Better Audio.
Any Hilux.
The Toyota Hilux is New Zealand's most iconic ute. It's built for everything — except listening to music. Whether your Hilux came with the standard eight-speaker setup or the JBL system on SR5 Limited and Adventure grades, the factory audio is an afterthought in a vehicle that works harder than almost anything else on NZ roads. Road noise, tyre noise, and engine noise all compete with the music at motorway speeds. The factory system doesn't stand a chance. We've worked across the full Hilux range — every generation, every grade. We know exactly what each one needs. Looking for the Land Cruiser 70 Series? That's a different vehicle with its own dedicated page — see the 70 Series audio upgrade page here.
SR, SR5
The SR and SR5 Hilux — eight speakers, no brand name, no subwoofer. The most common Hilux configuration on NZ roads and the most straightforward to upgrade. All three systems are available. The improvement from even System One is immediately and dramatically obvious — the factory system simply doesn't compete with road noise at motorway speeds.
SR5 Limited, Adventure
The JBL-equipped Hilux — nine speakers on SR5 Limited and Adventure grades. Better than the standard system. Still significantly limited by factory amplification. The DSP upgrade gives the JBL hardware the power and independent control it needs. We can also go further and replace the system entirely. We'll recommend the right approach for your specific build.
N80 (2015–2024) & earlier
The N80 generation Hilux (2015 onwards) and earlier models — all fully upgradeable, all benefiting significantly from the same approach. On most of these models, head unit replacement is possible and we'd generally recommend it where practical. Earlier Hilux models have an even simpler signal chain and are among the most rewarding upgrades we do.
Three Ways to Upgrade
Each approach builds on the last — or stands alone
Better Bass.
Better Clarity.
More music. Less road noise. Same tough ute.
Enquire for pricing- Compact underseat subwoofer
- High-fidelity tweeter and crossover upgrade
- Amplifier for subwoofer and front speakers
- Sound deadening — front doors
- Power kit, cables and minor parts
- Installation and calibration
System One works with your factory speakers and adds the two things every Hilux is missing — proper bass and amplification. A compact subwoofer hidden under or behind a seat fills the low-frequency range the factory system can't produce. Sound deadening in the doors makes a significant difference in a ute cab — the Hilux door is large and largely hollow, and the acoustic loss is substantial. Firming the door panels up lets the factory speakers perform the way they're designed to, and reduces the road noise that competes with the music at speed. On Hilux models where head unit replacement is possible, we may recommend including it as part of the System One build — always a better outcome where it's practical. The factory stereo, CarPlay, and all factory controls remain fully functional.
Get a quote for your Toyota Hilux →
Full Control.
Every Speaker.
The DSP unlocks what the factory amplifier never could.
Tailored quote — contact us- Compact underseat subwoofer
- High-fidelity tweeter and crossover upgrade
- Multichannel DSP amplifier
- Full individual speaker timing, phase and EQ calibration
- Sound deadening — front doors
- Power kit, cables and minor parts
- Installation and calibration
System Two adds a multichannel DSP amplifier — the single most significant upgrade available for any Hilux, and the correct approach for JBL-equipped SR5 Limited and Adventure models. The DSP connects to the factory signal chain and processes it independently for every speaker in the vehicle. Timing, phase, and equalisation are corrected channel by channel — giving us control the factory system was never designed to allow. For JBL-equipped Hilux models, this is where the nine-speaker hardware finally gets the amplification it needs. For standard eight-speaker models, this is where the Hilux stops sounding like a work vehicle and starts sounding like a proper listening space. Sound deadening in the front doors is included — in a ute this large, it matters more than in almost any other vehicle we work on.
Get a quote for your Toyota Hilux →
The Complete
Build.
Every speaker. Every door. Calibrated for your ears.
