1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Should i smoke my tail lights

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Rigz22, May 3, 2021.

  1. May 3, 2021 at 8:46 PM
    #21
    Tacoma559

    Tacoma559 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2020
    Member:
    #350757
    Messages:
    86
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tacoma dcsb 4 cylinder
    I concur possibly
     
    Rigz22[OP] likes this.
  2. May 3, 2021 at 8:50 PM
    #22
    boston23

    boston23 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2019
    Member:
    #304290
    Messages:
    3,356
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Adam
    NM
    Vehicle:
    2019 SR5 DCSB 4x4
    I almost rear ended some dude because his smoked tail lights made his blinker hard to see in the sunlight

    edit: blinker means turn signal where I’m from by the way
     
    Chew, Mastiffsrule, Junkhead and 5 others like this.
  3. May 3, 2021 at 9:02 PM
    #23
    MadKatt

    MadKatt In need of serious help..

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2019
    Member:
    #313265
    Messages:
    1,326
    Gender:
    Male
    Frozen tundra
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRD OR DCLB Calvary Blue
    My truck is blacked out including the the tail lights. They are custom not painted and in the 2 years they have been on my truck I have yet to be rear ended. Nor has anyone ever complained that my taillights were out or they could not see them. My lights are bright and easy to see even in daylight. They match the look of my truck I have been very happy with them. My mirror turn signals are also blacked out courtesy of MESO and they are also very bright and easy to see.
     
    Tacoma559 and shotgunbilly420 like this.
  4. May 3, 2021 at 9:05 PM
    #24
    shotgunbilly420

    shotgunbilly420 OG Owner 230k+mi club/Tacoma enthusiast

    Joined:
    Jul 10, 2018
    Member:
    #258947
    Messages:
    3,242
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Montesano, Washington elv. 66ft
    Vehicle:
    2017 trd Tacoma offraod AT Inferno
    315/75/16, 6in modded RC lift,Anderson Engineering manifold spacer,K&N air intake, URD YPipe, stock exhaust ,16" method nv305 wheels, AFE throttle body spacer, vf Tune program, JTL 3.0 Oil catch can x2, rear cat delete
    I have a 2017 trd offroad I was trying something new so I got the smoked raptor tail lights for my taco and I love em lots of compliments
     
    Tacoma559 and MadKatt like this.
  5. May 3, 2021 at 9:07 PM
    #25
    shotgunbilly420

    shotgunbilly420 OG Owner 230k+mi club/Tacoma enthusiast

    Joined:
    Jul 10, 2018
    Member:
    #258947
    Messages:
    3,242
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Montesano, Washington elv. 66ft
    Vehicle:
    2017 trd Tacoma offraod AT Inferno
    315/75/16, 6in modded RC lift,Anderson Engineering manifold spacer,K&N air intake, URD YPipe, stock exhaust ,16" method nv305 wheels, AFE throttle body spacer, vf Tune program, JTL 3.0 Oil catch can x2, rear cat delete
    That dude should have got a led tailgate light bar like I did with sequential blinkers people know when I'm braking and signaling
     
  6. May 3, 2021 at 9:09 PM
    #26
    shotgunbilly420

    shotgunbilly420 OG Owner 230k+mi club/Tacoma enthusiast

    Joined:
    Jul 10, 2018
    Member:
    #258947
    Messages:
    3,242
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Montesano, Washington elv. 66ft
    Vehicle:
    2017 trd Tacoma offraod AT Inferno
    315/75/16, 6in modded RC lift,Anderson Engineering manifold spacer,K&N air intake, URD YPipe, stock exhaust ,16" method nv305 wheels, AFE throttle body spacer, vf Tune program, JTL 3.0 Oil catch can x2, rear cat delete
    I have the same meso ultimate blinkers love em my taco is inferno I think inferno and black is great looking
     
  7. May 3, 2021 at 9:12 PM
    #27
    MadKatt

    MadKatt In need of serious help..

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2019
    Member:
    #313265
    Messages:
    1,326
    Gender:
    Male
    Frozen tundra
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRD OR DCLB Calvary Blue
    I kno my truck came blacked out from Toyota except the taillights and mirror turn signals. Truck looks way better that way. Your right just need to make sure you get bright enough lights like leds so people can see them when you hit the brakes.
     
