giving up at the very end! C'mon man, all that modification to the grill and you can't modify it onto the vehicle?!

I have faith in you, thats a great looking Satoshi, let me see some photos of it on the truck already

 

[RussToy]

One of the best Satoshi grille's I've seen! I'm sure you'll find a way to mount it. If you don't mind me asking, where did you find the black mesh and Toyota emblem?

Thanks 4Runnin! This is my first real mod that I have built for the Toy...beside just a lift and tires. I appreciate the complements...makes me want to move on to my next mod!

I found that mesh on a site that sells 4-5 different styles of mesh for grills. He also sells several different items to mount the mesh to your grill...along with Utube videos. Price is reasonable... And the Toy emblem I found on eBay...I believe it's from a 1st gen Runner, but don't quote me on that.

customcargrills.com - Custom Car and Truck Grills - Mesh Grill Sheets and More!

[MENTION=72272]RussToy[/MENTION]

You don't need all clips in place for the grill to hold. I would shave the mounts enough for them to fit in the stock locations and cut the lower mounting tip off. Leave most of the lower mount in place so it can rest against the middle support behind the grill and let the other mounts hold your grill in place.

Thanks for the advises. I believe your right on the mark...

Its been said a few times but that thing is awesome. BEST satoshi i've seen. Props

Hey, thanks ArkMaster! Truly appreciate the props!!

See if this might work for you:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...r-grill-mod-clip-delete.html?referrerid=95066

Thanks BigSlim...this is the ticket! I would never have thought of doing this...and would be much more secure than zip ties and easier to take on and off. This is what I'm going to do. A big thanks to you Buddy!

Great looking Satoshi! I hope you can make it work!

Thanks for the complement THatfield. I think this will work, as long as I follow BigSlims link!!

I agree, that's one of the best looking satoshi grills! BTW, where did you buy your grill from? I'm planning on doing the satoshi grill mod.

Thank you for the props Pnoize. I spent a let of time building this grill...probably a lot more than I needed to. But had a lot of fun doing it. I apologize, I bought the grill on eBay...but do not recall who I bought it from. Heck, if I remembered...I'd steer you clear of them..lol!! But I did get my mesh from Custom car grill. Good guy to deal with...

customcargrills.com - Custom Car and Truck Grills - Mesh Grill Sheets and More!

Can you post a link to the grille you bought - might help others avoid the issue... Thanks.

Sorry, I can't remember from who I got it from, but it was off eBay. If I can do a history search and find it...I'll post it.

It looks like the inserts are only a little too big for the holes. I would take some sand paper and thin out the inserts very mildly, until they fit. And then I would ziptie them into place. That will be very solid and tight, and you won't be giving up at the very end! C'mon man, all that modification to the grill and you can't modify it onto the vehicle?!

I have faith in you, thats a great looking Satoshi, let me see some photos of it on the truck already

Thanks Brian for the complement! Yeah...we'll get this on now! I'm going to mount it the way BigSlim's link does it. I know this sounds dumb...but I was looking at this the other way. I was thinking of modifying the holes in the 4Runner...never thought about altering the grill! I guess because it looked so nice...I didn't want to hurt it! I finally decided I didn't want hurt the Toy...so I posted this up. I'm glad I did...although I really feel like an idiot..lol!! Just wish I would have done this 3 months ago...Duh..lol!!!

 

[Mindomission]

Did you ever get that grill on your Runner? We're all waiting...

 

[Millerad1651]

[MENTION=72272]RussToy[/MENTION], Did you just buy the mesh in 6"x36" or have him cut you a custom size? From the ones I've done, 6" is just a little short. The 36" is just long enough. At least I could do 2 of them with the 16"x48" sheet. Thanks for the info.

 

[RussToy]

[MENTION=75483]Millerad1651[/MENTION] I got lucky and found my piece in the scratch and dent section. I keep telling myself I'm going to use the small left over piece to build something for my sport hood opening...that way it all matches. I ended up using that "Goop" glue he sells. That stuff is awesome. A little messy, but wow...that stuff works nice!

 

[Dirtyfingers]

Did you ever get it mounted up? If not my vote is to shave the mounting points all down and just using zip ties for the holes. Use your imagination and it will come trueeee.

 

[RussToy]

[MENTION=83885]Dirtyfingers[/MENTION] Actually, I got it mounted up last night. What I ended up doing was sanding down the mounting points, just as you suggested. With multiple test fits...it finally slid in as it was suppose to. Thank you and everyone else's suggestions and encouragement! If it wasn't for y'all...I would've just had a very expensive wall hanger. Now I have a bad a** grille!!

To put everyone at ease. The grille actually fit all a long...so there was no problem with the grille or where I purchased it!!! What happened was...I did too good of a job prepping and painting and not a good job at taping things off..lol!! After spraying 2 coats of primer, 3, coats of paint, and 4 coats of clear...all those coats caused the mounting points bigger then the hole. I feel like a total idiot...but I guess as a first time painter...that's a lesson learned!

Thanks again guys for all your help and encouragement!!!

 

[GA-4RUNNER]

Picture on the beast?

 

[Dirtyfingers]

With multiple test fits...it finally slid in as it was suppose to.

That's what he said.

Haha I'm glad you got it figures out. Time got pictures!

 

[RussToy]

I only have one picture...which is not very good. I put the grille in at the same time I installed my new HID's. So I did it in the evening...therefore not much light in my garage. Anyway, I'll post some better pictures in a couple of days.



Thanks again!

 

[Millerad1651]

Looks very nice. I've never seen your truck before, very interesting. I was thinking about painting the shrouds white when I do my retro...gives me an idea.

Did you have the hood painted that black? I used plasti dip, so mine isn't glossy like yours...kinda like it.