Toyota Diesel

Toyota HiLux Diesel Tuning & Servicing

The Toyota HiLux is the workhorse of Australia, but the diesel under the bonnet has changed a great deal across the generations. Current GUN-series utes run the 2.8-litre 1GD-FTV (first 130kW, later uprated to 150kW and 500Nm on the auto) or the smaller 2.4-litre 2GD-FTV producing 110kW and 400Nm. Both are common-rail, variable-nozzle-turbo, DOHC engines fitted with a diesel particulate filter (DPF), EGR and tight factory emissions calibrations that leave real, usable performance on the table. At Willy’s Workshop we tune these in-house on our own dyno, working with the factory Denso ECU rather than piggy-backing it.

Plenty of HiLux owners are still running the previous KUN-series trucks, and we look after those too. The 3.0-litre 1KD-FTV (KUN26, 2006-2015) and the 2.5-litre 2KD-FTV (KUN16, 2005-2015) are proven D-4D engines, while earlier 1KZ-TE and 5L-E 3.0-litre HiLuxes still turn up regularly. Each generation has its own quirks: the 1GD/2GD are defined by the DPF and airbox-dusting saga, while the 3.0L 1KD-FTV is best known for injector and carbon issues. We tailor every tune and service to the specific engine and platform in front of us.

Premium diesel performance and honest mechanical repair sit side by side at Willy’s Workshop. Whether you want a dyno-verified power and economy gain for towing and touring, or you need a dusted MAF sensor, leaking injectors or a clogged DPF sorted properly, our Oxley (Brisbane) and Warana (Sunshine Coast) workshops cover both ends of QLD. Every job is matched to how you actually use your HiLux.

Already know what you need? Browse our HiLux performance parts & upgrades, or read the N80 HiLux upgrades guide and our complete HiLux performance guide.

Engines We Tune

Toyota HiLux diesel engines we tune

1GD-FTV 2.8L (GUN, current)

150 kW / 500 Nm

Common-rail VNT diesel; earlier models 130kW. DPF and EGR equipped and subject to the well-known dusting and DPF issues; strong, tunable platform.

2GD-FTV 2.4L (GUN, current)

110 kW / 400 Nm

Smaller-capacity common-rail VNT diesel with DPF and EGR. Shares the GD-series carbon, DPF and airbox-dusting traits; responds well to custom calibration.

1KD-FTV 3.0L (KUN26, 2006-2015)

126kW / 343Nm

Proven 3.0L D-4D common-rail diesel. Known for injector faults (rough idle, cold knock, white smoke, copper-washer failures) and EGR carbon build-up.

2KD-FTV 2.5L (KUN16, 2005-2015)

106kW / 260Nm

2.5L D-4D common-rail turbo diesel. Shares D-4D injector and EGR carbon tendencies with the 1KD; robust workhorse engine.

Your HiLux's tune potential

Pick your engine to see typical gains from a Willys Workshop tune.

Make Model Year Engine

Indicative gains on a stock vehicle, measured on a dyno at the engine (crank) — wheel power reads lower (typically 15–20% on a 4WD). Actual results vary with vehicle condition, fuel quality and modifications.

Tuning & Servicing

Why choose Willy’s for your Toyota HiLux

Performance Tuning

Custom, dyno-verified ECU tuning developed in-house on the factory Denso ECU for every HiLux diesel generation.

Custom in-house tuning of the factory Denso ECU on the 1GD-FTV 2.8L and 2GD-FTV 2.4L, plus the older 3.0L 1KD-FTV and 2.5L 2KD-FTV D-4D engines.
Dyno-verified before-and-after results, with each calibration developed on the car rather than loaded from a generic file.
Tuning targeted at real-world towing, touring and daily driving, with sharper throttle response, improved mid-range torque and better drivability under load.
Calibration work matched to supporting hardware such as intakes, exhausts and intercoolers so the engine is optimised as a complete package.

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Servicing & Repair

Full diesel servicing and repair for every HiLux generation, from routine logbook work to the platform’s well-known faults.

DPF and EGR diagnosis, cleaning and repair on 1GD-FTV and 2GD-FTV HiLuxes, including the carbon and soot build-up these engines are prone to.
Airbox and MAF sensor service for the GD-series dusting issue, where dust past the air filter corrupts the mass air-flow sensor and triggers limp mode.
Injector testing and replacement on the 3.0L 1KD-FTV, addressing the rough idle, cold knock, white smoke and copper-washer faults these engines are known for.
Routine logbook servicing, timing, cooling, turbo and driveline work across 1KD, 2KD, 1KZ-TE and 5L-E HiLuxes at both Oxley and Warana.

Explore servicing & repair

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The Difference

Why drivers trust Willy’s Workshop

In-house ECU tuning

Custom maps written on your factory ECU — never generic off-the-shelf files

Dyno-verified

Every result measured before & after on our in-house dyno

Dealer-grade tooling

Genuine OEM software and diagnostics, not guesswork

Warranty-conscious

Logbook servicing kept up to date with manufacturer schedules

Two QLD workshops

Oxley (Brisbane) & Warana (Sunshine Coast)

Toyota diesel performance tuning & servicing at Willys Workshop

FAQ

Toyota HiLux diesel FAQs

How much does Toyota HiLux tuning cost, and is it worth it?

Cost depends on the engine, the year and what supporting modifications you already have, so we provide a quote once we know your exact HiLux. For most owners who tow, carry loads or tour, a custom dyno-verified tune is well worth it because it delivers usable mid-range torque and throttle response that the factory emissions calibration holds back. Book your HiLux in or request a quote and we’ll talk through realistic outcomes for your truck.

Will tuning my HiLux affect the Toyota warranty?

Modifying the factory tune can affect aspects of your new-car warranty, particularly for driveline claims. If your HiLux is still under Toyota warranty we’ll walk you through the considerations before any work starts so you can make an informed decision. Many of our tuning customers are in older, out-of-warranty KUN and GUN trucks where this is not a concern.

Can you delete or remove the DPF, EGR or AdBlue on my HiLux?

Diesel HiLuxes from 2015 on (1GD and 2GD) run a DPF and EGR as part of their factory emissions system, and tampering with emissions equipment on a road-registered vehicle is not legal in Australia. We focus on keeping these systems healthy: diagnosing faults, cleaning carbon and soot, and resolving the DPF and EGR issues these engines are known for, rather than removing emissions hardware.

What performance gains can I expect from a HiLux tune?

Gains vary by engine, year and supporting hardware, so we don’t quote fixed numbers up front. What we can promise is that every result is measured on our dyno and developed specifically for your HiLux. The bigger real-world benefit is usually the improved torque delivery, throttle response and drivability under load rather than a single peak figure.

Which HiLux engines and years do you tune and service?

We cover the current GUN-series 2.8L 1GD-FTV (130kW and 150kW/500Nm) and 2.4L 2GD-FTV (110kW/400Nm), the previous 3.0L 1KD-FTV (KUN26, 2006-2015) and 2.5L 2KD-FTV (KUN16, 2005-2015), plus earlier 1KZ-TE and 5L-E 3.0L HiLuxes. If you’re unsure which engine you have, tell us your build year and model and we’ll confirm.

How do I book, and how long does the work take?

You can book in at either our Oxley (Brisbane) or Warana (Sunshine Coast) workshop. A logbook service is typically completed in a day, while custom tuning and dyno work, or larger repairs such as injectors or DPF, may need the vehicle longer. We’ll give you a clear timeframe with your quote when you book.

Which HiLux?