    Tacoma559 likes this.
  8. May 3, 2021 at 9:17 PM
    #28
    shotgunbilly420

    shotgunbilly420 OG Owner 230k+mi club/Tacoma enthusiast

    Joined:
    Jul 10, 2018
    Member:
    #258947
    Messages:
    3,242
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Montesano, Washington elv. 66ft
    Vehicle:
    2017 trd Tacoma offraod AT Inferno
    315/75/16, 6in modded RC lift,Anderson Engineering manifold spacer,K&N air intake, URD YPipe, stock exhaust ,16" method nv305 wheels, AFE throttle body spacer, vf Tune program, JTL 3.0 Oil catch can x2, rear cat delete
    I know for sure I look in my mirror and I can see behind me going down the road apply brakes road signs light up red , another plus is led tailgate light bar is also bright as back up light
     
    Tacoma559 likes this.
  9. May 3, 2021 at 9:35 PM
    #29
    shotgunbilly420

    shotgunbilly420 OG Owner 230k+mi club/Tacoma enthusiast

    Joined:
    Jul 10, 2018
    Member:
    #258947
    Messages:
    3,242
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Montesano, Washington elv. 66ft
    Vehicle:
    2017 trd Tacoma offraod AT Inferno
    315/75/16, 6in modded RC lift,Anderson Engineering manifold spacer,K&N air intake, URD YPipe, stock exhaust ,16" method nv305 wheels, AFE throttle body spacer, vf Tune program, JTL 3.0 Oil catch can x2, rear cat delete
    Look at opt7 led tailgate light bar on Amazon
     
  10. May 3, 2021 at 9:36 PM
    #30
    shotgunbilly420

    shotgunbilly420 OG Owner 230k+mi club/Tacoma enthusiast

    Joined:
    Jul 10, 2018
    Member:
    #258947
    Messages:
    3,242
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Montesano, Washington elv. 66ft
    Vehicle:
    2017 trd Tacoma offraod AT Inferno
    315/75/16, 6in modded RC lift,Anderson Engineering manifold spacer,K&N air intake, URD YPipe, stock exhaust ,16" method nv305 wheels, AFE throttle body spacer, vf Tune program, JTL 3.0 Oil catch can x2, rear cat delete
    Also a curt wire adapter so you can still retain you light hookups for towing
     
  11. May 3, 2021 at 9:56 PM
    #31
    slowlane

    slowlane Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2014
    Member:
    #129313
    Messages:
    3,543
    Gender:
    Male
    AZ
    Vehicle:
    16 double cab MGM
    Interested to see if TW can talk the OP in avoiding a pointless and dangerous mod.

    Since you're asking for opinions. Don't do it. Some will say its illegal some will say its dangerous. They're right. A cop may or not give you a ticket but they sure as he'll will have a reason to pull you over with dark taillights. Additionally, do you have kids or family ride in your truck with you? Don't give a reason for the person behind you, not to see you.
     
    vicali, doc76, tonered and 1 other person like this.
  12. May 3, 2021 at 10:01 PM
    #32
    71tattooguy

    71tattooguy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2018
    Member:
    #276275
    Messages:
    5,526
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dino
    Petaluma , Ca (707)
    Vehicle:
    2019 DCLB TRD OFF- ROAD
    Kings 2.5” front and rears from Accutune / ICON RXT LEAF PACK black badges doors and tailgate / method 315 / 255/85/16 Yokohama G003 / magnaflow exhaust , axle dump / meso int delete kit / meso led map lights / dome lights / wheelers front super bumps / accutune Flip kit with spacer and new bumps / Cali raised fog light pods / Cali raised ditch lights / RCI FULL SKIDS / SLIDERS / RCI rear bumper / rigid backup lights / tuned on 4.88’s
    :bananadead:
     
    Chew likes this.
  13. May 3, 2021 at 10:03 PM
    #33
    tinker_troy

    tinker_troy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2007
    Member:
    #2718
    Messages:
    14,692
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    T R O Y
    WY/SD
    Vehicle:
    #3, 2015 SR AC 4x4 V6 6 speed
    shackle brace, rear sway bar, 3 gen seats, Coupe Shifter, 3rd gen OR front springs + shocks, 17" TuRD PRO replica wheels
    Smoked Tails and Truck Nutz, like peas and carrots.
     
