I’ve been looking to give my Tacoma a bit of a facelift for a while now, and the Pro style grille seemed like the obvious first choice. If you’re not a fan of the factory one, Aspire Auto Accessories has you covered with their front grille – which imitates the TRD Pro look we all know and love. The cool part is, you can build one with any logo you’d want and there are several backlighting options (even RGB).
Not only does this mod dramatically improve the truck’s aesthetic, but the installation is simple, with everything you need included right in the box. As an added bonus, you can take your grille upgrade to the next level.
Fits 2016-2023 Tacomas.
Table Of Contents
Installation Overview
All in all, this installation took me about 45 minutes. And most of that time was spent being overly cautious about removing my old grille.
Package Contents
- Custom TRD Pro Front Grille
- Pre-installed wiring
- Fuse tap, for easy installation
One of the standout features of this grille upgrade is how straightforward the installation process is. Unlike other aftermarket options that may require modifications or additional parts, this comes with everything you need right out of the box.
Tools Required
- 10mm socket and wrench
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Wire stripper
- Heat source
There are a ton of guides online on how to swap your grille, so I won’t dive into it too deeply. I will say though, I found the last step to be the most difficult part of the installation. You want to make sure that when you unclip things, that you work slowly and carefully so you do not crack any plastic.
No cutting, no drilling, just a seamless swap that makes an immediate impact on your truck’s look.
And yes, this will work with or without TSS.
Wiring The Custom Backlight
If you opt for the backlit logo, make your life easier and pick up the Backlight Extension Harness. This keeps wiring super straightforward since Aspire includes a fuse tap with this extension.
You’ll need to attach connectors to the wiring of the grille as well as the extension harness. Slide the included heat shrink sleeve onto the wire first, crimp the connector to the exposed wire, and then use a lighter or heat gun to seal the heat shrink around the connection.
Once that’s done, all that’s left is to plug the fuse tap into the grille, plug the other end into the fuse box, and ground it. Just make sure you remove the appropriate 10-amp DRL fuse from your truck and reinsert it into the fuse tap so that the lights on the grille work in conjunction with your Daytime Running Lights.
If you plug the fuse tap into the wrong place it could prevent the grille lights from turning off when your truck isn’t running. The last thing you want is to run your battery dry.
Admittedly, I spent some time figuring out why the lights weren’t working once I thought I had finished the installation. Turns out that remembering to ground any electrical you are doing is pretty important if you want it to function properly.
Design & Build Quality
One of the biggest complaints about the stock Tacoma grille is the plain look(and on some trims, the chrome). If you want a more aggressive look, this grille is a game-changer. The matte black finish gives a more rugged, some might say tactical, aesthetic. It looks clean and the illuminated text elevates the overall package. Plus, Aspire offers different color backlighting to match your build’s color scheme. I opted for the amber but they also offer white, RGB lighting, and even custom colors to really get the look you want.
The grille is made of high-quality ABS plastic, known for its durability and resistance to cracking or fading. Unlike cheaper alternatives, this one feels sturdy in hand and holds up well in both off-road and highway conditions. I live in an area where it snows and rains pretty often. Despite all that, everything has held up great to the wind, moisture, snow, and salt. The construction is solid and I couldn’t be happier with the quality.
Compared to Other Aftermarket Grilles
There are plenty of aftermarket grille options available, ranging from budget-friendly models to high-end custom builds. However, many cheaper alternatives tend to suffer from poor fitment, brittle plastic materials, or require extensive modifications.
Unlike lower-cost alternatives, this one doesn’t feel flimsy or require additional parts to make it fit correctly.
Additionally, while some aftermarket grilles feature excessive branding or flashy designs, this grille keeps things simple and refined, making it a great choice for Tacoma owners who want an aggressive look without over-the-top styling.
If you’re looking for a simple Pro grille (with Toyota letters), Aspire has those too. You can check them out here. But if you want an illuminated logo which can be customized in design and color, this one is for you.
Final Thoughts
If you’re considering an upgrade that is easy to install, improves the overall look of your Tacoma, and offers high-quality lighting, I think this one is a fantastic choice. The design modernizes the truck’s front end, while the solid build quality and even lighting make it a practical and stylish investment. I have several friends who have Tacomas and every single one of them has asked me where I got this grille and has added it to their own list of modifications.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. This simple yet impactful modification is a no-brainer. With the easy install approach that Aspire took, they created an upgrade that would be an easy starting place for any Tacoma owner. And, with the added customization options, you can truly make it your own.
