Resources — tundra mods

If you drive a Toyota Tundra you know how much other Tundra owners love to mod out their trucks. Just like the Tacoma and 4Runner, Tundra's have a cult like following which you can see in the many Tundra forums out there. They constantly talk to each other about ways they can add new and exciting accessories for their rides. We've put this guide together so you can have a handy list of some of the most popular Toyota Tundra modifications and accessories you can buy and install to give you truck a little flair and personalization.

Most of these Toyota Tundra accessories and ideas come from the pros on forums and Facebook groups, some of which are my dear friends. If your Tundra is a 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 or 2019, 2020 or 2021 this post is for you!

So, let's dive right in...

TRD Pro Style Grille ($269)

The Tundra TRD pro grille is by far one of the most popular Toyota Tundra mods on the market. Your grille is the first thing everyone sees, so why have a factory one like everyone else? This grille is sharp looking and will give your truck a "head turning" look.

Cali Raised LED Side Projection Ditch Lights (About $115)

Ditch lights are a great way to help you turn day into night for that serious off roading, or just driving down the driveway of your ranch at night. There are multiple options you can select, but a basic kit is around $115.

Cali Raised Replacement LED Fog Light Pods ($120) 

The factory fog lights are garbage compared to the substantially brighter, more durable, and longer lasting LED options that Cali offers. More subtle than ditch lights, these LEDs will make certain you see what’s in front of you.

Cali Raised Lower Bumper LED Light ($340) 

If you simply need more light, this stealthy bar is perfect. It gives a sleek factory look when you don’t need it, and light-up-the-night performance when you do with a choice of spot or combo beam options.

Vinyl Tailgate Inserts ($15)

For very little, you can make your Tundra pop by adding some colored vinyl inserts to the letters on your tailgate. I offer a lifetime warranty on mine. 

Pop & Lock Power Tailgate Lock ($133)

Forget about remembering to use your key to lock your tailgate. Match this with a tonneau cover, and your cargo is safe or accessible with just the press of a button.

Spidertrax Wheel Spacers ($177)

When size matters on a budget, these spacers give an excellent and cost effective way to widen your ride. The extra width gives an impressive stance over the factory setup, but you get to keep your factory wheels.

OEM Bed Mat ($210) 

Bed mats are an easy way to keep your stuff from rolling around. There are plenty of options, but you can’t go wrong with OEM for something like this.

Gator Tri Fold Tonneau ($199)

I have covered all the basics about different types of covers for your trucks, and here is one that I recommend. It’s inexpensive, effective, and looks good. What more could you want?

Husky Floor Liners ($115)

Keep your feet planted and the mess off your carpet with quality mats. Husky offers multiple options depending on your budget and style.

Deck Rail System ($214)

These are a lifesaver if you use your bed frequently for different utilities. It’s the perfect companion for storage assistance and accessory mounting.

Black-Out Badges ($140)

If you don’t want decals, these solid emblems will replace your factory ones with a set of sleek black ones. If you like dark, these are for you.

Rear Sway Bar ($267) 

Visual stuff is great, but performance is better. Enhance your factory handling characteristics with an easy to install sway bar to help beef things up.

Escort Passport 8500X50 ($329)

Trucks a great off road, but a top speed of around 110 mils per hour can get you into trouble. This is a highly reviewed average detector. It may give you some false readings, but it's better than breaking the bank. Be safe.

Door Sill Protectors ($33)

You want to protect your truck inside and out, and these help prevent scuffs and scraps that happen daily. Of course, you’ll remember what you’re driving, because “TUNDRA” is molded into each one!

Door Sill Protector Decals ($11)

If you find the letters in your door sills are hard to read, these will give it an extra pop. Match your paint, or get a color that compliments your exterior.

Center Console Organizer ($30)

I don’t remember how half the stuff in my console got there, but with one of these, I’ll at least be able to keep it all organized. You’ll be shocked at the world of difference this simple tray makes.

Under Seat Storage ($225)

If your console isn’t enough, make use of the storage room under your seat with these compartments. It’s a great place to hide what you don’t want wandering eyes to see.

Tyger Nerf Bars ($231)

Jump into your Tundra in style with these textured side step rails that not only give you a leg up on your friend’s trucks, but they help protect the underside when you’re rock crawling. 

