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There are not many things the beast of the Toyota Tundra can’t do. It’s strong, dependable, reliable, and powerful. However, it’s built to be great at almost everything, but that means if you want it to be perfect at one thing like overlanding, you’re going to need to do a bit extra.

Overlanding is such a personal activity. What works for you may not work for your buddies. In this guide, we will go over what you need to know to make your Toyota Tundra the most capable overlanding machine for you.

WHAT IS OVERLANDING?

Overlanding is a journey to remote destinations across the open land. This isn’t your typical weekend rock crawling. This is a journey where you are one with your vehicle, your lodging is typically camping, and nature is all around you. The destination is the journey. It is one heck of an experience!

WHY DO TUNDRA OWNERS LOVE OVERLANDING?

Ask them! If they are using their trucks for their intended purpose (no, it’s not to take the kids to soccer practice), then they realize how good these trucks can be at braving the wilderness. With documented cases of these trucks going one millions miles, being inexpensive to own and maintain, and extreme durability and reliability, it’s hard to beat. With a wide selection of aftermarket parts, it’s easy to turn this into an overlanding campsite on wheels! Let’s find out what you need.

WHAT OVERLANDING EQUIPMENT DO YOU NEED?

The Tundra is a great truck, but if you’re going to be out on the open land for days or maybe weeks at a time, there are a few things that you need to do. What you get will depend on the terrain and how long you will be gone for. Will it be rocky, snowy, sandy, muddy, or flat? Do you have to worry about rivers? Will you be driving at night? There are a few key things to get dependent on the answers to those questions.

Suspension is huge as it’s usually always good to have a little extra clearance. You’ll also want to protect your vehicle, especially if you’re in rocky conditions. Rock sliders, push bars, and cages are excellent additions for that. Snorkels help for river crossing and aggressive tires help for the terrain, but don’t forget about you! Where are you going to sleep and eat? What about gas for your truck and lights? These are all things to consider.

Suspension

There are tons of suspension options available for the Toyota Tundra, but it’s important to remember that when overlanding, you’re generally not attending a rock crawling event. Clearance is always a good option if you have some bumps or rivers to get through, but you don’t usually need to get too carried away.

I cover this topic heavily in my Ultimate Tundra Lift Kit Guide, but it would be a good idea to start out with a basic lift kit. A coilover kit would be your best option overall for overlanding.

Coilover kits are one unit (piston and spring) that are plug and play. Simply take your stock spring and piston out, and place the new one in. While these are more expensive over spacer lift kits, which simply stretch your stock spring and piston, coilover kits are far more durable. Durability is what you are after for overlanding, hands down.

Coilovers can be ordered in various heights including adjustable heights, and there are plenty of name brand options to choose from. You can expect to spend anywhere from $1500 to $3000 for a complete kit, but it’s worth it.

Protection

Your ride will get beat up and get dirty as your overlanding life continues, but there are steps you can take to cut down on serious damage, especially if you’re dealing with rocky and hilly conditions. Rock sliders, push bars, and cages take the impacts so your body panels don’t have to.

Rock sliders bolt to your frame and are designed for protection. The average cost is going to be around $700 to $1100 depending on brand and material. Some sliders offer built-in steps as well, which will aid you in getting in and out of your lifted ride. Keep in mind that when you’re shopping you’re getting sliders and not steps. Steps are usually just meant for your feet and don’t offer the same protection that sliders do.

Push bars/grill guards go on the front of your truck and can be as simple as a small trapezoidal tube in the middle, or a complete network of tubing and mesh designed to protect all your lights and grille. These range from $230 to over $1200, but the average cost is generally in the middle.

If you’re at risk of rolling, you may want to look at a cage for your truck. This is most likely a rare occurrence for overlanding, but know your environment. This generally has to be custom made, so do a search around your area for someone who offers that kind of service.

You can get a roll bar that mounts behind the cab for about $300 to $900, but it sits pretty far behind you, so the amount of protection you get really depends on how your truck rolls. Keep in mind that if you do get one, it might interfere with bed racks and roof racks, which we will get into later in this article.

Snorkels

If you think you might be crossing some rivers, a snorkel might be a wise investment. Snorkels move your engine’s air intake closer to your roof. While you will need to cut holes in your truck’s body to make the modification, it’s better than hydro locking your engine (seizing your engine because water gets sucked in). These will run you about $300 to $700.

Tires

Tires and the amount of air in them depend on where you are going. Mud, snow, sand, and dirt might all need different tires. A while back, I did a post called The Ultimate Toyota Tundra Wheel and Tire Guide that covers all this in depth. Know where you’re going, and plan accordingly. A good set of off-road tires will run you over $1000.

Lights

There will be no streetlights where you are going. Stock headlights and high beams work well, but you’ll need more in the pitch black darkness you’ll experience. I cover lighting terms and options in my Ultimate Tundra LED Lighting Guide, but in short, it would be wise to invest in an LED light bar. LED light bars are extremely efficient, durable, and bright. They will flood the area in front of you with bright and clean light, which is terribly important if your overlanding trip requires you to drive at night.

It won’t hurt to look into ditch lights as well if you find yourself driving at night a lot for maximum illumination.

CARRYING YOUR GEAR

If you’re going to be gone for a long time, you need supplies: spare truck parts, food, water, first aid, survival gear, and extra fuel. While our trucks can hold a lot, space runs out fast when you’re getting all of your supplies together.

Bed Racks

Bed racks are one of the best options for carrying more gear. These mount onto your bed and either give you a full length “roof rack”, sidewall storage, or both. Prices range from $350 to over $1200, but you’ll be able to pick the one you need for the amount of storage that you require. Some come with modular panels and containers designed to attach to the side. They are great ways to store spare water and fuel.

If you’re in the market for bed racks, we have a selection of Toyota Tundra bed racks on Empyre Off-Road to help you with your overlanding needs!

Bed Drawers

While these take up more room in your bed, they are a good way to organize your gear, and keep it out of the way. These install in your bed, and raise the floor of your bed by adding a row of drawers underneath the new bed floor. Prices for these are around $1500 for one you can depend on.

