Satoshi Grill Mod - 5th Gen
- Thread starter 4ShoreRunner
- Start date
Thanks for the response. I had read the entire thread before, but somehow I missed folks talking about cotter pins and double-sided adhesives. So after I :rtfm:, I proceeded with the install.
Finished the project in just under five hours, with just one break for lunch. Before I figured out the "trick" to pulling off the top bumper *, I managed to cut the *^&^ out of my hands. If I get inspired I'll take a picture of them.
Anyway, here's a crappy iPhone shot of the finished project:
When I get the beast washed I'll take real pictures with a real camera.
* I have a Trail Edition. I read and reread Toystory's guide to removing the bumper (awesome write-up, by the way) and thought I knew how to tackle the job. Only problem was, in my vehicle, there are two vertical plastic "covers" whose function seems to be to protect the headlight area from the grille. Nothing I could read talked about these covers, or how to go around them, or even how to remove them, so I tried wedging my hands inside them. That's how I cut the crap out of my hands. I even tried accessing the infamous "green tabs" from Toystory's write-up from the ground, but no dice. I was beginning to get frustrated and had almost given up on the whole project when I thought to myself: Self, Toyota techs have to be able to access these parts, you're probably making this way harder on yourself. And with that thinking, I put my left hand on the plastic beneath the passenger side headlight and pushed in, and with my right hand I simply pulled the bumper toward me. Worked like a charm.
In fact, it worked so well I was afraid that I had broken a tab from my earlier attempts. But when I finished the grille and snapped the bumper back into place, everything snapped in nice and tight and there was no movement at all, so obviously I hadn't broken anything.
Once again, thanks to everyone who has forged these roads before us. Makes it soooo much easier for the ones to follow, at least for me.
nglayton
Senior Member
I think those "covers" are to control the airflow...they keep everything flowing directly through the radiator, instead of going around the sides.
You are right about them being a PITA!
When I did mine, I just bent them over sideways a bit until I got the grill off. Then when I put the grill back on I had to make sure they were lined up again.
1traildriver
New member
Has anyone blacked out the TOYOTA emblem when doing this mod? I didn't notice anything in any of these posts so far. This is most likely the next mod I am going to do but would want to black it out.
Is the emblem painted plastic in the middle of the letters?
Would sanding it and using a plastic bonding paint like doing the stock emblems work?
Probably gonna give it a try...
Is the emblem painted plastic in the middle of the letters?
Would sanding it and using a plastic bonding paint like doing the stock emblems work?
Probably gonna give it a try...
kingpin748
New member
Did mine last weekend. Still waiting on the emblem delivery.
kingpin748
New member
The dealer? Doesn't your truck come with one?
Well, I compared the lower grille to the upper, and it isn't the same depth, so hacking it into the upper grille isn't even an option (I've seen this done on VW forums before). I, too, would prefer a really similar to OEM, but my searching around the internet showed nothing similar.
Kingpin - he's talking about a blank grille... one without the badge and "wings".
Turn_down
New member
Maybe it's just the angle of the picture, but it looks like the emblem is off center. Too far to the right.
The mod looks good, though.
I have to run a front license plate, so that screws up the look of the front end already. What are you guys that run front plates doing? Top and bottom grill or just the top?
Foques
New member
yeah, I pulled the lower one out today to play with it.. no dice.
i've done that in my tC before, too.
looking for a matching pattern on the web now..
Jesse1983
5th Gen Moderator
the closest I was able to find was from here the pattern is smaller than stock, but looks similar. but the install is more DIY than the GC.
Pics of mine completed using that material:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/60125-jesse1983-8.html#post649610
p0pe
New member
^ Same one I ordered. Got it in today. I forgot to get the powder coated version though, guess I'll have to paint or plasti-dip it.
1traildriver
New member
Kingpin, how was the mod to the lower grill area? as easy/difficult as the upper grill? Also, is that the custom mesh from "custom grills" or the GC kit?
I am about to order the parts for this mod and def want to do the lower at the same time in order to match everything up.
Looks great by the way!
I am about to order the parts for this mod and def want to do the lower at the same time in order to match everything up.
Looks great by the way!
TxCJ3Pilot
New member
Pattern
I like the pattern used by T4R.ORG, but in plastic, not metal. Look at the top of each page of forum. Too bad can't find it.
I like the pattern used by T4R.ORG, but in plastic, not metal. Look at the top of each page of forum. Too bad can't find it.
Last edited:
1traildriver
New member
OK, so I got frustrated searching for something I read....somewhere on the site...
I saw some posts from someone who had removed the white from inside the "TOYOTA" emblem most are using for the grill mod. Does anyone know who that was and where it was??? I want to get in touch with some specific questions.
I apologize if it was a simple search for some of you, I couldn't find it.
I saw some posts from someone who had removed the white from inside the "TOYOTA" emblem most are using for the grill mod. Does anyone know who that was and where it was??? I want to get in touch with some specific questions.
I apologize if it was a simple search for some of you, I couldn't find it.
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