  14. May 4, 2021 at 12:39 AM
    #34
    lynlan1819

    lynlan1819 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2016
    Member:
    #181268
    Messages:
    6,292
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tacoma
    Lifted
    No ! if someone was too rear end you,the insurance will say you are at fault as the other party could not see your altered tail lights,possible citation also.
     
    Last edited: May 4, 2021
  15. May 4, 2021 at 3:46 AM
    #35
    Mmaira2018

    Mmaira2018 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2018
    Member:
    #257865
    Messages:
    292
    Gender:
    Male
    There's a difference between smoked and blacked out, which I think some people are missing here OP. A properly smoked tail light shouldn't reduce light output that much. Blacked out on the other hand WILL make it difficult/nearly impossible in the daylight for people to see your brakelights.
    But as someone else said, you already have the Pro tail lights, those things are sick. IMO no need to upgrade.
     
  16. May 4, 2021 at 4:20 AM
    #36
    ndoldman59

    ndoldman59 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2016
    Member:
    #177052
    Messages:
    761
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Murray
    West Fargo, ND
    Vehicle:
    2021 magnetic silver SR5 DCSB V6
    It's kinda your call, most don't like it for the less light output, I concur. The best reason for not is the insurance company could have a denial of claim. Than who gets to cover the damages to both vehicles, the professional tinter or you.
    In the home window industry almost every manufacturer voids the warranty because they offer tinted glass from the factory on the proper surface so the tinting company now has the warranty.
     
    Last edited: May 4, 2021
    tonered likes this.
  17. May 4, 2021 at 5:46 AM
    #37
    Rock Lobster

    Rock Lobster Thread Derailer

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2018
    Member:
    #275833
    Messages:
    12,142
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    Dee Eff Dub
    Vehicle:
    Sport Crew represent
    What I saw this morning, I just want to add to this thought. If you customize safety equipment, make sure you know what you are doing and do it right.

    I was following a truck with blacked out LEDs this morning. The difference between his running light and brake light was too small for me to distinguish. Dude probably had several hundred dollars worth of custom lights and I couldn't tell when he was applying the brakes. Perfect example of what not to do.

    Thankfully I'm not a tailgater. But this is Dallas, inattentive tailgaters tend to grow on trees around here.
     
  18. May 4, 2021 at 6:14 AM
    #38
    TRD__Chris

    TRD__Chris Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2020
    Member:
    #317415
    Messages:
    396
    First Name:
    Chris
    STL
    Vehicle:
    2016 Sport
    Are you having them painted or is the shop applying a tinted film? I think most responders to your thread seem to think you’re “blacking out” your taillights, which in my opinion looks lame and is dangerous.

    I think a properly tinted taillight will be fine. In Missouri your tails need to be “red and visible at 500 feet”. I would check your local traffic laws and maybe check some other local car enthusiasts forums to see how much your local PD cares.
     
    Tacoma559 and Knute like this.
  19. May 4, 2021 at 8:58 AM
    #39
    Junkhead

    Junkhead TRDude

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2019
    Member:
    #284671
    Messages:
    14,997
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Serge
    Prince George, BC
    Vehicle:
    Black 4x4 Sport MT 2018
    Some Serious Tires
    Holy smokes!
     
  20. May 4, 2021 at 9:32 AM
    #40
    MadKatt

    MadKatt In need of serious help..

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2019
    Member:
    #313265
    Messages:
    1,326
    Gender:
    Male
    Frozen tundra
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRD OR DCLB Calvary Blue
    ^This right here, my blackout/smoked taillights were produced and molded from tinted plastic to look blacked out. The taillights are CLEARLY visible from a long distance away. I have driven my truck through 14 different states with my blacked out taillights with never an issue including law enforcement. I get that some people don’t like it who cares do what YOU like. Just make sure you buy a quality product that is very visible to other drivers that is what I did and the result so far have been zero issues. Don’t go through life by caring how others see you just be you.
     
    shotgunbilly420 likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top