Welcome to the installation guide for your 2016–2023 Toyota Tacoma AudX Plug & Play 5-Channel Amp & Subwoofer Kit 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.
- 🛠️ Parts Included and 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
- Important Updates
- Installation Video
- Parts Included
- Tools Needed
- Step 1: Disassembling the Dash
- Step 2: Disassembling Your Tacoma
- Step 3: Routing the Power Wire
- Step 4: Routing the Main Harness
- Step 5: Making Connections to Your Head Unit
- Step 6: Reinstalling The Head Unit
- Step 7: Connecting the Ground Wire
- Step 8: Mount Amplifier To Amplifier Mounting Bracket
- Step 9: Making Connection To Amplifier
- Step 11: Connect Power To Battery
- Step 12: Testing System Functionality
- Step 13: Tune The Amplifier
- Step 14: Reassembling Your Tacoma
- Common Troubleshooting Solutions
📢 Important Updates & Notes
Please check back here for any Important Updates or Notes!
🎥Installation Video
Coming Soon!
🛠️Parts Included:
- AudX 5 Channel Amplifier
- AudX Tacoma Amplifier Mounting Bracket
- AudX Vehicle Year Specific T-Harness
- AudX Main harness
- RCA adapters (Aftermarket Head Unit)
- Trail Grid Pro Amplifier Install Kit
- AudX 10" Subwoofer
- 10 Zip Ties
- 10 mm Ground Bolt
- Female and male bullet connector
🛠️Tools Needed:
- Panel removal tool
- 10mm socket
- 12mm socket
- 14mm socket
- Ratchet wrench
- Socket extension
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Zip ties
- Razor knife
- Wire fish
📝Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Disassembling the Dash
Remove the radio:
- Pull the outer dash trim straight back toward you to remove it.
- Remove the four 10 mm bolts securing the radio bracket.
- Pull radio straight out towards you.
Step 2: Disassembling Your Tacoma
Removing the front passenger seat:
- Remove the two 14 mm bolts holding the passenger front seat bracket in place.
- Slide seat forward to access the rear seat bolts.
- Remove the two plastic trim covering.
- Gently lift up while pulling back on trim to remove.
- Remove two 14mm bolts.
- Slide seat back, and lift up and lean back to give access under seat.
- Disconnect plugs and remove seat from vehicle.
Remove trim panels:
- Remove the passenger front and rear door sill plates by pulling straight up.
- Remove the passenger side kick panel by removing the retainer and then removing the kick panel.
Remove the center console:
- Press down on the trim ring of the shifter to release the shift boot.
- Remove shift knob by turning counter-clockwise.
- Lift up on emergency brake handle to set the brake.
- Open arm rest console.
- Lift up on center console to release and disconnect and wiring connections.
- Slide boot up and off of emergency brake handle.
Step 3: Routing the Power Wire
Running the power wire from battery:
- Mock up where you want to mount the fuse block.
- Connect the short length of power wire with the black shielding to the fuse block ensuring that the grommet is seated in the groove.
- Attach the other end of power wire with shielding to the fuse block, again ensuring that the grommet is seated in the groove.
- Secure using the allen wrench.
- Place the plastic Kicker branded cover over the completed fuse assembly.
- DO NOT CONNECT THE POWER WIRE TO THE BATTERY YET!
- Our recommendation is to run the power wire along the inside of the drivers side fender towards the firewall and across the fire wall towards the passenger side firewall grommet.
- Use zip ties to secure the wires so that they are free of moving or hot engine components.
- Locate the main firewall grommet on the passenger side of the vehicle.
- Locate a spot to cut an "X" in the grommet using a utility knife. Keep in mind that many Toyota firewall grommets have an exterior and interior membrane that you will need to cut through. Take extra care to not damage any other vehicle wiring when cutting your "X."
- You may choose to use a wire fish or metal coat hanger to assist in passing the power wire from the engine bay to the interior.
- Route the power wire down the kick panel and through the factory wire channel, under the carpet and to the power side of the amplifier.
- Connect the power wire to the amplifier and secure with allen wrench.
Step 4: Routing the Main Harness
Routing the main harness:
- Begin under the front passenger seat where the amplifier will be located.
- Route the end of the main harness (with the T-harness end) as follows:
- Route the main harness under the carpet and into the center console area.
- Continue running the T-harness in the transmission tunnel towards the front of the truck and towards the head unit.
- Route the harness up the dash and behind the head unit.
- At this stage, fully remove the radio to access the necessary connections.
Mount and Connect the Bass Knob:
- Attach the bass control knob in your preferred location using the included Velcro, or install it into one of our Switch Blank Mounts.
