2018-2023 Jeep JL/Gladiator XAV-AX8500ES Upgrade Kit

Description

Full Plug-and-Play Kit

Upgrade your 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler JL / Gladiator JT with Prolific Audio’s custom-fit radio kit for the Sony XAV-AX8500 radio.

Experience the ultimate in engineered mounting solutions for your vehicle with our unparalleled design. We maximize the use of every factory mounting screw, providing the most secure and precise fit available. Our kit does not require any sub dash modifications that every other kit requires – making our kit the best option for anyone who is worried about theft or retaining stock dash structural components.

If your car is Amplified: (PLEASE READ)

Our kit works with either amplified or unamplified systems. However, if you are amplified and you plan on upgrading your speakers in the future and or adding a subwoofer(or better). The whole audio system needs to be upgraded. Our system will not work with some of the speakers hooked up to the factory amplifier and others not. This is due to the digital amplifier in this vehicle and how the radio interfaces to the digital factory amp.

Fits: 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler JL / Gladiator JT

Sony XAV-AX8500 head unit

Custom OEM-look flush mount & bezel

Complete plug-and-play wiring harness

Steering wheel control integration

3 year complete warranty

Lifetime install support

The Prolific Audio Difference

Not all car radios are created equally.

Cheap Chinese units dominate search results but consistently fail on fit, sound, and long-term reliability. Here’s how our premium kit stacks up on every point that matters.

What Matters	Prolific Audio Kit	Generic Chinese Unit
Dash fit quality	✓ Custom OEM-look flush mount, no gaps	✗ Universal bracket — gaps, flex, rattles
Sound quality	✓ Sony DSP, 55W × 4 MOSFET amp	✗ Thin output, no DSP, muddy low-end
Wireless CarPlay / Android Auto	✓ True wireless, Bluetooth 5.0	⚠ Wired only or unreliable wireless clone
Wiring / harness	✓ OEM plug-and-play harness included	✗ Splicing required, steering wheel controls lost
Steering wheel controls	✓ Full integration, plug-in	✗ Requires separate adapter, often incompatible
Customer support	✓ Lifetime install support, US-based	✗ No support, or overseas email only
Long-term reliability	✓ Sony hardware warranty, known quality	✗ Dead in 12–18 months is common
Install time (DIY)	✓ 1–2 hours, no cutting, no guessing	⚠ 4–8 hours of troubleshooting typical

Proudly designed and made in USA • Laser scanned • Precision fit • Primed and painted in satin black • True plug-and-play wiring • No dash cutting •

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did you make a kit?

Floating radios just don’t look right from the sides. Our kits complement the OEM styling of your vehicle – Making the Sony unit look like GM designed it for your truck.

Does this kit retain the factory backup camera?

Yes — this kit retains your OEM sensor and camera system with no modification needed.

Does it retain steering wheel controls?

Yes — compatible with most steering wheel audio control setups.

Does it retain my vehicle settings?

Yes — this kit retains all needed vehicle settings adjustments.

Does it retain my Stock USB?

No — The stock USB has data throughput problems, and we do not recommend using it. Our kit comes with a new USB-C input to use for the new media center.

Sony XAV-AX8500

Sony's 10.1" Media Center the XAV-AX8500

Sony Excellence in a Compact Chassis

Media Center Overview

Large 10.1″ HD (1280×720) Capacitive Touchscreen
Wireless Carplay and Wireless Android Auto
24 Bit Audio DSP Processing
High-Resolution Audio
Supports 3 Auxiliary Cameras
AM/FM Radio
Bluetooth with LDAC Technology
USB Audio Playback MP3/WMA/WAV/AAC/FLAC/ALAC/DSF/DSDIFF
USB Video Playback ASF/WMV/AVI/MKV/MP4
Retains All Steering Wheel Controls
Sirius Satellite Radio Ready
Ultra Fast Processor Zero Lag Touchscreen

