OE Toyota Grille Replacement Mod – Step by Step Installation of the TRD Pro Grill for the 5th Gen 4Runner
Well, this was an event that I did not have the opportunity to attend, however, I will enjoy writing the post for it. The guys did a TRD Pro Grill Swap on a 2016 4Runner.
All in all, the instructions were easy on this accessory. I was done in approximately 30 minutes. This is one of the most common TRD Pro add-ons that can be installed with little to no automotive experience.
OE Part Numbers:
- PZ323-35056 – GARNISH, FR BUMPER
- PZ327-35053 – GRILLE, RADIATOR, UPPER
Replica Pro Grill
- 5th Gen 4Runner Pro Grille: Check Price
- 5th Gen 4Runner Molded Raptor Lights: Check Price
The process is so easy, that you can do it with a small flat head screwdriver, Phillips screwdriver, and a 10mm socket/wrench.
For installation, you can do this with one person but it helps to have two. The kit comes with a 5-page detailed step-by-step instruction sheet and utilizes the existing hardware and OEM parts. This upgrade gives your 4Runner the TRD Pro look which is quite clean and rather classy in my opinion.
The TRD Pro Grill Swap Kit
- Ratchet Wrench 10 mm
- Screwdriver Phillips
- Clip Remover (or, tiny flathead screwdriver)
- Blue Masking Tape
- Lint Free Cloth’s
- 3m GPACK or 3m Prep Solvent
- Instruction Manual
Just keep in mind when installing this kit that you don’t damage any of the parts during the process because you will be using the OEM parts to put the grill back together and back on.
Step 1: Open Hood and Remove Clips
Open the hood and remove the 13 radiator cover clips as indicated in the image and then the radiator support cover.
To remove the push tabs, just press down and then pull them out. Once all the clips are removed you can extract the radiator support cover. Do not misplace the clips/ push tabs, you will be reusing them.
Step 2: Remove Parts and The Grill
To avoid damage on the 4Runner, attach the blue masking tape around grill section that you will be removing, as well as the opposite side. This will aid in preventing scratches or rub marks during the removal process. Remove the two clips that attach the grill to the body and one 10mm bolt that is located in the center as indicated in the image. Then pull the grill to remove it. This was by far the hardest part of the install. We didn’t want to break the grill and it was quite tough to remove! Do not misplace the parts you’ve removed because you’ll be reusing them.
Step 3: Remove Grill Parts out of the bracket
Remove the four screws from the bracket with a phillips screwdriver as indicated in the image and then remove the bracket from the grill. Remove the six remaining screws as indicated in the image and then the grill housing from the grill. Do not misplace the parts again that you removed from the grill because we will be reusing them.
Step 4: Assembly of the New Grill Parts
Secure the grill bracket to the new grill with the four screws. Secure the new grill onto the grill housing by lining up the snaps on the outer edges. Once aligned probably secure with the six remaining screws. Place a towel or something soft below the grill housing to prevent scratches.
Step 5: Prep for Installation – Grill Garnish
To avoid damage on the 4Runner when installing the garnish, attach the blue masking tape at the positions indicated. Degrease the area that the new garnish will be attaching to. After degreasing the areas do not touch them.
Step 6: Preparation of Attaching the Garnish
There are six adhesive strips on the garnish, four on the front and two on the top. Completely remove the four on the front of the garnish. The two on the top are partially removed. by pulling the adhesive back a few inches and pulling them up and over the top past the ribs and adhere to the top with blue masking tape.
We found it best to find the center of the garnish and the opening where the garnish will be placed. We marked those with a center line on a piece of blue tape. This gave us an easier target to get the garnish centered.
Step 7: Applying the Garnish
Line up the two center marks by eye the best you can and slide the garnish on. Apply minimum pressure to attach keeping pressure on the blue tape as you don’t want to lose it. Peel off the liner of the two-sided adhesive tape. Be careful when you pull the liners off as we broke one and had to use needle nose pliers to grab the broken end. We found it best to slightly lift the garnish to relieve some pressure when removing the liners from the tape. Then, crimp the garnish to the front bumper.
