TLDR: Want to murder out your 2022+ Toyota Tundra? You’ve got options everywhere, from window tint and smoked lighting to emblem overlays, blacked-out wheels, chrome-delete grille surrounds, bumper covers, and interior accent trim. Budget-friendly routes include Plasti Dip and vinyl wraps, while bolt-on overlays and full replacement assemblies deliver the most durable, professional finish. Always check your local tinting and lighting laws before going full stealth mode.
Toyota absolutely crushed it with the third-generation Tundra. The thing is massive, aggressive, and loaded with options straight from the factory. But let’s have a real conversation here – between the chrome accents, the colored trim, and all the shiny bits scattered across certain trim levels, it can feel a little… sparkly.
The antidote? Kill the chrome. Go dark. Black it all out.
Blacking out a truck is exactly what it sounds like – taking every piece of colored, chrome, or shiny trim and making it black. Matte, gloss, satin, textured – whatever flavor of darkness suits your style. It’s one of the most satisfying modification paths you can take because every single piece you knock out makes the whole truck look progressively meaner.
Here’s a full rundown of every exterior and interior blackout mod worth considering for your third-gen Tundra, along with the best methods to get each one done right.
Exterior Blackout Mods That Actually Make a Difference
Your truck’s exterior is the first impression and honestly, it might be the only thing other people ever see. If you’re going to start your blackout journey somewhere, the outside is the place.
Window Tint
This is the lowest-hanging fruit on the entire list. Window tint is cheap, widely available, and the payoff is immediate. A good tint job transforms the look of your Tundra from every angle while simultaneously protecting your interior from UV damage and keeping cabin temps manageable when the summer heat is trying to cook your leather.
There’s also a stealth factor: darker windows mean fewer nosy glances from people trying to figure out who’s driving the toughest-looking Tundra on the road.
One critical note: every state has its own regulations on how dark you can tint. Look yours up before you end up with a fix-it ticket that costs more than the tint job itself.
Smoked Headlights, Tail Lights, and Third Brake Light
The factory lighting on the third-gen Tundra already looks sharp, but smoking those housings out adds a layer of aggression that turns heads. You’ve got three main approaches, each with different trade-offs in cost, durability, and effort.
Full replacement assemblies are the premium route. Pull the factory housings and drop in pre-smoked replacements that are completely plug-and-play. These typically come DOT-approved, so you won’t run into legal problems with lights that are too dark. Many aftermarket assemblies also pack upgraded features like sequential turn signals and brighter LED output. Budget roughly $200-$700 for tails and $300-$1,700 for headlights depending on brand and features. It’s the most expensive approach, but these won’t fade, peel, or crack – essentially a permanent upgrade.
Pre-cut vinyl tint film is the budget-friendly middle ground. Overlays shaped to your specific light housings run about $30-$50. They’re straightforward to install if you’re patient and careful. The catch? Vinyl degrades over time. UV exposure makes it brittle, cold weather accelerates cracking, and eventually you’ll be scraping off shrunken remnants and starting fresh.
Spray tint is the rock-bottom approach at roughly $12 per can. For quick results without much financial commitment, it works in a pinch. Remove the lights first for the cleanest application, follow the product directions carefully, and whatever you do, don’t reach for a can of regular spray paint. That’s a one-way trip to regret town.
The third brake light follows the same playbook across all three methods.
My strong recommendation: if your wallet can handle it, go with full replacement assemblies. They outlast every DIY method by years, look factory-clean, and keep you legal.
Emblem and Badge Blackouts
The third-gen Tundra is loaded with emblems and badges, and when they’re chrome or body-colored, they demand attention. Blacking them out is one of the highest-impact, lowest-cost moves on this entire list.
Plasti Dip is the cheapest method: spray a few even coats, let everything cure, and peel away the overspray for surprisingly clean edges. If you want to go the actual paint route, plan on removing the emblems entirely first for the best results.
Overlay kits are the fastest and cleanest approach. These are black replicas of the factory badges that adhere directly over the originals with automotive-grade adhesive. No removal, no drying time, no mess. Just peel, press, and walk away impressed. Grab a kit for your specific trim level since badge placement varies across the lineup.