- Route the control knob wire from the main harness and plug the 3.5 mm headphone jack into the bass control knob.
- Use zip ties to secure any excess or loose wiring.
Step 5: Making Connections to Your Head Unit
Making connections to your 2016-2019 head unit:
Factory Head Unit:
- Disconnect the 10-pin and 6-pin connectors from the back of the head unit.
- Connect the male end of the AudX T-Harness to the 10-pin and 6-pin locations on the back of the head unit.
- Connect the 10-pin and 6-pin connectors from the vehicle to the female end of the AudX T-Harness.
- ⚠️ (Optional) If grounding the harness, secure the black wire with the small ring terminal to a clean metal-to-metal ground location.
Aftermarket Head Unit:
- Disconnect the 10-pin and 6-pin connectors from the back of the head unit.
- Connect the male end of the AudX T-Harness to the 10-pin and 6-pin locations on the back of the head unit.
- Connect the 10-pin and 6-pin connectors from the vehicle to the female end of the AudX T-Harness.
- Connect RCA cables from the AudX T-Harness to the RCA outputs on the aftermarket radio.
- Front Speakers:
White → White
Grey → Red - Rear Speakers:
Green → White
Purple → Red - Subwoofer:
Orange → White
Brown → Red
- Front Speakers:
Making connections to your 2020-2023 head unit:
Factory Head Unit:
- Disconnect the 10-pin and AM/FM antenna connector from the back of the head unit.
- Connect the male end of the AudX T-Harness to the 10-pin and AM/FM antenna port on the head unit.
- Attach the vehicle’s 10-pin and AM/FM antenna connector to the female end of the AudX T-Harness.
- If you choose to ground the harness, secure the black wire with small ring terminal to ground location, ensuring it is a good metal to metal contact.
Aftermarket Head Unit:
- Disconnect the 10-pin and AM/FM antenna connector from the back of the head unit.
- Connect the male end of the AudX T-Harness to the 10-pin and AM/FM antenna location on the head unit.
- Attach the vehicle’s 10-pin and AM/FM antenna connector to the female end of the AudX T-Harness.
- Connect RCA cables to the RCA outputs on the aftermarket radio:
- Front Speakers:
White → White
Grey → Red - Rear Speakers:
Green → White
Purple → Red - Subwoofer:
Orange → White
Brown → Red
- Front Speakers:
- ⚠️ (Optional) If grounding the harness, secure the black wire with the small ring terminal to a clean metal-to-metal ground location.
Step 6: Reinstalling Your Radio
- Ensure that all previously disconnected connections are securely reconnected.
- Place the head unit back into the dash and secure it using the four factory 10 mm bolts.
- Do not fully reassemble the dash yet—functionality should be tested before completing the installation.
Step 7: Connecting the Ground Wire
- Use the provided ground wire.
- Attach the ring terminal to the factory rear seat bolt located under the rear middle seat bracket.
Step 8: Mount Amplifier to Amplifier Mounting Bracket
- Install the Amplifier:
- Place the amplifier mounting bracket with the AudX label facing up.
- Align the amplifier with the pre-drilled holes on the mounting bracket, orienting it so the RCA ports face the passenger door.
- Insert one bolt up through the bottom of the amplifier mounting bracket, then through the amplifier’s mounting hole.
- Place a flat washer, followed by a split washer, and secure it with a nut.
- Use a 9/32" wrench and a Phillips head screwdriver to tighten the hardware.
⚠️ Do not overtighten.
Step 9: Making Connections To Amplifier
- Connect main harness to amplifier:
- Connect 14 pin connector into "Input" port
- Connect 4 pin connector into "REM" port
- Connect 8 pin connector into "Output" port
- Connect subwoofer wires into "Woofer"
- Red → +
- Black → -
- Secure using the provided allen wrench
- Connect red power wire into "DC12V"
- Secure wire ferrule using the provided allen wrench
- Connect the black ground wire into " GND"
- Secure wire ferrule using the provided allen wrench
Step 10: Route Subwoofer Wire
- Route the wire to the rear storage cubby:
- Route the subwoofer wire through the factory wiring channel toward the rear storage cubby behind the rear seat on the passenger side.
- Press the subwoofer wire under the interior plastic panels and continue routing it to the cargo area.
- Remove the drivers side storage cubby:
- Remove the two or three 10 mm bolts securing the panel.
- Remove the plastic cubby by pulling straight out.
- Drill a 5/16th inch hole in the end of the passenger side panel.
- The hole needs to be trough to the inside of the storage cubby.
- Route the subwoofer wire through the hole you just drilled.