Tailored quote — contact us- Front component speaker and tweeter upgrade
- Rear speaker upgrade
- Multichannel DSP amp/processor
- Full individual speaker timing, phase and EQ calibration
- Subwoofer — behind rear seat
- Sound deadening — all four doors
- Power kit, cables and minor parts
- Installation and calibration
The complete build. Front component speakers, dedicated subwoofer, multichannel DSP processor, and full acoustic treatment across all four doors. Front component speakers replace the factory drivers — selected specifically for the Hilux's cabin size, door configuration, and the owner's listening preferences. Rear speakers are upgraded and independently controlled. The subwoofer sits behind the rear seat — the double cab Hilux rear bench area is one of the better subwoofer locations in any ute, and a properly enclosed sub back there makes a significant contribution to the overall system. Sound deadening goes into all four doors. In a double cab Hilux carrying passengers regularly, treating the rear doors makes a noticeable difference to the overall cabin noise level — and to how much the rear passengers enjoy the journey. The DSP processor is calibrated using professional, specialist software — precise independent control over every parameter in the system, tuned for the specific vehicle and the owner's listening preferences. Wired remote controls are available for bass and volume adjustment. For JBL-equipped models, we can work with the existing hardware where it's capable, or replace it. We'll recommend the right approach for your specific vehicle.
Get a quote for your Toyota Hilux →New Zealand's car audio specialists.
Rapid Radio has been installing and calibrating car audio systems in Auckland for over two decades. We work across the full spectrum — from everyday EVs through to Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, and Tesla — with every build calibrated by ear to the vehicle and the owner. No compromise installs. Factory-clean finish. Every time.
No two builds are the same — and that's the point.
Because the DSP is the engine of every upgrade, the hardware around it is entirely flexible. Entry-level speaker sets will sound dramatically better than the factory system — and world-class reference components will do things the factory engineers never imagined. We work across the full range, from practical upgrades to reference builds, and every system is calibrated by ear before you leave.
Ready to talk options? Get in touch.
Can you upgrade the audio in any Hilux?
Yes — all Hilux generations and grades are fully upgradeable. Current and new-generation models, previous N80 generation, and earlier. Standard eight-speaker and JBL nine-speaker configurations. Double cab, extra cab, and single cab. Contact us to discuss what's involved for your specific vehicle.
My Hilux has the JBL system — is it worth upgrading?
Yes — and the DSP upgrade is the strongest improvement available for the JBL Hilux. The nine-speaker hardware is capable of significantly better performance than the factory amplification allows. Independent control over every speaker and tweeter in the system separately transforms what the JBL hardware actually sounds like. We can also go further and replace the system entirely where that's the right approach.
How much does a Hilux audio upgrade cost in New Zealand?
Pricing depends on the generation, grade, factory audio configuration, and system level. Contact us for a quote specific to your Hilux.
Can you change the head unit in a Hilux?
On most Hilux models up to and including the 2024 generation, yes — and where possible we'd recommend it. A replacement head unit gives you wireless CarPlay, Android Auto, a cleaner signal chain, and a better overall result. On the 2025 facelift and new-generation models, we're not yet confident we can offer head unit replacement — the integration appears to have changed. On Mild Hybrid variants, the factory screen may carry vehicle system information that makes replacement impractical. Contact us with your specific year and grade and we'll confirm what's achievable.
Where does the subwoofer go in a Hilux?
Ideally, behind the rear bench seat in the double cab with a custom-made enclosure — it's one of the better subwoofer locations in any ute and makes a significant contribution to the overall system. In extra cab and single cab configurations, an underseat or under-dash position is used instead.
Will the upgrade affect my Hilux's warranty?
In most cases, no. All installations are reversible — no permanent modifications, everything can be returned to factory condition. We recommend confirming with your Toyota dealer if you're within the warranty period.
How long does a Hilux audio upgrade take?
System One is typically a one-day installation. System Two usually takes one to two days. System Three with full door treatment and calibration is generally two days.
Is sound deadening worth it on a Hilux?
Yes — the Hilux is one of the vehicles where sound deadening makes the most noticeable difference. The large hollow doors, the tyre noise, the road noise at motorway speeds — all of it competes with the audio system constantly. Treating the doors as part of the audio upgrade is something we'd recommend on every Hilux build regardless of system level.
Talk to us — we'll do the rest.
Book a consultation or send us a question directly.
We handle everything from first listen to final calibration.