Warped / crooked aftermarket grill

I got this aftermarket grill about 3 years ago (don't remember where I bought it right now, some online store). As soon as I first installed it, I noticed that it didn't fit flush / perfect and seemed to be crooked. Somehow, I just ignored it - but its really starting to bother me now. I gave it a good inspection and what I've noticed is that if I push down on the section that more or less breaks up the nice line with the weather stripping, it seems to go into place, but without downward pressure, it pushes back up and looks like crap. To me, it seems like the plastic surround is slightly warped, causing the one side to be above the weather stripping. Anyone have any suggestions on how to fix it? It's really driving me nuts all of the sudden!

 

You sure it's not the weather stripping that's the issue? If it doesn't match the lines of the surround, it will make the grill look crooked.

 

I'm fairly certain the weatherstripping and the hood and aligned and just right, pretty sure its the grill.

 

you may be able to adjust your hood on the passenger side. raising it a bit might make it look a little better. im not sure if these trucks have that ability, but worth a shot!

 

Heat gun

 

That was my main thought, don't want to ruin anything though. Maybe just apply a little heat and see what happens

 

Physically sit on it for a few days

 

Maybe it’s just me but the whole center section seems to be a slightly different color/shade than everthing else...

Was that included in the replacement grill? If so, do you still havethe original?

As for the passenger side warping, I got nothing...

It would bother me too.

Good luck w the fix!

 

I'd be very careful, that bump may turn into waves and look worse. I'd suggest finding a piece of the same plastic to practice on. I'm guessing you'll find it will go from formed to melted way too fast to really work with.

 

Use a piece of wood/stick against the grill and radiator frame to adjust it where you want it and to hold it there,then heat it up with a heat gun till it flexes a little, then let it sit until its cold again and remove the wood.

 

I sold my aftermarket cause got tired of this issue. Fit was garbage and the top was warped just like that. I think it’s the price you pay for a non-OEM part. Good luck getting it lined out.

 

It would drive me nuts like that

 

That's usually the result of cheap non OEM grills being sold online. That grille is warped and has nothing to do with your weatherstripping or truck mounts. Personally, I would try to find an OEM one that is actually colormatched to your truck(unlike the current one) and reuse the mesh on this one to satoshi an OEM grille. Has the bumper been repainted? It doesn't look to match the hood color unless that's normal on silver Tacomas. Definitely too immaculate looking for a 2007 and unfortunately is colormatched to the grille vs the truck.

 

You bought that from Stealth Taco didn't you? He used to sell on here and I bother one as well. Same shit wavy hood line. I replaced it with an elite version of the @HomerTaco grill.

 

The aftermarket and OEM 05-11 grills are made from nearly identical injection molds and very similar ABS plastic.
I’ve seen OEM grills develop that dip in the center.
I’ve replaced some and repaired some.

The issue is the actual construction design of the piece itself. It’s made to be a “solid state” product. You’ve got two plastic welded parts that are in a spot that takes the most exposure while driving. There’s about 1/4” of space in between these two and the plastic tabs connecting them are all of 1/16” thick.

There are 5 of these “tabs” in between the two top Mounting points - the configuration of them is not sufficient to support the intended body line.

I’ve used shims in some cases to repair them but once they’ve warped it’s difficult to get them back to their original shape. The heat gun is a gamble.

Realistically the OP’s grill should be repairable.

 

I actually do think that's where I may have bought it. It has been driving me nuts but i'd really like to get it straightened out because I plan to sell the truck in the coming months (have to upgrade to a larger truck [TUNDRA], family is growing). I actually still have my OEM grill but its painted black. The only reason I ever got a new one was because somehow a piece of gum was stuck to the stock grill surround and peeled the paint off of it about the size of a quarter! Gotta weigh my options and see what I'll do. Maybe try to fix this aftermarket one and if that's a fail ill put the OEM one on that's all black.

 

Same thing with my grille.

 

Sounds like less of an issue than my East Coast Grill that came apart while I was doing 75 down the interstate. Struck my windshield then got smashed by the semi behind me...