Buyer's Guide: Scion tC Grilles
03-14-2009, 12:56 AM
#1
Buyer's Guide: Scion tC Grilles
There are quite a few grille options for the tC... I'd like to try to keep them listed here. If you want to see what you like, check the Show Me Your Grillez Thread.
PM ME CHANGES OR ADDITIONS
Prices listed are known MSRP. You may or may not be able to find them cheaper elsewhere (eBay? TRDSparks?). Pieces available may be Upper, Lower, or Vents.
[table="head;width=650;"]Brand|Style|Options|Pieces|Type|MSRP
VRD|Mesh|Black, Chrome, Titanium|U, L|Replacement|$199.00 (set)
VRD|Mesh|Stainless|U, L|Add-On|$199.00 (each)
VRD|Billet|Stainless|U, L|Add-On|$207.00 (set)
FIG|Mesh|Multiple|U, L, V|Replacement|$90.00-up (set)
Johnny Designz|Mesh|Multiple|U, L, V|Replacement|$80.00-up (set)
Grillcraft MX|Mesh|Stainless, Black|U, L, V|Replacement|$147.67/$155.48 (u/l)
Grillcraft BG|Billet|Polished|U, L|Add-On|$93.39/$101.17 (u/l)
Toyota|Aluminum|Polished|U, L|Add-On|$250.60 (set)[/table]
Here's the lowdown...
VRD: Direct replacement for OEM grilles. Easy install, good quality, clean look.
FIG: OEM replacement. Requires drilling. MANY powdercoating options. Excellent quality, clean look. Found on eBay.
JD: FIG ripoff but cheaper. Quality said to be good. Many options like FIG. Found on eBay.
Grillcraft: Not as widely used. Appear to be good quality.
Homemade Options
- Convert an OEM lower grille, to an upper grille.
https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=236216
- The "gutter guard" method. Pick up some gutter guard or wire mesh from Home Depot/Lowe's and make your own.
There are also knock-offs on eBay for the VRDs as well as some others. You'll also find many other generic ones out there... but these four are the big players. And with the VRD, people really only buy the mesh OEM replacements. Very few people (that I know of) have the billet or stainless mesh.
Install Info
Most of the grilles come with pretty good instructions. You should really just be following those or contacting the manufacturer. If you really get stuck, try a search first and see if anyone else has solved your problem. Worst case, post a thread about it and someone will help you out.
Grillcraft Install:
- Upper: http://www.grillcraft.com/installs/i...?install_id=35
- Lower: http://www.grillcraft.com/installs/i...?install_id=34
PICS!
VRD Regular Mesh (black)
VRD Stainless Mesh
VRD Billet
FIG Grille (shown with optional tC badge/OEM fog grille)
Johnny Designz
Pretty much the same as FIG.... so see above.
Grillcraft MX
Grillcraft BG
Toyota Sporty Billet
There you have it! Go forth and BUY![/img]
PM ME CHANGES OR ADDITIONS
Prices listed are known MSRP. You may or may not be able to find them cheaper elsewhere (eBay? TRDSparks?). Pieces available may be Upper, Lower, or Vents.
[table="head;width=650;"]Brand|Style|Options|Pieces|Type|MSRP
VRD|Mesh|Black, Chrome, Titanium|U, L|Replacement|$199.00 (set)
VRD|Mesh|Stainless|U, L|Add-On|$199.00 (each)
VRD|Billet|Stainless|U, L|Add-On|$207.00 (set)
FIG|Mesh|Multiple|U, L, V|Replacement|$90.00-up (set)
Johnny Designz|Mesh|Multiple|U, L, V|Replacement|$80.00-up (set)
Grillcraft MX|Mesh|Stainless, Black|U, L, V|Replacement|$147.67/$155.48 (u/l)
Grillcraft BG|Billet|Polished|U, L|Add-On|$93.39/$101.17 (u/l)
Toyota|Aluminum|Polished|U, L|Add-On|$250.60 (set)[/table]
Here's the lowdown...
VRD: Direct replacement for OEM grilles. Easy install, good quality, clean look.
FIG: OEM replacement. Requires drilling. MANY powdercoating options. Excellent quality, clean look. Found on eBay.
JD: FIG ripoff but cheaper. Quality said to be good. Many options like FIG. Found on eBay.
Grillcraft: Not as widely used. Appear to be good quality.
Homemade Options
- Convert an OEM lower grille, to an upper grille.
https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=236216
- The "gutter guard" method. Pick up some gutter guard or wire mesh from Home Depot/Lowe's and make your own.
There are also knock-offs on eBay for the VRDs as well as some others. You'll also find many other generic ones out there... but these four are the big players. And with the VRD, people really only buy the mesh OEM replacements. Very few people (that I know of) have the billet or stainless mesh.
Install Info
Most of the grilles come with pretty good instructions. You should really just be following those or contacting the manufacturer. If you really get stuck, try a search first and see if anyone else has solved your problem. Worst case, post a thread about it and someone will help you out.
Grillcraft Install:
- Upper: http://www.grillcraft.com/installs/i...?install_id=35
- Lower: http://www.grillcraft.com/installs/i...?install_id=34
PICS!
VRD Regular Mesh (black)
VRD Stainless Mesh
VRD Billet
FIG Grille (shown with optional tC badge/OEM fog grille)
Johnny Designz
Pretty much the same as FIG.... so see above.
Grillcraft MX
Grillcraft BG
Toyota Sporty Billet
There you have it! Go forth and BUY![/img]
Last edited by ack154; 08-07-2009 at 12:32 AM.
04-25-2009, 11:43 AM
#15
Senior Member
SL Member
Team ScioNRG
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hampton Bays, New York
Posts: 226
I had the VRD's....I'm gonna try the knock-offs. Has anyone had a problem with fitment because the RS-1 lip doesn't fit underneath the bottom edge of the grill? I need to know if i need to trim it before paint on Mon. I had that problem with my VRD. It wouldn't snap into place on the bottom. The top went right in nicely, I hope i don't have any trouble with the knock-off
05-26-2009, 02:39 AM
#18
Senior Member
SL Member
Team ScioNRG
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hampton Bays, New York
Posts: 226
I did get a set of VRD's to replace my bottom grille.......i thought I would hold on to it for a back up but I got so much crap around here.....i just put it on ebay for $55.00
05-28-2009, 02:03 AM
#20
Ya, that's my thought on the RS ones... they're technically another option... but you'd basically have to get a used one from an owner. I don't have confirmation on that, but that is my assumption.