Tailgate Letter Inserts
Those recessed “TUNDRA” letters stamped into your tailgate are one of the truck’s signature design elements, but they can blend into the paint and disappear, especially on darker trucks. Black letter inserts change the game completely. Individual raised letters drop right into the factory recesses and create contrast that’s visible from way down the road.
The cost-to-impact ratio on this mod is unbeatable. Under $70, about five minutes of installation time, and a result that’s noticeable from across a parking lot. Even if your truck is already black, the shift from paint-matched recesses to a distinct matte or gloss insert creates depth that makes the name pop. Absolute no-brainer first mod for any blackout build.
Wheels
Here’s where things can get expensive in a hurry. But if you’re truly committed to the full murdered-out aesthetic, leaving chrome or silver wheels in the mix defeats the entire purpose.
Plasti Dip is the most popular budget play. Matte black dipped wheels look surprisingly good when applied with patience and that word “patience” is doing heavy lifting. Rush the job and it’ll look exactly like a rush job. Take your time, apply thin even coats, and the results will actually impress you. Best part: hate it later? Just peel it off.
Vinyl wrapping can produce a cleaner finish than dip, but requires significantly more skill to work around spokes and complex wheel designs.
New aftermarket wheels are the ultimate move. OEM TRD Pro wheels in flat black look incredible, but at roughly $760 per corner, over $3,000 for the set, that’s serious money. The aftermarket has dozens of blacked-out options at every price point. Also worth checking: used TRD Pro wheels on forums and local classifieds for the OEM look at a significant discount.
One firm piece of advice: do not spray paint your wheels. It chips almost immediately and looks terrible within weeks.
Grille Surround Chrome Delete
Some Tundra trim levels still feature a shiny chrome surround flanking three sides of the massive front grille. If you’re committed to the blackout, this chrome border has to go. Companies like Bumpershellz make overlay kits that snap directly over the existing trim in your choice of matte black, gloss black, or textured finishes.
You could wrap or dip the surface, but these are long, flat surfaces where any imperfection in your technique becomes painfully obvious. If you go DIY, mask carefully and take your time.
Rear Bumper Covers
Certain trim levels still carry chrome on the rear bumper, and on such a modern, aggressive truck, it honestly looks a bit out of place. Snap-on bumper covers mount directly over the chrome sections in seconds and come in matte, gloss, or textured black.
If you prefer DIY, vinyl wrapping is actually a solid choice here; the chrome bumper sections don’t have many complex curves, making them a good practice surface if you’re new to wrapping. Dipping can also work with careful application. Painting over chrome, however, tends to end badly without extensive surface prep.
Door Handle Covers
Depending on your trim level, those door handles, including the tailgate handle, might be shinier than jewelry. If you want to tone things down, snap-on handle covers are the way to go. You can find gloss black handle cover kits on Amazon for around $20 that include all four doors. Some newer listings may have limited reviews, so do your homework before ordering.
Don’t try to wrap, paint, or dip your door handles. These are high-contact surfaces that deal with constant abuse from fingernails, gloves, kids, and the oils on your skin. Any DIY finish on door handles degrades fast and looks awful when it starts peeling.
Window Trim Chrome Delete
Chrome window trim is a design holdover from a different era. Pre-cut vinyl wrap kits are the simplest fix. You can grab window trim overlay kits for about $50 that are sized to fit your Tundra.
Plasti Dip can also work well on window trim since the pieces are thin and overspray peels easily from adjacent glass and paint. Avoid actual paint here — the trim sits too close to body panels and glass to risk drips.
Interior Blackout Mods: Making the Cabin Match the Attitude
The exterior gets the attention, but the interior is where you actually spend your time. If your dashboard is staring back at you with chrome and satin accents while the outside is fully murdered out, the disconnect will bother you every single drive.
Fair warning: since the third-gen Tundra is still relatively new, aftermarket interior blackout options are more limited than what’s available for the exterior. Some creativity is required.
Steering Wheel Surround and Center Emblem
Two large chrome or satin trim pieces flank the steering wheel, and a bright Toyota emblem sits dead center, staring you down every time you drive. Overlay solutions exist for both — snap-on surround covers run about $50, and center emblem overlays are available for around $25. Together, these two changes completely transform the steering wheel area and create a detail most other Tundra owners won’t even think about.
