Project Toyota FJ Cruiser
Team Trails Edition Black Grill Swap
Another EASY upgrade, almost as easy as the
Team Trails Black
Door Handles Swap. I was actually pretty surprised at how
easy the grill comes out and re-installs. A "one beer job".
The only tools I needed was a large Phillips head screw driver, regular screw driver or putty knife and
about 15 minutes of my spare time. The new OEM grill was not
expensive at under $200 shipped. The big plus to this grill over
the idea of painting the silver OEM grill black is that this grill is
molded black all the way through. That means it won't chip or fade
like paint will and it has a cool semi-gloss appearance that is molded
that way.
Installing the Team Trails Edition Black Grill
The first order of business is to remove the original
grill. Open the hood and locate the two screws and the two black
plastic rivet-like fasteners.
The Screws are holding the two long grill tabs to the
radiator cradle. Remove these two screws.
Now on the far end of both sides of the grill are two
black rivet-like fasteners. Get your putty knife or small screw
driver under the round part of this fastener and pop it up. Hang
onto these screws and fasteners.
Next gently pull the top of the grill a few inches towards
you, away from the radiator. Two spring loaded clips will pop out.
They are located behind the face of the grill, just inset to the
headlights.
Next, look down behind the grill at the three plastic
rivets that are holding the bottom of the grill in. There are two
on each end and one in the center.
Get a long flathead screw driver between the support and
the grill and pry the rivet off of the support bracket.
Once you get all three rivets dislodged, the grill will
come right out.