BTS INSTALLATION GUIDE · MORIMOTO XBG36

2014–2024 Toyota 4Runner XBG grille installation

Fit the grille and four 2Banger pods, select the correct backlight-power route, then connect the separate main-beam controls. The original Morimoto figures below show the mounting points and wiring without changing their annotations.

Before you begin

This guide is for the Morimoto XBG36 grille on the 2014–2024 Toyota 4Runner. Morimoto illustrates the process on a 2021 SR5; existing equipment and earlier modifications can affect access. Review the original manual and diagrams first, and use a qualified installer if the wiring or disassembly is unfamiliar.

2020 models: check the original center-bracket and spacer arrangement with BTS before assembly. Use the matching hardware branch below rather than forcing a mismatched bracket into place.

Have a ratchet with 10 mm socket, trim-pry tool, T20 Torx driver, #2 Phillips screwdriver, zip ties, detail cleaner and isopropyl alcohol available. The 2014–2018 fuse-box route uses a 5.5 mm / 7⁄32-inch notch. Installing the supplied cabin button uses a ¾-inch mounting hole.

Lay out the grille, fascia, hardware, four pods and wiring before removing the original parts. Keep the factory screws and clips for reuse.

Grille assembly, fascia, center-support hardware and backlight wiring. The manual labels its newer center-support hardware 2021+.
Grille assembly, fascia, center-support hardware and backlight wiring. The manual labels its newer center-support hardware 2021+. Open full-size image.
Two Wide pods, two Combo pods, sixteen T20 screws and the dual-output relay harness with its extensions and upfitter input.
Two Wide pods, two Combo pods, sixteen T20 screws and the dual-output relay harness with its extensions and upfitter input. Open full-size image.

1. Remove the upper grille

Raise the hood. Depress the centers of the thirteen radiator-cover push clips, lift their outer portions and remove the cover. At the top of the grille, release the two push clips and remove the central 10 mm fastener.

Remove the thirteen radiator-cover clips and lift off the cover.
Remove the thirteen radiator-cover clips and lift off the cover. Open full-size image.
Remove the two upper grille clips and central 10 mm fastener.
Remove the two upper grille clips and central 10 mm fastener. Open full-size image.

Lift each of the six tabs along the grille’s bottom edge while drawing the grille forward. Once the tabs release, pull the upper grille away from the vehicle.

Release the six lower grille tabs while pulling the grille forward.
Release the six lower grille tabs while pulling the grille forward. Open full-size image.
Lift the upper grille away from the vehicle.
Lift the upper grille away from the vehicle. Open full-size image.

2. Transfer the surround and fit the pods

Place the removed grille face-down on a towel or soft mat. Remove the eight Phillips screws, four on each side. Release the two clips on each side and separate the surround.

Remove the eight surround screws and release the four side clips; original annotations retained.
Remove the eight surround screws and release the four side clips; original annotations retained. Open full-size image.

The manual’s older-hardware branch transfers the original center bracket: remove its two mounting screws and retain the bracket. Its newer branch uses the supplied replacement bracket.

Remove the original center bracket where the older-hardware branch applies.
Remove the original center bracket where the older-hardware branch applies. Open full-size image.

Center-support hardware branches

2014–2019: follow the original-bracket branch. 2021–2024: follow the included-bracket and spacer branch. 2020: confirm the original arrangement before choosing a branch.

For the included-bracket branch, fit the taller spacers to the outer standoffs marked red and the shorter spacers to the inner positions marked yellow. Clip the new grille into the original surround. Refit the six outermost Phillips screws; use two supplied longer screws at the inner positions shown for the newer branch.

Newer-hardware branch: tall spacers outside and short spacers inside.
Newer-hardware branch: tall spacers outside and short spacers inside. Open full-size image.
Clip the new grille into the surround and install the specified screws.
Clip the new grille into the surround and install the specified screws. Open full-size image.

Fit the center support. With the original-bracket branch, reuse the four factory screws identified by the manual. With the included-bracket branch, use two original screws in the lower holes and two supplied extended screws through the upper holes and spacers.

