Toyota has a long history making iconic pickup trucks, and its Hilux is up there with the best. An icon in its own right, the Toyota Hilux offers a thrilling experience whether driving for work or leisure, with its adventure-ready setup, off-road capabilities and readily available parts making it adaptable across any environment. As you’ll discover however not all Hilux generations were created equal.
One of our favourite models has to be the Series 7 Hilux (2004-15). Slash Gear shares our opinion in their rundown of Hilux generations ranked worst to best:
“While the seventh generation embraced modern amenities and conveniences by catering to the needs of everyday drivers, it still provided options for heavy towing and raw power… The remarkable capabilities of the Hilux caught the attention of the television show ‘Top Gear’ once again, prompting them to subject a modified seventh-generation Hilux to another demanding test… From extreme cold to intense heat, the Hilux consistently exceeded expectations under the most extreme conditions.”
Even a top ranked, Top Gear endorsed model like the Vigo can be enhanced. If you’re thinking of revamping your Series 7 ahead of your next off-road trip, here are the mods to consider…
Warn VR Evo Hidden Winch Bundle
Every off-road vehicle is only as good as its recovery gear, and there’s no better self-rescue equipment to include in your KUN25 setup than this Warn VR Evo Hidden Winch Bundle.
Featuring a heavy-duty winch from world-leading brand Warn and a winch mount from specialist N4 Off Road, the bundle offers all you need to recover your vehicle from the harshest environments. We put this bundle together because we know that not every Hilux driver wants to fit a full winch bumper to their pride and joy. With this combination, you can be as discreet as you like with your recovery equipment and keep the adventure going.
ARB Premium Recovery Kit
You can never have too many recovery essentials on board your KUN26, and with our ARB Premium Recovery Kit Series II, they’re all conveniently packaged in a large, good quality recovery bag.
This kit includes a range of recovery accessories, such as a 17,500lb snatch strap, 26,500lb x 10′ tree trunk protector, 9,900lb x 66’ winch extension strap, recovery damper, leather recovery gloves, two 10,640lb 3/4” pin d-shackle, and 20,000lb snatch block. Each essential is compatible for use across all makes and models, including the Toyota Hilux Series 7.
evcX Bluetooth Throttle Controller
For a twist on a classic off-road performance booster, try our evcX Bluetooth Throttle Controller for size. This new, improved and award-winning controller gives you the means to tune into the responsiveness of your accelerator pedal at the touch of a button. What you’ll gain is better throttle response, reduced throttle lag, enhanced acceleration and a more thrilling driving experience overall.
ARB Underbody Protection Kit
Back to ARB now, and this time it’s their underbody protection kit that catches our eye. The ARB Underbody Protection Kit has been specifically developed for the Vigo and, once fitted, puts 3mm of pressed and folded, laser cut steel between you and your off-road trail.
With extra protection for your KUN25’s most delicate parts, you can safeguard your vehicle from damage caused by rocks, stumps and ruts.
DBA Performance Brake Calipers
Improve the performance of your Toyota’s brakes with our DBA Performance Brake Calipers. They’re the product of more than 40 years of braking expertise, and provide a direct replacement part that goes above and beyond OE factory calipers that can easily degrade and fail over time.
With this kit, there’s no need to waste time or money on a complete caliper rebuild. Instead, you get to enjoy 100% performance straight out of the box.
Shop more off-roading upgrades for the Toyota Hilux (2004-15) Series 7 here.
