Why "de-Badge"?

[TUNDRASROCK]

I am new to the forum but I keep reading about "de-badging" Can someone tell
me the pros-cons of this.

[atrdnut]

I am new to the forum but I keep reading about "de-badging" Can someone tell
me the pros-cons of this.

Welcome to the club, Tundrasrock

Have you had a chance to check out my Interior/Exterior FAQ thread? I have a lot of informative threads regarding debadging in that FAQ.

But, a few quick pros/cons for you:

Pros:
-Smoother look to the body
-Easier to wax/polish
-Good for those who don't want to be a rolling advertisement

Cons:
-Some people mistake your truck for a F-150
-If it's an older truck, you may get 'ghosting' where the old badges were
-Not much else that I can think of


I myself have a debadged truck. You can check my gallery for some pics of it. But be sure to check out that FAQ because there is some great info to be read. Take it easy!

-Austin (Interior/Exterior Forum Moderator)

[anmrivera]

Welcome to the club, Tundrasrock

Have you had a chance to check out my Interior/Exterior FAQ thread? I have a lot of informative threads regarding debadging in that FAQ.

But, a few quick pros/cons for you:

Pros:
-Smoother look to the body
-Easier to wax/polish
-Good for those who don't want to be a rolling advertisement

Cons:
-Some people mistake your truck for a F-150
-If it's an older truck, you may get 'ghosting' where the old badges were
-Not much else that I can think of


I myself have a debadged truck. You can check my gallery for some pics of it. But be sure to check out that FAQ because there is some great info to be read. Take it easy!

-Austin (Interior/Exterior Forum Moderator)

I agree with Austin.
Antoher pro is the weight to HP ratio benifits! I like to tell people that mistake it for a F-150 that an F-150 couldn't look this good! LOL

[ALL MOTA]

Cons:
-Some people mistake your truck for a F-150

I get "Tacoma" alot.

I love the clean look of de-badging... especially on a black truck.

[Invid]

I took mine off basically to facilitate cleaning and waxing. Those badges became dirt traps and an eye sore to me.

[TundraTRX]

Welcome to the club, Tundrasrock

Have you had a chance to check out my Interior/Exterior FAQ thread? I have a lot of informative threads regarding debadging in that FAQ.

But, a few quick pros/cons for you:

Pros:
-Smoother look to the body
-Easier to wax/polish
-Good for those who don't want to be a rolling advertisement

Cons:
-Some people mistake your truck for a F-150
-If it's an older truck, you may get 'ghosting' where the old badges were
-Not much else that I can think of


I myself have a debadged truck. You can check my gallery for some pics of it. But be sure to check out that FAQ because there is some great info to be read. Take it easy!

-Austin (Interior/Exterior Forum Moderator)

I can also think of another con. It can potentially hurt resale/trade-in value. If you ever plan on trading your truck in, it could hurt. I plan on driving my truck for a while (may trade in for a new hybrid Tundra) so it is of a small concern to me.

Yeah, I love the looks of my debadged pickup, and I'd love to remove all traces of Toyota remaining (wheels, steering wheel) to throw people for a real loop. I haven't had anyone mistake my truck for a F-150 or Tacoma, though.

Invid, I agree with you 100% about cleaning the truck. It is SO much easier without those badges and decals in the way. I also took off my TRD Off-Road stickers when I debadged. For me, here is the pros and cons as I see them in the order of importance with some notes/comments for thought;

Pros -
* - Easier to clean/maintain exterior appearance. Now, if I could replace the body side molding with an OEM quality replacement, but in the same color as my truck.
* - As atrdnut mentioned, not as big of a rolling advertisement. Toyota is apparently mighty proud of their trucks. Have you seen the badging on a fully loaded Tacoma? Overboard!
* - An easy to obtain custom look. Once you debadge, you'll probably see it as I did and think "Dang, this truck was supposed to look like this to begin with!"

Cons -
* - Can hurt your resale/trade-in value. Some people, like dealerships, may not appreciate the custom look as much as you do.
* - Potential ghosting/fading issues on older darker trucks when debadged. If you are going to debadge, do it as quickly as possible to prevent problems.
* - Some people might insult you for "mistaking" your truck for a different make & model. I have yet to have it happen to me, outside of the family. My parents call it the "Foryota" because the front end looks like my parents' 2003 F-150.

[KorovaB2]

One of the best pros is that it's potentially free, for such a vast visual upgrade. But the more money you spend, the easier it becomes. I spent a total of $30, only on the pinstripe removal wheel.

[nucleus]

Efficiency: Removing badges improves aerodynamics and decreases weight, increasing gas mileage by .0000018 miles per gallon.

[atrdnut]

Efficiency: Removing badges improves aerodynamics and decreases weight, increasing gas mileage by .0000018 miles per gallon.

Sweet! No wonder I've been getting 301 miles to the tank, and not 300.

[UsE_To_RoCk]

just because...the truck looks soooooo much better without those GIGANTIC chrome badges plastered all over the sides and tailgate!

my.00002 cents

[tuesdayd]

just because...the truck looks soooooo much better without those GIGANTIC chrome badges plastered all over the sides and tailgate!

my.00002 cents

I totally agree! Those monster-size badges are just a little over the top for me. It sure does make cleaning easier, too.

[pistolpete]

I am new to the forum but I keep reading about "de-badging" Can someone tell
me the pros-cons of this.

because " WE DON'T NEED NO STINKIN' BADGES!!!"

sorry couldn't resist the movie quote!!!

[file014]

You have to stick the badge on your garage wall to remember which is the truck parking spot.

[Thai]

From a different perspective, I'm proud that it's a TOYOTA. I'd like people to know that it's a reliable brand and not mistaken it for an American built. I'm quite proud of my HL and feel that the factory badging on it isn't bad or excessive whatsoever.

Look at Chevrolet's. LMAO! Their entire tailgate has their brand literally embossed in the metal. I guess it's so it's easier for the tow truck to find it from a distance.

I wouldn't want random strangers calling me a towtruck whenever I stop at the side of the road to use my phone because they think it's a GM or FORD, etc...

[Phil0411]

I really like the look of no badges too, but I love the look of people pulling up to my truck, looking over and I see one of them mouth, "That's a Toyota? " even more!

I leave mine on for the simple fact that I am proud to own such a great vehicle and I want other people to know exactly what it is. I have been struggling over taking them off, but for now, they stay on and I clean them meticulously.

For those of you who have taken them off, no offense is meant here. In fact, I think it looks sooooo good without them. In typical Tundra owner fashion, I don't think you can make one look bad as long as it's straight and clean IMO!

Phil