How to Customize Your Peterbilt 379 with Aftermarket Parts (Within a Budget)

13th Mar 2025

The Peterbilt 379 truck is an iconic, bold, and rugged-looking classic, beloved among owner-operators all over America.

This truck model is renowned for its capacity to be customizable down to the last detail.

If you’re looking for the best ways to start customizing, check out this guide!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Coolest-Looking Pete 379 Custom Rigs
Customizations on a Budget
Temporary Customizations
Customizations for Performance
Customizations for Driver Comfort
Customizations for Exterior
Customizations for Interior Cab Space

Why a Custom Peterbilt 379 is Worth the Investment

The 379 model is no longer on the market. So it’s even more important that you invest in quality parts that will extend your truck’s operability for years to come.

That, and doing so can boost resale value for any Peterbilt 379 model collector.

Quick Guide Budget Customization Cheat Sheet

Peterbilt 379 Customization Cost Guide
Customization Type	Best Upgrade Ideas	Budget $-$$
Budget-Friendly Modification	Chrome Lug Nut Covers, LED Lights, Dash Trim	$1.19 - $800
Interior Comfort	High-Quality Seats, Steering Wheel, Mattress, Storage Upgrades	$150 -$6,000
Performance Upgrades	Turbochargers, Exhaust Stacks, High-Flow Air Filters	$380 - $6,000
Exterior Styling	Chrome Trim, Custom Paint, Grille Guards, Bug Shields	$10 - $5,500
Lighting Enhancements	Cab Roof Marker Lights, Underglow LED Kits, Headlight Trim Rings	$39 - $1,200
Aerodynamic Improvements	Roof Fairings, Side Skirts, side fairings	$179 - $1,200
Suspension & Stability	Shock Absorbers, Load Share Suspension, G3 Air Ride	$34 - $2,500
Technology & Electronics	CB Radios, GPS Mounts, Backup Cameras, Inverters	$71 - $414

Cool Customization Ideas for Your Peterbilt 379

Extended Length Hood: enormous visual appeal and aerodynamic benefits.
Dash Kits: Experience better interior functionality while driving
Custom Peterbilt 379 Accessories: chrome accents, LED lights, and interior trim can change the entire feel of your rig.
Configurations for Peterbilt 379: There are plenty of options for sleeper cab and day cab configurations.

Examples of Uniquely Customized Peterbilt 379 Rigs

Most Affordable Peterbilt Customizations for a Tight Budget

Here’s how to prioritize aftermarket parts on a smaller budget.

Chrome Trim and Accent Accessories:

Chrome Lug Nut Covers: simple upgrade that can add a more polished, clean-cut look to your wheels
Door Handle Covers: inexpensive option when adding a bit of style and functionality to your Peterbilt truck.
Mirror Covers: chrome cap covers for your side mirrors offer a classic look.
Hood Emblems and Bezels: wide array of shiny, custom-looking designs

LED Lighting Upgrades

Aftermarket lighting systems for the Peterbilt 379 aren’t just cost effective, they’re useful.

Cab Roof Marker Lights: swap out the old amber lights with distinct, colorful LED lights

Underglow Lighting Kit: mount under the cab some affordable LED strips that dramatically enhance the Peterbilt’s look

Headlight Trim Rings: add chrome or color-matching trim around your headlights.

Mud Flaps

Mud flaps are the go-to accessory for budget shoppers because they are customizable, functional, affordable, and give drivers the opportunity to do some personalized branding.

Interior Upgrades on a Budget

Customizing your Peterbilt’s cabin space can be an affordable way to start upgrading your rig.

Steering Wheel Covers: add extra comfort and style for a dirt-cheap price
Dash Trims and Knobs: get uniquely designed dash cover kits or sleek, chrome trim
Gear Shift Knobs: find chrome, wood, or color-matching shift knobs

Exterior Accessories on a Budget

License Plate Frames: choose from chrome or custom engraves
Bug Shields and Visors: chrome or painted bug shields are a budget-friendly way to add style to your rig

Fuel Tank End Covers: Quilted to help with weatherproofing, these accessories add a personalized, professional appearance to your truck’s fuel tank.