Molle Seat Covers

While you’re not going to be storing spare tires on your seats, first aid supplies, flares, fire starting equipment, extra magazines, and other small items will be right at home. These covers offer plenty of storage possibilities and are one of the best ways to keep your small and loose items at hand. These range from $100 to $300.

KEEPING YOURSELF COMFORTABLE

When overlanding, there are no resorts, no hotels, and no cabins. You are on your own, so you want to be comfortable. Regular old tents are an inexpensive and easy option. They are tried and true, and they don’t take up much space. However, if you want to be fancy and camp in style, there are options made specifically for our Tundras.

Bed Tents

If your trips are short and your bed isn’t loaded down with equipment, a bed tent can be a good option. These are designed to fold out in your bed to give you a, well, a bed. Compared to other options, these are relatively inexpensive. Prices range from $150 to $500.

Roof Top Tents

When you want the ultimate amount of personal space, luxury, and room in your truck’s bed for storage, roof top tents are the best option. While they can be pricey ($250 - $2000), they are amazing options if you’re serious about overlanding. You sleep up high, which not only gives you better views, but it keeps you safer from any lurking creatures. Some come with an annex room that goes from the ground to the sleeping section. They are great for a multi-person party, or a “living room” if you want it. Some of these annex rooms have “backdoors” that allow you to access the inside of your truck (through your side doors) giving you an incredible setup.

A good note: many roof top tents also have supports that can double as bed racks.

OVERLANDING TRAILERS

If you are going on a long trip on flat land, you might need a trailer. Trailers are a great option to carry a bunch of other gear for an extended journey, but only on flatter land. You can get a specific overlanding trailer, and while more expensive, they are designed for harsh off-road environments.

Trailers can be your tent, leaving your bed available for more storage, or they can hold all of your extra gear and leave your bed available. A good overlanding trailer will cost you over $2000 and can be as high as $12000. If you’re all about the overlanding life, it could be a wise investment, but most weekend warriors won’t have a need for the extra space.

While fuel mileage isn’t the main concern while overlanding (beyond making sure you have enough), pulling a heavy trailer will result in the use of more fuel. You will also limit where you can go.

WHERE TO FIND OVERLANDING GROUPS

Going out on your own or with people that you can fit in your truck can be a lot of fun, but sometimes hanging out and going on an adventure with a convoy of like-minded people is a lot of fun. Not only can you form bonds with people who share your passion, but someone could save you or your truck if you’re in trouble. If you’re a novice, or this is your first time, I would highly recommend going with other people.

Facebook is a great way to find like-minded people/groups. There are many overlanding groups, and even some Tundra/Toyota specific ones.  Forums also have diehard fans when it comes to overlanding with Tundras. Reach out to these people through these mediums and find out what’s happening next and where. Go out and have some fun with some like-minded people!

Conclusion

While an incredible experience and lots of fun, overlanding is a serious and potentially dangerous adventure. However, rest assured knowing your Toyota Tundra can be up to the challenge with some light modifications. Remember, a good overall, mid-range priced package to get your truck ready would consist of the following:

Moderate height coilover lift kit ($1200)

Tires ($1000)

Rock sliders ($800)

Push bar/grill guard ($600)

LED light bar ($350)

Bed rack/tent ($500)

Fuel cans, water cans, and other incidentals/extras ($250)

All in all, you could be looking around $5000 for a complete kit. Keep in mind that this is mid-range. You can get much more expensive gear, or cheaper. Most of these things are one time investments as well. The only things you would need to replace are your tires. Anything else just needs to be replaced if it gets damaged.

You also have to determine what you need. If you’re driving through the Sahara, you probably don’t need a push bar or rock sliders. That’s $1400 taken off right there. If you are only going on weekend trips, you probably can get away with an inexpensive tent set up independently from your truck, and you won’t need a bed rack. That’s $500 gone.

There is no this-is-how-you-have-to-do-it way for overlanding. There are two rules to overlanding: get from Point A to Point B, and have fun doing it. How you accomplish it depends on how much money, time, and effort you want to put into it. Determine where you want to go, find out the best way to do it, and build and plan accordingly.

The Toyota Tundra is a safe, durable, and reliable truck. Use it, be safe, and have fun.

 

Image Credits

Overlanding Tundra - Courtesy of 4x4 Outside

Suspension - Courtesy of Jack-It Suspension Experts

Rock Sliders - Here at Empyre Off-Road!

Bull Bar - Courtesy of RedLine360

Roll Bar - Courtesy of TundraTalk user “W27”

Bed Rack - Here at Empyre Off-Road!

Tent - Courtesy of Tundras user “Krezz”

Overlanding Trailer - Courtesy of theoverland5

Toyota hit the ball out of the park making the very capable SUV known as the Toyota 4Runner. It’s durable, reliable, and has most of the features that you need for success right from the factory. However, what comes from the factory still has to be what the overall customer wants so it’s financially feasible for Toyota to make the SUVs the way they do. When you start wanting specialty equipment like roof racks, you’ll have to look to the aftermarket, and thankfully the aftermarket does not disappoint.

 While the 4Runner does not have as much aftermarket support compared to the Tundra and Tacoma, the 4Runner has a unique feature that neither of those trucks do... Substantial roof space! This means plenty of room for roof racks. While it is important to know that like most SUVs, the 4Runner has side rails on the roof.  These can be used to tie things down, but you run the risk of damaging your roof with your load since there is no “floor” to this system.

What is a Roof Rack?

In the event you need some knowledge, let’s take a moment to learn about roof racks. It’s a rack that goes on your roof. No really! It’s as simple as that. A roof rack allows you to add extra storage space safely to your roof, especially in a way that you cannot with factory roof side rails. Some allow or come with lighting and other features as well.

 Why do you need a Roof Rack?