Step 8: Installation of the TRD Pro Grill
The grill clicks together with the front bumper in all eight positions. Secure the upper end of the grill with the clips and screw in bolt as indicated in the image. Peel off all the masking tape.
Step 9: Place the radiator cap support cover
Place the radiator support cover on, then clip it down with the 13 clips.
Installation Complete!
My 4Runner doesn’t seem to have the press down and open radiator clips. I have to force them open and basically all of them broke and now I have to replace them. But I would like to replace them with the ones I’ve seen that people just press down and it unlocks. Can someone give me the OEM part number so I may order the radiator clips thank you.
Pic
Just finished with the install. I went with the cheaper Chinese product but seems to fit as best as can be, it is an aftermarket product. Pretty easy, lining up the “garnish” was the hardest part, can’t really give tips, just trial and error before removing the tape covers. It’s going to go on how it wants, then hopefully it’s not too much off center and can be slightly adjusted by hand. Haven’t installed the letters yet.
I will be on my way to the dealership tonight to pick up my 2022 TRD Off-Road Premium. I’m wondering if changing the grille to the TRD Pro grille will mess with the front sensor for the adaptive cruise control? I was told it might take that feature away unless you buy the grille directly from Toyota.
I just do this on the same 2022 ORP. I removed the Toyota emblem from the grille and found it was just empty space behind. There’re no wires or sensors attached to the removed pieces. @Wheeler is correct.
I’m by no means a pro, but by looking at this and my own 4R I’m fairly certain all of those radar-y bits are just below the bar that you’re working on. I can’t see how you’d affect them unless you damaged them in the install. Take a look at a picture of a 2021 ORP and you’ll see a flat black box in the lower section of the grille.
my 4runner has came with a protective film on the front end – there is actually a strip on the current grille center piece that will be covered by the garnish. Does anyone know if that needs to be removed prior to installing the new garnish? Thanks!
Hi, so I bit the bullet all went well on my 2018 I painted it matt black and letters as I have heard other places it can fade and painting rectifies it. my semi random question is in my reinstall had my screws and push pins sitting in a parts holder the yellow ones from harbor freight. well I accidentally hit it and the little silver screw that hold the grill back in place flew everywhere found 4 and foundall but 2 of the push pins. so back to the question do you or anyone reading know what size and type those screws are. to be clear the ones in step 3 described here: (Remove the four screws from the bracket with a phillips screwdriver as indicated in the image and then remove the bracket from the grill. Remove the six remaining screws)
Are the TOYOTA letters on the OEM just taped on or are they screwed on?
It’s 3m tape on the backside. You can see a good example here.
I just installed mine. I strictly followed the alignment based on the indentions on the top of garnish, with the grill. My garnish is now off center, one side of the garnish is pushed all the up against the grill surround, and there is a big gap on the other side. Could i remove the garnish and try to re install it with new 3m tape? Or would you recommend taking this to a body shop at this point?
Hi there. Did your readjustment come out perfect? I just installed my OEM Pro grill too and did a test fit by lining up the notches on the grill and garnish…I noticed that one side was closer than the other side. I moved it over a bit and was pleased. After pressing on it it must have shifted ever so slightly as one side has an extra mm wider gap than the other….but definitely not like how you had it originally with one side flush against the grill surround.
I know they are supposed to have a gap but it seems quite tough to get it perfectly centered. I just wish it was cut to fit so it wouldn’t have any gaps.
Mine did not come out perfect, but i can live with it. i think a better alignment gauge is in the center of the garnish, along the top edge, there are two bits of plastic that stick out. These two bits of plastic line up with the semi circular indent where the toyota logo sits with the stock grill. If you line those bits of plastic up with the slot, you come pretty close.
Thank you for your reply. That is a good idea…ill do that if I do decide to readjust. The driver’s side gap is just a tad bigger than the passenger side gap. I actually picked a point and measured about a 1-2mm difference between the gaps. It’s not too bad…Im a perfectionist but I think I can live with it. It’s more noticeable when you a foot away from it.
Did you figure this out? I did the same thing
Sorry for the delay. The email went to my spam folder!
