Upgrading and personalizing pickup trucks and SUVs like the 4Runner, Tacoma and Tundra can make them not only look great but can increase their functionality. The truck accessory industry is a multi-million-dollar business that includes everything from wheels and tires to tonneau covers, custom lighting, sound system upgrades and remote car starters. Let’s look at just a few of the more popular options available for Toyota Truck owners.
Get Better Sound in Your Toyota Truck
Even if you’ve opted for a premium JBL sound system in your truck, your local specialty mobile electronics retailer can dramatically improve the way your music sounds. One of the easiest upgrades is to add a custom aftermarket subwoofer system to your vehicle. While Toyota and JBL do an adequate job on the mids and highs, no factory-installed sound system can produce the impact and low-frequency extension available from a premium upgrade.
Your local car stereo shop can design and construct a custom subwoofer enclosure that will fit under the rear seat or against the back wall of a pickup truck. Dozens of companies offer shallow-mount subwoofers that deliver huge output from impressively compact enclosures.
Full Audio System Upgrades
If your truck or SUV didn’t come with a premium sound system, or you want to take things to the next level, upgrading the speakers and adding an amplifier and digital signal processor can make a huge difference. Premium speakers let you crank your music to much higher levels with a dramatic reduction in distortion and improved clarity.
A high-quality amplifier will let you listen to your music at concert-like volume levels. Some basic factory-installed radios can only produce 18 to 20 watts of power per speaker. A local car audio shop can easily quadruple that power to let your music come to life!
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, if you have chosen to upgrade your car stereo, including a digital signal processor in the system is crucially important. When configured properly, a DSP will enable your installation technician to fine-tune the frequency response of the system to ensure that it delivers smooth and natural sound while offering a realistic listening experience in terms of imaging and staging. In fact, many car audio enthusiasts will add an amplifier with an integrated DSP before upgrading the speakers in their vehicle.
Add-On Navigation Systems
If your Toyota is a little older, add-on navigation system upgrades are available from such companies as NAV-TV. These upgrades can be integrated with the factory-installed color display in the dash to provide detailed turn-by-turn directions to addresses all across North America.
Another option for adding navigation to your vehicle is to replace the radio with a modern multimedia receiver with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. These smartphone integration technologies allow you to use the voice recognition features of your phone with Google Maps or Waze.
Of course, you can also make phone calls, listen to and send replies to text messages or choose from about a dozen streaming audio and podcast services, all using voice commands.
Backup Cameras and Safety Systems
Upgrading the safety features on your Toyota is a great way to improve your safety and the safety of those around you. One of the most popular upgrades is a backup camera system. These camera systems let you see everything behind your pickup or SUV to make sure you don’t run over any toys or bicycles when parking or maneuvering. Many options are available to display the camera image, including a new rearview mirror with an integrated screen, a factory-installed color display in the dash of the truck or a new multimedia receiver.
Remote Starters Add Comfort
Whether you live in the North and want to warm up your truck on a cold winter day or have to battle the heat and humidity of Texas, Arizona or Florida and want to cool your truck off, a remote car starter is a great upgrade. You can choose from starter options that work with the key fob that came with your vehicle, upgrade to a long-range two-way remote control, or even add a module that works with your cell phone to let you start your vehicle from anywhere that you have access to the Internet.
Headlight and Off-Road Lighting Upgrades
If the lights on your vehicle aren’t bright enough, consider an LED or HID headlight upgrade. These bulb replacements can dramatically improve how far you can see at night, making driving much safer. Be sure to work with your retailer to choose a lighting upgrade that is perfectly compatible with the lens design on your vehicle.
If you take your truck off-road and need to bring some daylight to a dark evening’s adventure, LED light bars and spotlights are a great addition. These can be mounted along the top of the roof, to an existing front bumper or an on upgraded, fabricated bumper with a built-in winch mount. Rearward-facing work lights are another popular option for people who tow trailers with their Toyotas.
Truck Accessories
Many shops offer such truck accessories as tonneau covers, custom bumpers, side steps and toolboxes that can add style, functionality and protection to your truck. Likewise, floor liners and seat covers are also great options to help keep the interior of your truck looking like new.
Personalize Your Toyota Truck Today!
Whether you’re after added comfort, safety, functionality or enjoyment, your local mobile enhancement specialty retailer can help make your Toyota perfect for your needs. Drop by a shop today to see just what they can offer!
