27 days into ownership and chrome delete is complete

Also added black trd headlights. Used all oem parts. Took me about 4 and half hours. The parking sensors are a pain but glad it's done!

Updated photos of same angles. In person it looks way better imo. I dont hate chrome. I'm leaving the chrome 1794 badge and handles. It's just that it was too much on the front end.

Before


After

 

Looking good my guy. Did you get the color matched bits brand new or second hand?

 

All new. The bulge was resprayed since SSM wasn't factory available.

The factory painted grill is slightly darker than the rest of the truck. Should have resprayed it too but in person it doesn't look bad unless you are strictly looking for it.

 

This is the way!

 

Nice. I’m sure the slight variation in color is something only you as the owner may notice. It’s interesting how the 1794s in the later years of the 2.5 gens, have a darker gray front bumper valance. If I’m not mistaken, earlier on they were chrome. Hadn’t noticed that before.

 

Oops I posted in the wrong forum. I dont have a pro. How do I move it?

 

Well done sir! Keep it up

 

Looks good.

 

Huge improvement!

 

In case anyone comes back to this post researching this subject. Here's my price after selling my take offs. You may be able to do it cheaper sourcing used parts on marketplace. Or more expensive getting everything from the dealer.

Keep in mind all parts are new and all labor was mine except paint.

OEM Blue Bulge $148.26 (eBay)
OEM Unpainted Front End Caps $131.91 (eBay)
OEM Painted Platinum Grille $323.84 (Serra Toyota)
OEM Black LED Headlights $529.72 (Serra Toyota)
OEM Fender Liner Seals $42.85 (local dealer)
Paint $400 (included the pieces under the headlight and rear bumper cap)

Total:$1,576.58

Today I sold the take offs for $700

Grand total: $876.58

I'm very happy. It now looks like a brand new truck. The old front end was full of rock chips not visible in photos.

 

Your door handles are chrome

 

I bet there is still some Chrome on the inside too.

 

These I hate with a passion, mostly because the smart key replacements are stupid expensive for what they are. In my case, it'll be the last chrome on the outside that's paint matched.

 

Mine are still chrome too, they must be expensive if I didn't replace them when I color matched everything else.

 

Yeah I have the chrome handles. I actually like them.

I'm also not touching the chrome in the interior besides the trim around the cup holders. It's scratched up, rather than replacing it with the same thing that scratches easily ill paint it or replace with a black one.

 

The stuff from AJT works great if you start down the interior route. Some use an interior paint as well (SIEM maybe?)

I did the center console, push start ring, AC vents and have the 4WD one I haven't tackled just yet. I did the emblem on the wheel as well. That leaves the dual climate rings, which I'll need to order, and knock those out along with the 4WD ring at the same time.

The only ones that actually bugged me other than looks was the reflection from the AC vent rings.

 

I went with Chrome Stoppers overlays. I have had them on almost 2 years and they still look great. The color match was way better than I expected. Installation of the bumper caps with the sensors was a pain but overall I am really happy.

 

@BulldogDan Did you do anything with the white sonar (parking sensor) retaining clips? The white ones? And do you know what version of bumper shellz you have?

 

I reused the clips. Everything I took off as far as the sensors go, went back on. That was the most difficult part. The thickness of the bumper caps, although very thin, made it tough to clip them back on. And they are so tight they pucker in the cap where the sensor is but it’s not noticeable to me anymore. All I remember about the version was that it was the latest version at the time I ordered them, which has been 2 years. I watched the YouTube video several times and just took my time. I highly suggest ordering a 4oz can of the 3M tape Primer on eBay or Amazon. Chrome Stoppers send you the tiniest amount and imo it is not enough. I took my time on a 70 degree day and everything went fine. Dry fit every piece first and practice your installation technique until you have it down pat. Once I started I was done in about 2 hours. They have held up great and the color match was almost perfect. What is also great is they were MUCH cheaper than going with OEM parts. Btw, I’m 73, so if I can do it you won’t have any problem doing it.

 

Truck looks much better imo, well done

 

I noticed the dimpling on your images which I'm trying to avoid. In the mega thread it was suggested to trim/sand those white retaining clips to minimize that, so I bought new clips in case I go too far, but I can't seem to find any info on how much was trimmed to smooth that out.

 

Does the hood bulge/ surround look “out of place” due to the thickness differences? Just don’t want the lip to drive me nuts.

 

I thought about doing the trimming but installed as is. I have learned to live with the dimpling. Since I’ve done the chrome delete I have received a ton of compliments on the truck so I don’t think anyone else notices. I figured it’s the trade off to save hundreds of dollars.