Welcome to the installation guide for your 2003–2009 Toyota 4Runner Sony Plug & Play Bundle from Trail Grid Pro! This step-by-step guide is designed to make the installation process as smooth as possible, whether you're a seasoned DIYer or tackling your first head unit upgrade.
- 2003-2009 4Runner Sony 4000 Bundle
- 2003-2009 4Runner Sony 6000 Bundle
- 2003-2009 4Runner Sony 9000ES Bundle
In this guide, you’ll find:
- 📢 Important Updates: The written guide includes the latest updates and adjustments that may not be shown in the video, ensuring you have the most up-to-date instructions for a flawless installation.
- 🎥 Installation Videos: Visual instructions to help you through the process, including a detailed microphone install.
- 🛠️ Tools Needed: A quick list of everything you'll need to get started.
- 📝Step-by-Step Instructions: Clear, easy-to-follow directions from disassembling your dash to securing the new Sony head unit.
- ⚠️ Special Notes: Important information and considerations for your installation.
- 🛠️ Common Troubleshooting Solutions: Quick and effective fixes for common installation and performance issues.
Table of Contents
- Tools Needed
- Step 1: Remove Your Factory Head Unit
- Step 2: Mounting The Dash Kit
- Step 3: Installing The Backup Camera Add-on
- Step 4: Installing The Body Of The Radio
- Step 5: Test The New Radio
- Step 6: Reassembly
🛠️Tools Needed:
- 10mm socket
- Socket extension
- Ratchet wrench (Manual or powered)
- Panel removal tool (Plastic preferred)
- Small Phillips Head Screwdriver (Magnetic preferred)
📝Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Remove your factory head unit
- Remove your factory shifter trim.
- Remove storage cubby by opening and pulling straight up.
- Remove phillips head screw behind cubby.
- Remove center console trim.
- Remove your HVAC assembly and disconnect the HVAC connector.
- Remove the 4 factory 10mm bolts under the factory radio.
- Remove knee panel from below steering column by removing 2 factory 10 mm bolts at bottom. Pull top towards you to release clips.
- Remove factory 10 mm bolt that hold in the center console trim around the radio.
- Gently pull trim away from dash being sure to disconnect any switch connectors.
- Gently pull out your factory radio and remove all connections from the rear of the radio.
Step 2: Mounting The Dash Kit
This is referring to your new Black 4Runner dash kit kit. At this time do the following:
- Depending on your vehicle you will receive 1 of 2 dash kits options.
-
If you receive this option you will need to also remove and reuse the metal factory radio brackets. To Install: sandwich the factory metal bracket in between the radio and the black plastic dash kit and secure using the bolt holes shown in the picture.
If you receive the option below, you will mount the radio into the dash using the supplied bracket and not the factory metal brackets.
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Step 3: Install the backup camera add on
This consists of the new backup camera, power/ground wire and video wire.
- If your 4Runner has a factory rear spoiler:
- Open the rear hatch and remove the 2 black plastic plugs toward the outside of the top of the gate.
- Remove the two 10mm bolts that hold the spoiler.
- Close the hatch and remove the spoiler and disconnect the 3rd brake light harness.
- Move spoiler to bench and locate the mounting location for the rear camera. Our recommendation is to center the camera just under the 3rd brake light.
- Place the camera and using a sharpie mark where the 2 screw locations.
- Remove the 2 large phillips head screws and remove 3rd brake light from spoiler.
- Use a small drill bit to drill pilot holes in the locations for the retaining screws.
- Locate and drill a ¼" hole just behind the camera mounting location to run the camera wire through to the inside of the spoiler.
- Mount the camera and run the camera wire to the left wide and the 3rd brake light harness is located. Do not over tighten the retaining screws.
- Mount the spoiler back on the gate.
- Use a wire fish to run the camera wire through the factory wire chase that leads to inside of the vehicle under the head liner.
- Connect the camera wire to the video wire.
- Remove the speaker cover/mirror on the drivers side pillar.
- Use the provided 10mm bolt to ground the black wire with the ring terminal.
- Run the video wire along the top of the inside of the vehicle (tucking behind the plastic and under the door molding is easiest).
- Continue running the video wire down the A-pillar and under the steering column towards the back of the radio.
- Connect the yellow RCA to the Rear Camera input RCA.
- Connect the red wire to the red pigtail from the main wiring harness using the provided bullet connectors.
Step 4: Install the body of the bundle
This consists of the head unit and our custom wiring harness.
- Make all of your “main” vehicle connections as noted in the diagram below.
- For Factory Non-Amplified 4Runners you will be using:
- 6 Pin connector
- 10 Pin connector
- 20 Pin "B" harness
- OBD2
- For Factory Amplified 4Runners you will be using:
- 20 Pin "A" harness
- 6 Pin connector
- 20 Pin "B" harness
- OBD2
- Depending on your vehicle you may need other connectors as well. We've provided the other adapters in the installation bag for you. You may use some but no all the connectors provided.
- For Factory Non-Amplified 4Runners you will be using:
After making your main vehicle connectors outlines above, please make sure to also connect the following:
- Factory AM/FM antenna
- Navigation antenna
- Sony provided microphone (MIC Port)
- Install USB port and connect USB-A
- Sirius XM antenna (If selected)
- Backup camera retention harness (If applicable)
- Power wire for backup camera add on (If selected)
- Backup camera video signal (Yellow RCA) to Camera input RCA.
Do not power on your head unit until all of your connections have been made. Doing so will cause the PAC module to calibrate incorrectly.
