Guys,

Whoops, FUBAR'd the original post. Here's the poll.

I'm in the same dilemma as dexter. I am leaning towards painting my grill to match my desert dune paint. However, part of me wants to leave it "as is" (silver).

By the way, two guys were staring at my grill today. From a distance, the grill mod gives it sort of a Land Cruiser look (for obvious reasons).

Here's what it looks like so far:



And here's what it might look like if it were color matched:

(thanks, Vato)

I'm working on the write up this week but should be ready next week.

Couple things I learned:

- I am the worst paint prep'er in the world
- I am the worst painter in the world
- I have this crazy urge to always touch the paint to see if its dry. i think i should flex cuff myself.
- Sanding bondo is not fun

This mod took more time that I thought, primarily b/c of all the prep work and painting. At some point in time, I'm going to re-do some parts of the mod, including painting.

Anyways, I'd love to get your feedback.

Edit: I retouched a little bit of Vato's photoshop for a more direct comparison. I'm still leaning towards color matching b/c everything above the bumper line will be desert dune.

Bob

 

looks good bob. i like it that way, i think it looks good on your truck with the chrome bumpers. if it were me, i'd keep it that way. but i'm sure painting it to match wouldn't look bad.

you've inspired me to get back to work on my satoshi project. i sanded the bondo yesterday, now i just need to cut the mesh and attach it. could you post or PM me some pics of the back of your grill? i'm pretty sure i know how you did yours (zip ties), i just want to see it.

 

charles,

i'll send you the pics via email later this evening.

bob

 

Lookin good Bob!
Very different look.....makes you look twice for sure!

 

Bob,
It might just be the picture but the emblem looks like it is just a hair off-favoring the passenger side.

I also think it looks good in chrome.

 

I imagine it would definitely make folks look "twice" when realizing your rig is a 4Runner with a non-4Runner grill, as it does give it that LC look. I too think that if you are staying with chrome bumpers etc, the grill looks good chrome. Since painting it black wasn't a choice , I'd say you can't lose either way, but I'd stay with the chrome unless you match the bumpers too, then go desert dune.

Not that I'm going to hack up my new black grill anytime soon, but it will be interesting to see how you made your grill look like that. I do wonder though what that mod would look like BLACK!

Nice work as always Bob!

 

FirstToy,

You know, you might be right. Gonna have to measure that. Fortunately its easy to move to the left/right b/c of the zip ties.

Looking at it today, the top part of the emblem 'lays back' b/c of the way i cut the stock threaded holes.

i'm gonna have to figure some things out to make this look better.

Brian: you would have it soooooo easy b/c your truck is black. Sand, prime, paint w/ black. What could be easier? I'll be posting the write up by next week sometime. Busy as a bee this week.

Bob

 

Paint it! It also looks great chrome but it would look better painted. Here's my 2nd attempt at the photoshopping the grill, let me know what you think.

 

It looks really nice to me the way it is. I say keep it like that so it can match your bumpers.

Btw, are those revo's in the pics?

 

I vote chrome in your case matches the rest of the truck..
So were we finding the Toyota Emblem ?? I want one LOL

 

LOVE IT!!!

I have looked for some grill mods in the past for 3rd gens but this is the first one that doesn't look cheap and ricey. As a matter of fact, it looks high-class like a Land cruiser like you mentioned. Don't paint match it. The chrome looks good w/ the bumper.

 

oh, you'll see soon enough. i'm working on it.

 

I can't wait! How much more do we have to wait?

 

Ben,

Yes, i have the Revos ATs. If youre in the market, i highly recommend them.

Chuck,

I sent 4 pics to you. Hopefully that will help. And yes, the grill mod will look so kick a#$ in black. I'm actually envious of you black 4runner owners b/c the prep and painting will be so dang simple. To find a rattle can of desert dune that will perfectly match is probably next to impossible.

Bob

 

I think if you color match it, it will look even more like a LC for some reason. It's a tough choice, but I'm liking what I'm seeing with the color match slightly more, I guess because it's different. I'm trying to picture a TJM or ARB there, and I'm liking what I'm seeing even more.

 

I vote chrome...but I'm a chromeaholic. Looking good Bob. A bodyshop could match it up, may not be too much for just a grille shell. Good luck.

 

brian,

so i know what to expect if i do have it color matched, approximately what should it cost?

bob

 

Body shop prices range all over the place. We have the one man el-cheapo shop to the hi-tech paint booth setups...you usually get what you pay for. I'd guess a good paint job would be in the 100+ buck range. Ask your fave Toyota dealership what shop they use...if they have your color in stock, they may cut you a big break.

 

Chrome bad, Paint good

That Desert Dune is a cool color. I'm not fan of the whites/pewters/grey's, but that DD is like all classic Landcruiser, African Safari to the max and that grill just tops it off.

 

Bob-

I really like it color matched. It looks great with the emblem!

You better do a write-up!