Pioneer Stereo Upgrade With Apple Car Play ($290)

In a previous post, I covered all types of stereo options. A good one for your Tundra is this Pioneer unit with almost every app and option you can think of, including Apple CarPlay.

Your truck, your style. There are tons of inexpensive options to make your truck stand out from purely cosmetic, to function and performance as well. You don’t need to break the bank to stand apart, and these are some great Tundra upgrades for you to get started.

Please keep in mind that prices fluctuate daily on Amazon/eBay and the prices represented above are accurate as the day of this posting.

* Please note that some of these links are Amazon affiliate links and we make a small commission if you purchase the product.

One of the best ways to customize any vehicle is to swap out the wheels for something unique. With the Toyota Tundra, there are quite a few aftermarket options to make your truck either the best off-road machine or the best ride in the parking lot. There are some things that you should know if you plan on changing out your stock wheels, so let’s get into it.

Stock Tundra Wheel Sizes

From 2000 to now, Tundra has come out with a few different sizes of wheels depending on the year and trim level of your Tundra. While different sized tires can fit on stock wheels, it’s best to check your manual to see what size you should have. I’ll get into why that’s important in a second.

Tundra Lug Patters

Your lug pattern is important to know when considering wheels. Thankfully the Tundra is a bit easier to know which you have compared to the smaller Tacoma. If your Tundra is a first-generation (2000 - 2006), then you have a 6 lug 5.5 inch or 139.7mm Medium Offset. If you have a second or third-generation (2007 - present), you have a 5 lug 150mm High Positive Offset. 

Lug Torque

While I may be getting ahead of myself, these are some good numbers to know.

PROBLEMS WITH BIGGER TIRES

Let’s face it: bigger tires on a truck just look better. Thankfully, Toyota leaves us some room to expand from the wimpy factory rubber, but just how much is too much?

Speedometer Calibration

The speed and mileage of your vehicle are calculated by the number of rotations your tire makes. All of this is based upon factory specs. If you intend on going larger, your speedometer and odometer will no longer be accurate.

Let’s have an example. Your 2014 Tundra has stock tires that are 255/70R18, but you put 285/60R20s on instead. Your speedometer will read 50 MPH, but you’re actually going 52.2 MPH. While that may not seem like such a big issue, that will add up over time if you drive your truck quite a bit. Let’s not forget that some police officers may be looking for just that little bit over! You can solve all this by getting your Tundra reprogrammed for the new tire size.

Power Loss

A more noticeable issue with larger tires is a loss of power. When you increase the diameter of your wheel, you effectively decrease your rear axle ratio. This will cause a reduction of torque upon acceleration.

Lift Kits and Spacers: How High can you go?

While higher may be better, unfortunately, the sky is not the limit in this case. Everything on our Tundras is made to fit well from the factory. Eventually, you will have to lift, change wheels, or trim away parts of your truck to get things fitting. 

If you lift your truck, you can get away with bigger tires. Here is a list that covers the maximum tire size that you can get away with based on your generation of truck, wheel size, and the amount of lift you have.

Legal Note: If your wheels and tires are wide enough to where they extend beyond the body of your truck, you may have to buy fender flares to cover the excess protrusion. Some states in the US require wheels to be covered. Check with your state laws to be on the safe side.

* At this point, you might have to look into trimming your truck in some places to get the best fit.

POPULAR TUNDRA TIRE OPTIONS

There are an insane amount of options to choose from when it comes to wheels and tires. Tires are a bit more “need focused.” Choosing a tire comes down to some factors such as cost, use, and availability. Let’s go over some popular options that Tundra users like.

Nitto Grappler Series

This isn’t one tire exactly, but the family of Nitto Grappler tires is very popular with the Tundra community. They have eight different tread patterns designed to meet any terrain you can think of. Their Terra Grappler and Terra Grappler G2 tires are the popular all-terrain options that they offer. They are around $200 per tire, but they give great results.

Cooper Discoverer AT3

While around $220 per tire, these tires are designed tough terrain.  Due to that, some have complained that they didn’t last as long as they would have liked on the highway, but keep in mind that tires should be purchased for their intended purpose. That aside, they are still a very popular option.

Toyo Open Country A/T III (AT3)

For around $213, these are some good all-terrain options for your truck. If you want to do some mild off-roading, go to the grocery store, and not break the bank all in one day, then this could be the option for you.