Sirius/XM: If you've selected to maintain your SiriusXM satellite connection you will need to contact SiriusXM after installation to have them send your subscription signal to your new SiriusXM radio ID which is located on the side of your new SiriusXM box, on the back of the tuner module and on Channel Zero.
- Secure the body of your bundle in place with 2 of the factory 10mm bolts in the back bolt locations for now!
Step 5: Test your new system
- This is a great time to run through a full test of all the system to ensure that everything works properly. Take a few minutes now before you button everything backup!
Step 6: Re-Install the center console
- Reverse the steps of disassembly to put the center console trim parts back in place.
🛠️ Common Troubleshooting Solutions: Experiencing issues with your installation? Try these steps before reaching out for support.
1. Steering Wheel Controls:
Perform this reset if you experience any issues with steering wheel control functionality.
Steps to Reset the Maestro Module:
- Turn on accessory power or start your vehicle.
- Navigate through the head unit settings:
- Settings > Application > Maestro
- Maestro Settings > Maestro Module > Maestro Master Reset
- Settings > Application > Maestro
- Allow the reset process to complete.
- After the reset:
- Turn your vehicle back to accessory power.
- Let it sit for about 5 minutes to allow the "handshake" or initialization process between the Maestro and head unit.
- Do not press any buttons on the head unit during this time.
- Start your vehicle and test the system.
2. Gauge Functionality
If you experience issues with the gauge display, perform this reset. Keep in mind that the iDatalink Maestro can only display vehicle data that it is programmed to retrieve.
You may also need to plug in the OBD2 harness as outlined in Step 3 to ensure proper gauge functionality.
Steps to Reset the Maestro Module:
- Turn on accessory power or start your vehicle.
- Navigate through the head unit settings:
- Settings > Application > Maestro
- Maestro Settings > Maestro Module > Maestro Master Reset
- Settings > Application > Maestro
- Allow the reset process to complete.
- After the reset:
- Turn your vehicle back to accessory power.
- Let it sit for about 5 minutes to allow the "handshake" or initialization process between the Maestro and head unit.
- Do not press any buttons on the head unit during this time.
- Start your vehicle and test the system.
3. Backup Camera Activation
If your backup camera works when manually activated on the head unit but doesn’t engage when shifting into reverse, the issue may be related to the settings.
In some cases, the reverse trigger wire is located within the OBD2 port, meaning the OBD2 harness may be required for proper functionality. Refer to Step 3 for installation details.
- Turn on accessory power or start your vehicle.
- Navigate through the head unit settings:
- Settings > Application > Camera Display
- Rear Camera Interruption > Toggle On
- Settings > Application > Camera Display
- Return to the home screen and test by shifting into reverse.
4. Apple Carplay or Android Auto Troubleshooting Guide
Apple Carplay Troubleshooting Guide: If you're experiencing CarPlay connectivity issues, follow these steps:
- Update Firmware & Software:
- Ensure your iPhone is updated
- Settings > General > Software Update.
- Check for head unit firmware updates.
- Ensure your iPhone is updated
- Use the Right Cable (For Wired CarPlay):
- Use an Apple-certified (MFi) or Anker cable.
- Disable Bluetooth for wired connections, as some head units require it.
- Restart Devices & Close Background Apps:
- Restart your iPhone and head unit to clear cached data.
- Close unused apps to improve performance.
- Check CarPlay Privacy Settings:
- Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps and enable CarPlay.
- If using a VPN, disable it, as it may interfere with CarPlay.
- Reset CarPlay Connection:
- Settings > General > CarPlay, select your vehicle, tap Forget This Car, then re-pair.
- Fix Amazon App Audio Issues (If Applicable):
- Disable Microphone Access for Amazon apps
- Settings > App > Microphone > Toggle Off.
- Disable Location Access
- Settings > App > Location > Set to Never.
- Disable Microphone Access for Amazon apps
- Disable Apple Intelligence (If Applicable):
- If Apple Intelligence is enabled, it may cause issues with Apple CarPlay, including Siri not recognizing voice commands or failing to provide navigation instructions from mapping apps. Disabling Apple Intelligence may help restore CarPlay functionality.
- Factory Reset the Head Unit (If Issues Persist):
- Reset the head unit via its settings menu.
Android Auto Troubleshooting Guide: If you're experiencing Android Auto connectivity issues, follow these steps:
- Update Firmware & Software:
- Ensure your Android phone and all apps are updated
- Check for head unit firmware updates.
- Use the Right Cable (For Wired Android Auto):
- Use an OEM cable or a high-quality Anker cable to avoid connection issues.
- Try a different USB cable or port on the head unit.
- When plugged in, ensure your phone’s USB mode is set to File Transfer (MTP) or Android Auto, not Charging Only.
- Restart Devices & Close Background Apps:
- Restart your phone and head unit to clear any temporary glitches.
- Close unused apps to improve performance.
- Clear Android Auto Cache:
- Settings > Apps > Android Auto > Storage > Clear Cache.
- Check App Permissions:
- Settings > Apps > Android Auto > Permissions, and enable access to Phone, SMS, Location, and Contacts.
- Turn Off Battery Optimization:
- Settings > Battery > Battery Optimization > Android Auto > Don’t Optimize.
- Disable VPNs:
- If you're using a VPN, disable it and check if Android Auto works.
- Reset Android Auto Connection:
- If using wired Android Auto, turn off Bluetooth, as some head units require it.
- If using wireless Android Auto, try re-pairing your phone with the head unit.
- Factory Reset the Head Unit (If Issues Persist):
- Reset the head unit via its settings menu.
Contact Us
If you're still encountering difficulties and need additional troubleshooting support, please reach out using this contact form, and someone will get in touch as soon as possible.
