Today's Gen3 upgrade/install

I'm not an audio snob but I am an audio guy and a music fan. The factory non-JBL system in my 2017 TRD Sport is one of the worst OEM systems i've ever heard. Muddy, dark, low powered, and on top of that no CarPlay. The iPhone integration isn't bad, if it's 2012.

After considerable research I decided on the Sony XAV-AX7000 head unit with SiriusXM from Trail Grid Pro, a pair of Subaru tweeters from eBay, Kicker 47KSC6504 in the rear and Kicker 46CSC6934 from Crutchfield in the front.

After watching a bunch of install videos on YouTube, today was the day. I did the speakers first, and it took just under 2.5 hours including 20 minutes looking for lost speaker connectors/adaptors. I also used the Boom Mat baffles and I would assume they helped but I don't have a before/after to go on. For the price it was worth a try. I took a break and ran an errand so I could hear just the speakers with the OEM radio.

For a little under $300, this is a worthy upgrade in it's own right. The sound was much more articulate and not fatiguing unlike the muddy factory speakers. No wonder, the magnets on the Kickers are at least 20 times bigger.

A little later in the afternoon, I installed the head unit. It comes all wired up from Trail Grid Pro and ready to plug and play. I could have paid better attention to the connectors as I had to pull it back out twice to connect the AM/FM antennae and the power connector. In spite of that, I was still done in under 30 minutes. A quick visit to the SiriusXM site to update my radio ID and I was fully functional.

The Sony is quite intuitive and sounds great. At around $1,150 all in, it doesn't "slam" but that's not what I'm looking for. I'm really happy with it.

For those hoping for pictures or install vids, sorry. But there are plenty of them out there.

 

I put the same head unit from Trail Grid pro in my 2013 today. Already had a set of Focal IS165's that I put in over a year ago. The install was, as you said, under 30 mins total.

The difference in sound is amazing. The Focals came alive with the extra power from the sony, and a 10 band eq really gives a lot of customization for a car stereo. The 45w rms is more than enough to fill my single cab.

 

Well done sir. I also have a Gen2 and am researching a simple head unit upgrade. It doesn't need carplay as long as I can stream my phone to it.

 

That was my initial intent as well, I didn't see the point to carplay. I ended up on the 7000 because of the built in amp. Good luck with the upgrade, I've been seeing a lot of very reasonably priced headunits on crutchfield without carplay.

 

For what they are, the factory speakers are incredible. I believe hey use more expensive neodymium magnets, so they're lighter and more powerful than what you find in most other speakers. For how insignificant they feel in the hands they do an impressive job.

With that said, I replaced them pretty soon after getting the truck!

 

The woofers weren't as bad as i assumed they were. I did mine peicemeal so I did my tweeters first, which made a massive difference (almost could have lived with it like that, but not quite) then did the woofers, which again, made an improvement, now with the added power the system really comes alive.