[In Progress] - possibly the only Tacoma Satoshi mod?
 

So after just over a year from starting, a move to another city 75 miles away, countless days of staring at the parts trying to figure how to work it out, and finally getting some time to work again (supposed to be studying for a final so naturally I'm working on a mod :ignore: ) here are some pictures. Almost done but couldn't wait to post :)

The part as it originally came to me:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/100_0583.jpg

Inspecting the amount of work to do:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/100_0588.jpg

Cutting the grill out:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/100_0593.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/100_0594.jpg

Endless hours of sanding and dremeling and more sanding:
NOT PICTURED

Primering my items:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/100_4990.jpg

Pattern of my new grill:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/100_4992.jpg

Getting to the final coats of paint:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/100_4994.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/100_5000.jpg

Man, isn't that a pretty color?
Hammerite Hammered gray/silver/black
Looks a lot like the non-chromed Tacoma grills
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/100_4995.jpg

Further pictures to come as I start wrapping this project up. FINALLY!

Tacoma with a Satoshi... that would be sweet!

My grill is in rough shape, but I don't wanna drive around without it because Lord knows it'd take me 2wks to complete a 2 hour project. ;)

So far as I know, you're right - this would be the first Satoshi mod (of any variety) done on a 2001 - 2004 Tacoma. Good luck with it - it seems to be going well....

Pete, looks great so far. Suck it up and git 'er done!

thats a lot of cutting and sanding! looks good so far, get it done :banger:

Okay so I'm mostly done now. Here are the pictures:

Getting ready to swap:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/100_5016.jpg

My naked front:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/100_5017.jpg

Out with the old and in with the new:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/100_5018.jpg

And here we are!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/100_5019.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/100_5024.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/100_5025.jpg


I'm not quite done with it yet as you can see I still have to cover up the side vents. I have some used corner lights coming my way which I'll modify to be turn signals and I'll also paint the trim from chrome to the hammered gray/black. Then I'll be able to say I'm done but I'm liking the look so far :)

I have to say that I would NOT suggest anyone do this mod unless they have extra time and a spare grill to work on. I also have to note that if you do this you'll need to cut out an area for the hood release. I didn't realize the problem until after I had put the grill on and shut the hood. I had to release the hood from below and then go to work with some wire clippers :pat:

I'm definitely liking what I'm seeing though :D

EDIT:
I think it's more impressive with side to side images.

BEFORE and AFTER
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/100_5016.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/100_5019.jpg

that looks really cool! nice work :great:

That looks awesome. Good work.

Thanks guys!
The hardest part has been the side vents. Unfortunately, the part I got was aftermarket and everything was one piece vs. the OEM two pieces. I knew that painting the side vents after leaving them solid would look ugly so I had to cut them out and use a dremel on low speed to shape them. I'm still not sure how I'm going to attach the screen to those. I may just go low-tech and use some JB Weld :ignore:

looks nice and updated :great:

I've never been a fan of the stock grill.....man what a difference!
Kick-butt job on that!

Very nice!.... I've posted the news of the first known Taco Satoshi mod over at CustomTacos (with credit, of course....). Good work!...

:laugh:
Thanks ;)
Wow, I feel all warm and fuzzy all over. Hmmm, maybe that's the last minute panic for my final in 80 minutes :eeek:

Question: what exactly is Satoshi.

I really like the look and I've been thinking about doing something like this on my runner.

Looks awesome, Peter! Definitely an inspiration for my own.... (Not that I actually have the time to do the Satoshi, but it is inspiring! :laugh: )

P.S. Schooler... The mod is named for the first guy to do it, I think. Mr. Satoshi.

Dang... if only there was a http://www.midiwall.com/4Runner/misc...ngsearch_1.gif function on the forum. Or a tech sction on the forum would be cool. But a http://www.midiwall.com/4Runner/misc...ngsearch_2.gif would be cool 'cause then people could research questions and not have to wonder if there was a tech section. So, if there was a http://www.midiwall.com/4Runner/misc...ngsearch_3.gif button, where would you put it? I wonder if it'd be a blinking yellow button? 'Cause without a http://www.midiwall.com/4Runner/misc...ngsearch_2.gif function, then we'd have tons of threads with the same information, and that would really be a pain for people that did use a http://www.midiwall.com/4Runner/misc...ngsearch_1.gif function.


huh... weird.

As practice... one of those http://www.midiwall.com/4Runner/misc...ngsearch_3.gif things is clickable and has an answer behind it.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

(An especially nice touch with the hiddin link... ) :laugh:

:) Thanks, I've been dropping that bomb here and there.

"My fellow yoters.. I hope that someday, in this plane of existance, that we will find a time where people seek and find the yellow blinking search button - and find it in their hearts to use it."

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

....Brings a tear to my eye, and glimmer of hope to my heart!