Front grille replacement

I put a tRex grill on my tundra years ago. Looks great, super happy. I just recently noticed the long clip on the original grill is broken. I cannot find a replacement for that part, and looks like I cannot “jimmy” something up to bypass this. Am I stuck buying the whole grille assembly? Crazy how that one stupid piece would cost me almost 300 dollars new.

 

I'm not sure which clip you are referring to but if it is still attached firmly I wouldn't worry about it. Pics would help though.

 

Do you still have the broken piece?

 

He may have posted about this before.

I think he is referring to the tabs that stick out at the bottom of the grille, they look like 1 to 2 inch barbs.

At the top left at 8:14 and again at 17:30
https://youtu.be/uSxaduzoPp4?t=494

 

you're probably right and i have to agree with the previous post, if it's just a missing tab nbd. if its a floating grill my fortune teller skills see $300 less in your wallet in the near future

 

Not sure if this helps, but this is what the result is.... the tab is what I am missing, but was not able to get an idea if this is something I can fix, or replace, without replacing the whole thing.



the bottom right tab on the grill is what broke, and you can see the sag... it also causes instability throughout the whole grill.

 

I dont think that one tab should do that. You would still have the ones along the bottom and another one below that.

 

I thought the same thing, but it is... which is why I’m asking basically the same question again. Unfortunately it seems to be a rare enough issue where no one has an actual answer. I just hate thinking about spending 300 buckaroos because of a silly plastic tab.

 

Can you pop the grille off and take a picture of the broken tab/clip? It should be easy enough to tell from that.

 

And do you have the broken piece?

 

I appreciate the help you are trying to give, but I’m looking for someone that knows the issue, and what they did to fix it.

 

You are welcome.
I just installed a TRex Billet Aluminum grille and broke a bunch of tabs off of it while trying to do the install. I'm not familiar with your grille. Does your grille have fasteners up top?

 

Yes, and those are what is keeping the grill on now... the bottom left long tab and the top are what is still attached. The bottom right kk g tab, that goes through the panel underneath the headlight is what is broken

 

I would contact TREX if you haven't yet. Their other grille designs seem to have accounted for this issue.

The first file is the set of instructions with pictures for the install of the of OPs grille.
The second file I am referencing Steps 13 thru 18.

I noticed a difference in the two grille designs, the billet grille uses the lower frame in front of the radiator to add additional support to the bottom of the grille (Fig 16).
It uses these parts to support the grille:


Their use is highlighted in steps 13 thru 16 of the second instructions. You may be able to fab something from Home Depot parts using braces and brackets like these:
https://www.homedepot.com/b/Buildin...e/Ntt-bracket?Ntx=mode+matchpartialmax&NCNI-5

Before Macguyvering something I would ask TREX how they fixed the issue. See what they say.

If they don't have a fix see if they can give you the parts from another kit, the names are in the steps I highlighted.

Worse case you fab parts using brackets which is cheaper than $300. The only issue I have with TREX's design is you have to unbolt everything before removing the grille.

Something I wouldn't use to support the grille are the arms that anchor the grille to the headlight area. These are pretty flimsy and will likely put you back to square one on repairing this.

Good luck.

 

Seriously, thank you!

 

No worries. I hope it helps you out.

 

Isn’t that broken tab on the chrome lower surround?

 

Did you ever figure this out?