BFGoodrich KO2

This is sort of a staple for trucks, especially on 16-inch wheels. These are an all-around good tire that can handle almost anything, and they are long-lasting. They are extremely popular options, and you can find them for around $200 per tire.

Kumho Crugen HT51

If you’re looking for a more budget friendly, yet dependable tire, the Crugen HT51 by Kumho is a best selling all-season tire on Tire Rack. They are made for pickups and SUVs that tend to be driven around town, and some moderate use off road. With a six year/70,000 mile warranty, you can be sure that Kumho has your back.

Reviews say that they handle well in snow and rain. While specialty tire might be able to tackle the worst of the winters are hurricanes only, these can handle a bit of everything. Noise levels are low, as you should expect with most all-season tires.

Cooper Evolution H/T

Another popular, lower cost option is the Evolution H/T by Cooper Tires. Designed with budget and performance in mind, these tires will treat you well on pavement, dirt, grass, and light snow. The compound is designed to not only keep noise down when the tire is new, but to continue the that low noise as the tire ages. 

Reviewers love the low noise and handling. Even though Cooper says they are capable in “light snow,” one owner said he had no issue in 20 inches. At $159 each, backed by a 50,000 mile/unlimited time warranty, they are a great budget mined option for all-terrain and all-season needs.

Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar

While kevlar is normally found in bulletproof vests, Goodyear has then in their Wrangler tires at a price that is hard to beat: about $150. The aggressive tread pattern will do well for off-road use and poor conditions on the streets. The trade off is a higher amount of noise. However, the durability with kevlar can lead to some unmatched performance compared to other tires.

With a 6 year/60,000 mile warranty, you are protected. While these are very popular tires, they are not the most recommended tires. Keep in mind that the lower you go in cost per tires, generally the more noise and less performance you will get. While these are all-terrain tires, they are designed to to be a bit more aggressive.

Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus

While more expensive for an all-terrain tire, Pirelli knows what they are doing when it comes to tires. The Scorpion All Terrain Plus can be found for around $215 each. The aggressive and durable, yet comfortable tread pattern and compound make light off-road duty a piece of cake, while giving you a gentle ride on the highway home. 

Reviewers are impressed with the traction in mud and grass, as well as the grip and low noise on the highway. Pirelli backs them with a 50,000 mile warranty.

Michelin LTX A/T2

If you have a higher budget, the Michelin LTX A/T2 tires are one of more expensive on the list at just over $300 each. With tires, you do tend to get what you pay for.  Six year/60,000 mile warranty aside, you get some impressive research and development wrapped around you wheels. The advanced rubber compound is designed not only to give you some of the best grip that an all-terrain tire can, but it delivers it with low noise, better fuel mileage, and even wear.

Tundra owners rave about the long lasting tread. For that reason, many use these for hauling their gear, boats, trailers, and more on the highway for long trips. Reviewers are saying that even on 100,000 miles, they still have plenty more tread left to go.

There are tons of options. It all depends on budget and taste. If you can lift your truck, you have more options. If you can get new wheels, you have more options. As long as you keep in mind the speedometer and odometer changes, as well as potential rubbing issues if you go too big, then you'll be fine.

Wheel Offset

This has been mentioned a couple of times, and it has probably come up in your research. So, what is it?  Wheel offset is the distance from the wheels hub mounting surface to the centerline of the wheel. There are three types, and they are measured in millimeters.

1. Zero Offset: The mounting surface is even with the centerline of the wheel

2. Positive Offset: The mounting surface is located in the front half of the wheel closer to the wheel face. 

3. Negative Offset: The mounting surface is located in the back half of the wheel closer to the back lip flange.

POPULAR TUNDRA WHEEL OPTIONS

Now that we have all the boring terminology out of the way, let’s talk about wheel options! This is definitely going to come down to personal taste. What looks good to you, might look terrible to the next person. However, here are some popular options that many Tundra owners like.

TRD Pro Wheels

Wheels are not cheap, and these definitely are not. However, they will give your truck a beefier look without the big price difference of the TRD trim. You can get these Tundra TRD Pro Wheels on Amazon for about $650 per wheel, and these will fit the 2007 and up models. These are the 2019+ style. You can find the previous generation wheels for about $280 each.