- Connect to the Subwoofer:
- Connect the yellow wire to the positive (+) terminal.
- Connect the black wire to the negative (–) terminal.
- Place the subwoofer into the passenger side storage cubby.
- Replace the driver side storage cubby:
- Push the panel back into place and secure with the 10 mm bolts.
Step 11: Connect Power To Battery
- Connect the Power Wire:
- Locate the short length of power wire with the pre-connected ring terminal.
- Connect the ring terminal securely to the positive battery terminal.
Step 12: Test System
- Power On and Verify Functionality:
- Turn on your vehicle and test the audio system.
- Confirm that both the radio and amplifier are functioning properly.
🛠️Troubleshooting Tip:
If the head unit powers on but you hear no sound, double-check that the remote turn-on wire is properly connected.
Step 13: Tune The Amplifier
- Remove the cover panel from the amplifier to gain access to the amplifier settings.
- Set Initial Amplifier Settings:
- On your AudX V1K amplifier, set the following:
- Input Level:
- Factory Head Unit: HI
- Aftermarket Head Unit: LO
- Auto Turn-On: Off
- Front:
- X-Over: HPF
- HPF: X1
- Rear:
- X-Over Flat: HPF
- LPF: X1
- 2CH/4CH: 4CH
- Sub:
- 2CH/5CH: 5CH
- Phase: 0
- Input Level:
- On your AudX V1K amplifier, set the following:
- Adjust Gain Levels:
- Choose a song that plays continuously for a few minutes.
- Turn the volume on your head unit to about 75% of the maximum volume.
- Using a small flathead screwdriver, adjust the Front to your desired sound level.
- Repeat the process for the Rear.
- Adjust the Sub gain last to set your desired bass level.
- ⚠️ Warning: If you hear distortion, clipping, or audio cutting out, the gain is set too high—reduce accordingly.
- Final Adjustments:
- Use your head unit’s built-in EQ settings to fine-tune the overall sound to your personal preference.
- Replace cover panel on amplifier.
Step 14: Reassemble Your Tacoma
- Reinstall the Seat and Mounting Bracket:
- Once you’ve confirmed the system is functioning properly and your amplifier gains are set, begin reassembly.
- Line up the mounting holes on the amplifier mounting bracket with the rear seat bolt holes.
- Place the passenger seat back into position, aligning the rear seat mounts with the amplifier bracket.
- Start all four 14 mm seat bolts by hand, then tighten them using a 14 mm socket.
- When installed correctly, the amplifier bracket should be sandwiched between the seat mounts and the floor, with the bolts running through the bracket tabs.
- Finish Reassembling the Vehicle:
- Reinstall all remaining components, including the rest of the seat, center console, and dash panels.
Congratulations on installing your new AudX 5 Channel Amplifier and 10 Inch Subwoofer kit!
🛠️ Common Troubleshooting Solutions: Experiencing issues with your installation? Try these steps before reaching out for support.
1. Check the Connections Behind the Head Unit
If you have a factory head unit:
- Ensure the main vehicle connectors are fully seated.
- Ensure the blue remote wire is connected.
If you have an aftermarket head unit:
- Ensure the main vehicle connectors are fully seated.
- Verify that the RCA connections are fully plugged in.
- Check that the remote wire from the amplifier harness is connected to the radio harness.
- Make sure the subwoofer output is turned on in the head unit settings menu.
2. Optimizing Sound Quality and Tuning Your System
Once you’ve confirmed all connections and ensured that the amplifier and subwoofer are functioning, follow these tuning recommendations for the best sound:
- If using a factory head unit, keep in mind that its output is voltage-regulated. This means that as you increase the volume, the head unit sends more power.
- If the amplifier gains are set too high with a low volume setting, your door speakers may peak before the subwoofer reaches its full potential.
Recommended Tuning Process:
- Turn the gain adjustments on both the amplifier and subwoofer all the way down (lowest setting).
- Play a song that will last for at least a few minutes.
- Increase the volume on the head unit to about 75% of max volume.
- Using a small flathead screwdriver, adjust the Front Gain setting on the amplifier until you reach your desired sound level.
- Repeat the process for the Rear Gain setting on the amplifier.
- Adjust the Sub Gain setting on the subwoofer.
- Fine-tune the Crossover setting on the subwoofer to your preferred level.
Final Adjustments & Sound Tweaks
- If you hear distortion, clipping, or the sound cuts out, the gain is set too high.
- Adjust the EQ settings within your head unit to fine-tune the sound.
- If using an aftermarket head unit, ensure that the subwoofer output is turned on in the head unit 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.
