Do you need to remove the grille on your Tacoma? Maybe to change the lights out or work on the engine? It’s easy to do and you don’t need any special tools!
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Tools Required:
- Small Flat Screwdriver: to push down the tabs on the top part of the grille.
- Long Screwdriver: to release the left and right bottom anchors on the grille.
- Philips Screwdriver: To remove the grille screws on the sides.
- Plastic Body Tools: A nylon trim kit will help you get lower headlight molding trim off without ruining the paint.
Parts Required:
- Grille Clips Retainers – Set of 10: I broke nearly every retention clip holding the grille to the truck when trying to put it back on. Over time these clips get old. For $6 you get a whole new set and save yourself the headache of trying to zip tie the grille on when you are done.
Video Walk-Through:
Check out our step-by-step video tutorial first to get an idea of the process, then you can read the guide below and print it out if you want.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Descriptive pictures below this guide!
- Open the hood, lift and prop up.
- There are 2 philips screws which need to be removed. They are on both sides of the truck, just above the headlights.
- Now you can pull out the side lights. Do so carefully, there are a few friction points you need to wiggle through to get them off. You can now either remove them from the wiring harness or leave them off to the side of the truck.
- Remove the panel trim beneath the headlights. Use a nylon removal tool as to not damage the paint. They will require a little bit of pulling, work your way around the trim, pulling with the tool.
- Now you can start on the grille itself. There are 7 plastic anchors which hold the grille to the frame to severn plastic pillars on the grille. Inside the pillars are a small black tab. Push that down to release the anchor. Work your way around.
- You might have difficulty reaching the last 2 anchor tabs on the lower pillars on the left and right sides. If you have a long screwdriver or some sort of long skinny thing (even a stick or something) that can poke those tabs it will be helpful. Or grab a kid or wife with smaller hands who might be able to reach in there and get them.
- Now the grille is released, pull it gently forward, and watch around the headlights, as it could get caught there when removing.
Thats it! To reverse the process follow the steps above in reverse order.
NOTE! Make sure to get replacement Grille Clips Retainers – Set of 10. The ones you have on the truck are probably going to break when you either remove the grill or attempt to put the grille back on.
In order to place the clips, you need to push them onto the frame first. With a little pressure they click in. Then you can push the pillars of the grille onto the new clips / anchors.