Fuel Anza

While Fuel makes a few popular Tundra wheels, the Anza seems to be liked a lot by many. It is a sleek, five-spoke design that has an aggressively subtle look. They can be found for around $250 each, and you can select different color options. Let’s be real: black looks great.

Ballistic Jester

If you want something a bit more flashy, but also something that won’t break the bank, the Ballistic Jester wheels might be the best for you. You have a few different color options with these, and you can find them for around $150 each.

Moto Metal

Like the Jesters, if you want flash for not a lot of cash, the Moto Metal is a good pick. With different styles, you can find something that gives your truck the look you want. At around $150-$180 each, it’s also a good buy.

In closing, there are a ton of options out there for you and your truck. Now that you have the knowledge, get out there and find what works for you and your budget! 

FN BFD

For a sleek and modern look, the BFD wheels by FN Wheels might be just what you are looking for. A classic looking six spoke wheel with a modern shape and three color options allow this wheel to dress up your truck just the way you want. Gunmetallic and matte black can give you that aggressive look that can work with almost any color Tundra, while the matte bronze will give you a sporty look.  At $300 per wheel, you’re not going to break the bank either compared to some other options.

Enkei ST6

If you’re looking for a sporty look that shows your Tundra means business and is ready to show off, the ST6 by Enkei is a good route to go. While they are designed to be tough, they also come with a bit of flair that can set you apart from the pack. You have the option between gunmetal or silver machined for that extra kick. This modern style utilizes composite alloy technology in its manufacture to assure durable construction and smooth appearance.

Fuel Maverick D538

While the Fuel Anza wheel is a popular option, the Maverick D538 by Fuel  is no different. This one piece wheel is a perfect combination of aggressive, rugged, and sporty styling. The multi spoke design is flanked on each spoke with a silver outline to help make them pop, while the chrome simulated beadlock bolts give a touch of off-road look that any Tundra deserves.

XD Rockstar II

If you really want to show off with something aggressive and stylish, the XD Rockstar II will help you stand out from the crowd. With lots of simulated bolts, tons of angles, and a sleek finish, these wheels show that you mean business. The accents on the wheels lend themselves well to custom painting to match or accent your Tundra. While these wheels may not be the most popular options on the market, that will lead to a unique style that you may not see any many other Tundras.

Method NV

While a classic racing wheel may be hard to beat, a modern take on a classic design might just beat it. Made from solid aluminum, these race inspired wheels by Method come with a lifetime warranty and replaceable gold zinc lip bold. With seven different color options, you’ll be sure to find the one that you want to compliment you style and your Tundra’s looks.

Image Credits:

Nitto Grappler - Courtesy of Tundras user chphilo

Cooper Discoverer - Courtesy of Tundras user tat2ude39

Toyo AT2 - Courtesy of Tundras user vierra4

BFG KO2 - Courtesy of Tundras user chuggy35

TRD Pro - Coutresy of SaltWire

Fuel Anza - Courtesy of Tundras user FunkinTundra

Ballistic Jester - Courtesy of Tundras.com

Moto Metal - Courtesy of Caliwheels

Kumho Crugen - Courtesy of Amazon

Cooper Evolution - Courtesy of Amazon

Goodyear Wrangler - Courtesy of Amazon

Pirelli Scorpion - Courtesy of Amazon

Michelin LTX - Courtesy of Amazon

FN BFD - Courtesy of Tundras.com user throttlejock

Enkei  ST6 - Courtesy of Tundras.com user JGDarcy

Fuel Maverick - Courtesy of Tundras.com user edstundra333

XD Rockstar II - Courtesy of Tundras.com user watsonc3

Method NV - Courtesy of Tundras.com user CultusRider

* Please note that some of these links are affiliate links and we make a small commission if you purchase the product.

We talk about the Tacoma a lot, and for good reason. It’s an amazing little truck. Well, if you need something bigger, if you need a V8, and you want it all from a reliable and proven company, the Tacoma’s bigger brother, the Toyota Tundra, is a fantastic option.

While not as popular as the Tacoma’s, there is still a ton of awesome Tundra mods and accessories for this truck. Vehicle customization is something I very much support because you get the build the vehicle you want, and it separates you from everyone else. While the interior of the Tundra is great from the factory, there is plenty of customizing you can do to make it even better!