“Need” is definitely a relative word. Roof racks do have plenty of benefits that could suit your needs. If you do a lot of off-roading or overlanding, a roof rack is a great place to put the stuff you don’t always need direct access to. Since the 4Runner has a very long roof line (even longer than pickup truck beds), you can make excellent use of the long and flat real estate. It’s perfect for gear, kayaks or canoes, roof top tents, or more!  

You don’t need to be a weekend warrior to make use out of a roof rack. If you use your truck for work and make a lot of trips to the hardware store, a roof rack will give you extra places to tie down your wood and PVC pipes. An extra bonus is that it will keep the materials off your paint, which can be a costly fix, especially if rust develops.

While they can definitely be used to carry stuff around, you can also mount plenty of lights to them: front light bars, surround lights, flood lights, and so on. Since the design of a roof rack allows it to sit flat, you can potentially have the ability for a perfect 360 degrees of lighting, should you want. No extra drilling into or leveling of your roof required!

Important factors to keep in mind!

While a roof rack is helpful, there are some things you do need to keep in mind. The roof is not designed to hold massive amounts of weight, so you’re not going to be hauling an engine up there. Check the specifications with the rack and vehicle you get to find out the limit. You are also increasing the overall height of your 4Runner. While you’re not driving an 18-wheeler, you do want to be mindful about anything tall you might have strapped down there. Low tunnels and even tree branches could become a pain.

How are Roof Racks Installed?

Thankfully installing a roof rack on a 4Runner has the potential to be extremely easy depending on what you get. Since the iconic SUV already has side rails on it from the factory, you are normally just unbolting those, and bolting in the new rack.

 If you end up getting one with more features such as lighting, there could be a bit more involved, but the concept is still the same.

Of course, if you don’t feel like doing something like this yourself, there are probably quite a few local shops near you that would be willing to help. The cost would probably be an hour of labor depending on the model. That rate will vary depending on the shop, but look around for either some off-road or specialty truck shops. You’d be surprised that generally specialty shops like this can have lower rates for something like this since they do these types of installations all of the time.

Top Roof Racks for the Toyota 4Runner

Now that we got all of the boring stuff out of the way, let’s get on to the stars of the article! Here are some of the top roof racks for your Toyota 4Runner. These top ones are what is popular on the Facebook groups, forums, and our customers. Keep in mind that not all of these may work for you. As I say with all our top product articles, take a look at each one to find out what works for your needs and your budget.

 

Genuine TRD Pro Roof Rack

If you want to keep things all OEM and Toyota-like, the TRD Pro trim levels have a nice little roof rack. If you don’t want to spend the extra money to go all TRD, but want some of the TRD goodies, the roof rack is a great option.

This rack comes with walls on the sides and back keeping your load safe from hanging off the back and allowing full rear hatch use. The open front allows your over-sized gear to extend over the front of the 4Runner, but it is important to note that it stops before the sunroof. While that leaves an unobstructed view of the sky, you lose some very practical storage space.

While this design has its pluses, many people choose to mount front light bars to their roof rack, which is not really possible since it stops before the sunroof and has no front mounting locations. If you do want to keep that OEM look and feel for $800, make sure you are willing to deal with the trade-offs.

Prinsu Roof Rack Non-Drill

We have talked about these guys in almost every article relating to stuff like this, and for good reason. Not only are you getting a top quality rack at a reasonable price, they have been making roof racks for Toyotas for years.

 This model shown is for 2010 to 2022 4Runners. Each rack is powder coated satin black, and includes noise reduction edge trim to help cut down on what you hear behind the wheel. The wind deflector option allows a cutouts for 40 lightbars, or no cutout at all. 

 The rack comes with nine crossbars, but it is completely up to you how many you install. The kit is $980, and it comes with a lifetime warranty, which is pretty hard to beat.

 Cali Raised Economy and Premium Roof Racks

Cali Raised has made all sorts of products for 4Runners as well as Tacomas and Tundras over the years that focus around their main specialty: LED lighting. They offer two quality roof rack models. The Economy model is a low-profile, no frills roof rack that can be customized with LED lighting from the factory, or the ability to mount your own. The flush crossbars allow for great mounting options. It starts at $900.

 The premium model starts at $1000 and includes extras right our of the box, such as an adjustable LED wind deflector, rear fairing options, and side options for lighting builds. The adjustable LED wind deflector is designed to protect your light bar when you’re not using it, and increase aerodynamics which will keep your MPGs up. That’s always a plus these days. You of course have the option of three different LED light bars (or none), a switch, and if you want a side and back lighting kit for 360 degrees of illumination.

 KC M-Rack

KC is a name that has been associated with all types of off-road trucks, and much like Cali Raised, they are known for their lighting. This KC M-Rack for 2010 to 2020 4Runners comes with an integrated 50" KC Gravity LED 8-light Pro6 Light Bar, horizontal crossbars, and cargo track mounts. That’s going to blast out 19,616 lumens! Keep in mind that those “KC lights” are going to give your 4Runner a very off-road feel. Nothing subtle about these!

 If that is not enough lighting, this kit also comes decked out with side flood lights as well to really make sure you don’t miss anything at night. If you’re worried about something going wrong with all of this, you’re backed by a 23 year warranty.

 The extremely lightweight, aluminum construction gives a total weight of around 25 pounds. The horizontal cross bars can be adjusted to meet your needs for what you are carrying. While impressive, this kit will set you back about $3,546, making it the most expensive on our list by far.

 Victory 4x4

These guys are one of the few that makes kits that either stop before the sunroof if you want to keep that view, or full length if you need the storage space. Starting at $674 and $944 respectively, you get a very well made roof rack that is up for any task. You can also add a 40 inch light bar cutout, and they made these for 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th generation Toyota 4Runners.

 What sets Victory apart with this rack is the amount of available accessories. They have accessory mounts, roof top tent mounts, awning mounts, tie down rings, tire mounts, jerry can carriers, and more! While each comes at an additional cost, you know they will work well with this rack as they are designed to do so!

