Well, I have been contemplating several different ways to modify the front clip of my 4Runner, and one idea is a Tacoma grill and headlight swap.

Before you post that there will be some work involved, I am aware of this, and willing to work at it to achieve the look I want. I am curious, however, just how much of the swap would be really simple.

Now, what I have concluded is I will need a Tacoma hood, and I will have to Dremel (sp?) he bottom of the Tacoma grille off, as the 4Runner bumper has no inverted concave molded into it, unless I went with a 92-95 Pickup bumper... Hmm.

Anyways, here is a concept I chopped (yes chopped, please hold your critiques, I suxzuurs at photoshop and I know it haha):


Here is the original for comparison:


If you can do a better chop, go for it haha.

Keep in mind my vehicle is black on gray, no chrome package, and that I would paint the chrome silver-gray (same color as the stock bumpers). I think it would look great, personally. I won't be swapping on the Tacoma fenders, as I don't care too much for the swooping body line instead of the 4Runner's straight one.

Thoughts, feedback, insight, and otherwise would be greatly appreciated!

 

someones gotta say it, It sounds like a big waste of time!

 

it looks almost exactly the same.

 

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/n...runner-176699/

 

What the hell.....do it!

 

hmm, that actually does look really badass

 

damn, that's nice. I hate that front end on a Tacoma, I absolutely despise it! But on that 4runner, wow, I, well, I am speechless....

 

it looks the same, why not just paint the grille black and call it a day?

 

I might, but dang, after seeing that other grille swap... that might be the route I end up going, that's badass.

 

i hear that! i love that swap!

 

really the tacoma grille is just the 4runner grille upside down. check it out. and the lights too

 

thats what I liked about it, and the straight hood line. Very reminiscent of my 90 pickup...

 

It would look the same to most people, but the Toyota buffs will notice it and appreciate the creativity.

 

1996-98_Toyota_4RunnerMODIFIED2.jpg?t=1241903636

I think this is the way I am gonna go. I have to have my rockers replaced and resprayed this summer anyways (stupid rust), so it would be a good time to have the rest of the vehicle detailed, and everything sprayed to match. I don't have running boards, but I do have the plastic sr5 fender flares, which I will probably have sprayed to match.

opinions? Please, no making fun of my chop, I know I suck at it haha. Oh, and I am totally getting those sweet rims, those exact ones, and putting that crap on there...

<que>DukesOfHazardThemeSong</que>

 

i think if i had a broken grill and found one off a tacoma cheap, it would be a good idea.

 

I think I like it because it reminds me of a younger Toyota corporation, less sophisticated, more utilitarian and just plain old fun. Good clean lines, simple bumper, and head lights/turn signals. Even some old school rims...

or maybe I'm off base hahaha...

 

I have a different reason for thinking about a grille/light swap... I want to do real (HID) projectors on my T4R and there are no kits available that don't require a retrofit... However, there are any number of kits available for Tacomas from the same year range.

If anyone has any updates for this swap, please send a PM or post some photos... Further, if anyone has a line on a true projector kit for 3rd Gen T4R's, please post the info.

If I manage to swap my grille/lights before there's an update, I'll post my own results here.

 

It looks like crap IMO. The headlights are smaller, and the overall change doesn't do anything for you.

If you want to change up the look of your front end, I would get some 1999-2002 headlights, a 1999+ grill if you want, and some clear corners and turn signals. It will be a night and day difference.

Examples:

 

while thats nice, I will more than likely be doing a 2000 era complete front end swap, off a sport edition (whole bumper sprayed body color), complete with the sweet alum spoiler. That is, if I even swap it. I am seriously digging going offroading and think I am just gonna stick with what I have for now, unless I get a dedicated trail rig (preferable).

 

Talk to the above guy on T4R: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=53214. However, this requires a good deal of work...more than I'd want to do just to gain a new pair of lights. IMO, it's much easier just to do a retrofit.