2014-2021 Toyota Tundra Chrome Delete: What to Replace for a Cleaner Interior
If you own a second-generation Toyota Tundra, you already know the interior has one defining characteristic that splits the owner community right down the middle: chrome. From the climate control knobs to the shift gate, cup holder surround, vent rings, and steering wheel trim, Toyota loaded the 2014-2021 Tundra cabin with shiny chrome accents on nearly every surface you touch. Some owners like the look. Most want it gone.
A chrome delete is the simplest way to modernize your Tundra's interior without paint, vinyl wrap, or a trip to the body shop. The process involves swapping factory chrome trim pieces with matte or satin black replacements that snap into place using the same mounting points. No cutting, no adhesive, no guesswork.
This guide walks through every interior chrome piece you can replace on a 2014-2021 Tundra, explains the differences between replacement methods, and shows how AJT Design's Chrome Delete Kit covers more ground than any other option on the market.
Why So Much Chrome? Understanding the 2014-2021 Tundra Interior
When Toyota redesigned the Tundra for the 2014 model year, chrome interior trim was a widespread design trend across the full-size truck segment. The idea was that chrome conveyed a premium, finished look, especially on higher trims like the Limited, Platinum, and 1794 Edition. Even the base SR and mid-level SR5 received chrome climate knobs, chrome-ringed vents, and a chrome shift gate surround.
The result is an interior where chrome appears in over a dozen places: the three climate control knobs, the trim rings around each knob, the air vent surrounds on the dashboard, the cup holder ring, the shifter base ring, the shift gate indicator bezel, the radio volume and tune dials, the push-to-start button ring, the 4x4 selector knob, the interior door pull handles, the steering wheel spoke trim, the steering wheel button surrounds, and the emblem on the steering wheel center.
That is a lot of chrome. And because the Tundra's second generation ran for eight model years (2014 through 2021) with minimal interior changes, millions of these trucks are on the road with the same chrome-heavy cabin. Forum threads on sites like tundras.com routinely draw thousands of views from owners asking the same question: how do I get rid of all this chrome?
Every Interior Chrome Piece You Can Replace on a 2014-2021 Tundra
Here is a breakdown of every chrome touch point inside the second-gen Tundra and what the replacement part looks like. All of these components are available individually or as part of the AJT Design Chrome Delete Kit for 2014-2021 Tundra.
Climate Knobs. The three chrome HVAC dials (temperature, fan speed, and mode) are some of the most visible chrome pieces in the cabin. AJT Design offers a Climate Knob 3-Pack that replaces all three with machined black alternatives. If your Tundra has dual-zone climate control, a dedicated Dual Zone 2-Pack is available instead.
Climate Knob Trim Rings. Each climate knob sits inside a decorative chrome ring. These rings are separate from the knobs themselves and need their own replacement piece. AJT Design's Climate Knob Trim Rings snap directly over the factory mounting points.
Vent Rings. The chrome surrounds on each dashboard air vent are another high-visibility area. AJT Design's Vent Rings are complete replacements, not overlays. They pop off and snap back in without tools.
Cup Holder and Shifter Trim Rings. The center console has chrome rings around the cup holder opening and the base of the shift lever. AJT Design's Cup Holder/Shifter Trim Rings replace both. This area is one of the first places your eye lands when you sit in the driver's seat, so the visual impact is immediate.
V2 Oversize Cup Holder. This one goes beyond cosmetics. AJT Design's V2 Oversize Cup Holder replaces the factory cup holder insert with a larger-diameter version that actually fits oversized water bottles and travel mugs. It is one of the most-praised components in customer reviews, with owners calling it "awesome" and "an easy install."
Shift Gate Trim Ring. The chrome bezel around the gear indicator (the PRNDL display) is one of the larger chrome surfaces on the center console. A black replacement trim ring from AJT Design cleans up this area completely.
