(2nd Gen) Vaistech SL3sat install guide (sort of)

I should preface this by saying it's been over a year since I did this install. I know that because SiriusXM is trying to get me to renew my subscription.

To start off, here are some useful links that I found helpful:
How to removed your radio head unit
Brief install guide that I used

I found the Vaistech manual to be pretty easy to follow, but it's written to generally apply to a range of Toyota, Scion, and Lexus vehicles so hopefully the pictures below will make it easier to follow when installing in your Tacoma. For reference, this install was done on a 2013 Tacoma with the non-Entune/JBL stock head unit.

Step 1: Remove climate control knobs and panel. I used a couple small flathead screwdrivers to pry the panel off carefully.




Step 2: Now you'll see 4 x 10mm hex bolts. I needed a socket driver extension to reach them.

Step 3: I used the flathead again to pop the remaining clips on the top of the head unit. Pull out your head unit. I lost one of those yellow clips in the process so if you know where a guy can get a spare...let me know...


Step 4: Now you have a large cavity where you radio used to be, so you can't quit now. I put the receiver in the glovebox "temporarily" because it gave me easy access to disconnect the antenna for when I planned on routing the wire to the roof. I never got around to that so the antenna is still on my dash and works pretty well. Except near overpasses, tall buildings, or in canyons, but otherwise...Anyway, it's nice to have access to the receiver unless you plan on doing all the wire routing at once. Then there's probably enough room to stash it next to the Vaistech unit. Just remember to write down the serial number on the back of the receiver - you'll need that to activate it with SiriusXM.


Step 5: Go read page 5 of the Vaistech SL3sat manual. Plug the single end of the 12-pin Y-harness into the audio harness, and the audio harness into the Vaistech unit. Then plug one end of the Y-harness (only one will fit) into the head unit. The back of my head unit looked like this:


And this connector wasn't connected to anything. I took pictures in case I found out later that it was important. It's not.


Step 6: Now it's time to emulate SAT mode. Please turn to page 6 of the manual. I'm not going to type out all these steps, but basically you enter some GTA-like cheat codes, do the hokey-pokey and it tricks your head unit into thinking it was always SAT-enabled. Make sure your SAT mode is showing up before moving on to step 7.



Step 7: Button-up. I used some 3M velcro tabs to secure the Vaistech unit to the head unit, which came in handy because my first placement didn't fit back in so well. You can see my embarrassing mistake.



Put everything back the way you found it and call SiriusXM to start a subscription and activate your receiver.

If I missed anything or made a mistake, please let me know! Like I said, it's been a year but I took these photos for a reason so I hope this helps.