'96 TO '93 Grill Swap Results

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mxvet354

mxvet354

Joined
Jan 31, 2008
Messages
221
Location
Cookeville, TN
I have read a couple of threads about grill swaps. I purchased a very well used (broken) grill from the guys at Cruiser Parts. They were very honest about the condition of the grill, it was broken in about (6) places, was beat up and looked pretty much like ****. For $35 I thought I would see what I could do. I hate the gold emblems on my 80, especially the "sombero" on the grill. Here are the results of a days labor, one tube of plastic epoxy and Dupli Color. Had to grind (2) small places on the '93 grill to get it to fit properly. After that it fit like a glove!!

BEFORE.jpg


AFTER.jpg
 
I like the Sombrero grill better than my 94. We should have just traded. I wonder what the deal (Where you ground) would be to switch to the newer style?
 
Ditto looks great! I think the "TOYOTA" grill makes it look like a truck, much better looking than the sombrero.
 
I just ordered a grille from them in similar condition, I prefer to buy one needing work because chances are all of them are going to need a bit of work (painting) to make them look nice, might as well buy one cheap that needs a little more work especially if they turn out as nice as yours.
Rusty
 
I spent about 5-6 hours sanding, scuffing and fixing the broken parts on the grill. I was able to fix most of the from the back so the cracks are not visible from the front of the grill. Taped up the chrome letters and top and then painted with three coats of Dupli Color. It was really that easy, not hard just time consuming and tedious.

I had to grind about 1/4" off the lower mounting tab on the '93 grill. Also drilled and tapped the lower center hole into the existing brace. Dremel tool and a few tries and it fit perfect. I maybe spent 30-40 minutes grinding and checking, then a little more grinding. It was nice outside today though so I was in no real hurry. Anyone could do this, on the banana scale it doesn't even register.

The problem on the newer grill to an older one is you would have to fabricate (2) small mounting brackets. I assume they would not be there on the older LC's.

I could swap back to the '96 grill in less than 5 minutes no problem. It was super easy and for about $48, I am liking it better than the gold "bling".

Curt
 
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Man, when I read into doing this before I read stuff like you had to replace lights and what not. I always thought it could be EZ.... So it looks like the lower valance that holds the turn signals is the only area where you end up with a big gap. I guess that valance is beefer on the older trucks?
 
I assume the valence is somewhat different on the older LC's. The gap is the only thing noticeable. In the pictures below you can see the new bolt location and the old one. The old one is not used and is for the '96 grill. Pop in the plastic retainers and insert the screw, it's that easy. The area I had to grind was right behind where the '96 mounting location is located. I purposely removed the material from the '93 grill instead of the mounting tabs so if I ever want to switch back the mounting tab is still there and still strong.

I would guess the mounting location would have to be fabricated if installing a new grill into the older style front end. The valence would also be a problem, i.e. where I have the gap, you would have interference. Just something to think about...........

1.jpg


2.jpg
 
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Hmm...Thanks for the help.
 
Since the photos are missing in the first post I will share mine from today's grill swap.

Before
P1010284.JPG


AFTER
P1010285.JPG


Here is the tab situation, just move the block for the screw from the inside tab to the outside tab.
P1010288.JPG

P1010289.JPG


You can either cut the inner tabs off, but you will never be able to switch back to the newer grill, or you can notch the back of the older grill.
P1010292.JPG


Last step is to drill a new hole for the bottom, middle screw.
P1010293.JPG


My valance is a bit beat-up from the bumper being pushed into it from an accident so I plan to replace it with an older valance in the future that will eliminate the gap left at the bottom.
P1010300.JPG
 
Just something to think about. The newer "sombrero" grille does allow for more airflow than the older TOYOTA style. I wanted to swap mine out but with the ARB & LightForce 240's I need all the airflow I could get. I ended up removing the lights for the summer and my coolant temps dropped 15F on average with the "Sombrero" grille.
 
The Toyota grill looks 10 times better. The sombrero belongs on Prius' and Camry's. Not that those aren't good cars. Just that they aren't trucks.
 
Bluetribal said:
Since the photos are missing in the first post I will share mine from today's grill swap.

Before
P1010284.JPG


AFTER
P1010285.JPG


Here is the tab situation, just move the block for the screw from the inside tab to the outside tab.
P1010288.JPG

P1010289.JPG


You can either cut the inner tabs off, but you will never be able to switch back to the newer grill, or you can notch the back of the older grill.
P1010292.JPG


Last step is to drill a new hole for the bottom, middle screw.
P1010293.JPG


My valance is a bit beat-up from the bumper being pushed into it from an accident so I plan to replace it with an older valance in the future that will eliminate the gap left at the bottom.
P1010300.JPG
Click to expand...
Thanks this post from 5 years ago..The gap doesn't bother me.. Looks way better.
 
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