'83 grille on a '99 Tacoma... (1 Viewer)

[Brake Weight]

Just a feeler for opinions. I ordered the grille from Rock Auto for about $20, IIRC, several months ago. I just now decided to see what it'd look like.

Thoughts? Reminds me of a Jeep Grand Cherokee. It's just wedged in there for pics. It'd be bedlinered the same black as the bumper will be.

The Tacoma's headlights aren't completely vertical and the grille will need to be trimmed in some. It'll lose the thicker outline/support on the edges but should be enough room for a classic Toyota badge. But the two top centermost mounts line up, so that's a bonus. It was so cheap that I'll cut it to see what it'll actually look like flush, but I don't think so as it is. I've also finally got my plate bumper to go on and that'll change the front end some, too. It was this or some sort of billet or mesh grille.

 

[Jacket]

I think its a cool idea, but yea, too much like the grand cherokee. Maybe the older Toyota grill with fewer slots would make it less Jeep-like?

 

[G-Cat]

It's the rectangular headlights that kill the retro look you are going for and make it look Jeepish.

 

[Brake Weight]

Mine doesn't have rectangle lights
, though.

I'll cut it up and see how it looks anyway.

 

[G-Cat]

True...I was more referring to the round lights that the 83 minis had...I think it'll look good with the correct retro badge. The throw-back grill mods are popular enough that Toyota went beck to "TOYOTA" on the new TRD offerings. Subscribed to see the end result...my 98 Runner could use a cool/cheap mod!

 

[Brake Weight]

A guy on a local forum inspired me with his.

 

[krice118]

It loos too much like a jeep

 

[90FJ]

Terrible, his too. Cool idea but looks like a Grand, I like the Satoshi better.

 

[cruiserdan]

True...I was more referring to the round lights that the 83 minis had...I think it'll look good with the correct retro badge. The throw-back grill mods are popular enough that Toyota went beck to "TOYOTA" on the new TRD offerings. Subscribed to see the end result...my 98 Runner could use a cool/cheap mod!

Not exactly. Single round headlamps (6014) 1979-81. Single square headlamps (6052) 1982-83.

 

[G-Cat]

Not exactly. Single round headlamps (6014) 1979-81. Single square headlamps (6052) 1982-83.

Ha! If I'm gonna get corrected, I prefer to get corrected by CDan! I'd have sworn my buddies '83 (back in '84) had round eyes...but a quick Google Image search proves that memory false! I always picture the below as an 83...recon it's an 81ish!

 

[cruiserdan]

That one's a 79 actually.

Sliding rear window and no vent windows.

 

[brian]

just out of dumbness cdan, how much support does toyota still offer to the earlier 4x4 pick up connoisseur?

 

[cruiserdan]

Pretty much nothing body wise. fair on drivetrain.

 

[Brake Weight]

Well, finally had some time to try out this monstrosity.

From head on its not too bad. I waited too late to break out the hot air gun and wrap the sides back. Originally this grille is totally flat. I screwed up the sides also. I should have notched out the mesh and heated the side to match. Oh well. Ima rock this thing for a week or two and then probably toss it onto the burn pile.

From the sides, not so much either.

 

[Cannon88]

Meh, turned out better than I thought. Doesnt look too bad. Are your sliders backwards, or am I seeing things?

 

[Brake Weight]

Yep. They're backwards. Long story, but they work.

 

[MKtaco98]

It needs the 83 T emblem, I think that will make the difference

 

[Brake Weight]

It'd look better with one. But I don't want to drop $30 on fleaBay for one and then trash the grille.

 

[Brake Weight]

I may can carve up another original grille and make one of those Satoshi looking grilles and incorporate the badge. But I'd rather do a TEQ of some kind if I went that route.