Start Button Ring and 4x4 Knob. The chrome ring around the push-to-start button and the transfer case selector dial both get replaced with black alternatives from AJT Design's Start Button Ring + 4x4 Knob set. These are small pieces, but they sit in a high-touch area and make a noticeable difference.
Radio Knobs (2014-2019 Only). The volume and tune dials on the factory head unit have chrome accents. AJT Design's Radio Knobs replace them with black versions. Important note: these are compatible with 2014-2019 Tundras only. The 2020-2021 models received a different head unit, so the radio knob replacements do not fit those years.
Door Handle Covers. The interior door pull handles have chrome trim that catches light every time you reach for the door. AJT Design's Door Handle Covers fit over the factory handles and eliminate the chrome without changing how the handle feels or operates.
Steering Wheel Trim and Button Inserts. The chrome accent strip on the steering wheel spokes and the chrome rings around the steering wheel buttons are two of the most overlooked chrome pieces. AJT Design's Steering Wheel Trim and matching Button Inserts address both.
Emblem Overlay. The badge on the steering wheel center and exterior emblems can also be covered with an Emblem Overlay from AJT Design. Note that overlays featuring the Toyota logo are no longer available due to a legal notice from Toyota. Current overlays use a non-trademarked design.
Dash Mat, Push Start Button, and Center Console Tray Liner. AJT Design also offers a Dash Mat to protect the top of the dashboard, a replacement Push Start Button in black, and a Center Console Tray Liner 3-Piece set that keeps the console storage compartments organized and scratch-free.
Injection-Molded vs. Vinyl Overlays vs. Plasti Dip: Which Approach Actually Lasts?
There are three common methods for removing chrome from a Tundra interior, and they are not created equal.
Injection-molded replacement parts are purpose-built components manufactured to the exact dimensions of each factory chrome piece. AJT Design's parts are injection-molded from ABS plastic with consistent dimensional accuracy, which means they snap into the factory mounting points and sit flush. There is no adhesive to fail and no film to peel. Once installed, they look and feel like factory parts. This is a permanent swap, not a cover-up.
Vinyl overlays are thin adhesive-backed films that stick on top of the existing chrome surface. They are less expensive up front, but they come with trade-offs. Vinyl can peel at the edges over time, especially in hot climates where the cabin temperature cycles between extremes. It can also bubble, trap moisture underneath, and leave adhesive residue if you decide to remove it. On textured or curved surfaces like vent rings and climate knobs, vinyl can wrinkle during application.
Plasti Dip is a rubberized spray coating that some owners apply directly to chrome trim pieces. It provides a matte black finish and can be peeled off later. However, Plasti Dip can look uneven if not applied carefully, tends to wear on high-touch surfaces like knobs and handles, and requires masking off surrounding areas to avoid overspray. It is a temporary solution that needs periodic reapplication.
For a result that holds up over time and matches the quality of the factory interior, injection-molded replacement parts are the most reliable approach. AJT Design's components are engineered specifically for the 2014-2021 Tundra, so fit and finish are not a concern.
What Is Included in the AJT Design Chrome Delete Kit for 2014-2021 Tundra?
AJT Design's Chrome Delete Kit for 2014-2021 Tundra is currently priced at $250 (regularly $469), which represents up to 30% savings over purchasing each component individually. The kit is designed to be customizable. You select which components to include from the available options: Climate Knobs, Climate Knob Trim Rings, Vent Rings, Cup Holder/Shifter Trim Rings, Shift Gate Trim Ring, V2 Oversize Cup Holder and Insert, Start Button Ring + 4x4 Knob, Radio Knobs, Dash Mat, Push Start Button, Door Handle Covers, Emblem Overlay, Steering Wheel Trim, Steering Wheel Trim Button Inserts, and Center Console Tray Liner.
That is 15+ individual components in a single configurable bundle. Most competing chrome delete kits on the market cover only the center console (cup surround, shift surround, and shift gate), which leaves the climate controls, vents, steering wheel, door handles, and dash untouched. AJT Design's kit is the most comprehensive option available for the second-gen Tundra.