Since you will hear me mention it a lot, check out 10 Awesome Toyota Tacoma Interior Upgrades!

TRD Shift Knob

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: this is one of my favorite mods. It’s one of the first things that you see and touch when you get in your truck. Throwing in a TRD knob gives a touch of elegance, at least in the off-road sense. While not as flashy as the Tacoma one, the styling is pretty sweet.  You can find it on Amazon for about $85.

Clazzio Seat Covers

These are perfect on the bigger brother as well! Stock seats can get worn out. Also, if you buy your truck used, you don’t get much say in what options you get. Maybe it’s not the color you want, or maybe your seats are... CLOTH! 

Clazzio can help you change that. They have almost an endless amount of material options, color options (including body, insert, and stitch color), and they will fit whatever size cab you have. Prices for a regular cab are around $250-$700 depending on options. You can find them here!

Floor Mats/Liners

If you truly plan to use your Tundra for some serious work duty, or you play in the mud a lot, you need to ditch the factory floor mats for something more rugged. Husky and WeatherTech both make excellent products including mud flaps and bed liners as well. You can find some Husky ones here, and WeatherTech ones here.

Under Seat Storage

If you want a little extra storage that looks factory and is out of sight, ESP Truck Accessories makes a kit with three plastic bins that mount under the rear seats of your CrewMax. While you do have to cut some material out of your truck, the end result is a really useful storage area. You can find the unit here.

Console Organizer

While we’re talking about storage and organization, MX Auto Accessories makes a center console organizer that really helps master organization. The pockets are deep enough to hold most of what you would need to, there is a special phone section, and the rubber base inserts keep everything in place. It’s hard to beat at $25!

Door Sill Decals

The door sills on the Tundra are pretty boring, but you can easily dress them up and make them pop with some decals! For $15, you can find 8 paint matched colors that are easy to stick into place. 

Custom Steering Wheel

This is a pretty pricey upgrade, but you can be sure that you will have something different compared to other people. Vivid Racing offers custom race-inspired steering wheels for Tundras. While it will set you back about $800, everything is completely custom and made to order: shape, material, size, and so on. 

Painting and Vinyl Black Out

While there is not a specific product for this, if you want to get a little crafty, you can give your interior a blackedout look (getting rid of the chrome) with some paint or vinyl.  In a previous post, I talk about a lot of options and ways to do this on Tacomas. While there may not be as many kits and precut parts for Tundras, you can do a lot on your own!

Interior and Bed 110v Outlets with USB

This one involves cutting, hacking, wiring, and creativity, but if you add it all together, you get something very cool! WARNING: I would strongly advise that you don’t mess around with electrical systems in your truck unless you know what you’re doing. It could lead to many problems.

That out of the way, user AlmightyCrash on the Tundras forum posted a short writeup about how he took a cheap power inverter and turned it into a permanent installation on his truck! Take a look, and see if this is something you might want to do for yourself! Outlet writeup.

LED Lighting

Interior lighting can change the whole feel of your truck. LED lights are brighter and last longer, and with a few lights, you can change the whole look of your interior for less than $50. I love any interior lights sold by Diode Dynamics. Here are some links:

• Vanity Lights
• Door Lights
• Map Lights
• Dome Lights

Stereo And Sound System

There are so many options here. Every brand makes something that will fit directly or with some vanity. Getting too deep into this would take a few posts on its own. The thing about audio is that there are so many variables: how much do you want to spend, how many speakers do you want, how much low or high frequencies do you want to hear, how loud do you want it, do you want to cut into panels and drill holes? Once you know the answer to all that, you can start mixing and matching equipment.

There are so many things you can do that didn’t make this list. For what did make the list, there are so many more choices out there. Find what works for you and your budget and get customizing! 

Image Credits

Seat Covers - Courtesy of Tundras user “xtyfighterx”

Seat Storage - Courtesy of ESP Truck Accessories

Door Sill - Us! Empyre Off Road

Console Organizer - Courtesy of MX Auto Accessories

Steering Wheel - Courtesy of Tundras user “hypa”

Black Out - Courtesy of Tunrdas user “JoshuaA”

110v Outlets - Courtesy of Tundras user “AlmightyCrash”

* Please note that some of these links are Amazon affiliate links and we make a small commission if you purchase the product.