TRD Pro Tacoma Grille: $100 Knock-Off vs Genuine OEM… same thing?

[@goORgohome]

Watching Chloe install the letters with the outside of the grill sliding against a bare floor...raised my blood pressure to hypertension levels...

[@salsa2880]

You're ridiculous 😂

[@canoeshoe]

@@salsa2880 Same. wonder if she threw the grill away

[@368engbn]

After tacking over $10K to the price of my SR5 without giving me any negotiating power to dispute this other than telling me I can buy a vehicle somewhere else, I would not give Toyota dealer in the U.S. a penny for their product or service if there is any other choice to be had. And I love Toyota and my truck. It's the American market that is stiffing the American people with marked up pricing.

[@87teggy]

I did an aftermarket Pro grill on my 2nd gen Tacoma and it's holding up quite nicely. It fit with no problem, my main concern was how long it would last but after 5 years it still looks as good as new.

[@ramirojuarez7379]

Link for it? I want one for my '08

[@brandy5987]

@@ramirojuarez7379 link?

[@RenBobbins]

I paid $125 shipped for my knockoff grille a little over a year ago. Still looks brand new!

[@sandraholley2633]

Yeah mine looks great too

[@joseeduardo4327]

You remember where you got it?

[@gibfkn]

Same here.

[@eseckinger1]

Same

[@LerrySanders]

I like the flat finish on the fake one over the real one

[@Kamal_AL-Hinai]

Thanks for the awesome video Chloe. The aftermarket isn't that bad when not compared to OEM side by side

[@livingsurvival]

Yotaverse for the win. Theirs has the whole letter plate and not individual letters. And yes, you can remove the blank garnish and swap your sensor over.

[@fsae0607]

Yep. I bought the Yotaverse grille for my '19 SR5 a year ago and still looks great! I installed a .100" thick #10 washer under the sensor's top mount and screw to slightly angle the sensor upward. I did this on the bench before installing my grille based on research I did with regards to changing the sensor's mounting location. Cruise control and collision avoidance work fine.

[@TiSilver330Ci]

Yotaverse has the best aftermarket grille imo. In the past, they had this type where you had to screw in each letter. But now, the whole plate is just easier.

[@bodega87]

@@TiSilver330Ci do you need to buy the "third gen garnish"? or is the one that comes with it ok?

[@JasonExplainsThings]

I'd agree Chloe. I found a cool OEM grill for a good price, but went with a highly reviewed sensor cover because the Toyota price for that was ridiculous... and the Amazon knockoff works perfectly. Best of both worlds!

[@MPGunther1]

Same here! The OEM sensor cover is stupid high $$

[@scottgorman7166]

@@MPGunther1 yes $400.00

[@512TXSDIY]

$100 for replica or $500 for OEM… they look identical and probably came from same factory in China. I’d take the replica and save $400 to put into my suspension build ;-).

[@FreshlySnipes]

The knockoffs are probably made in the same factory as the OEM 😆

[@godson9808]

I’m glad this video was made. I personally would love to have an OEM but the cost obviously is too much. Glad to see a knockoff that is somewhat decent so I will buy that one instead.

[@Wade970]

The biggest issue with getting an OEM TRD Pro grille is having a VIN number for a TRD Pro. All the vendors of OEM parts require a correct VIN to purchase. I found my knockoff from R4T, and it’s not too bad.

[@ChloeKuo]

True-the VIN thing is another thing to consider!

[@SokhenIn]

Not necessarily, they usually come with a warning that you should provide a VIN number for proper fitment, but I haven't had any issues with ordering any parts from any of my local dealerships without it.

[@motorcyclemichael2182]

Wow! Interesting No one will know which one you have when you drive past them at 55mph 😅

[@audi223]

Got mine from taco vinyl, was like 260 including raptor lights and the garnish and is honestly a perfect replica to the original down to the letters and everything. Also it came with the letters and garnish pre installed.

[@RobsAutos]

Definitely recommend going OEM if you can. Best fitment, and looks a better. And if you have the front camera, the OEM camera bracket and placement is MILES better than the ones I have seen on the 3rd party grills. Usually the 3rd party grill brackets set the camera too far back. I had a 3rd party one, regretted it and ended up getting an OEM one a few months later.

[@kevinkidneyy]

i got the $150 china looks good held up these last 2 years . i think paying $400 for a grill is stupid

[@scorps9259]

Buy what you can afford. Who cares why other people think

[@Slking507]

I won my knock-off grille on a local bidding site. I can't complain. I won the grille for $6.59, letters were $40, and grille lights were only $28. Everything fit perfect. Just under $75 for everything.

