Welcome to the installation guide for your 2016–2019 Toyota Tacoma Sony XAV-AX8500 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.
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 tips for manual transmission owners and details on OBD2 connections.
Table of Contents
- Important Updates
- Installation Video
- Tools Needed
- Step 1: Disassembling the Dash
- Step 2: Installing the Microphone
- Step 3: Installing the Chassis
- Step 4: Securing the Chassis
- Step 5: Testing the Unit
- Step 6: Reassembling Your Tacoma
- Step 7: Secure Screen to Chassis
- Special Note for Manual Transmission
📢 Important Updates & Notes
Update (February 2025): We've updated the guidance for the OBD2 harness installation. The OBD2 harness may be required to transmit vehicle data to your head unit.
For the updated OBD2 routing instructions, please refer to Step 3: Installing the Chassis.
🎥 Installation Video
Note: This video demonstrates the installation process for the Sony XAV-9500ES, but the steps will be the same for installing the Sony XAV-AX8500.
🛠️ Tools Needed
- 10mm socket
- Socket extension
- Ratchet wrench (Manual or powered)
- Panel removal tool (Plastic preferred)
- Small phillips head screwdriver (Magnetic tip preferred)
📝Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Disassembling the Dash
- Remove the outer dash trim by pulling straight back towards you.
- Using a 10mm socket with extension, remove the four 10mm bolts that hold in the factory radio bracket. Place in your cupholder for safe keeping.
- Remove the factory head unit by grabbing the unit at the top and bottom and pull straight back.
- Remove all of the wire harness connections from the back of the head unit.
- There is a small harness that bridges from the navigation module on the bottom of the head unit to the main head unit. This harness will not be used in the installation of the Sony bundle.
Step 2: Installing the Microphone
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Remove Headliner Console
- The console is typically secured with pressure clips and can be removed by pulling straight down. For easier removal, use gentle pressure with a panel removal tool.
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Disconnect Headliner Console Wiring Harness
- Unplug the harness connector.
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Remove Foam Insert
- Locate the microphone port and take out the foam insert.
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Remove Mounting Ball on Sony Microphone
- Cut off the small ball using side cutters or a utility knife.
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Attach Microphone to Mount
- Insert the rounded end of the microphone through the upper support of the mount. The rounded end should align closely with the bottom of the two legs on the mount. Ensure the cut-off section is aligned with one of the upper supports to prevent obstruction of the microphone’s audio openings.
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Install Sony Microphone Mount
- Insert the mount into the headliner console with the legs and rounded microphone end facing down. Press until the clip locks into place.
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Route Microphone Wire
- Run the wire from the headliner console through the headliner toward the rearview mirror. Reinstall the console, ensuring any slack is pulled toward the mirror. Continue routing the wire along the windshield to the driver-side A-pillar. Tuck it behind the A-pillar cover and guide it down to the driver’s floorboard. Finally, run the wire under the dash and connect the 3.5mm jack to the red mic port on the back of the Sony radio chassis.
Step 3: Installing the Chassis (4:30)
- Connect the four main vehicle connectors from the Maestro harness to their matching plugs from your dash. All the plugs are keyed plugs, which means they only fit their match on the Toyota side.
- Connect the USB adapter cable
- Connect the navigation antenna adapter from the GPS post on the back of the radio to the white single pin connector from your Toyota.
- Connect the Sirius XM antenna adapter from the Sirius XM tuner to the black single pin connector from your Toyota.
- Connect the white rectangular AM/FM antenna adapter to the factory antenna connector.
- Route the OBD2 harness down the left side of your dash and connect it to the OBD2 port in the drivers side footwell.
- The OBD2 harness is needed in some installations to transmit vehicle data to the head unit.
- The OBD2 harness includes two plugs (one white and one black) that connect to the Maestro harness, while the larger end plugs into the OBD2 port under the driver’s side dash. Additionally, the 2-pin white connectors should be plugged into each other. You can refer to this reference photo for guidance and these should already be connected to each other when you receive the bundle.
- You do not need to connect the red/yellow wires. The connector for these will be tapped off.
Step 4: Securing the Chassis
- Take a second to make sure that all of your connections are made.
- Tuck all of the wires into the dash, there are a lot but we promise that they will all fit.
- Line up the dash kit and secure the dash kit using the four factory 10mm bolts.
Step 5: Testing the Unit (7:09)
- Place the screen into the chassis
- Turn the ignition into accessory power. If the screen does not turn on within about 5-10 seconds, press the home button on the left of the button bar.
- After the Sony logo disappears a setting menu will appear:
- Set the date and time
- Turn off demo mode
- Set date format
- Test your steering wheel controls
- Test your backup camera
- With your foot on the brake, shift to reverse
- You can also select Rear Cam on the screen to show the backup camera
- Check AM/FM radio and check to make sure that sound is coming from all speakers.
- Check your Sirius XM tuner:
- Once the Sirius XM Tuner is correctly connected, you should receive channel 1 (Sirius XM Advertisement Channel) on the radio.
- At this point you will need to contact Sirius XM to activate or transfer your existing service plan to the new tuner ID.
- The tuner ID can be found in 3 locations: On the tuner itself, on channel zero when listening to Sirius XM or on the Sirius XM box located in your spare parts bag.
Step 6: Reassembling Your Tacoma
- Once you have checked the functions, remove the screen and set in a safe place
- Secure all four 10mm bolts that hold in the dash kit.
- Replace the outer trim piece.
Step 7: Secure Screen To Chassis (10:35)
- Secure the screen to the chassis using the four silver phillips head screws from the install parts bag.
- There are two holes on each side of the neck of the radio.
- Slide the black plastic cover forward and secure it with the remaining black phillips head screw from the install parts bag.
- The hole for the black cover will secure in the middle of the neck of the radio.
⚠️ Special Note for Manual Transmission:
- Reverse Signal Trigger – Locate the Purple wire with a White Stripe on the main harness coming from the back of the Sony radio. This wire must be tapped into the reverse wire on the 28-pin connector (found on the factory plug in your dash).
- Identifying the Correct Wire – The reverse wire is in Pin Location 2 when viewing the connector from the end without the wires. Refer to the attached diagram for visual guidance.
- Plug & Play Enhancement – To simplify installation, we have included a purple jumper wire pre-connected to the Purple/White wire, along with a t-tap for easy connection.
- Installation Tip – Carefully cut back the protective covering on the wire harness attached to the 28-pin connector to expose the main wires. Use the provided t-tap to securely connect the wire from Pin Location 2 to the Sony radio harness.
