I've been working for hours trying to get this damned grill off. I am of a mind to just break it off. I need to repair a leaking ac line behind it and it's got and frustrating the heck out of me. Short of busing this thing off is there a way to get it off easy? Are there any cool aftermarket grills that get rid of these garbage clips that I can't reach?

 

This thing is really pissing me off. It has turned my love for this truck into hatred. I am about to take a sledge hammer to the sob. Whoever designed this piece of crap needs to try to pull this thing off.

 

They're not THAT hard to remove. First I think you have to remove the marker lights on the corners, then unscrew the sides of the grille face and finally unclip the front. Many of the clips have a small tab that needs to be depressed to release, use a long thin flat screwdriver to push the tabs on the lower section. I'd even guess there are youtube videos showing how to do it.

 

I've removed marker lights and all screws. I got the top clips out no problem, but the bottom three won't budge. One shattered when I pressed on it with a screwdriver. The other two are solid as a rock and won't budge at all. In afraid the grill itself is about to crack. In fact it is already beginning to near the clips.

 

Long flat screwdriver. Even if you break the clips you can get new ones or use zip ties. If the grille cracks you can repair the backside by using a quality 2-part epoxy and reinforcing. I like PC-7 epoxy it's the strongest I know of.

 

I'm going to try one more time today. Either I break it off or I will take it to a body shop and feel like a fool and have them take it off. There are already some small cracks onward the bottom. I plan on filling them with epoxy. Luckily it hasn't been hot this week but I got to get to that ac fitting before it gets really hot. Thanks for the info.

 

I finally got it off. On my particular tacoma, 1997 dlx, it is not possible to get the grill off without also removing the bumper. For anyone else who may need to do this and breaks those clips, they are available from napa as a special order item I believe around $5 for 5 clips.
Thanks for all the info. My ac is blowing cold now!