New Toyota Tacoma sound systems come with four speakers and two tweeters. Toyota offers an upgraded sound system on double cab Tacomas that adds improved JBL speakers, a rear soundbar, and a rear subwoofer. Possible upgrades to your Tacoma’s sound system include adding aftermarket speakers, subwoofers, and an amplifier.
The Toyota Tacoma is one of the best trucks on the market, loved for its reliability and capability in all types of terrain. Even when you’re tearing it up off-road, it is nice to rock out with a high-quality sound system—something that you won’t find standard in this truck.
For Tacoma owners that want more from their truck's sound system, Jerry
has compiled this guide to get you started on your journey toward better sound quality. Jerry is an insurance broker app that helps you save time and money on car insurance
. In this article, we’ll cover what to look for when upgrading your sound system and tips for saving money on your Toyota Tacoma insurance cost
following those upgrades. 
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers What kind of sound system does a Toyota Tacoma have?
The factory sound system that came in your Toyota Tacoma will depend on its year and cab size. The table below breaks down all of the speaker configurations you might find in your Tacoma, from its release in 1995 to the current year.
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2001-2004 extended and double cab | | | | |
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2005-present double cab with JBL sound system | | | | Two door subs plus rear sub |
2005-present double cab without JBL sound system | | | | |
In 2005, Toyota started partnering with JBL to bring a serious upgrade to the sound system in the double cab models, adding an extra subwoofer at the back of the cab and a rear bar speaker for a more immersive audio experience.
Up until 2016, Tacoma’s stereo system was a pretty standard single-din control unit, without many bells and whistles. Since 2016, though, Toyota has updated the radio to a more modern double-din touch screen system.
Modern stereos come with a host of features to keep you connected, like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, GPS, and Amazon Alexa voice control.
Many people will be satisfied with the sound quality of the JBL sound system in the double cab Tacomas. But for those without the higher quality JBL system or for those looking to get even better sound quality for their off-road adventures, it’s time to look into aftermarket upgrades.
How to upgrade a Toyota Tacoma sound system
The exact upgrades your Toyota Tacoma sound system needs will depend on your audio preferences and the age and model of your car.
A new stereo system might add up-to-date connectivity features or add some safety options, but it won't do much to boost the sound quality.
You’ll want to look into three key upgrades to really boost your car's audio system: new speakers, an amplifier, and subwoofers.
Start with speaker upgrades
The simplest and most impactful way to improve your Tacoma’s sound quality is to get better speakers.
Confirm the size of your speaker cavities before buying new speakers. Most Tacoma door speaker cavities will fit 6”x9”, 6.5”, or 6.75” speakers. The tweeter sizes tend to vary more by year and model.
You will need to decide whether you want to replace all of your speakers or focus on one part of the car, like the main door speakers. Speaker upgrades can get awfully expensive pretty quick when you’re replacing four door speakers and two dash tweeters.
To get the most out of your investment, consider hiring a professional to handle the installation unless you’re familiar with the inner workings and wiring of your Tacoma.
You’ll also have to decide between coaxial speakers and component speakers. Both will deliver a considerable sound upgrade.
Component speakers tend to give a better sound quality but are priced to match. Here are a few speaker options for third-generation Tacomas (2016-present):
Pump up the bass with a subwoofer
The next step for upgrading your sound system is adding or upgrading your subwoofer. For early Tacoma models (1995-2004) there isn’t much room for a subwoofer in the regular cab models.
The older extended and double cab models can fit a compact sub like the JL Audio Stealbox
between the rear jump seats. Newer models, though, have more flexibility. You can likely fit a sub behind the rear seats if you have an access cab or double cab Tacoma. It’s even easier if you are replacing the JBL rear subwoofer in a double cab. Even second-generation regular cabs should be able to fit a subwoofer under the rear seats.
Check out these options to get you started on your subwoofer shopping rabbit hole:
What’s the difference between a 4-ohm subwoofer and a 2-ohm sub?
When researching subwoofers, you’re bound to come across 2-ohm and 4-ohm subs. So, which is better?
It ends up being a matter of taste; one isn’t necessarily better than the other. 2-ohm subs tend to give a louder, punchier sound, while a 4-ohm sub will deliver a deeper, clearer sound.
Boost the power with an amplifier
Last but not least is the amplifier. A good amp will help improve even factory sound systems by unlocking more power, driving your speakers without straining them.
Some subwoofers will come with a built-in amplifier, which might add enough power for your taste. For a solid aftermarket amplifier, look for something like the Alpine S-A60M
. How to protect your Jeep Wrangler sound system—and save on car insurance
Many people don’t know that upgrading their sound system can also come with jacked-up car insurance
prices. Most insurance policies won’t cover aftermarket components like an upgraded sound system, so you will want to add sound system coverage
to your policy. Even if you don’t add the additional coverage, your insurance can still go up due to the increased theft risk that an aftermarket sound system adds.
Fortunately, the Jerry
app makes it easy to navigate adding sound system coverage to your policy and is the best way to find the best rates on insurance after your upgrades. Jerry is an insurance broker app
designed to help users compare as many insurance policies as possible to save as much money as possible. Jerry examines your current car insurance policy to find you the best deals at the same coverage level across dozens of top providers. In this way, users save an average of over $800 per year on their car insurance, a great first step in offsetting the cost of your sound system.
“The savings are real! Jerry
saved me almost $1000 a year for my car insurance. Was I surprised? Yes. Was I happy? Yes!” —Sonia Z.
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