 UpTop Alpha and Bravo

UpTop has a bit to offer for everyone. If you want options and a custom look, they have the Alpha model. If you want the same quality but can do without some of the extras, they have the Bravo model. Starting at $1529 and $979 respectively, they are not the cheapest, but you get some nifty options. Yes, I said nifty.

 While the options do increase the cost even more, you can have no lighting cutout, or eight different options! These racks come painted black, or you can choose between thirteen Toyota 4Runner paint colors.

 The Bravo model will only come in black with no paint options, but you can still choose between four different lighting cutouts. At $550 less, it could be worth it. You will have to source your own lights for each kit.

 Front Runner Slimline II

This lightweight, aluminum option from Front Runner is one of the flattest all around racks perfect for your utilitarian needs. These are a little more on the bulky side compared to others. There is a is full version to take up all the your roof real estate, or a shorter version to fit the footprint of the TRD model. The kits allow for no drill, or drilling, depending on how you want to mount the rack.

 The wide and flat crossbars offer plenty of mounting real estate, and can be very supportive for a rooftop tent. The rack itself will cost you $1545 for the full length one, and $1125 for the shorter one. They also offer a number of other accessories you can add along to your purchase such as light bars, tie down rings, and more.

 n-FAB Aluminum Modular Roof Rack

Not everything needs to be super expensive, which many on this list can be to some. Yes, you do get what you pay for, but if you want something cheaper just to get the job done from time to time and don’t need to carry anything series, this rack from n-FAB could be what you’re looking for.

 At $654, you get a short (after the sunroof) rack that’s made of aluminum with a textured black finish. Most budget racks are made of steel, which while durable, are also heavy and prone to rust. The finish has a five year warranty, and there is a lifetime warranty on the workmanship.

 It is important to note that while this is a roof rack, it is a cargo basket type. This means it has walls all around. This is great for hauling stuff, but not ideal for a rooftop tent.

 Conclusion

A roof rack may be something that you need in your life! Be it overlanding, weekend camping, or work truck necessities, there is a roof rack for you. This is by no means a complete list, but it is one that I have found to be of some of the more popular models to help you keep you on top of things. Find one that works for you and your budget!

 Image Credits

Genuine OEM Toyota - Courtesy of Marshall Goldman

Prinsu - Courtesy of Prinsu

Cali Raised - Courtesy of Trail4Runner

KC M-Rack - Courtesy of Stage 3 Motorsports

Victory 4x4 - Courtesy of Victory 4x4

UpTop Alpha and Bravo - Courtesy of UpTop

Front Runner Slimline II - Courtesy of Front Runner Outfitters

n-FAB - Courtesy of n-FAB Amazon Store

The Tundra is the full sized workhorse of the Toyota family. It’s durable, reliable, and has most of the features that you need for success right from the factory. However, what comes from the factory still has to be what the overall customer wants so it’s financially feasible for Toyota to make the trucks the way they do. When you start wanting specialty equipment like roof racks, you’ll have to look to the aftermarket, and thankfully the aftermarket does not disappoint.

What is a Roof Rack?

In the event you need some knowledge, let’s take a moment to learn about roof racks. It’s a rack that goes on your roof. No really! It’s as simple as that. A roof rack allows you to add extra storage space to an otherwise useless area (for storage). Some can connect to a bed rack and be the full length of your truck, and others simply sit above the cab.

Why do you need a Roof Rack?

“Need” is definitely a relative word. Roof racks do have plenty of benefits that could suit your needs. If you do a lot of off-roading or overlanding, a roof rack is a great place to put the stuff you don’t always need direct access to. Since it’s higher compared to your bed and generally full of points to tie gear down, it’s perfect for your spare tire, extra gas, your tent, and so on.

You don’t need to be a weekend warrior to make use out of a roof rack. If you use your truck for work and make a lot of trips to the hardware store, a roof rack will give you extra places to tie down your wood and PVC pipes. An extra bonus is that it will keep the materials off your paint, which can be a costly fix, especially if rust develops.

While they can definitely be used to carry stuff around, you can also mount plenty of lights to them: front light bars, surround lights, flood lights, and so on. Since the design of a roof rack allows it to sit flat, you can potentially have the ability for a perfect 360 degrees of lighting, should you want. No extra drilling into or leveling of your roof required!

Important factors to keep in mind!

While a roof rack is helpful, there are some things you do need to keep in mind. The roof is not designed to hold massive amounts of weight, so you’re not going to be hauling an engine up there. Check the specifications with the rack and vehicle you get to find out the limit. You are also increasing the overall height of your truck. While you’re not driving an 18-wheeler, you do want to be mindful about anything tall you might have strapped down there. Low tunnels and even tree branches could become a pain.

How are Roof Racks Installed?

Unfortunately the Tundra is not as roof rack friendly as the little brother known as the Tacoma. The Tacoma has pre-drilled holes designed to make the install of most roof racks “plug and play.” Toyota left us Tundra owners in the dark on this one.

You will have to drill holes in the your roof to get your roof rack in place. Thankfully many manufactures include either a drill bit, easy instructions, installation videos, or all three to help make the process as easy as possible. Not all racks are the same though, so make sure you measure and drill carefully. Don’t measure for a different model or brand, and then be upset when the holes don’t line up with the rack you have!

Of course, if you don’t feel like doing something like this yourself, there are probably quite a few local shops near you that would be willing to help. The cost would probably be a couple hours of labor. That rate will vary depending on the shop, but look around for either some off-road or specialty truck shops. You’d be surprised that generally specialty shops like this can have lower rates for something like this since they do these types of installations all of the time.

Top Roof Racks for the Toyota Tundra

Now that we got all of the boring stuff out of the way, let’s get on to the stars of the article! Here are some of the top roof racks for your Toyota Tundra. These top ones are what is popular on the Facebook groups, forums, and our customers. Keep in mind that not all of these may work for you. As I say with all our top product articles, take a look at each one to find out what works for your needs and your budget.

Prinsu Cab Rack

We have talked about these guys in almost every article relating to stuff like this, and for good reason. Not only are you getting a top quality rack at a reasonable price, they have been making roof racks for Toyotas for years.

