FJ62 Front Grill Clips - Repair/Options? (1 Viewer)

[CornbreadJR]

Hello all,

Pretty soon, "Flower" is going to get its "face" put back on now that I'm pretty much done under the hood.

Back when I removed the plastic decorative grill, I noticed little cheap plastic clips that tension needs to be applied to before the grill can thus be backed away and removed. Those HIGH quality Toyota clips basically shattered when I removed 2 of them. With the age - they pretty much fell apart. Also, when I pulled the grill away, a few of the plastic tabs that extend away from the grill itself and attach to the radiator frame were already cracked and broken.

I noticed there's ONE screw....ONE screw (???) that locks the grill along with the plastic clips together. Why are screws not used in lieu of cheap plastic clips instead??? For a somewhat tough vehicle, I can't believe why this area has such a cheap solution. I'd expect this on a Tercel or Celica but NOT a Land Cruiser!!!

Anyway, are there any SOLID solutions to this you've had success with??? Is the FJ60 face attached in the same fashion with cheap plastic? Any screw and washer combinations to use that would be better???

I'm all ears....

James

 

[jjvbva]

I have used some small Molly bolts. Not ideal but they seem to have done the job.

 

[Major Nelson]

There's really no need for anything but the "cheap" plastic clips. Grill is basically a cover for the radiator, why would they waste putting screws in...plus plastic doesn't corrode. My clips in my 87 were still pretty good. You can always contact Beno or CDan and get some new ones...they're about $0.98/per. They lasted 25+ years, tough to argue with their decision on the method to fasten the grill to the truck

 

[CornbreadJR]

Thanks for the replies...

Molly/Anchor Bolts.....good idea!!! Didn't even think of that!!! See why I asked???

I just thought since they put thought into other things that because "T O Y O T A" was on the grill that this would be the MOST important part of the vehicle!!!

Cheers,
James

 

[Spudman]

Cable ties works well is cheap and holds them tighter than those plastic clips

 

[php74]

I just found that CCOT offers an aftermarket grille and the headlight surounds, and they are a dead on match. I ordered last week and total with shipping was about $250, installed in 30 minutes. Best money I've spent so far for the aesthetics of my 62!!...To top it off, I took my old faded, shipped, peeling, set and sold on Ebay and went for $230.

 

[CornbreadJR]

"php74"

CURSES!!! Why did you have to tell me that!!! I looked on CCOT and now I gotta add that to the list of MUST HAVE'S!!!

Until then, I gotta go with the solutions above!

Thanks everyone!
James

 

[SteveH]

Can you post a close-up photo of the CCoT grille? - the price from CCoT is pretty rockin', I must say.

To reattach my grille, I just bought a few of those shatter-prone grille clips. The clips fit several other Toyota models, too - and aren't expensive. I agree that they seem wimpy for a truck, but it's not like we see grilles falling off Land Cruisers every day, however.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

HAnyway, are there any SOLID solutions to this you've had success with???

They work great, until we break them. I'm in agreement with Major Nelson.

 

[MANUCHAO]

black zip ties are the cheapest, and best solution...

 

[php74]

A few pics

 

[Tapage]

Couple of months ago I order all those clips and bolts ( headlamps surroundings ) from SAM .. pretty solid IMHO and bolt on solution ...

 

[Oaks]

I have heard mixed reviews on those aftermarket grills. But they do look pretty good! no fitment issues huh...?! Wonder who manufactures them? I'm liking this idea!


...via IH8MUD app

 

[php74]

No fitment issues. I'm a die hard OEM guy but this was one I had to try. I bought an aftermarket tail light lens about 5 years ago once and I couldn't get it installed it was so awful, I never tried again..until this one. This went on with no problems at all and $1000 cheaper than OEM....$1000....

 

[Heckraiser]

The grille on my '85 was held on by zip ties and wasn't noticeable unless you were really digging in there. That CCOT grille looks awesome... If I'm feeling spendy, I might consider that for my round headlight conversion

 

[SteveH]

Sexy grille. Thanks for posting the pictures. Kudos to CCoT for carrying a product that seems unique to them.

 

[CornbreadJR]

...for posting those pics and saying the fit is fine!

James

 

[php74]

Haha, sorry...just rationalize it somehow and put it on the card... Resale value maybe?