Center bracket fasteners: retain the original bracket for the older branch or use the included bracket for the newer branch.
Center bracket fasteners: retain the original bracket for the older branch or use the included bracket for the newer branch. Open full-size image.

Place the four pods in the grille openings. Each pod uses two T20 screws on each side, sixteen screws in total. Hand-tighten them enough to hold the pods while allowing the aim to be adjusted.

Fit the four pods using four T20 screws per pod; leave adjustment possible during aiming.
Fit the four pods using four T20 screws per pod; leave adjustment possible during aiming. Open full-size image.

3. Fit the fascia and reinstall the grille

If the vehicle has the original Toyota oval front badge, fit the included black fascia panel. Clean dirt from the center bumper surface, then wipe it with isopropyl alcohol to remove wax and oil. Peel the adhesive backing from the panel.

Clean the center bumper surface before fitting the supplied fascia panel.
Clean the center bumper surface before fitting the supplied fascia panel. Open full-size image.
Remove the backing from the fascia panel’s adhesive strips.
Remove the backing from the fascia panel’s adhesive strips. Open full-size image.

Center the panel over the bumper and press firmly for a few seconds to seat the adhesive. Refit the grille, engaging all six lower clips, then install the two original upper push clips and central 10 mm fastener.

Center the panel and press it firmly onto the clean bumper surface.
Center the panel and press it firmly onto the clean bumper surface. Open full-size image.
Refit the grille and engage its six lower clips.
Refit the grille and engage its six lower clips. Open full-size image.

4. Choose the backlight-power route

The backlights need switched ignition power: on with the vehicle and off when the vehicle is off. Choose only the route for the vehicle’s year.

2014–2018

Underhood fuse box: 10 A INJ, slot 68. Use the low-profile mini fuse tap.

2019–2024

Interior fuse panel: 15 A P/OUTLET, slot 47. Use the standard mini tap and extension through the firewall.

2014–2018: underhood route

Open the underhood fuse box and remove the 10 A INJ fuse from slot 68. Place that fuse into the empty fuse position on the low-profile mini tap, then install the tap in the vacated INJ position.

2014–2018: locate the 10 A INJ fuse in underhood slot 68.
2014–2018: locate the 10 A INJ fuse in underhood slot 68. Open full-size image.
2014–2018: transfer the original fuse to the empty tap position and install the low-profile mini tap.
2014–2018: transfer the original fuse to the empty tap position and install the low-profile mini tap. Open full-size image.

Route the lead through the side of the fuse-box lid. Make the specified 5.5 mm / 7⁄32-inch notch, seat the harness grommet in it and close the lid over the routed harness.

2014–2018: make the specified lid notch and seat the harness grommet.
2014–2018: make the specified lid notch and seat the harness grommet. Open full-size image.

2019–2024: interior route

Remove the firewall grommet shown below, make a slit in its center and pass the supplied fuse-tap extension through it. Refit the grommet.

2019–2024: pass the extension through a slit in the firewall grommet and refit the grommet.
2019–2024: pass the extension through a slit in the firewall grommet and refit the grommet. Open full-size image.

From the driver’s footwell, locate the extension and draw it toward the interior fuse panel. A helper can guide it through from the engine bay.

2019–2024: draw the extension into the driver’s footwell toward the interior fuse panel.
2019–2024: draw the extension into the driver’s footwell toward the interior fuse panel. Open full-size image.

Locate the 15 A P/OUTLET fuse in slot 47 and fit the supplied standard mini tap, following the original wiring diagram and supplied tap instructions. Connect it to the extension. Tuck and secure excess wiring so it cannot be pinched or interfere with any pedal movement.

2019–2024: use the 15 A P/OUTLET circuit in slot 47 with the standard mini tap; keep wiring clear of the pedals.
2019–2024: use the 15 A P/OUTLET circuit in slot 47 with the standard mini tap; keep wiring clear of the pedals. Open full-size image.