The Cab Rack model shown fits Crew Max models from 2007 to 2021. The wind deflector options allow cutouts for 40 or 50 inch lightbars, or no cutout at all. For a little extra, you can get light bar mounts included! Each rack is powder coated satin black, and includes noise reduction edge trim to help cut down on what you hear behind the wheel.

The rack comes with six crossbars, but it is completely up to you how many you install. Each kit start at around $860, and it comes with a lifetime warranty, which is pretty hard to beat.

Cali Raised Economy and Premium Roof Racks

Cali Raised has made all sort of products for Tundras as well as Tacomas and 4Runners over the years that focus around their main specialty: LED lighting. They offer two quality roof models. The Economy model is a low-profile, no frills roof rack that can be customized with LED lighting from the factory, or the ability to mount your own. The flush crossbars allow for great mounting options. It starts at $900.

The premium model starts at $950 and includes extras right our of the box, such as an adjustable LED wind deflector, rear fairing options, and side options for lighting builds. The adjustable LED wind deflector is designed to protect your light bar when you’re not using it, and increase aerodynamics which will keep your MPGs up. That’s always a plus these days. You of course have the option of three different LED light bars (or none), three different switch options for them if any, and if you want a side and back lighting kit for 360 degrees of illumination.

KC M-Rack

KC is a name that has been associated with all types of off-road trucks, and much like Cali Raised, they are known for their lighting. The KC M-Rack comes with an integrated 50" KC Gravity LED 8-light Pro6 Light Bar, horizontal crossbars, and cargo track mounts. That’s going to blast out 18,400 lumens! Keep in mind that those “KC lights” are going to give your Tundra a very off-road feel. Nothing subtle about these!

The extremely lightweight, aluminum construction gives a total weight of around 25 pounds with only 2.75 inches in height. The horizontal cross bars can be adjusted to meet your needs for what you are carrying. While impressive, this kit will set you back about $2600, making it the most expensive on our list.

Victory 4x4

These guys are one of the few that makes kits for the Double Cab in addition to the more popular Crew Max. Beyond that, the only option is a cutout for a 40 inch light bar, but you get a well constructed, easy to put together, and slim rack that seems to glide along the curves of the Tundra. Starting at $809, they are one of the more affordable name-brand racks on this list.

What sets Victory apart with this rack is the amount of available accessories. They have accessory mounts, roof top tent mounts, awning mounts, tie down rings, tire mounts, jerry can carriers, and more! While each comes at an additional cost, you know they will work well with this rack as they are designed to do so!

UpTop Alpha and Bravo

Many of these manufactures are making roof racks for 2007 to 2021 models. I don’t know if you have noticed, but as of writing this, it’s 2022!  UpTop realized that, and offers its Alpha Tundra CrewMax Roof Rack for 2022 plus Toyota Tundras. Starting at $1499, they are not the cheapest, but you get plenty of options.

While the options do increase the cost even more, you can have no lighting cutout, or eight different options! These racks come painted black, or you can choose between ten Tundra paint colors.

If you want less options, but still a quality product, the Bravo model starts at $860, which is much less of an attack on the wallet.

Front Runner Slimline II

This lightweight, aluminum option from Front Runner is one of the flattest all around racks perfect for your utilitarian needs. While these are a little more on the bulky side compared to others, it does come with a deflector for improved aerodynamics.

The wide and flat crossbars offer plenty of mounting real estate, and can be very supportive for a rooftop tent. The rack itself will cost you $1345, but they do offer a number of other accessories you can add along to your purchase such as light bars, tie down rings, and more.

Hooke Road

Most of these racks are around the same price, or much higher. That might induce some sticker shock for some of you. A more budget friendly version would be this rack from Hooke Road. This is for 2014-2021 Crew Max models. This is made of steel for durability, and the finish is said to be good for five years of corrosion protection. The kit also comes with four LED spotlight cube lights!  All of this is just for $369.

The lower cost comes down to construction and features. Steel is strong, but heavy compared to aluminum. You’re not getting the expert aerodynamics you would with higher end models. While the addition lighting is a great feature, LED light bars will be more sleek, and generally brighter. However, if you are on a budget, this will be a great option considering it costs three times less compared to others on this list.

Conclusion

A roof rack may be something that you need in your life! Be it overlanding, weekend camping, or work truck necessities, there is a roof rack for you. This is by no means a complete list, but it is one that I have found to be of some of the more popular models to help you keep you on top of things. Find one that works for you and your budget!

Image Credits

Prinsu - Courtesy of Prinsu

Cali Raised - Courtesy of Cali Raised

KC M-Rack - Courtesy of KC

Victory 4x4 - Courtesy of Victory 4x4

UpTop Alpha and Bravo - Courtesy of UpTop

Front Runner Slimline II - Courtesy of Roof Top Overland

Hooke Road - Courtesy of Hooke Road Amazon Store Page

The Toyota Tundra is a big and mean truck. With plenty of options from the factory and tons of accessories, there is almost nothing you can’t do to make it your own. After a while, you may get tired of the flashy paint and bright chrome. What do you do when you want something a little bolder? One of the top Tundra mods would be “blacking it out” or doing a "chrome delete" as some people refer to it.

Blacking something out means you take a part or parts of the truck that are painted or chrome, and make them black: matte, gloss, or semi. Black. The best part is that it can be something so large and eye catching like the front grille, or something as subtle or subconsciously unique like a door badge. Let’s get into some options! 

EXTERIOR BLACKOUT OPTIONS

Blackout "Limo" Window Tint

One of the first things many people choose to do it blackout their windows. It’s cheap, and it can be done at a local shop near you. If you’re feeling crafty enough, you can also do it yourself. Tint comes with some great benefits: it really dresses up your ride, it protects you from the sun and keeps the interior of your truck lower, and it blocks people from easily seeing who is driving the best truck in town! Of course, make sure you abide by all local and federal laws regarding the level of tint you are allowed to have. Failure to do so can result in tickets and having to have the tint you paid to install be removed!