[@drifter9425]

Sure i wo rather the OEM BUT they are so overpriced and both are just a cheap plastic part anyway ALSO why pay for the sensor you won need

[@mauropotiguar]

Do man really care or pay attention about all these details ? I wonder.

[@chuckwalla2967]

She reminds me of 1990's Michael Jackson.

[@fodera0915]

i bought the Heritage Trail Edition Grill.. which is cheaper than the Pro grill..

[@luisaguilar5343]

People may get butthurt about calling them knockoff. I call them Pirated. And imho, pirated parts are a thrill to own. Even the cloned ones like the grille you have. I always like things that are slightly askew. It's fun!

[@marcocampoli353]

The reason why you buy knock offs is because unless you own a Pro your not able to by Pro oem parts at a dealership. .this is why everyone buys knock offs

[@jeeprubicon6650]

Wow. I usually like your videos but you come across as totally conceited putting down replica parts. You kept saying knockoffs and in reality that a term for those selling items as real, but they are not. Replica parts are and can be sold as a complete item. You kept laughing and putting down the ‘knockoff part” but don’t do that. Not everyone is in your position to only afford OEM. And I will tell you, OEM is completely overrated. Replicas can and are much better since they save you money while doing your best to build a vehicle according to their budget.

[@ElMorroPerez]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I only buy OEM. I learned my lesson specially with honda parts. I have a 07 sequoia limited with every option on the book including the BBS wheels. Bought it new in 06 and still runs like a champ, 258xxx miles. Back in 2020 someone hit the rear bumper in a shopping center. Order a knockoff bumper, poor quality, missing holes for OEM accessories. $350 dollars for it, sent it back and paid for restocking fee, and called my dealer. Ordered OEM for $1200 and no problems installing and came painted. OEM is always better, anyone that works on cars knows that.

[@paulmojica331]

Lmao sensitive

[@jeffl915]

Yea, I would have to say that OEM in most cases is the way to go.

[@rkfarmer911]

I purchased a OEM TRD Pro grill and actually a Dove flew into it and destroyed it! I bought a aluminum grill from Empyre and it has taken a beating that the OEM did!

[@MustangChris1]

I see what you mean as to there are a lot of aftermarket companies that build great quality parts but there is also a lot of non OEM parts out there that are really bad. The reality of finding OEM like quality for cheaper is pretty rare.

[@SmokinZen]

This was more of a Toyota sales pitch pay over $400 for a plastic grill instead of $100 because OEM NAH Rip Off get the knock off save money on your next mod mine is holding up just fine who cares if it isn’t shiny it’s a truck. It’s not a critical part to have OEM.

[@evilke-kneebone8025]

I paid 60 bucks for my aftermarket vs 450 for OEM, yea I'll take small imperfections over my wallet getting violated by Toyota.

[@cemeloks]

Toyota won't sell you a TRD Pro unless you have a TRD Pro VIN. You sound dumb putting down AFTERMARKET parts. "Not knockoffs"

[@kelvpoon]

It’s not the same for those who can afford it. Otherwise it’s the same thing.

[@RoguePlanetStudio]

And all honesty if all you wanted was a 50 to 100 or $200 Toyota front plate then this is fine you don't need to buy the OEM one

[@r0b0saurusrex80]

I have a fake one and it looks great. Plus that HorsePower boost... Oh excuse me... HERSSPURRSS boost is off the charts.

[@PaulZ-mann]

Chloe you can tell you are an Engineer. Excellent review of the product. Someone commented that their blood pressure spiked to see you assemble it without some form of protection on the floor. It is a cheap knock off, and I don’t think you will actually be using it. I really didn’t like the lettering, I didn’t care for the flat black on the knock off, and I’d would need to add the factory sensor, so I would go for the factory model.

[@davidvela9998]

I have a 2022 Tacoma TRD 4x4 sport and Iwent to a local Toyota dealer and bought a heritage grill for my truck I went home and installed it well to my surprise first the grill did not come with the sensor guard and the old one had 10 screws that went along with the clips new one did not so I went back and asked for the cover guard for the sensor they said I would have to buy it separately and it was 300.00 and said that my ven. Number call for that grill. My new grill has only 2 screws can someone please help me and let me know where I went wrong. This is my 3rd Toyota truck and never ran into this problem.