5. Connect the backlights, dimmer and main beams

Connect the fuse tap or extension to the grille-harness plug marked BACKLIGHT. If Morimoto XB headlights share this feed, connect the supplied splitter first: one output goes to BACKLIGHT and the other to the headlight DRL harness.

Connect the switched-power harness to the grille connector marked BACKLIGHT.
Connect the switched-power harness to the grille connector marked BACKLIGHT. Open full-size image.
Optional shared feed: the supplied splitter serves the grille backlights and Morimoto XB headlight DRL harness.
Optional shared feed: the supplied splitter serves the grille backlights and Morimoto XB headlight DRL harness. Open full-size image.

Pull back the rubber trim along the inner fender to reach the headlight side-marker connector. Disconnect it and insert the supplied side-marker harness between the vehicle connector and headlight. Connect its single-pin output to the grille-harness plug marked DIMMER.

Install the side-marker harness inline with the vehicle and headlight connectors.
Install the side-marker harness inline with the vehicle and headlight connectors. Open full-size image.
Connect the side-marker harness single-pin lead to DIMMER.
Connect the side-marker harness single-pin lead to DIMMER. Open full-size image.

Plug the four 4-pin DT connectors into the four pods. Lay out the relay harness in the engine bay. Connect its ring terminals to the corresponding positive and negative battery terminals, mount the relay upright near the battery and route its outputs toward the center of the radiator support.

Connect the four grille-harness DT plugs to the four pods.
Connect the four grille-harness DT plugs to the four pods. Open full-size image.
Route the relay harness: battery ring terminals, upright relay and outputs toward the radiator support.
Route the relay harness: battery ring terminals, upright relay and outputs toward the radiator support. Open full-size image.

Choose one main-beam control

  • Existing switch system: connect the supplied trigger input to the intended upfitter-switch output using the original wiring diagram.
  • Included push button: route the button into the cabin through the firewall grommet used above. Check the proposed mounting location, then use a ¾-inch hole for the button.

Connect the two relay outputs to the two grille inputs; either output can feed either input.

Connect the two relay outputs to the two grille inputs.
Connect the two relay outputs to the two grille inputs. Open full-size image.

6. Test, secure and finish

Check the daytime backlights, the dimmed backlights with the parking-light circuit and the separate main beams. Adjust the pods within the grille’s ±6° range and secure their mounting screws after aiming.

Check bright daytime backlights, dimmed parking-light backlights and the separate main beams.
Check bright daytime backlights, dimmed parking-light backlights and the separate main beams. Open full-size image.

Secure loose wiring with zip ties. Keep every lead clear of fans, belts, exhaust components and other moving or hot parts; check the footwell for pedal clearance again. Reinstall the radiator cover. The grille’s auxiliary main beams are for off-road use.

7. Use the diagram for your headlights

Open either drawing at full size to follow the connector labels. These are the original manufacturer diagrams; their printed “not to scale” note and annotations are retained.

Stock headlights

Complete Morimoto wiring diagram for XBG36 with stock headlights.
Complete Morimoto wiring diagram for XBG36 with stock headlights. Open full-size image.

Morimoto XB Evo headlights

Complete Morimoto wiring diagram for XBG36 with Morimoto XB Evo headlights.
Complete Morimoto wiring diagram for XBG36 with Morimoto XB Evo headlights. Open full-size image.

Video, original manual and matching kit

Morimoto’s 4Runner XBG grille video.

Open the original 20-page Morimoto manual

Morimoto XBG36 grille for the 4Runner

Return to the complete grille kit, included parts and current buying options.

View the XBG36 grille

Explore 2014–2024 4Runner lighting upgrades · Read the 4Runner lighting buying guide

Original BTS instructions based on Morimoto’s XBG36 installation manual and current product information, reviewed October 24, 2026. Technical photographs and wiring diagrams are reproduced from the manufacturer’s manual. The captured PDF has no visible revision date; retain the manual supplied with your kit.