Kicker 6 Speaker Plug & Play Bundle Installation Guide | 2016-2023 Tacoma

Welcome to the installation guide for your Kicker 6 Speaker Plug & Play Bundle for the 2016–2023 Toyota Tacoma from Trail Grid Pro! Follow the steps below to replace the two dash speakers, two front-door speakers, and two rear-door speakers. Read through the guide before starting, and keep fasteners organized by location.

Important Updates & Notes
Installation Video
Tools Needed
Step 1: Remove the Factory Dash Speakers
Step 2: Install the Kicker Dash Speakers
Step 3: Remove the Front Door Panel
Step 4: Replace the Front Door Speaker
Step 5: Reinstall the Front Door Panel
Step 6: Remove the Rear Door Panel
Step 7: Replace the Rear Door Speaker
Step 8: Reinstall the Rear Door Panel
Step 9: Test Your Installation
Common Troubleshooting Solutions
Contact Us

📢 Important Updates & Notes

Updated brackets: Kicker has changed its speaker mounting brackets. Your brackets may look different from those in the video. Use the written instructions and reference photos below alongside the video. If your supplied bracket does not match the instructions or align with the mounting holes, contact us before modifying it.

Rear speaker sizes: These instructions cover both 6.5-inch and 6.75-inch rear-door options.

Protect the speakers and wiring: Handle each speaker by its frame, not its cone or surround. Turn the vehicle and audio system off before disconnecting or reconnecting wiring. Release connector tabs and pull on the connector housings, not the wires. Start fasteners by hand and do not overtighten.

⚠️ Important: Protect the trim, wiring, and airbag components.
Photograph door-handle cable positions before disconnecting them. Support trim panels while unplugging connections rather than letting them hang from wiring. When working around A-pillar trim, do not disturb airbag components or route wiring across them; stop and consult the vehicle service instructions if access is unclear.

🎥 Installation Video

🛠️ Tools Needed

Ratchet wrench.
10mm socket.
10mm box wrench.
Panel removal tool, preferably plastic.
Zip ties and cutters.
Phillips-head screwdriver.

📝 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Remove the Factory Dash Speakers

Carefully open the fastener covers on the A-pillar grab handle and remove the two 10mm-head bolts. Keep the bolts with the handle.
Carefully release the A-pillar trim to provide access to the dash-speaker grille. Do not force the trim or disturb nearby airbag components.
Use a panel tool to lift the speaker grille and release its retaining clips.
On the passenger side, carefully release the light sensor from the grille as needed so the grille can be set aside without pulling on the sensor wiring. Note how it is attached for reassembly.
Remove the two 10mm-head bolts securing the factory speaker. Support the speaker while pressing the wiring connector’s release tab and unplugging it.
Set the speaker aside and save the mounting bolts.

Step 2: Install the Kicker Dash Speakers

Gather the Kicker dash speaker, supplied adapter pieces, and the dash-speaker wiring adapter with inline crossover.
Seat the speaker in the larger adapter ring, then position the smaller bracket over it. Align the mounting holes without pressing on the speaker cone, surround, or wire connections.
Connect the adapter to the speaker using the matching 1/8-inch and 1/4-inch spade terminals. These flat push-on connectors are different sizes; match each one to the appropriate terminal rather than forcing it.
Connect the supplied inline crossover/adapter assembly to the factory dash-speaker plug. Keep the wiring clear of the mounting holes.
Align the assembled speaker with the two factory mounting points. Start the saved bolts by hand and tighten until secure.
Reattach the passenger-side light sensor if it was released, then align and press the grille clips into place.
Reinstall the A-pillar trim and grab handle using the two saved bolts, then close the fastener covers. Follow the vehicle’s service specifications for safety-related trim and grab-handle fasteners.

Repeat Steps 1–2 for the other dash speaker.

Step 3: Remove the Front Door Panel

Pull the small interior trim panel beside the mirror outward to release it. If its white clips remain in the door, transfer them back to the trim panel.
Remove the push-pin fastener exposed below that trim. Press its center inward to release it, then lift out the entire fastener with a panel tool.
Carefully pry out the cover behind the interior door handle, starting from the lock-button side. Remove the Phillips screw behind it.
Lift the insert from inside the grab-handle pocket and remove the Phillips screw beneath it.
Gently pry the window-switch panel straight upward. Press the connector release tabs, unplug the wiring, and set the switch panel aside.
Starting near the bottom of the door, gently pull the trim outward to release the clips along the lower edge and sides. If it resists, check for an overlooked fastener.
Lift the panel upward off the window ledge. Keep it supported close to the door while you photograph the handle and lock cables.
Release each cable housing from its retainer, rotate the cable, and lift its ball-shaped end out of the mechanism.
Set the panel aside. Transfer any clips left in the metal door back into their matching positions on the panel.

Step 4: Replace the Front Door Speaker

Press the release tab and unplug the factory speaker connector.
Support the speaker while removing its four 10mm-head mounting fasteners. Remove the speaker and save the fasteners.
Align the supplied 6×9-inch adapter ring with the factory mounting holes. The original bracket instructions orient the pre-trimmed edge toward the middle of the door panel; use the reference photo below to compare orientation. Do not cut your bracket if the supplied version differs.

