Extreme Terrain upper grill overlay

Has anyone had any experience with an Extreme Terrain upper grill overlay ?
I would like to go this route for a few reasons;
1.) expense
2.) it seems like almost every Taco I see around NC sports a TDR Pro grills are
3.) I want to keep the TSS where it is and not mess with it
4.) I actually like the TRD OR grill just not the color

I might add some Raptor lights . . . . still not sure on that.


https://www.extremeterrain.com/tacoma-upper-grille-overlay-gloss-black-abs6509blk.html

 

That’s a crazy price. Spray paint is like $8 and you can pick whatever color/sheen you like. Gloss black? No thanks.

 

Exactly! There is someone selling an OEM off-road grill for $40 next to me. 40 plus paint and I’m all in at $50. And if I screw up I’m still not out much

 

I don't get it. Why spend 200 bucks for something that looks so stock, that even most Tacoma enthusiasts used to looking at grilles would mistake that for a stock grille?

I think I paid that much for a complete aftermarket grille.

If you want to black it out, I'd suggest plastidipping it for 1/20 of that price.

 

Exactly, plastidip it if you are unsure.

 

The problem is my skill level - if I paint it myself it will probably be apparent I painted it myself - in other words it will end up looking like shit. Then there is the klutz factor - if I take off the grill to paint it - it is pretty much guaranteed I will break something in the process. Then what was supposed to be a $8 job ends up being a $300 job.

 

Who's to say you won't break the new one installing it?

Might as well at least tempt it. You could be in for 8 bux instead of 200, and if you do break it you already have the grill half out to replace it anyways.

 

The grille is one of the easier and more forgiving pieces to remove on the truck. If you're dipping into the world of modifying and/or DIY maintenance, that's a good piece to start on.

And as for rattle-canning skills, sacrifice a can and some ozone and practice on a strip of cardboard. If you can satisfactorily coat an Amazon delivery box, you can do a grille.

 

(1) Gloss black is not much of a visual difference from the stock charcoal gray.
(2) $211 is kinda pricey for that.
(3) Most importantly, it does nothing about blacking out the chrome Toyota logo in the center. If someone would make a black substitute for that, I'd be interested.

 

You make some good points;
I am not a bug fan of gloss black although it is better than chrome

I did plastidip my 2018 Subaru Outback Sport grill - It looked great for a while but after a few years the Plastidip has chipped off in a few places and the chrome surround is showing - So Plastidip is not the route I want to go. Anyway it took me way too long to do it and I had to do it twice because the first time I screwed it up - it really was not fun.

I really am not a fan of the 2022 stock TSS emblem but have a concern about moving it to a different height on a new grill and then it ends up out of calibration and I end up paying big bucks to get it re-calibrated. But I see lots of OR grill replacements with TRD Pro grills (which I don't want because the are so common) so I wonder if moving from near the top of the grill to the bottom keeping the stock height is a non issue ? ? ?

I found this one - not to expensive but it says 2021 - so will that fit a 2022 or is the TSS fitment at the bottom not goiung to work for a 2022?


https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Off-...=03A680MBN5F4MZT6TW83&qid=1674593303&sr=8-155

 

Yes. In most cases it works.

And if you're looking for a unique grille, I really like my XTrek.

Somehow it looks more heritage to me than the Pro. And very few people run one, making it a bit of a unique piece.

 

Perfect - is that the TSS at the bottom? - I will have to check if it will fit a 2022 as the web site says 2018-2021
I take it that is the TSS at the bottom.

 

Yes, that's the Tss. It'll fit a 2022, but it'll need an extra bezel, which can be found for cheap on Amazon.

 

THX much Rock - ordered my X-Trek grill and bazel - I love the look.
I also like the look of the pro grill as well but like I said it seems like every Tacoma that changes out their grill goes the pro route.

-break-

Just a comment about Plastidip, at least on the grill; Looks great for a while but after a year or so the rock chips will get to it.
I did PlastiDip the grill on my Outback (which was a BIG hassle only because I am incompetent when it comes to such tasks)
I will say however the badges turned out OK. So now I have to figure out how to fix it - or God forbid to it over from scratch while on the car. Anyway

 

Got the Xtrek installed - love it

 

That’s a great looking grill!!!

 

Looks good