You might get away with painting the center emblem, but avoid painting or dipping the surround trim — your hands brush against it constantly.
Interior Door Handles
Full blackout means the interior handles need attention, too. Dedicated off-the-shelf solutions for the third-gen are still scarce, so your best bet may be self-cut vinyl overlays. This goes against the “don’t DIY high-contact surfaces” advice, but when the aftermarket hasn’t caught up yet, sometimes you improvise. Just skip the paint and Plasti Dip on anything inside the cabin that your hands regularly touch.
Center Console Border Trim
One of the most prominent non-black interior pieces is the main border surrounding the center console. Dedicated overlay kits for this specific part don’t appear to exist yet. The silver lining? Since it’s not a surface your hands constantly contact, a careful vinyl wrap, Plasti Dip, or even a paint job can actually hold up well here. Remove what you can, mask everything carefully, and take your time. This is one of those mods that’ll make your interior feel genuinely one-of-a-kind.
AC Vent Accent Trim
The air conditioning vents on the third-gen are fairly prominent, and while full surround overlays haven’t hit the market yet, accent trim overlays covering the shinier center sections of each vent are available in black, carbon fiber, and other finishes. It’s a subtle touch, but in a blacked-out interior, those small chrome highlights are exactly the kind of detail that undermines the whole look.
Push-to-Start Button Surround
That thin chrome ring around the start button is small but incredibly annoying when everything else has gone dark. A vinyl accent overlay sized specifically for this spot eliminates it in seconds. These tiny finishing details are what separate a “mostly blacked out” truck from one that’s fully committed to the dark side.
Picking Your Approach: Budget vs. Durability
Three DIY methods come up repeatedly throughout this guide, so here’s a quick comparison:
Plasti Dip: Cheap, forgiving, and great for low-contact surfaces. Degrades with UV and weather over time but is easy to touch up or redo. Best for emblems, trim pieces, and areas that don’t get handled frequently.
Vinyl Wrap: Cleaner look than dip with more finish options — matte, gloss, carbon fiber, satin, and more. Requires more skill to apply, especially around curves. Pre-cut kits simplify things dramatically. Generally outlasts Plasti Dip.
Paint: Most permanent DIY option but hardest to undo and easiest to botch. Chrome doesn’t hold paint well without sanding and primer. Best reserved for parts you can remove from the truck entirely. Not recommended for any high-contact surface.
For maximum durability and the cleanest results across the board, bolt-on overlays and full replacement parts beat every DIY method. They cost more upfront but eliminate the cycle of touch-ups, peeling, and redo projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to fully black out a 2022+ Toyota Tundra?
A full blackout can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand depending on your method. The Plasti Dip and vinyl route can cover a comprehensive exterior blackout for $200-$500 in materials. Full replacement headlights, tail lights, aftermarket wheels, and bolt-on overlay kits for every chrome piece push the total to $2,000-$5,000+ depending on brands and wheel choice.
Is it legal to smoke the headlights and tail lights on a Toyota Tundra?
It depends on your state or country. DOT-approved smoked replacement assemblies are generally legal because they’re engineered to meet minimum brightness requirements. DIY tinting with vinyl or spray can push your lights below legal visibility thresholds, which may result in citations. Always verify your local lighting laws before modifying safety equipment.
Will Plasti Dip damage the factory paint or chrome on my Tundra?
When applied and removed correctly, Plasti Dip should not damage factory finishes. It’s designed to peel off cleanly. However, leaving it on for several years can make removal more difficult as the product ages. For best results, remove and reapply every couple of years rather than leaving it indefinitely.
What’s the best order to black out a Tundra if I’m doing it over time?
Start with the highest-visibility, lowest-cost mods: window tint, emblem overlays, and tailgate letter inserts give you the biggest visual transformation for the least money. Next, tackle headlights, tail lights, and the grille surround. Save wheels and aftermarket bumper components for last.
Can I black out my Tundra myself or should I hire a professional?
Most blackout mods are very DIY-friendly, especially peel-and-stick overlays, Plasti Dip, and pre-cut vinyl kits. Window tinting is the one area where professional installation usually delivers noticeably better results. Headlight and tail light swaps are straightforward plug-and-play that most people can handle with basic hand tools.