Ordered Trail Grid Pro SONY XAV-9000ES Plug & Play Bundle!

While I love my Tundra, I can say the one thing the that has disappointed me with it, and my previous 4Runner, is the head unit and the lack of Apple CarPlay. I decided I wasn't going to be without any longer. So, today I ordered the TGP Sony XAV-9000ES bundle! Really looking forward to getting it installed. Once I do, I'll update this post with my impressions and pics.

I also want to give a shout out to Cliff at TGP and thank him for his support of veterans.

 

That's the exact head unit I installed in mine, and love it. I started out with the 9500, but went to the in dash 9000 because I liked the more OEM look.

 

System is installed and I LOVE IT! Looks factory, gives me CarPlay maintains SirusXM (paid extra for this), all steering wheel controls and adds some vehicle metrics on screen. Overall easy install. Had a few questions and Mike at Trail Grid Pro was quick to assist by phone and with followup by email. Overall, I couldn't be happier. I went back and forth as to whether to get a larger floating screen system. But, I'm very happy I went with the OE look. If you're wanting CarPlay or Android Auto I can recommend the plug and play system from TGP.

 

looks great @TRLDD thanks for posting this unit's on my shortlist

 

Let me know if you have any questions. I'm happy to tell you what I know. Having a CarPlay capable system has definitely increased my satisfaction with this truck. Which is saying a lot because I really liked it before! This is one area I think Toyota fell short. I'm just glad there's now options to fix it.

 

thanks @TRLDD i appreciate it!

 

If you don't mind me asking...did you also consider the TGP Alpine ilx-f507 bundle as well and what led to your choice of the Sony? I am about to replace my factory HU (2020 Platinum with JBL amplified) with either the Sony or Alpine from TGP. Can't decide between them and also can't decide to the keep the factory integrated look or go bigger with the 9" or 11" screen. Both Alpine and Sony seem to be great units for our trucks.

 

Got a link for where you picked it up from?

 

I researched the heck out of all the options including brands TGP does not carry. I found good and bad about all. Alpine had a few more negative reviews and I did not like the cost of their proprietary accessories (front cam, dash cam etc) I mean cool they have these options, but pretty pricy.

Having had the Sony for a couple months I still love it. Still haven’t resolved the microphone problem and I’m going to be reaching out to TGP on it. They sent a new OEM location mount which didn’t fix the reported feedback. So, I may need a new mic or need to relocate it (not what I want to do). I wanted OEM look. Though the big screens are sexy as hell. But prefer the stock appearance. Don’t think you’d go wrong with either. They are so much better than stock. Ashamed Toyota didn’t spec a better head unit out of the gate.

 

Here at Trail Grid Pro

 

the microphone feedback / echo is a known aftermarket CarPlay issue. I have not yet heard of a solution….if you find something out please let us know. I forget where I heard this but someone hypothesized that it was because Toyota had a couple microphones that are used on the oem stereo and the aftermarket only taps into one….producing feedback loop with the other microphone that isn’t totally bypassed. Not sure if that’s true or not but kinda makes sense to me

 

8 month update on the Sony XAV-9000ES bundle from Trail Grid Pro. I LOVE this thing! Factory look, CarPlay, SirusXM, anytime rear camera (also supports anytime front camera if purchased) and neat onscreen gauge interface and TPMS monitoring. Except for the initial microphone issue, the function has been flawless.

On the mic issue, TGP sent me both a replacement Sony mic and a new one of their 3D printed holders that allows the Sony's mic to be installed in the factory overhead console location. While the ability to mount the mic there was one of the initial selling points for me, the idea of pulling it all apart for a 3rd time was not exciting. Additionally, not knowing if the new mic would be the fix if remounted there, I opted to use the factory pedestal mic mount with its 3M VHB on top of the steering column shroud. It's barely noticeable and it works perfectly. I'm extremely happy with this system and wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

 

The alleged "carplay mic echo" problem is a topic I'm watching closely.
Cannot tell if re-positioning the Sony black puck has solved that issue for you? Relocating it overhead should make no difference; neither should replacing it with the same thing: a black puck is a black puck.
I might call TGP and ask what they've learned about the problem.

 

Never had mic echo, issue was muffled and static in voice. TGP did say that sometimes when putting the mic in the factory location with the 3D printed mount this can happen if it's not positioned in the mount perfectly and if the mount or mic has any movement induced by the vehicle movement. I re-secured the original mic a bracket once before they sent me both new. But at that point, I'd have been pulling the overhead console down for a 3rd time and I just didn't want to do that and still ave the possibility of poor voice call quality. As I said, mounting it in the other location TGP mentions in their install video (steering column shroud) has been working perfectly for me.

 

That aids my understanding much... Thank you!

I've been working on a solution for retaining the factory mic, and this taboo is one of the stumbling blocks. Along the way, I even studied the possibility of replacing the factory mic with a Peizo/MEMS version like what you'd find inside your cell phone. The R&D that goes into MIC design is mind boggling and the best ones (most expensive) route sound into a chamber where it acts on a membrane that converts the sound into an electrical wave form. All MICs are sensitive to wind and vibration, especially that design. So, the factory MIC is housed behind a grill and cloth screen by design. Locating a black puck behind the factory grill within a printed mount could act as a sound chamber with ill effect. That is not the same as 'echo due to CarPlay' tech - which is delayed feedback being heard by the 'other' caller. Frankly, I don't believe a CarPlay echo problem exists, although it gets blamed upon failed attempts to wire the factory mic to an aftermarket head unit.

PS: As a mariner who appreciates it, Thank you for your service!