I took a hair dryer and heated up the garnish piece and peeled it off. I bought some 3m take from an auto store and replaced the tape and reset it.
Would this work on a 2020 Trd off Road Premium? Also, what is a reliable source to order one from since Toyota won’t allow it anymore. Thank you!
I have the 2013 SR5. Looking to upgrade the grille. Please help.:)
Is the 2020 4Runner Off Road Premium still 5th gen? Does anyone know how to switch out the grill on the 2020 Off Road Premium to the TRD Pro grill? Are the censors in the toyota logo? So is that an issue?
Did you manage to figure out how to install the TRD pro grille on the off-road model? Toyota was saying it isn’t doable for 2020 but i’m not really buying it.
Fat Bobs Garage
We just finished installing the grille on a 2020 Offroad, you have to trim the piece as it slides over the TSS, and also the radiator upper support, wasnt that big of a deal.
Looking for answers on this too.
Yes the 2020 is 5th gen and for a 2020 TRD ORP this mod can be done.
For a 2020 4runner the process is the same as listed in the article, just use new (2020 version) grill parts that have a slight cutout for the TSS sensor.
The parts for 2020 are:
PZ323-35058
PZ327-35056
Good luck.
Thanks for the info. Just got my new 2020 TRD Off Road premium. Anyone know of a ladder system for the SIDE of the truck rear? One that doesn’t need to be bolted to the big metal rear bumper replacement??
Also, whats a good full length flat mesh rack, that will still allow my sunroof to open?
You really want a rear bumper for a side ladder. SSO makes a side ladder and rear bumper combo. A good full-length mesh rack would be the Gobi, Baja or even the ARB Flat rack, although it’s not 100% “full”.
Should clarify, i’m asking about changing out the grills on the 2020 4Runner.
Is the 2020 4Runner still 5th gen? And anyone know how to change out the grill on a TRD off road to the TRD pro grill? I think the censors are in the toyota logo, so how is that going to work?
I know you said this will work on all 2014’s and up, but I’m trying to confirm that this will work fine on the Limited model as well.
Not 100% on limited. Hopefully, someone with a limited can chime in here.
For what it’s worth, I spent the better part of the day fighting this and I’m not saying it can’t be done, but installing this on a 2017 Limited isn’t this straight forward. At this point, my thinking is that the chrome trim on the bumper (right below the logo) that this adheres to needs to be removed. Without removing it, it seems that the grill piece is too thick for this to adhere securely to the grill. If anyone has any thoughts on how to remove that trim or any other suggestions, I can use all the help I can find right now.
Having said all of that, thanks for the instructions Brenan – everything you had was spot on…until I ran into this issue with the chrome trim. I appreciate all of the walkthrough’s – they’ve been a tremendous help.
Thanks and good luck!
Did anybody ever figure this out about the chrome trim piece?
Also bumping OP question for my 2016 Limited. TIA!
What about option grills for the 2010-2013 4Runners?
Can this grill replacement kit be used on a 2019 4runner Limited Nightshade edition front or strictly for the TRD models for replacement grills??
I know it says 2014+ so is this for all 5th generations? I also have a 2018 I’d love to do this to.
Yeah, 2018-2019 have the same front-end. You are all set to install this one.
Will this fit on 2018 TRD Off-Road??
How does the matte finish on the garnish hold up to automatic car washed (with brushes?)
It’s pretty bulletproof through car washes.
Would I be able to apply this to a 2011 5th gen model?
The grille is not made for the 2010-2013 4Runners.
Would the kit you linked to work for a 2011 SR5?
No, 2014+ 4Runner only.
It would be nice to have a blackout kit for the “TOYOTA” replacement if the previous one was blacked-out. I like the complete blacked-out appearance, so this mod would make it much more appealing if one existed for the letters too. Also, I did not quite understand if the new TRD Pro grill needs to be painted to match the finish. In my case, I have the factory black for 2017 year and I also have a ceramic coating on the entire body. I am sure both need to be done to have a completely seamless look and feel.
Mine came with black med out letters
Yeah, I guess plasti-dip is going to be on your side for this one.