The kit also includes AJT Design's CNC aluminum shift knob options. Both Long and Short styles are available, and both sit at the same installed height. The Long version covers more of the chrome shift lever shaft, making it the better choice for Tundra owners who want to eliminate as much visible chrome as possible. The shift knob is machined from solid aluminum with a weighted feel that owners consistently describe as a noticeable upgrade over the factory plastic knob.
The Chrome Delete Kit carries a 4.47 out of 5 star rating from verified buyers. AJT Design's sitewide rating sits at 4.7 out of 5 across more than 2,936 customer reviews. All domestic orders over $25 ship free, and most in-stock items ship the same or next business day.
One important note: the kit does not allow substitutions beyond the configurable options listed on the product page, and partial returns are not accepted on bundled kits. If you are unsure about a specific component, AJT Design recommends purchasing that piece individually first.
How to Install Tundra Chrome Delete Parts (No Special Tools Needed)
One of the best things about AJT Design's chrome delete components is how straightforward the installation process is. Most pieces are designed as direct snap-in replacements that use the factory mounting clips and attachment points.
Climate knobs pull straight off the factory HVAC shafts and the replacements push on. Vent rings and trim rings pry out gently with a plastic trim tool (or even your fingers) and the new ones click into place. Door handle covers fit over the existing handle hardware. The CNC aluminum shift knob threads onto the shift lever. The push start button and 4x4 knob are pull-and-replace swaps.
AJT Design provides installation instructions on their Instructions page, and install videos are available for most components. Several Tundra owners have also published detailed YouTube walkthroughs that cover the full kit installation from start to finish, which can be helpful if you prefer a step-by-step visual guide.
Most owners report completing the full chrome delete kit installation in under an hour. No drilling, no wiring, and no permanent modifications to your truck.
Trim-Level Compatibility: Which Parts Fit Your Tundra?
This is one of the most common questions in the Tundra community, and the answer is straightforward. The majority of AJT Design's chrome delete components fit all 2014-2021 Tundra trim levels: SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum, 1794 Edition, and TRD Pro. The interior chrome layout is consistent across trims for most components.
There are two exceptions to keep in mind. First, the Radio Knobs are compatible with 2014-2019 models only. Toyota updated the head unit for the 2020 and 2021 model years, and the knob dimensions changed. Second, the Dual Zone Climate Knob 2-Pack is only for trucks equipped with dual-zone automatic climate control. If your Tundra has single-zone HVAC, you need the standard Climate Knob 3-Pack instead.
CrewMax and Double Cab configurations share the same dashboard and center console layout, so cab style does not affect fitment. Both the 4.6L V8 and 5.7L V8 engine options use the same interior trim.
If you are not sure which configuration your truck has, the AJT Design product page lists compatibility details for each component, or you can contact their team directly for help.
Beyond the Interior: Exterior Chrome Delete Options for the Tundra
Once the interior chrome is handled, many Tundra owners turn their attention to the exterior. AJT Design carries BumperShellz, which are bolt-on bumper covers that replace the chrome front and rear bumper surfaces with a paintable or pre-finished alternative. Lensun products are also available for headlight and taillight tinting. Combined with an Emblem Overlay on the grille and tailgate badges, you can carry the blacked-out look from the cabin to the exterior for a cohesive build.
The full range of AJT Design's chrome delete kits covers the Tundra, Tacoma, 4Runner, and FJ Cruiser, so if you have more than one Toyota in the driveway, you can apply the same treatment across your lineup.
The 2014-2021 Tundra is one of the most capable trucks Toyota has ever built. The interior chrome is the one thing most owners would change if they could. With AJT Design's injection-molded replacement parts and a bundled Chrome Delete Kit that covers 15+ components, you can. No paint, no vinyl, no compromises.
Browse the full AJT Design Chrome Delete Kit for 2014-2021 Tundra and configure your build today. Free shipping on all US orders over $25. Military, first responder, medical worker, and teacher discounts are available through GovX verification.