[@SizzGrizz]

"*giggles* you have to put letters on yourself!??!!" "UNLIKE the OEM *giggles* it come completely together" can you be any more condescending to a part made for people in a budget? Cry me a rivet lady.. "in my opinion OEM is much better" well no sh*t.. its almost like it was made for the vehicle.. btw you can get better ones if you look and even ones better then "OEM" stainless steel is an option i found with plain steel silver or matte black, WITH A CAMERA AND SENSOR GAURD. and it fits.. the grills will also fit from 2019-2023.

[@josejavierj55]

What I did I bought mine knock off and went to Walmart and bought a spray-paint semi gloss black and a clearcoat semi gloss spray can and spray painted the trd grill and it looks nice.

[@tahoetwin]

Probably shouldn't worry too much about not being OEM parts and using them. Most tires and rims, brakes, Aux lighting, and windshield wipers, the list goes on and on, are not the same as stock. Stock and OE parts are sometimes hard to come by and somethings in the aftermarket are superior quality. Though maybe not in this case. Pick your poison, price vs quality..

[@mikeschoolcraft21]

Made in China? I wanted to replace my cast iron grates for my Webber grill $165. For OEM. I paid under $50. For the exact same thing. Made in China, both. The only difference is the replacement didn’t have rough edges from casting. Better than the original.

[@stay4theride]

The aftermarket grills fade much faster

[@danejohnson8430]

Funny thing about the so-called “knocked off. “They are everywhere and I mean everywhere. Most of the time the OEM’s are celebrated but not on all occasions.

[@ChrisParayno]

At the end of the day, its all about personal preference. Some fit and finishes are better with third party. If you can pony up the cash for OEM, more power to you. This oem snobby attitude towards parts is not cool as there are some third-party that actually looks better than oem.

[@colemangreen4191]

Just fyi you have the wrong grill part number in the description. That one doesn't have the camera mount. PT228-35200-AA is the one with camera mount.

[@TFrax]

Like other comments said, I usually like all your videos but this did come off kinda snobbish. I buy both OEM and aftermarket, or "knockoff" as you call it. Not every OEM is superior. But if you're looking to get a sponsorship from Toyota, I understand the video and verbiage

[@kbraap1]

Taco clout looks horrible and very tacky. Yes you can tell a difference in the way the plastic looks & feels but just like the rest of the front end, it will crumble in an accident anyways. I just want one with blue TOYOTA letters to match mine lol

[@mikehawkslong5529]

Honestly i like the poor mans option. Color seems fine, better looking with the YO letters which is pretty neat, akd that sadtey sensor shit really does annoy tf outta me. Its a grille, doesnt do much other than letting air into the engine bay. Id go dollar general over name brand

[@mustangecoboosthpp3869]

Yes there is a difference in quality. The OEM grille is better quality materials and the OEM TSS garnish cover is higher quality than the aftermarket products. The OEM grille is made in America and and the OEM garnish is made in America, the aftermarket grilles and garnishes are made in china.

[@doug1009]

Mold quality, material, process, quality control, etc. for aftermarket is worse than oem, so the flat finish hides imperfections and makes it easier to produce.

[@fabiorios9321]

What are expected for that price..I have a TACOMA and I going to order what you call. nock off..But nock off is what I can afford it

[@hothmobile100]

It's extremely annoying that Toyota makes you pay extra money to get a Tacoma that says "Toyota" on the front. What a ridiculous issue we Toyota fans have to put up with.

[@walkr7998]

heads up your knockoff link is going to a sensor cover now

[@SMITT359]

Either way, only cosmetic. Make pretty! OEM parts expensive, knock offs cheaper.😂

[@natecamcam2295]

The knock off is for non pro models to make it look pro just like everyone does on a 4Runner. No need for it to be perfect since it takes lots of abuse from the weather. As long as it fits well.

[@PRodent]

I've had the knock off grill on an '18 for about 3.5 years now. Still looks new and was able to mount the sensor with an OEM sensor cover on the front without issue. If it rains a ton, some water will penetrate the sensor cover, and you can't use the adaptive cruse control, but this has been a super rare occurrence.

[@EidonFreeman]

that happens with oem too, it happened to me with a lot of rain...

[@JamesReedy]

No surprise, a plastic injection molding tool for a part that large is absurdly expensive. Toyota is going to spare no expense. They’re also going to retire or refinish an aging tool while knock offs are gonna run it into the ground.

[@btwenzel05]

Where do I shop to find the best raptor lights for a Pro grill? Thabks

[@chrisguapo69]

Nice comparison. Now lets try the most expensive knock off for comparison.