Right-front-door bracket reference:

Start the saved factory fasteners by hand and secure the adapter evenly.
Connect the speaker’s supplied wiring assembly using the matching 1/8-inch and 1/4-inch spade connectors.
Route the wire through a slot on the long side of the adapter ring, then connect the adapter harness to the factory speaker plug. Do not trap wiring beneath the speaker or leave it near moving window parts.
Position the speaker in the ring and secure it with four supplied black Phillips screws. Start each screw before fully tightening any of them, and keep the screwdriver clear of the cone and surround.

⚠️ Important: Check fit before reinstalling the door panel.
Make sure the speaker sits flush, the wiring is not pinched, and the bracket is secure. Do not force a misaligned bracket or overtighten screws to pull it into place.

Step 5: Reinstall the Front Door Panel

Confirm that all trim clips are in the panel and that the speaker wiring is clear of mounting points.
Reconnect the handle and lock cables. Seat each ball-shaped end, rotate the cable housing into position, and lock its retainer in place. The white cable retainer goes above the green retainer; compare with your removal photo.
Check that the handle and lock mechanisms move freely before closing the door.
Hook the top of the panel over the window ledge and lower it into position. Confirm that the screw holes line up before pressing the panel clips into place.
Reconnect every window-switch connector and press the switch panel back into place.
Reinstall the screws behind the interior handle and inside the grab-handle pocket, then replace the insert and screw cover.
Reset the removed push-pin fastener by moving its center pin outward. Insert its body into the panel hole, then press the center flush to lock it.
Align and reinstall the small mirror trim panel.

Repeat Steps 3–5 for the other front door.

Step 6: Remove the Rear Door Panel

Release and remove the push-pin fastener at the outer edge of the rear-door trim.
Carefully remove the cover behind the interior handle, then remove the Phillips screw beneath it.
Remove the Phillips fastener from the grab-handle area, lifting its insert as needed to access it. Keep each fastener with its cover or insert.
Gently lift the window-switch panel, press the connector’s release tab, and unplug it.
Release the panel clips along the lower edge and sides, then lift the panel off the window ledge.
Support the panel while photographing and disconnecting the handle and lock cables. Release the housing retainers, rotate the cables, and lift out the ball-shaped ends.
Transfer any clips left in the door back to the trim panel, then set the panel aside.

Step 7: Replace the Rear Door Speaker

Disconnect the factory speaker plug by pressing its release tab.
Support the speaker and remove the three 10mm-head mounting fasteners. Save them and remove the speaker.
Align the supplied rear-speaker adapter with the factory mounting holes. The original bracket instructions orient the pre-trimmed edge toward the top of the door panel; compare with the reference photo below. If your updated bracket differs, confirm fit before proceeding.

Right-rear-door bracket reference:

Attach the adapter using the saved factory fasteners. Start them by hand and tighten evenly.
Connect the supplied rear-speaker adapter to the speaker’s matching 1/8-inch and 1/4-inch terminals.
Route the wiring through the ring’s wire slot and plug the adapter into the factory speaker connector. Keep the wire clear of the speaker frame and moving window components.
Install the 6.5-inch or 6.75-inch speaker using four supplied black Phillips screws. Check that the speaker sits flush without pinching wires. Keep the screwdriver clear of the cone and surround.

Step 8: Reinstall the Rear Door Panel

Confirm that all retaining clips are in place. Reconnect the handle and lock cables in their original positions, with the white retainer above the green retainer. Fully seat the ball ends and cable-housing retainers.
Check that the handle and lock mechanisms move freely before closing the door.
Hook the panel over the window ledge and lower it into position. Confirm that the fastener holes align, then press the retaining clips into place.
Reconnect the window switch and press its panel into place.
Reinstall the saved screws and their covers or inserts.
Reset the push-pin fastener, insert it, and press its center flush. Reinstall any remaining edge trim removed during disassembly.

Repeat Steps 6–8 for the other rear door.

Step 9: Test Your Installation

Check that tools and loose fasteners are removed and that all panels are secured.
Turn on the audio system at low volume. Use the balance and fader controls, where available, and listen near each speaker to confirm that all six are playing.
Listen for missing audio, rattles, buzzing, or distortion. Turn the vehicle and audio system off before inspecting or adjusting connections.
Check window switches, locks, and interior door handles after reassembly. Verify handle and lock operation before closing each door.

Congratulations on installing your Kicker 6 Speaker Plug & Play Bundle!

🛠️ Common Troubleshooting Solutions

No Sound from One Speaker

Check balance and fader settings. With the vehicle and audio system off, confirm that the factory plug, supplied adapter, and speaker terminals are fully connected. Make sure the dash crossover assembly is used at the correct location. Do not force a mismatched connector.

Buzzing, Rattling, or Poor Fit

Check for loose trim clips, trapped wiring, or a speaker that is not sitting flush in its adapter. Confirm bracket orientation before tightening fasteners. Updated brackets may differ from the video; contact us rather than cutting or forcing an unfamiliar bracket.

A Window Switch, Lock, or Handle Does Not Work

With the vehicle off, check the switch-panel connectors and compare cable positions with your removal photos. Confirm that cable housings are secured in their retainers. Do not close the door until the handle and lock mechanisms operate correctly.

Contact Us

Need assistance? Use our contact form and include your Tacoma’s model year, the speaker location, and clear photos of the bracket or connector in question.

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