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Blacking out the chrome grill

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HarryN

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Hi - going through the various configurations of the 2025 using the ram web site:
- 3500 SRW Megacab limited rambox
- I would rather not have a black interior and there is a redish color interior available
- Wife will loose it if this thing has a chrome front face so that means night edition to make it black ( really can't stand chrome anywhere )
- Going to night edition forces the interior seats to be black vs I don't want that feature

So how big of deal is it to either replace that front grill with a black one, or change the color with a coating or ?

Is this one of those vanity things that are ridiculously costly to do and I am stuck with a black interior option ?

The brown and wood interior of the limited longhorn is just a no go for us.

Thanks

Harry
 
I bought a 2024 Ram 3500 diesel for a good price, that had most everything I wanted except it has the chrome package which I did not want. I was planning to upgrade bumpers and wheels anyway to that left the front grille to black out. Based on two different recommendations (RAM dealer parts guy, and Truck Trends aftermarket parts guy) Both recommended having the front grille vinyl wrapped in black, and both recommended the same shop (New School Vinyl in NH). For $200 I had the chrome front grille and the outer chrome edge of the "3500" hood badges wrapped in matte black. It came out great, they even wrapped the "RAM" letters. Cannot tell its wrap, cannot see any chrome, should last and hold up better than paint. I think a lot depends on how good the wrap installers are, he disassembled the grille in order to wrap it. Not at home so could not take and attach photo of truck. Hope this helps. Steve
 
swoods said:
I bought a 2024 Ram 3500 diesel for a good price, that had most everything I wanted except it has the chrome package which I did not want. I was planning to upgrade bumpers and wheels anyway to that left the front grille to black out. Based on two different recommendations (RAM dealer parts guy, and Truck Trends aftermarket parts guy) Both recommended having the front grille vinyl wrapped in black, and both recommended the same shop (New School Vinyl in NH). For $200 I had the chrome front grille and the outer chrome edge of the "3500" hood badges wrapped in matte black. It came out great, they even wrapped the "RAM" letters. Cannot tell its wrap, cannot see any chrome, should last and hold up better than paint. I think a lot depends on how good the wrap installers are, he disassembled the grille in order to wrap it. Not at home so could not take and attach photo of truck. Hope this helps. Steve
Click to expand...

Thanks - that is really useful. Even if the wrap takes some dings, they probably can replace portions of it. Would really enjoy seeing some photos when it is convenient.

It is a lot easier to find the chrome versions in this area than blackout.

Were you able to cover up the ugly chrome inside of the cab as well, such as the dash and door area ?
 
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I did a “night edition conversion” on my chromed out tradesman. I didn’t want a bighorn etc, I wanted a tradesman but I wanted blacked out.

Approx $1k for night edition headlights and taillights

Approx $50 to hyperdip the grille surround and bumper

Approx $100 to change out the emblems you can’t delete (hood, tailgate, grille) to black

Old pics but you get the idea

IMG_0938.jpeg
IMG_0939.jpeg
 
Rockcrawlindude said:
I did a “night edition conversion” on my chromed out tradesman. I didn’t want a bighorn etc, I wanted a tradesman but I wanted blacked out.

Approx $1k for night edition headlights and taillights

Approx $50 to hyperdip the grille surround and bumper

Approx $100 to change out the emblems you can’t delete (hood, tailgate, grille) to black

Old pics but you get the idea

View attachment 85944
View attachment 85945
Click to expand...

That looks really good. Did you do anything to cover up chrome on the interior ?
 
Or you can plastic dip it any color you want.
Dipyourcar.com

I did my rims a few years back and it held up good, even offroading.
Was a pain to peel off when I didn't want it anymore. I probably should have put on more coats, makes it easier to remove.
 
Rockcrawlindude said:
I did a “night edition conversion” on my chromed out tradesman. I didn’t want a bighorn etc, I wanted a tradesman but I wanted blacked out.

Approx $1k for night edition headlights and taillights

Approx $50 to hyperdip the grille surround and bumper

Approx $100 to change out the emblems you can’t delete (hood, tailgate, grille) to black

Old pics but you get the idea

View attachment 85944
View attachment 85945
Click to expand...
Which Hyperdip black did you end up getting? I'm looking to blackout all my chrome as well and cant decide between the gloss or satin.
 
E-Dub said:
Which Hyperdip black did you end up getting? I'm looking to blackout all my chrome as well and cant decide between the gloss or satin.
Click to expand...
I have used Satin just my preference to match my flares etc. I’ve used both hyperdip and plasti-dip. It’s about time for me to re do mine. It’s looking a little faded.
 
Rockcrawlindude said:
I have used Satin just my preference to match my flares etc. I’ve used both hyperdip and plasti-dip. It’s about time for me to re do mine. It’s looking a little faded.
Click to expand...
Awesome, I just didn't know if the gloss would be off just enough from the OEM paint to be annoying to look at. I had been leaning towards the Satin for that reason.
 
An alternate option would be to get the night edition and then swap the leather to a color of your choosing. You could go with the factory dark red option or something completely custom. That would get rid of all the chrome on the interior as well IIRC since it's a limited. That way you wouldn't have to worry about the finish you put over the chrome and you already have the night edition lights.
 
I have seen many new tradesman work trucks even utility body trucks with night edition headlights, black grille and badging. I can tell they’re new because of the mirrors. I don’t think it was an option when I bought my 19 but that would be the way to go now.
 
Hello, I just picked up a 3500 last week off the lot. I also dislike chrome greatly, but this truck, unfortunately, has it.

I just priced the parts to switch over and it is completely outrageous, unless of course I did something wrong which is possible. The grille and surrounding chrome alone is around $1300 - $1400.

Due to that pricing , I think I’ll just have it wrapped. I previously dipped the chrome on my Toyota truck. While it looked ok, I wasn’t ever truly satisfied with it.
 
T143 said:
Snowflake is getting some satin black wrapping done 23-24June will post pics when I receive her back.
Click to expand...
Got her back today
 

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Rather than start a new discussion, I’ll ask here. Sorry if this has been discussed before, I’ve checked the forum and didn’t see anything:

Anyway, in reference to blacking out the emblems: actual molar parts are outrageous. eBay has several listings of replacement emblems, but I’m concerned about longevity and quality. Does anyone have specific recommendations?

Thanks
 
Ballbearing said:
Rather than start a new discussion, I’ll ask here. Sorry if this has been discussed before, I’ve checked the forum and didn’t see anything:

Anyway, in reference to blacking out the emblems: actual molar parts are outrageous. eBay has several listings of replacement emblems, but I’m concerned about longevity and quality. Does anyone have specific recommendations?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Ebay is fine but try to find OE parts. FYI I bought the black “RAM” grille letter emblems off eBay and they were supposed to be black but they were half-ass grey and didn’t even match each other. They came in mopar parts bags too. Fit was great but I had to paint them.
 
I used plastidip on a couple vehicles in the past. I wasn’t completely satisfied with it though. Although, it did look good for quite some time.
 
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