Not sure if anyone was aware of this, and I apologize in advance if this is a repost (I did a search beforehand but didn't find much) but Grille-Tech is going to be releasing badgeless grills for the tC relatively soon. I believe they'll be available in race or diamond style.




I'm excited. I want one.

*I'm sending the company a message to get an ETA on the grill(s).

 

Are there any pictures of what they are expected to look like? I've been wanting to change out my grill for a while, I just have yet to find a suitable replacement.

 

I was just looking at the website, and it looks like most of their grilles go over the existing factory grille. That sucks. It's exactly why I don't want the Grillecraft grille... I want a badgeless direct replacement for the factory grille.

The company who makes a copy of the RS1.0 grille is going to make a ton of money.

 

looks like a decent grille.

But the grillcraft you can easily make a standalone grill

 

yep-my grillcraft is on without the stock grille and is debadged. i love my grille. i wish they made a piece that would fit with the stock fog light piece. i liked the silver one alot, but since my car is white, i figured that i should go with the black one.

 

Hey Smash - let us know what you hear. Especially, I'm interested in knowing what the difference between this grill and the Grillcraft grill is going to be - that one can be installed badgeless too, right? I never understood why you would make a replacement grill that didn't at least have an option for removing the stock grill. So let's hope they've got something good - I'd be down for it.

 

hmm it says 04-05, but would it fit 06 models? just wondering

 

nothing changed bewteen 05 and 06 body wise.

 

Here is what I heard back from the company- I will e-mail them today about installation procedures on the grill.

"Thank you for your below inquiry and interest in Grille-Tech.

There is no actual definitive date that it will be available but the best possible timeframe is approximate 2 to 3 months.

Please check our website periodically www.grille-tech.com for new items as they are posted.

Also, the grille inserts will be available in both styles and colors; however, I do not yet know if both the Upper and Lower grille inserts will be available, but there is a very good chance that due to the design of the Scion tC, both will be.




With kind regards,
Kristina

Grille-Tech, LLC
www.grille-tech.com"

 

score!

 

Yeah... but it sounds like a whole lot of no promises thus far - they don't even know if they're going to make both grills? If they're putting the thing out for the tC, I sure hope they would. The one issue here though is if they do make the two grills, it doesn't sound like they're going to be making the cutouts for the little air vents on the bottom. Those are pretty subtle though so I'm not too worried. Glad to hear they're looking at both styles. I'm going to check out the website and see how they really look on some other cars.

 

Just a follow-up: I heard back from the company again, here's what their rep wrote--

I have limited information since the product is not yet available and is still in the development stages; however, I can tell you that they will be custom grille inserts which are designed to fit and install over your stock (OEM) grille. They are not replacement grilles.

As far as your other questions ... I'm sorry, but again, because they are not yet developed I am unable to answer them.

Just keep an eye on our website, www.grille-tech.com, since we do hope to have them available in the Fall.

It sounds like they don't know much yet.. however, someone said the GrilleCraft grills were supposed to be put on over the stock grill, but you can make them a direct replacement, so I'm sure you'll be able to do the same thing with these.

 

I just don't understand why all the aftermarket grill manufacturers are doing the design this way. I can see a few reasons for it:

1. Easier install
2. Don't have to remove OEM parts
3. More secure/harder to see through

It really seems like everyone on here wants a direct replacement, but maybe we're in the minority. If it's designed to go over the stock grill, I don't know how it will fit without it behind - maybe it will be harder than the grillcraft to see through - oh well... I guess I'll just wait until Smash throws one in first

 

Psh! I'm in the same boat as you babe... I'd rather have a direct replacement than one that goes over the existing grill any day. But I guess we can't always have what we want can we.

 

Yeah... As someone who hasn't walked through one of the installs, I feel like there is probably a real reason why they're doing this - I have a feeling it's much easier to install or support over the existing grill. But that's just a guess. I don't know how many grill manufacturers there are, but someone out there has got to be able to buy a RS1 grill and make a knockoff without too much trouble... I'll wait for that one. Babe

 

the grillcraft is pretty easy to install. i think u're supposed to remove the entire bumper, but i didn't do that to get it in there.

i tried to take pics of the inside of the grille so u can see what u need to do to get it installed without the stock grille, but there wasn't enough room to take the pics. basically, it's like 3 clamps with screws. pretty straigt forward and takes about 20 minutes-quicker if u have smaller hands that can fit in the space. i'm gonna paint that white part or the hood latch eventually, just so u don't see it behind the grille.

 

That looks pretty good - did you have to DIY anything to make it work without the stock grill? If you're installing without the stock grill, how much do you have to deviate from whatever instructions come with it? Has anyone done a writeup on the install?

 

if you want a DIY grille....go to home depot. you can get some stuff (dont know what it is called). Its over by the lumber. check my cardomain site in the sig. I have done the bottom and it looks pretty sweet but i dont have pics of the bottom yet.

 

If I had a little more space and skill, I'd just get some mesh with some thicker wire for the border and make one up myself, then maybe get it powder coated. I live in an apartment though so I really don't have the space to work in. I'd be happy to spend maybe $300 for top and bottom, but it would have to be on the right product. The RS1 grill looks great - it's kinda thicker, so even without something behind it, you're not staring at the latch and the horn. I guess people all want something difference since none of the 3rd party manufacturers have built the right thing yet... oh well... still waiting.

 

what sucks all the grills i tend to find for the TC are all chrome ...i personally hate grome id love a gunmetal or black grill with out the badge. Mayb some day unless someone would know where i could get one for the top and bottom