Time estimates for grille & valance swaps?

I'm planning the following "face lifts" for my 2023 TRD ORP:

-Replace silver front valance with black
-Replace silver rear valance with black
-Replace standard grille with Pro grill/insert (no Raptor lights)

Can those who have done these surgeries give me a time estimate for each? I ask because I have found the the YouTube DIY videos always get things done way faster than I do. I'd like to have a rough idea on how long these things take for someone with average mechanical ability (who hasn't done them five times previously) before I dive in.

Thanks.

 

Just double the time for whatever you see on youtube.

Our guess won't be accurate either as skills are never the same.

 

I’m happy that you finally have the Lunar Rock and adding some upgrades. If you were closer to me, I’d offer to help.

For the front valence, take your time and remove the front bumper. It takes me about 20-30 minutes to remove the front bumper. It will make your life easier than trying to do it with the bumper on. If you’re going to upgrade the fog lights or lighting behind the grill, now would be the optimal time with the bumper off.

 

Rear valance requires removing bumper cover.

Front valance doesn't, but is easier if you do, as @steelevo said.

Pro grille doesn't require bumper cover removal, but the upper grille can be frustrating to remove.

I wonder why you need time estimates, which won't be accurate anyway. Just pick one and go for it.

 

I brought my iPad out to the garage and did the start, pause, dance on YouTube. Bagged and tagged bolts and push pins, along with photos of which bolts went where. Wouldn’t worry how long it takes, just take your time, a second set of hands for removing the valances once detached is helpful, but not a deal killer. After removal I placed a clean moving blanket on the floor to set the valance on as a work area and not to scratch it. Reassembly went much faster. There is a groove in the lower portion of the rear tail lights to slide the bumper into. Last thing to do before installing the bolts into the wheel well edges is using your hand as a hammer, give the bumper side trim a good wack to pop it back in. For me honestly, as slow as I work, 2-3 hours each. Never did a Pro grille on mine though. Good luck, have fun, don’t forget a cold IPA or two during the job!

 

I upgraded my 2021 TRD OR to the Heritage grill and wanted the black front and rear valences as well. When I looked at the requirement to remove the front and rear bumper covers, I decided to try the “Plasti-Dip” method and went this route knowing I could always pull the bumper covers if I didn’t care for the result. Two and a half years later, the “Plasti-Dip” is holding up just fine on the rear and the front got replaced with a hybrid bumper and winch.

You can save yourself quite a bit of time and $ if you go the “Plasti-Dip” route. That said, you do what you want as it’s your rig!

Cheers,
Bob

 

Thanks folks. For those wondering why I wanted time estimates, it's because I wanted to have an idea how long my T4R would be out of service while I do the upgrades. I wouldn't want to miss happy hour!

 

Just got the 4Runner about two weeks ago, so I am new to the forum and this is my first post. That being said, I have dived right into minor modifications. Installed LED headlights last week (which required removal of the front bumper). I just did the front valance over the weekend with the bumper on the vehicle. It took about an hour. This was longer than I expected because of a few challenging clips. The clips are great as they don't break, but they are not all easy to get off. So be prepared to spend some time finessing a few of them and getting angry with sore fingers.

As others have said above, it would be MUCH easier with the whole front bumper removed. But only do this if you are going to be doing other stuff like lights. I didn't do enough planning ahead of time to do it at the same time as the headlights. I've been buying parts and installing them impatiently instead of having a whole plan put together.

I am planning on doing the rear valance and Pro grille this weekend, so I don't have an answer for you there but I am willing to challenge you to a race.

 

Any one of the 3 mods, front valance, rear valance, or Pro grille, can be done separately. It doesn't have to be all or nothing. You can take your time and a whole weekend if necessary. I love not having a time constraint when doing stuff like that.

 

I'd say an hour. The front bumper does not need to be removed. The back bumper does

 

Never done anything like the Pro grill change before. Watched a bunch of videos and had my laptop open on the engine cover. All told took me about 90 min, but probably 60 of that was trying to get the upper grill's 6 tabs to release. Its crazy how easy the steps are, I've had more confusing lego sets, I was just worried about breaking something and admitting to the ol lady it was not in fact DIY

 

It can be a bit unnerving removing that upper grille. I tend to put off projects like this until the spousal unit is gone for the day. That way I can avoid rolled eyes and questions about why these things are "needed"...and to prevent any expletives from landing on her sensitive ears...

 

I masked mine off with good quality tape and used dollar store drop cloths to cover the whole front and rear. No overspray anywhere and looks much better than the silver. I used bedliner which should hold up nicely. Cost less than $40.00 and took me an evening.

 

I'll agree with the concensus here, 60-90 minutes per job (counting grille, F valance, and R valance each as separate jobs). Grille is not a big piece but releasing some of the upper section clips can be tricky; I tried once for 30 minutes and gave up, then came back later that day and got it in another 10 min of trying. I didn't remove the front bumper to do that valance. I recommend doing the rear valance first so you can visualize what the clips look like and how they fit (and it involves removing a lot more other stuff), then the front will be simpler but still takes time. Work slow on the front valance and don't drop any of the clips into the front bumper when doing that one, as they can be challenging to fish back out and you can't see your hands while doing most of those.
I liked the installation videos from Yota Expedition for all of these, they are pretty clear but his pieces definitely release more easily than yours will, and he has practice, so it's not going to be nearly as fast for you.

 

oh man, this. Him pulling the upper grill off looked like opening the dishwasher. When mine finally released it was closer to me trying to rip the dishwasher out of the counter

 

2 hours because scared of bumper removal. You'll be faster after first time (ayo). 3 hours install with beer

 

So true!

 

Why settle for $40 when you can spend hundreds?

Seriously, your valances look really nice.

 

I have found that the gap between YouTube and reality can be like the difference between a rut and the Grand Canyon.

 

Thanks. I plan on an ARB bumper soon so didn't want to spend a bunch of money on something that would end up in a dumpster haha

 

Welcome!

Not sure about the race... I wouldn't give you much of a challenge. I'll try to remember to post my time(s) though, in case anyone else is contemplating these tasks.