[@jandyke9995]

Great video. I paid a little over $200.00 Canadian for my fake grill but it sure looks a lot better quality than the one you have, and the finish is closer to my OR grill, but the letters are the same as the one you have. The sensor cover popped out and the factory OR sensor fitted perfectly. I appreciate all your videos

[@BAcHIGU_]

I have had the same knock off grille for 5 years, it has stood through everything and still looks new...it the same case when someone buys a $600 over priced "offroad" jack. Believe me when that HF jack comes out I'm buying that knock off too

[@drose8232]

So replica is the way to go, spend $400 on oem then you go off roading?

[@namod214]

anything cosmetic go after-market, anything mechanical go after-market

[@GerardoTostado]

No reason for oem to be as expensive as they are. Glad these knockoffs exist

[@cyrusortiz-luis291]

You can buy the cheap one 4x can the OEM once. I’d say go cheap.

[@franci8766]

The shine on the after market is duller, the letters are nice enough, but not as sharp as the OEM. It looks like that after market grille is bought from the same Amazon seller I got mine from. Did that after market comes with the raptor light? If it did, those lights only fit a certain way. The plastic does feel and look cheaper, but so far, the grille I got still looks good, no hazing or warping from the occasional 100 degree heat. Mine is 2016, so there is no need for the front sensor assembly. Great video.

[@gtnoslp]

No difference...both kinda ugly...I prefer the smaller early grills.

[@joecerda630]

I think a good comparison would have been including the best/most expensive knock off...🤔

[@livingsurvival]

Yotaverse’s comes with full letter plate of your color choice and it’s not individual letters. You can also get the garnish which swaps identical to OEM.

[@tjkrueger2655]

Perfect timing on this vid, as I was shopping around and wanted to see a side by side. The OEM definitely looks better, but... not $400 better to me. I managed to snag the knock off for $70, so it was an easier choice. I may do some paint touch up on the letter edges to tidy it up though. Love the channel, Chloe...

[@fabiorios9321]

But..thank for your videos..help me.a lot with my tacoma..

[@jerrybohringer4894]

Yes I noted that the letters right away look cheap. You should have weighed them.

[@agfa663]

I would like to see how the knock-off would resist a Canadian winter...

[@cancer2900]

I just saw your video on the non-OEM Tacoma TRD Grille and I’m surprised. I understand that we would all choose, OEM parts if we could easily afford. Or we would buy OEM “IF” they offered it. (I.e., Drivers Side Grab Handle). But manufacturers like Toyota wouldn’t be interested in not marking up parts hundreds of percent. Fortunately there are people who know the math and will fill the need without the OEM greed. (Again, KTJO4x4). And I’m ok with that. But, You are right. You are being nit picky. The slight bits of extra plastic from the injection mold process? Have you ever built a model? You didn’t like the letters or the matte finish. You hardly said anything positive about it although it’s hundreds of dollars less and, if bought on Amazon, is easily returnable. I’ve watched all your videos and their great. I’ve mentioned you and your channel to my friends and persons I don’t know in Tacomaworld and even Katie at KTJO4x4. If you can hold it, see it, use it and it works… it’s not “fake”. And btw, aren’t all add-on’s or mods, non-oem?

[@kevinkidneyy]

im sure people dont care looks the same . when i drive past other tacomas dont matter lmaooo, this like people cry over a scratch on the truck ,oh well

[@augtrailrider]

I like the one Taco vinyl has with the center (Logo) inserts that you can get various colors. They also have an optional front camera mount available. Some of the OEM sights want a VIN to order this part also. I definitely agree there is a visible difference. But for the extra 10HP you get for adding the grill who cares. HAHA

[@treehunned7615]

Cant you just put gloss coat on the plastic for knock off?

[@bennysax1]

You for sure get what you paid for on these knock off parts.

[@jdsim9173]

The letter font is different and very noticeable on the fake one

[@vancrews3971]

100% go after market. The OEM price is stupid. She's a little hard on the after market stuff.

[@jonelliott9627]

Great review. And great perspective from an engineer. Thank you for being so detailed...waiting on my Tacoma.

[@kmaamk1620]

I’m getting an oem I want a real one w a camera bracket lol

[@bjornjoseph]

yep. i rock the chinese knock offs

[@williameddy7217]

Thanks for the Video Chloe .. its good information.. have a great week

[@TheTriforceFilms]

That crash damage pic is the best ad for the OEM grille

[@no_lft_shft]

If the color bothers you so much paint it lol

[@yunglawnmower-v4v]

just work more and u can actually buy good aftermarket parts instead of being toyotas butch with that trd shit

[@2013hwcamaro]

I think if you own a real TRD Pro you should use OEM TRD Pro parts. But if you have an SR5, TRD Sport or Off-road, aftermarket parts would be just fine. You saved money by buying a lower trim but end up spending just as much as a Pro by the time you buy all the expensive OEM TRD parts. Just my thought process.

