Custom Grille Insert, 3rd Gen 4Runner

Jackson (jacksonpt on the forums) shows you how he made a new grille insert for his rig.
Here is basically what I did:
  • removed the grille
  • used a dremel to cut out 'center section' of the original grille, leaving behind only the outside chrome edge.
  • laid the grille on some super thick, very rigid cardboard (it's what I had laying around... but wood would probably be better) and traced the inside edge. I then cut out the cardboard to form a "mold" of the inside of the grille.
  • purchased gutter guard (super cheap at Lowe's) and formed the gutter guard around the cardboard mold. I left a slight overhand around the edge.
  • drilled a few small holes around the inside edge of the grille.
  • laid the formed gutter guard in the grille
  • used zip ties to attach the insert to the holes I drilled (see right pic below).

    • then just clean up your mess... took me about 2 hours (3 hours including trips to Lowes for the gutter guard and Sears hardware for zip ties) Total Cost: about $4 (slightly more if you buy wood to use for your mold). Not very difficult, just pretty tedious.

      

    Back to YotaTech