14 Band Equalizer
HDMI Input
5 Volt 5 channel RCA Preouts
Full Time Alignment
Anti-Glare Screen Coating
Vehicle Integration Control
Customizable home screen
LDAC Playback for the ultimate in High-Resolution Audio Playback
Outstanding GUI (Graphic User Interface)
External Noise Cancelling Microphone
USB Type C for compatible Smartphones
Native 96 kHz / 24 bit WAV, FLAC, ALAC , and DSD (PCM) Playback

Display featuring the Sony XAV-AX8500 radio with its 10.1-inch capacitive HD touchscreen. The screen shows a clean user interface with options for radio, SiriusXM, Bluetooth, rear camera, settings, and all apps. The description highlights the tilt and swivel mechanism, wireless and wired connectivity, and sound customization for an enhanced driving experience.

Display showcasing the Sony XAV-AX8500 radio's oversized 10.1-inch high-definition LCD screen installed in a vehicle. The screen highlights its gapless design and clear user interface, with menu options for radio, Bluetooth, USB, phone, settings, and all apps, emphasizing enhanced picture quality and safer, easier operation for drivers.

Display demonstrating the Sony XAV-AX8500 radio's fully wireless smartphone connectivity. The image showcases compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, featuring wireless connection icons. The radio screen displays app interfaces such as navigation, music, and messages, emphasizing voice control and seamless integration for hands-free operation while driving.

Display showcasing the Sony XAV-AX8500 radio's HDMI input functionality. The image illustrates the radio screen displaying a helicopter scene connected via an HDMI cable to an external device. A vehicle interior is shown with the radio playing a video, demonstrating compatibility with smartphones and other devices for content viewing when the car is parked.

Display highlighting the Sony XAV-AX8500 radio's HD-designed graphical user interface (GUI) with customization options. The top row shows listening position setup, balance and fader controls, and dimmer adjustment for screen brightness and color. The bottom row presents different color themes for the main menu screen with options like radio, Bluetooth, USB, rear camera, settings, and all apps.

Display showing the Sony XAV-AX8500 radio's 3-camera trigger input functionality, with three screens highlighting different camera views: a side mirror perspective, a rear parking guide with adjustable lines, and a front view. The text explains seamless integration for switching camera inputs using turn signals or dedicated icons.

Display showcasing the Sony XAV-AX8500 radio integration with vehicle OEM systems, including three screen views: HVAC controls with temperature settings, tire pressure monitoring with vehicle graphic, and proximity sensor data for object detection, alongside text emphasizing seamless connection to OEM features.

Sony XAV-AX8500 radio display shown in two angles, highlighting its gapless anti-glare screen. The text emphasizes the radio’s bonded LCD with a protective glass layer for precise touch and reduced reflections, enhancing visibility and safety by minimizing sunlight glare.

Interior of a car with a Sony XAV-AX8500 radio displayed on the dashboard, showing the song 'Groovin' n' Cruisin' by Beat Balance. The screen highlights 'Enhanced wireless audio streaming with LDAC,' allowing Bluetooth audio streaming with high bitrate. A person holds a smartphone with album art for the song 'Two Seater,' showing compatibility with the radio.

Reviews (1)

1 review for 2018–2023 Jeep Wrangler JL / Gladiator JT + Sony XAV-AX8500ES 10.1″ Plug-and-Play Radio Upgrade Kit – Prolific Audio

Eddie Sharro – September 8, 2024

Rated 5 out of 5
Bought the kit. On install of the kit had a problem with the backup camera interface. Called Joe he picked up on a Saturday at noon he was at one of his kids sports game walked me through everything I had the backup camera interface plugged into the wrong plug ITS THE RED ONE. Awesome support thank you. I’m sending all my friends thank you!

Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.

2018–2023 Jeep Wrangler JL / Gladiator JT + Sony XAV-AX8500ES 10.1″ Plug-and-Play Radio Upgrade Kit – Prolific Audio

*Retain Factory Backup Camera?(+$179.95)

*Add Sirius XM Tuner?(+89.95)