Wheel Accessories: hub caps, lug nuts, and hub cover kits can give your truck a small yet noticeable customization option

Temporary Customizations (Easy Removal)

If you’re driving a rig that belongs to a company fleet, there are probably rules around you customizing a truck.

These parts offer a great way to add a bit of uniqueness to your rig and easily remove them when you turn your truck back in.

Steering Wheel Covers:

Easy to place and replace, steering wheel covers offer a cheap, easy way to add a little customization to your semi truck.

Steering Wheels:

You can add and replace steering wheels with minimal effort. From chrome bezels to striped dark wood grain wheel material and chrome wheel hub adapters, steering wheel kits offer limitless customization options for truckers who want to perfect the aesthetic appeal of their interior cab with complementary steering wheel designs and colors.

Floor Mats:

As easy as it gets, replace your Peterbilt 379 floor mats with new ones that feature unique logos and treads.

Air Horns:

Installing an aftermarket train horn is relatively low-cost and easy to do. You get to show off a unique sound and find a finish that matches the color aesthetic of your Peterbilt 379, be it a polished chrome or polished black color.

Decals:

Technically, you can add and remove headlights and bezels, but it might be a bit of a hassle since you don’t own the truck and your headlight kit may not be compatible with your next rig.

Peterbilt 379 Performance Customizations for a Better Ride

Aerodynamic Upgrades

Roof Fairings: minimize wind drag on your Peterbilt 379
Side Skirts: cover the gaps under the trailer and reduce the drag
Bumper Valances: improve the airflow around your truck’s front end

Exhaust System Enhancements

Exhaust Stacks: a must-have aftermarket customization for any Peterbilt owner; these pipes come in styles like miter, Y-pipe, straight, or flex, and not only look great but improve exhaust flow.
Mufflers: Get a deep sound when you rev your engine and reduce backpressure to boot.

Engine Upgrades

Turbochargers: get better airflow and power delivery to your Peterbilt
High-Flow Air Filters: simply improves engine efficiency with better air intake for combustion.
Exhaust Manifolds: aftermarket components can withstand high temperatures and high pressure of your Cummin’s diesel engine.

Suspension Upgrades

These parts improve your ride quality and stability.

Shock Absorbers: reduce the vibration of your rig and improve driving control.
Load Share Suspension: distribute weight more evenly between steer axle and auxiliary axles to reduce overload on the suspension system.
2-Gauge Steer Axle Suspension Kit: reduces strain on kingpins, tie rods, and bushings while enhancing weight capacity (higher GAWR - gross axle weight rating).

Peterbilt 379 Parts that Enhance Driver Comfort

Sleeper Area Upgrades

High-Quality Mattress: get a better night’s sleep in your Peterbilt with memory foam.
Refrigerator/Cabinet: ergonomic way to achieve better storage space usage and securely hold your refrigerator in your cabin at the same time.
Storage Upgrades: investing in an ergonomic tool box will help keep you organized on the road.
Back Support Cushion: find better lumbar support during long drives to help reduce driver fatigue.

Peterbilt 379 Exterior Customizations

Bumpers

Oftentimes, bumpers are straightforward to install with brackets and bolts. But the ease of installation depends on the manufacturer. Peterbilt 379 bumpers are something you should prioritize when customizing your rig.

Choose from steel, aluminum, or fiberglass composite materials. Each material has pros and cons, from average weight to durability.

You also have an abundance of bumper design options to choose from:

Blind Mount Bumper: sleek, streamlined look with mounting brackets that are hidden from view to give a clean, modern look. The hidden brackets can make installation more challenging.
T-Bar Bumper: prominent, horizontal bar across the front, integrated with lights
Mitered Corner Bumper: the corners are angled for a more stylish look, as well as aerodynamic efficiency. Sometimes these are less durable than squared-off corners.
Boxed-End Bumper: simplistic, classic design that features squared-off ends.
Rolled-End Bumper: the ends of the bumper are rounded for a smooth, elegant look.

You get the most bang for your buck with BUMPERS.

Not only can bumpers prove to be aerodynamic in their shape, adding to your Peterbilt’s fuel efficiency, they are among the first parts of a truck people see when on the road.

