New style grill sensor cover -$300 WTH?

I looked at ordering a new color matched MGM grill for my 2019 from Sparks and it says this:

Toyota has recently redesigned the sensor cover that all of their grilles use. If you have a 2018-2019 or early 2020 Tundra, you will need the new, redesigned sensor cover as well. If you have a late production 2020 and on Tundra, you can reuse your existing sensor cover. If you are not sure, feel free to contact us using your VIN to see what you would need to do.

Is this just the emblem and if so why is it $300. Can anyone confirm what I need or is there a workaround? I have the honeycomb grill with the round emblem with the radar unit behind it and from looking I thought only the long emblem needed the cover. The pics on sparks site looks like my grill.

https://www.sparksparts.com/oem-par...yYSZ5PTIwMTkmdD10cmQtcHJvJmU9NS03bC12OC1mbGV4


https://www.sparksparts.com/oem-parts/toyota-grille-emblem-front-5314171010?c=bT0xJmw9MiZuPVJlY29tbWVuZGVkIFByb2R1Y3RzJms9MQ==

 

I'm in the same boat, I have an 18 Limited and I want to switch to a color matched surround, I just read the same thing, I'm thinking about buying a Platinum grill and then swapping in my Limited grill insert to save the $300.

 

It's made of acrylic glass in order for the sensor to be able to see through. The latter would be possibly plastic? Unsure, but there are those who went the other route to save a couple bucks.

There are mixed reviews, some works, some do not.

 

The picture on Sparks site of the new grill looks just like the one I have. I thought the sensor was just mounted behind the round Toyota badge.

 

I went through that, I believe the screws and such are in a different place. I did it about a year and a half ago so memory’s a little foggy.

 

I just bought the color match TRD Grill for 2019 Limited and I also was baffled about the price of the sensor cover. I seen plenty of after market ones for $16.99 on up but was afraid that it wouldn’t function properly so I when ahead and pull the trigger. I believe the whole unit cost me $899.

 

Yes, the toyota emblem is $300+ and it's because it is made to not interfere with the sensor that mounts behind it. The reason you need the new one for a new grille is because they changed the way it mounts to the grille. The tabs and screws won't line up on the emblem you have now.

 

Well shoot, maybe I will just do the color matched overlays then.

 

You could order just the grille and swap your current honeycomb grille into the color matched surround. Lots of people have done that.

 

I don’t know if ‘21 is the same or different than earlier models but my truck came with honeycomb chrome shroud and hood bulge. I bought the mgm color matched parts and transferred the emblem. It was only 2-3 screws if I remember.

 

The changes to the emblem happened in the 2020 or 2021 model year. If you have a '21 then you can use any of the new stuff because you have the new sensor cover/emblem. My 2019 emblem would not fit on you 2021 grille, and vice versa.

 

Gotcha… learned something

 

Have you looked at AJT Design?

 

There aftermarket ones for the pro grill which is what I bought for about 50 bucks....check ebay too. the guy that did mine isn't making them any longer

 

That doesn't address the issue of the emblem being different on a new grille. That just moves the sensor below it.

 

Ah, gotcha. Yeah I don't know of a good solution except for maybe just going with Ecoological's hood bulge and grill surround overlay to change the color but that still obviously doesn't change out the grill. Like you, I looked into changing out bulge, grill, and grill surround on my 2020 CM but the cost was way too ridiculous. I'm just not willing to pay that much.....

 

I went with an OEM swap, but it was before the redesign, so I was able to reuse my emblem. The OP is kind of stuck in a pinch that doesn't have an easy or inexpensive solution.

 

Check out eBay, that where I got mine, I think I paid $65. Part number is 53141-71010

 

Im not 100% following. You should be able to just swap the surround out and keep your old grill and sensor if you want the color matched surround. Unless you also want to swap the grill itself? I ordered the 15-17 TRD Pro grill for half the price, swapped my honeycomb into the inferno surround, and sold the old Pro insert.
If thats not the case then disregard..

 

So a follow up here. I was on Sparks site and looking at their grille options.

https://www.sparksparts.com/tundra-parts

They show a 2018 SR grille with the options I want / need for 828 and it says it fits my 2019 SR5

They also show a 2108 TRD sport grille for 575 but it says it doesnt fir my truck?

What is the difference in these two as I do not see any and difference in them? Is this just saying it isn't the OEM for my truck? Will it still fut as I would prefer to save $250 if I can.