Smoked Headlights, Taillights, and Third Brake Light

While Toyota did a good job at the design of the headlights and taillights for the Tacoma, they might take away from the look that you are trying to achieve. When talking about blacking out your lights, it is generally referred to as them being “smoked.” Smoking your lights will give you that tinted look to compliment your style.

With the blessing of interchangeable parts, you can easily swap out your factory lights with aftermarket ones that come smoked out of the box! Taillights are anywhere from $180-$370 for a complete set, and headlights are around $300-$500.

You can go for a much cheaper approach, but be aware that it may look cheaper, not last as long, and could cost you a lot in tickets if you do it the wrong way (I’ll get to that in a second.) There is film/vinyl available for around $60 that simply sticks over the plastic, spray coatings for around $20, and tinted plastic covers for around $40-$80 that go over the factory lens.

While this video doesn’t give any real explanation about what to do, it does show you that you can tint one of your taillights with a spray can in five minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaXJEtWcoCA

While I generally encourage people to try something new and take a risk, I would suggest a complete swap of pre-tinted/smoked lights. A big reason is time. A good set of smoked lights will last the length of the truck. Film and spray coatings will shrink and become brittle with age. UV rays and incandescent bulbs will expedite the problem. When it gets that dry, it’s not the easiest or most fun thing to get off. 

Remember the ticket thing I mentioned? Headlights and taillights are designed to help you see what’s around you, and for other drivers to be able to see you. The US Department of Transportation (or your country’s equivalent) takes that very seriously, and they regulate what is and what is not allowed. Local police will enforce that. If you tint something yourself, you could run the risk of doing too much, and you could have to pay for it. If you get a kit out of the box, they are generally (DOT) approved and safe for use. Of course, please check before buying.

Door Emblems & Badges

One of the easiest parts of your truck to blackout would be the chrome TUNDRA emblem on your doors as well as the iForce and SR5 (if you have that option). They look alright from the factory, but when they are a matte black, they really add a very unique touch to your ride regardless of the paint color. You can buy all of them right here at Empyre Off Road:

Tundra Door Badges

iForce Bages

SR5 Badges

Tailgate TUNDRA

Like on the side of the doors, Toyota wants all of those less fortunate behind you to know that the monster in front of them is a Tundra. While it is common practice for manufacturers to make the logo recessed into the metal of the tailgate and painted like normal, you can really make it stick out with a set of Tundra tailgate vinyl decal inserts for $15 or these raised Tundra letters for $39.99. It’s an inexpensive and long-lasting touch that will set your truck apart from the rest. 

Wheels

This is where things can get a little pricey. However, it is one of the first things people see when looking at your truck. They stand out! It could be worth some investment, but let’s talk about some options.

Some of the less expensive options would be “dipping” or “wrapping.” When you “dip” your wheels, you’re referring to spraying them with something such as Plasti Dip. Matte black Plasti Dip is very popular on wheels, and there are lots of pictures and videos online of people doing it. You’ll need more than one can, but you’ll also want to have some backups for when they chip and peel over time. It’s easy to reapply! 

“Wrapping” refers to covering the wheels in vinyl. While more usually better looking than dipping, it’s not as easy to repair if you get curb rash or other dings. There are kits out there for about $50.

Whatever you do, avoid spray paint at all costs. You will hate your wheels. 

While it is your most expensive option, it will be your longest lasting and best-looking option: new wheels. This can get very expensive. For example, you can get a set of Tundra TRD Pro wheels off Amazon, but it will set you back $2,560! If you have the cash, they are fantastic options. Used wheels are a great option and can be far cheaper, but make sure you inspect them first.

Grille

With a big truck comes a big grille. If you’re not into chrome, then you might hate the front of your truck. Thankfully, there are a few options that you have. Plasti Dip and vinyl wrap can once again be an inexpensive friend for you! Depending on which grille you have, I would suggest vinyl first. Dipping a surface that large can start to look “cheap.” Vinyl will also be more durable to something that will be getting plenty of rock chips. The catch 22 is that a dipped surface is easier to touch up. Choose wisely…

Too many variables? You can find some blackout replacement grilles! Those will be around $220 and up, but it will set your ride apart! A good example would be this Tundra TRD Pro grille that you can order on our site.

Alternatively, you can also buy an overlay kit that we sell here at Empyre Off-Road that will cover up the grille surround and hood bulge on your Tundra. The cost on this is $259.

Bumpers

The chrome bumpers can be a bit much. As with the grille and wheels, dipping and wrapping can have some nice results. Keep in mind the rock-chips! If you don’t want to DIY it, you can get bumper overlay/caps that we sell here for $135-$200.

Tundra Front Bumper Covers/Shells

Tundra Rear Bumper Covers/Shells

INTERIOR BLACKOUT OPTIONS

While the outside is great for showing off (and looking over your shoulder with admiration when you park), the interior is what you see the most of. Might as well make it what you want, right?

A/C Vent Rings and Climate Control Rings

If you live in a hot area, you’re using your A/C a lot. Why dress up those flashy chrome vent rings with a Tundra A/C vent ring black out kit from AJT Design. For $32, you can really make your interior subtly unique. For another $41, you can change the control knobs to a very aggressive blacked-out style with some different color options. You can find that kit here.

Door Handles

Black door handles are the way to go. Any colored ones look nice, but this is something you’re touching all of the time. They will get dirty and grimy fast. Your most durable option would be to get new ones. For about $25 each, you can get black factory units.

Plasti Dip, vinyl, and paint are all options as well, but keep in mind how much everything is being touched. Paint will chip and peel, and Plasti Dip and vinyl will break down over time. While it could be a faster and cheaper solution initially, it could be a pain in the but later.

Cup Holder/Shifter Trim

The center console trim really stands out from the factory. While that may be great for some, if you’re reading this, you want something different. ATJ Design also makes a kit for this as well! For $40, you’ll transform the interior of your truck.