[@87teggy]

Agree with you 💯. I own a 2nd gen Tacoma SR5 Prerunner and didn't want to turn it into a fake TRD Pro, just liked the look of the grill and couldn't see myself paying $300 for OEM it so I got an aftermarket one and it's still holding up 5 years later.

[@fsae0607]

I bought a Yotaverse grille for my Tacoma, but when researching, a lot of people on forums say that Toyota won't sell you a TRD grille unless you can give them your VIN to prove you have a TRD Pro. Can anyone confirm or deny this? If so, you're forced to go aftermarket if you don't have a TRD Pro.

[@techtraveler1365]

Amazon fake grille prices go up.

[@kc0lif]

you have great content.

[@racingfortheson]

If they molded in the back of the letters into the grille, it would say “TOYOTA” and that would get them in trouble.

[@justinbprice]

So I bought a 2019 TRD with 15,000 miles on it. It came with the TRD Pro grill that is now fading from sun damage. After watching this video, this must’ve not been an OEM part considering it’s a TRD Off Road and not a Pro 🤔

[@TheMooseMan25]

OEM TRD Pro grilles are a freaking rip off! All you're paying for is the genuineness of it. It holds really no quality advantage over aftermarket "cheap" ones. Obviously, get an aftermarket one from a reputable seller, but there's really no reason to spend like twice the money on a OEM one. There's a lot of aftermarket ones that are a little over $100 and never have a problem. Besides, I'd be willing to bet that the factories in China where the OEM and aftermarket ones come from are either in the same neighborhood, if not the same place. Save your money.

[@mustangecoboosthpp3869]

There is a difference in the TSS Garnish covers as well, the OEM is higher quality than the china knock offs, another difference is the two posts on the China knock off garnish are 5/16 in diameter while the OEM garnish the two posts are 1/4 inch and use a smaller push lock washer that is easier to install. The OEM Toyota TSS garnish is made in America.

[@Justfor1day]

Agree ...first impression of 2 grills side by side made me love the look of the OEM ...the letters look cheap like something you find at a Michael's and spray paint.

[@milosmanojlovic5805]

Why you got a salvage Tacoma ?

[@280zone]

Obviously sponsored by Toyota.

[@nateatgoodmayhemracing4597]

Hi Chloe, great video! Based on your b-roll, I have some speculation for you. I bet the knockoff grill was based on a 3d scan of the original part. A matt finish really helps with laser scans, so I bet an OEM grill was sand blasted on the front prior to scanning. That matt surface finish would have been projected onto the aftermarket's mold if they were lazy machininging it. The radius's would be larger too, especially if the laser scan's resolution could not pick them up. Since the back side of the aftermarket part has a glossier surface than the front side, I think they took more time to optimize and machine the bottom side of their mold to match their equipment. I bet both the OEM and aftermarket molds were formed with EDM. I think they used a similar injection molding for the ABS, but the different equipment involved would impact some of the seam lines and material-flash you're seeing in the aftermarket.

[@ChloeKuo]

Ah, thank you for the information! I don’t have much of a background in manufacturing so this makes a lot of sense-appreciate the input 😊

[@honda116969]

I think the girl is one of those things when you go to replace it you want the best quality one but once you put it on and don't think about it it will probably never cross your mind again so I would just go with the knockoff

[@mikeashely8198]

The knockoffs are okay once you get mud all over it then you can't tell the difference

[@jimmyj5099]

I remember when you put an OEM headlight assembly on that truck. It was like $800 bucks! That's definitely a dig in the wallet 😀. ♥️🌮🐶🐾

[@ChloeKuo]

Yes, those were $$$ but they’ve held up so well and I think was worth it! 😊🐶

[@jimmyj5099]

@@ChloeKuo absolutely Chloe! I always go with OEM parts. This video will get a lot of views. You did a great job of comparing the two products 👍. ❤️🌮🐶🐕

[@borinken_foliage8003]

When you realize that the knock off looks way better than the oem grill. 🫣

[@davelong4131]

There’s cheap knockoffs, then there’s good knockoffs. Just need to know where to buy from. Some of us aren’t made of money so we need to do a little searching for affordable good stuff. OEM Heads can flex all they want, I really don’t care.

[@everythingflytv507]

Hey Chloe, first off wanna thank you for making this video. I came across it today and the link provided to the OEM grill turns out is on sale form 289 to 200. Ended up ordering it as its something that I have REALLLLLLLLLLY wanted for my TRD Offroad.