Replica TRD Pro Grille Review

One of the easiest, and most popular modifications to start with on the 3rd Gen Tacoma, is upgrading the front grille. The TRD Pro model Tacomas come with a retro-style Toyota logo and a much more aggressive design.

Some mods can cost an arm and a leg, and this is definitely not one of them. OEM Trd Pro grilles cost around $400. That is a lot of money to shell out for some plastic. The replica grilles, which get the job done just as well, can be found for under $150.

Not only can you give your truck the TRD Pro look, but with the Raptor light kit, you can add a set of sleek LED marker lights. We be covered the installation process here.

This article will serve as a detailed guide to swapping in your TRD Pro Grille, or really any for that matter. The general process will be the same.

When I first got my Tacoma, I did find one thing confusing. When I saw that everyone was running a Pro grille, I thought you had to purchase the entire grille. This is not the case. The Pro grille is an insert that is a direct swap for the OEM version. Just wanted to clear that up.

Certain 2018+ models have Toyota Safety Sense. This system has a sensor in the front. If you have the sensor, you’ll have to purchase a new garnish. This will help to relocate your TSS sensor.

Find It Online

• 3rd Gen 
  • (2016-2023) Pro Grille: Check Price
  • 3rd Gen Raptor Lights: Check Price
• 2nd Gen
  • (2012-2015) Pro Grille: Check Price
  • (2005-2011) Pro Grille: Check Price

Getting Started

To begin, you’ll have to make sure you have the proper tools.

Tools Needed

• Phillip’s Head Screwdriver
• 10 mm Socket/Wrench
• Cutting Pliers (for TSS sensor install)

Let’s get started!

Installation

As far as installs go, the it is relatively easy, even for a beginner. It only requires basic tools.

When I say basic, I mean it. You can get away with doing the entire install with one Phillips head and one flathead screwdriver. Certain newer models may require a 10mm socket and rachet, but again, that’s all you’ll need.

This particular install was done on a 2020 Tacoma Off-Road with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), but the process is essentially the same for all other trims, minus relocating the OEM TSS sensor. This portion is mainly for 2018+ Tacomas.

Above, you can see the kit along with the Raptor lights.

Contents

• TRD Pro Grille
• Gray Toyota Letter Plate (w/ screws)
• OEM Style TSS Sensor Garnish (w/ metal retaining clips)

Step 1. Assembly

If your Toyota lettering plaque does not already come installed in the grille, you’ll have to assemble it. This part is very simple, the letter place sits within a designated slot.

4 small, silver screws hold it in the insert. You can see them at the perimeter of the letter plate. Place the letter plate in its proper orientation, and screw it down. Don’t overtighten, these screws are tapped into plastic and can easily strip the plastic threads in the insert.

If you don’t have TSS, you don’t need to worry about this step.

If you do, you’ll need to remove the filler piece that comes with the grille. It is held in by 2 tabs and 2 metal fittings with teeth that grab onto the garnish and help to hold it in place.

These metal fitting are tough to remove, so I used a small set of cutting pliers to remove them. The garnish came right out, and I replaced it with the OEM style TSS garnish. The garnish comes with two new metal fittings to help hold in in place the same way the filler piece sat.

If you noticed, between the tabs and metal fittings, there are two U-shaped channels. These channels receive the circular nuts from your original one if you’re transplanting your TSS sensor. More on that soon.

From the front, the new installed garnish will look like it does above.

Keep the protective plastic on until the grille is completely installed, to avoid unnecessary scratches. It is now ready for install.

Step 2. Remove OEM

The grille on the 3rd Gen Tacoma is held in place with two bolts and two clips. That’s it! Well, there are some pressure fittings at the bottom, but those are easy to pry apart. More on that portion soon.

All 4 of these bolts and clips are located along the top. The two bolts connect the grille to the body cross-member and the two clips in the far corners, closer to the grille itself.

If you have a 2019+ there is a chance that the bolts might not have a Phillip’s head. When I installed this grille on my 2017, I was able to do so without a 10mm socket. In this case, on a 2020, We had to remove the bolts with a rachet and 10mm socket.

Above, you can see the holes where the bolt and clip on the right side of the grille were removed.

If you have TSS, there is a sensor. Before you continue removing everything, undo all of the plastic connectors that keep the TSS sensor harness from flying around. You can actually see two of the brown and white connectors in the image above. You’ll disconnect the actual sensor from the harness after you pop the grille off, it’s much easier that way.

Once you’ve removed the TSS connectors, you can pry out the whole grille.

As I mentioned, it is only mounted to the truck with two bolts and two clips. The rest, on the bottom, is held in with pressure fittings, which are easy to pop out with a light pull.

Grab the corner and pry it from one corner at a time. With a little bit of force, it will pop right out. Do this on both sides and the grill should be free.

If you have TSS, be careful. You still need to unhook the sensor before you can remove it completely.

Grab the two harnesses and disconnect them. It is now ready to be removed.

Step 3. Remove TSS Sensor

If you don’t have a TSS sensor, you can skip to Step 5.

Once you have the grille out of the truck, it’s best to lay it on a soft surface like a blanket, so you don’t damage it. I placed this one on the grass.

You can see how the TSS sensor sits inside. This may slightly vary between various models, some are mounted behind the Toyota logo, some below. But they all mount in the same manner.

Grab your Phillips screwdriver and unscrew the two outermost screws.

The sensor can be removed once that is done. If you haven’t finished removing the wiring harness from the remainder of the grille, do so now. You can see one of these connectors directly off of the sensor wiring in the image above.

Here, you can see the removed sensor. The bolts that were unscrewed with the screwdriver sit in a circular nut you see above. These nuts, along with the screws, need to be reused in your new grille.

Above, you can see one of those nuts removed, and the other one still in the sensor housing.

Step 4. Transplant Sensor

Install the circular nuts you removed in the last step. There is an identical channel in the garnish you prepped earlier.

Place the TSS in the orientation seen above, and tighten down the 2 bolts that attach it.

Step 5. Remove Insert

The stock grille insert is held in with a bunch of screws and tabs. Originally, I didn’t see the screws and tried to remove the insert without unscrewing the small black screws. I couldn’t figure out why the insert wouldn’t separate until I noticed this.

Above, you can see some of the black screws that help hold the grille in place. You will need to unscrew and remove all of them before you attempt to remove the tabs and the entire insert itself.

I made the mistake of unscrewing all of the little black screws. If you look carefully, only the innermost screws hold the grill insert in. You won’t need to hold onto these. You won’t reuse them. The grille is only mounted with pressure tabs.

In the image above, you can see the tabs I was referencing.

You will have to pop the locking tab inward and prevent it from popping back in with light pressure.

Once you can do so with a few tabs, they will stop trying to pop back in, and eventually, you’ll get the insert out.

You’ll be left with only the grille surround, this is where you’ll clip in your new replica.

Step 6. Install New Insert

The insert is seated in much the same way the stock insert was.

Again, the only difference is, there are no screws to replace. The grille is only held in place with the tabs on the backside. This is technically a weakness in the design, but I have had zero issues, and I’ve never heard of any ever falling out. Push the it in until you hear and see all of the tabs click into place. Give it a light push from the back to see if any of these tabs are still loose.

You can see the harness on the bottom for the TSS sensor.

Step 7. Reinstall Grille

No picture is needed. Simply do the removal steps in reverse.

A little bit of pressure will help to seat the fittings on the bottom.

Final Thoughts

How easy was that? Pretty much anyone can knock this install out in their driveway with very basic tools.

The finished product really changes the front end of your Tacoma and is sure to turn heads. There is a reason that this particular modification is so popular.