Steering Wheel Logo

While you could attack this with Plasti Dip or paint, a fast way would be this Tundra steering wheel emblem overlay that we carry here at Empyre Off Road. No-fuss, no chips, no hassle. Just $20! 

Start Button

Last but not least is the start button. This overlay from AJT Design not only changes the look of one of the first and last things you touch, but it’s hard to beat at $20!

CONCLUSION

The blacked-out look is popular and looks good. The best part is that there are so many different cost options to get the look you want. Just make sure to follow all of your local and federal laws, and have at it!

Image Credits

Bumper Wrapped: Courtesy of Tundras user SgtSausage1978

Exterior: Courtesy of Traction Life

Tailgate: Courtesy of Tundras user Buse

Interior: Empyre Off Road Interior Upgrade Post

Steering Wheel Blackout: AJT Design

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

The Toyota Tundra is a great truck all around no matter how you look at it: power, reliability, off-road capability, hauling, and more. However, there will always be a bit more you want to achieve. We have talked article after article about off-road additions, suspension upgrades, and more, but what about performance? What about focusing on the HP over the MPG? What about if it’s literally the opposite and you want MPG over HP?

Performance upgrades are all about the driving experience both on and off-road. Being a Toyota, there are plenty of options for you to consider, and that is what this article is all about. Join us for the ultimate guide in engine performance modifications to your Toyota Tundra to get more power!

The Basic, Disclaimers, and other Housekeeping

What is a performance mod? While we normally talk about off-roading, we know there is plenty more to the Tundra. For this, we will be focusing on products, additions, and hacks that will help improve the drivetrain in some way on your Tundra: horsepower, fuel mileage, torque, shift stiffness, throttle response, and things like that.

I should point out that you should be careful about any of these mods. While most of this plug and play stuff is completely safe, changing the way your engine and transmission behave from the factory could lead to troubles down the line. I have said it before, and I’ll say it again: vehicles are made to work the best they can from the factory. Changing one aspect will make other parts have to work harder. Just be careful and know that you could void certain aspects of your warranty with certain mods. Always read what the manufacturer of performance mods say about their product so you’re on the safe side.

You also should note that some states (mainly California) do not want you modifying your engine in any way, so make sure whatever you are interested in is legal for your state or country.

Let’s also get some baseline numbers out of the way for the Tundra so we can compare them down the line. Let’s keep it simple and stick with a baseline from a 2020 Toyota Tundra SR5 Sport…

2020 Toyota Tundra SR5 Specs

Horsepower: 381

Torque: 401 foot pounds

0-60: about 6.7 seconds

Miles Per Gallon: 13 City / 18 Highway

With all that out of the way, let’s get on to some mods!

TUNDRA ENGINE BOLT ON MODS

For this section I’ll cover the few modifications that “bolt on” to your engine to help increase performance. With modern day engines, there are not an incredible amount available for many vehicles, but the few that are can help!

Cold Air Intake

Cold air intakes are some of the most cost effective modifications that you can do to any vehicle. Engines work better with cooler air. Ever notice your Tundra has a bit more pep in its step on a nice fall day compared to the middle of summer? Cold air intakes take the place of your factory airbox and intake tube, and are designed to take in more air, and from a position that sucks in cooler air compared to air closer to your engine. These are relatively inexpensive for the amount of horsepower and torque you get. While you won’t be racing Supras anytime soon, it is something you will notice!

Stillen Trupower Coil Air Intake

Taking 18 months to develop, this CAI from Stillen is designed to suck in air further away from your engine compared to most, achieve the ingestion of even colder air into the engine. It comes with a serviceable air filter with limited lifetime warranty as well! While not “cheap” at $421, you are getting what you pay for. This is not a tube and a filter. This is a developed system.

Rough Country Cold Air Intake

The guys over at Rough Country have been making quality, yet affordable offroad products for Tundras for some time. If you want cold air intake performance that won’t break the bank, they have one for just around $150. The filter is also reusable, so it’s pretty hard to beat at that price. If you like flashy chrome, it’s not for you. If you like saving money and gaining more power, what are you waiting for?

Throttle Body Spacers

While debatable by some on if these actually do much, what they are designed to do is mount between your throttle body and intake manifold to increase the spin in the air to make it flow more optimally into your engine and allow better combustion. Better airflow and better combustion means better performance. While your butt dyno may not be picking up drastic differences, adding this and a cold air intake could lead to great results adding the gains together.

These are always easy to install. All you have to do is unbolt your throttle body from your intake manifold, put the spacer in, and then bolt it all back together. Do not overtighten the bolts, because you don’t want to crack anything!

Volant Vortice Throttle Body Spacer

Made with glass-filled nylon, this spacer will not be prone to the corrosion metal ones are susceptible to. All of the mounting hardware and gaskets are included for a quick and easy install. With the price coming in at $50, which is far less than a tank of gas, what can it hurt giving it a try?

Airaid Poweraid Throttle Body Spacer

The unique Helix Bore design in the spacer will also help spin the air into your engine, improving the air/fuel mixture to ensure the best performance. As they say for this product, it’s if you want to squeeze every bit of power out of your Tundra. With all spacers, you’re not winning races with it alone. At $119, it could be worth trying!

TUNING

Tuning your engine means changing the computer’s parameters. While in the past tuning was all mechanical and involved screws and springs, now it’s all electronic. Tuning an engine can change idle speeds, shift points, speed limiters, and so much more.

There are two main ways: DIY and professional. Doing it yourself can be done with tuners you can purchase, and professional means taking it to a performance shop. While taking it to a shop can be more expensive, there is less chance of you messing something up doing it yourself! While doing it yourself can be fun, if you change the wrong parameter, you can create negative long term effects which could get very expensive!

DIY Tuners

D3 Performance Tuner

This tuner allows you to hold multiple custom tunes, and some of the best ones they offer can give you 27 extra horsepower and 33 foot pounds of torque. It also allows data monitoring and live gauges on a five inch touch screen so you can really see what’s going on with your ride. If you ever get a check engine light, you can also read what they are, and clear codes as well! While it will set you back $600, you will unlock so much power and features.