Grilles & Grille Guards

In minor collisions, the grille guard can deter excessive damage caused by an impact. Here are some of the top style options to help improve the aesthetic appeal of your Peterbilt 379.

Herd Road Train Grille Guard: designed to make room for fog lights and auxiliary lights.
Black Tuff Grille Guard: simple, black powder coat finish that doesn’t require drilling thanks to its retractable brackets.
Deluxe Grille Guard: stainless steel finish and bold curvature to give your Peterbilt a more robust look.

Front Fenders, Rear Fenders & Fender Accessories

Sure, fenders are functional - protecting against mud, water, dirt, and environmental toxins that might come near the engine bay, but they’re also a great way to add a personalized touch to your Peterbilt 379.

Front fenders come in aluminum and fiberglass composite material with a wide array of color options. Seamlessly blend the color of your front fender with the body’s paint.

Custom Peterbilt 379 Interior Customizations

Dash kits

Dash kits offer a great way to start stylizing your interior for a relatively low cost. The average price of a kit ranges from $300 to $500.

Seating Upgrades

This is where you spend most of your time. Invest in a quality replacement seat for your Peterbilt 379. There are plenty of great brands, like Pinnacle, Vendetta, and Legacy. Check out our semi truck seating guide.

Electronics and tech

Inverters, backup and dash cameras, and CB-related gadgets. If you happen not to own your Peterbilt, these electronic accessories can easily be removed and taken with you to your new rig.

Ergonomic accessories

An ergonomic accessory can be as simple and cheap as the right cup holder or a GPS mount for your dash. It can also be as expensive as a clock gauge. Seemingly small, trivial accessories can help elevate the comfort and functionality of your Peterbilt.

Tips on Finding the Right Peterbilt Accessories and Parts

There are plenty of online platforms that provide aftermarket accessories, tools, and parts built to fit the 379 model.

You can also look for flash sales or holiday specials for some dealers.

How to Select the Right Upgrades for Your Peterbilt 379

1. Usage Habits

How are you using your truck? If you’re a long-haul driver, customize your rig to be comfortable and efficient. Try ergonomic seating or a larger fuel tank for fewer pit stops.

If your Peterbilt is going off-road, invest in bumpers, skid plates, and mud flaps.

And if you’re getting ready for a truck show, flashy LED light bars or watermelon headlights might be where you need to put your money.

2. Your Budget

When it comes to customizing your Peterbilt 379, your budget plays a huge role.

Set priorities and decide on what upgrades are the most important. You may decide to focus more on quality engine parts or fuel system enhancements as opposed to a new trim for your internal dash.

You can mix and match high-priced premium parts in high-impact areas, like your shocks or suspension components, with budget-friendly alternatives for non-critical parts of the truck, like mud flaps.

3. Part Compatibility

Make sure the part is compatible with your truck’s make and model year. Most aftermarket parts meet or exceed Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) standards, ensuring a proper fit.

Think about your future upgrades when choosing parts. Make sure your new parts won’t limit your ability to add cool features down the line, like aerodynamic kits or auxiliary lights.

4. Design and Style

The Peterbilt 379 can be stylized at the highest level. Whether it’s a custom paint job or vinyl wrap, new LED lights underneath the cab, or a chrome or stainless steel bumper, there’s a lot to choose from when it comes to getting the style and design that reflects your personality.

Here’s Why You Should Start Customizing Your Peterbilt 379

The value of the Peterbilt 379 model will only go up as the years pass. It’s always worth investing in your iconic rig.

Here’s why:

Higher Resale Value
Improved Visual Aesthetics.
Enhanced Comfort and Convenience.
Unique, Personalized Style.

Find the Perfect, Parts and Accessories at 4 State Trucks

Get long-term value from premium aftermarket parts designed to fit your iconic Pete truck model.

Aftermarket Customization FAQs (Customers Asked Us)

What are the most popular aftermarket custom add-ons for a Peterbilt 379?

Steering wheels, seat upgrades, and sun visors.

What kind of dash kit should I add to my Peterbilt 379?

We recommend that you choose a fender to help provide a sleek, modern look.

That, or you could find a quarter fender, half fender, or full fender kit matches your overarching pattern and design of your truck’s interior.