2007-09 to 2010-12 Grill conversion

30PlusRetlaw · Nov 12, 2011

Tools required, 10mm socket, extension, ratched and trimm removal kit($5 from harbour freigth). You will notice on the pics that I put tape on part of the hood that surround the grill to avoid scratches

Received my new grill this morning from TRDSparks and decided to go ahead and installed

Since I was using a plastic trim remmover, I didn't put tape to protect the chrome.

This are the screws under the plastic cover, remove them using the 10mm socket.

Open the hood and remove the 2 screws holding the hood latch.

Now remove all 10 screws holding the grill

put them on a safe place

There are 2 clips on the side of the grill that need to be remove in order to remove the grill. Mine were so old that they just snap broken. No pics of removal. But no worries. The new grill come with new clips. Now just remover the old grill. Now remove the brackets that hold the grill

Push the tabs in on the clip to remove bracket

Your hood will look like this now.

Now remove the old plastic nuts that help hold the grill with the screws

Now install the new grill holders

Now install the new brackets. The brackets come with new holding tabs

Make sure that you clean the hood and take all the stickers on the brackets. You can see that the new brackets are smaller so they weigth less, less dirt on the hood shaves weigth also, so this mod will guarantee more MPG and faster times at the track

Now all is left is, snap the new grill in place and bolt everything back. This mod is a 1 out of 5 in difficulty. Which means that even TRD-X can do it

:lol5:

Final results

Before

After

TRD-X · Nov 12, 2011

Looking good!

30PlusRetlaw · Nov 12, 2011

Thanks!!! I like it. Now I can tell people my truck is a 2012. Just need to change the tail ligths, but I wont do that since I don't like the "squareness" of the tails

TRD-X · Nov 12, 2011

Great "D.I.Y" write up for the guys.

Yeah I'll be taking mine off soon for my next mod and I'm not looking forward to removing it along the hood because of those clips.

Coachbuilder1 · Nov 12, 2011

The Color Matched grill and newer version is SO much nicer. great work!!! got to love the plastic pry tools they save the day.

30PlusRetlaw · Nov 12, 2011

Yep, I love the look. I wanted the e-grill, but they wanted $285 for the chrome one and them I would had to peel the chrome and paint to match. This was a lot easier and cheaper.

dikkie · Nov 16, 2011

that's both a wonderful mod - love that color matching on that color - as well as a great write up combined with the detailed pics, my friend..!!

very well done..!!

those tundra's can suck the money right out your wallet... :lol5:

dikkie

Verrot · Nov 16, 2011

Hey 30,,,, I have a new grill but don't have the new brackets. Any idea what the PNs are for the brackets,,, or did they just come as a kit with the new grill?

30PlusRetlaw · Nov 16, 2011

This is what the part number(order page)

2010 Grille Assembly Installation Kit for 2007-2009 Tundra's at Sparks Toyota-Scion, Myrtle Beach, SC

JOSH 5.7 · Nov 16, 2011

Awesome write up 30plus! I am looking to get the new colormatched 2010-2011 black grille surround and add a black Grillcraft SS Mesh grille in it and get a custom Toyota logo with the horns on it like this and put TUNDRA in place of the TRD like in this pic, I will have it powdercoated dark blue:

mikejoel · Nov 16, 2011

looks good on it

Verrot · Nov 16, 2011

Thanks a ton 30,,,, guess I shoulda checked it out before posting the question.

Much appreciated.!

30PlusRetlaw · Nov 16, 2011

Was my fault. I should have posted the links at the top. Is very easy to do.

oshaki said:
Nice. Where did you get that plastic tool? I need to keep those handy. What did the new grill and brackets run you?

Harbour freight $5.99 on sale for 6 piece kit.

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-piece-auto-trim-and-molding-tool-set-67021.html

$h@ki · Nov 16, 2011

Nice. Where did you get that plastic tool? I need to keep those handy. What did the new grill and brackets run you?

SP · Nov 17, 2011

nice mod. I love the platinum grill. I might go for it one day. I like the color matched grill man. Thanks for the write up too.

Verrot · Nov 17, 2011

Thanks for the info 30,,,, Just ordered mine from Sparks,,,,, they should be here in a week.

TundraLA · Mar 2, 2012

Ok, i did my grill conversion today and i gotta say it was pretty simple. I have an 07 CM, converted to a 2010+ grill and i did so by following the DIY on here:

http://www.tundratalk.net/forums/tundra-diys/100571-2007-09-2010-12-grill-conversion.html

I also followed a post on tundra solutions about the same thing, and in their post they suggested getting the shorter rod for the hood latch. Im glad i did, otherwise the 2007 rod wouldnt fit, its too long........Anyhow, im still undecided about the grillcraft upper, so for know i'll go with the 2010 sport grill. I'll post the tundra solution link below as well as a before and after pic.......I was gonna purchase everything from trdsparks (those guys are awesome), but i was already at the dealership and wanted to see what type of deal i could get. I got the sport grill for $190, and the conversion hardware (brackets, retainers, bolts) was about the same price as trdparks with shipping.

DIY Installing an '10 grill in an '09.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

mikejoel · Mar 2, 2012

like the new grill man.

ZoSo · Mar 3, 2012

The color match grill looks WAAYYY better.
Just topped my list, Thanks guys. :beerchug:

30PlusRetlaw · Mar 3, 2012

Nice!!!!!! Glad the instructions help.

$h@ki · Mar 3, 2012

Dang, when I saw 30+ post, I thought he was gonna sell his

30PlusRetlaw · Mar 4, 2012

I did sell mine to a member here.

$h@ki · Mar 3, 2012

Tundra,

Changing grille to match newer bumper got rid of the gap between the two. Looks great.

TundraLA · Mar 3, 2012

Thanks shaki, but after you mentioned the "gap", everytime i saw a tundra parked i would go over and inspect their's and it looked the same as mine. Maybe it was just the angle of the pic.............And yes you're in luck, i am selling the chrome grill & brackets.

cookiedough1 · Mar 3, 2012

I like the color matched grille over chrome. Now all you have to do is get rid of both chrome bumpers and color match and that would make it look like a sport truck and even better looking. Not a big difference, but I sort of like the 3 black bars in the grille over only 2.

TundraLA · Mar 3, 2012

Cookie, i dont know what you mean, the bumpers are already color matched, they're black.

cookiedough1 · Mar 3, 2012

oops, must have only looked at the first page, not 2nd, but also don't see the rear bumper being chrome still or color matched. My bad.

Canadian Crewmax · May 23, 2012

I also just did this, my latch from my 08 worked fine, i flipped it around also, makes the truck look a lot nicer in my opinion. My nuts were rusted to the bolts so i ended up damaging my old grill getting it off... now its just a hanging grill in my garage....

illest tundra · May 26, 2012

nice write up

snowtoy8 · May 21, 2013

I'm late to the party but interested in doing this to my 08 and appreciated the write up!

2007-09 to 2010-12 Grill conversion

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