VF by Ovtune

If you know what you’re doing, this software will basically give you complete control over everything. This will require a computer to run their custom software. If you want their help, they offer plenty of support, but they also sell custom tune packages that can allow you to get started. I would not suggest something like this for beginners. However, there is a recovery mode where you can always flash the stock tune back on your Tunrda’s computer. They have packages from $400 to $1200.

Professional Tuning

Professional tuning is not really something I can give links to here. There are shops all around the world that can assist with something like this. Prices can be all over the place depending on what you need done. Simple tuning can be a couple hundred, but if you want to step up to full on dyno tuning, you’ll be looking at a pretty penny.

The good thing about professional turning is that it’s done by professionals. While that may sound obvious, they know what they are doing. Their work can come with a warranty, and if you go to a certified shop, there is a chance that the tuning might not even void the factory warranty.

Do your research and ask around. You do want to make sure it’s not a random shop that got the same tuner you could have. Remember that when it comes to something like this, you get what you pay for!

OTHER TUNDRA BOLT ON MODS

There are other products that you can attach to your Tundra in locations beyond your engine that will increase performance. Again, while this is limited with modern drivetrains, there are a few good products out there that can help crank out some better performance!

Pedal Commander

If you’re tired of lag and slow acceleration, Pedal Commander is here to help. This simple product plugs into your gas pedal to help eliminate that nonsense. Gone are the days of a physical wire opening and closing your throttle when you press your pedal down. Now, everything is electronic.

When you press your pedal down, it tells your Tundra’s computer that you’re doing so, and how hard you’re doing it. The problem is that it will still only open the throttle as fast as it’s programmed to. Pedal Commander will amplify the signal your foot provides to open the throttle faster. You can choose between different settings to dial in the amount of performance and fuel savings you want. For $350, it could be one of the best mods you do!

Exhaust

Changing the exhaust on your Tundra will not only help it breathe better, but it can make it sound better too. Like your cold air intake taking air in more efficiently, a less restrictive exhaust will help the air leave more efficiently. Why is this important? Breath in as much air as you can, then stick a straw between your lips and breathe out. It sucks, right? Your Tundra has to deal with that with a stock exhaust.

Within reason, as you still want to maintain good back pressure, a more free exhaust will help your engine perform better which will unleash more power. Keep in mind that this will also change the sound of your engine. You’re going to want to watch tons of YouTube videos to hear what you’re interested in to make sure that it is for you.

Since sound is highly subjective, and there are so many muffler and pipe combinations, I’m not going to leave any example links. You could expect to send anywhere from $250 to $1000. Most will fall around the $500 range.

TUNDRA PERFORMANCE HACKS

In addition to all of these physical products, there are a number of hacks you can do to increase performance in your Tundra. Some of these involve you getting a little dirty, and others just involve paying attention to what you’re doing. Let’s take a look.

Windows Up, Air Off

Aerodynamics and your comfort can actually go hand in hand. To get the best fuel economy, top speed, and acceleration, the shape of the Tundra plays a big part. While mostly built for conquering mountains, the Tundra’s shape will allow for improved highway performance as well. However, you can mess all that up depending on when you use your windows or air conditioning. 

Lowering your windows obviously allows air into your Tundra. At high speeds (generally accepted to be above 55 miles per hour), this will create much extra drag on your Tundra. Your engine will have to work harder to compensate for the extra “weight” of the air forced into your truck. This will lower your fuel economy. While it’s hard to beat the windows down sometimes, if you’re going over 55 miles per hour, it may be best to leave the windows up and turn the AC on instead.  However…

If you’re cruising around town, using your air conditioning is actually not the smartest idea. The A/C causes your ening to work harder, and while that may be fine if you're cruising along at 60 miles per hour, stop and go traffic paired with your A/C will kill your mileage. Over time, it’s potentially going to cause more wear and tear on your engine as well. If you can handle the heat, keep your windows down around town. 

Cleaning your Throttle Body and MAF Sensor

Your mass airflow sensor (MAF) is a bit of circuitry that reads the air that’s coming into your engine. It will read a number of parameters and tell your engine how to run accordingly… What RPM, the amount of fuel, amount of air, and so on. When this gets dirty, it can start causing false readings. You’ll start to lose power and probably some MPGs as well.

Thankfully this is super easy to clean. For a few bucks at your local auto parts store, you can pick up a can of MAF sensor cleaner. Then just disconnect your battery (to be on the safe side), unplug your MAF, unscrew two screws holding it in, then pull it out and spray it down! Once it’s dry, reverse the process, and your truck will come alive once again.

As I mentioned before, your throttle body is responsible for letting air into the engine. If it gets dirty, it may slow down how fast it opens and closes, or it may have trouble opening and closing completely. Your truck may start to sputter, and maybe even stall. This is also easy to clean!

Go back to that auto parts store and pick up a can of throttle body cleaner (not carb cleaner). Take off the intake tube, spray the cleaner onto a cotton cloth (like an old t-shirt), and wipe the inside down! Make sure you open the valve and get behind it. Be careful and gentle, and don’t let the valve slam closed.

If you do these two things, especially if it’s been a while or never since the last time, you’ll be amazed at the results. Close to $10 will get you the two cans (that will last you years), and it will take you 30 minutes to do both things. A shop will charge you close to $100 for this service.

CONCLUSION

While the Tundra is amazing off-road, a little help on the road may not be a bad idea. As you can see, you can accomplish quite a bit for a few hundred dollars. Just make sure you follow all directions, and enjoy the power gain! 

Image Credits

Tundra Engine - Courtesy of Automotive Addicts

Cold Air Intake - Courtesy of National Tire and Wheel

Dyno Tuning - Courtesy of VR Tuned

Pedal Commander - Here at Empyre Off-Road!

Exhaust - Courtesy of the Rough Country Amazon Store

Throttle Body Spacer - Courtesy of Volant Performance

Tundra Driving - Courtesy of University Tundra

MAF and TB Cleaners - Courtesy CRC on Walmart