2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 2nd / 3rd Gen Power Towing Mirror Swap

[cap-n-cray]

Well I did the swap with new 2nd gen manual mirrors and 3rd gen powered mirrors. You do not need to do the driver side minor modifications. I look at them for a long time trying to find what to remove. I finally looked at ntillm01 photo gallery (Thanks) and the new mirrors do not have the tabs. The new 2nd and 3rd gen are the same internally except for the mounts to the truck. I am going to sell the 3rd gen modified mirrors as non powered new mirrors to reduce my cost. One good thing I never thought about was the reinforcement plates for the 2nd gen. Lucky they come with the 2nd gen mirror kits. I am replacing powered small mirror. Now to install the mirrors on the truck. No more vibrating slip on mirrors. Oo.



Cary

 

[Tiger Rag]

Ok, yes I'm slow, but I've been busy with work. This week has been a little slower so I was able to work on the second power mirror retainer today. Got it off. One of my biggest hurdles was finding the right tool. I finally took the nail set I broke and put it on my bench grinder and modified it to work again. That got this project going again. The truck got hit by a youngster a few weeks back so it is in the body shop until tomorrow, but hopefully on Sunday (after Thanksgiving visits) I'll get to finish this project up. I'll keep everyone posted. BTW, whoever suggested using a shop towel to keep the spring and retainer from shooting across the room or from hitting me, I want to thank you. I was just covering part of the hole with a magazine on the first mirror, but the rag works much easier.



Happy Thanksgiving to all, Matt

 

[Tiger Rag]

Ok, I've got this project nearly finished. Mirrors are assembled and on the truck. Wire colors are different than what I've seen posted. Figured the passenger side out and it is done. Thought I'd have smooth sailing on driver door but can't seem to find the combo on the wires. I've got the heat part done on driver mirror, just can't seem to get the combo right for moving the mirror. The truck is an 01. 5. Any suggustions? Anyone else experience this? I'll go and take another attempt at it this afternoon with a fresh mind. It was pretty late last night trying to finish it up.



Thanks in advance, Matt

 

[Tiger Rag]

One of the part #'s was bad that I listed previously. I made a note of it in the post, but thought I'd better try and warn anyone using those #'s. The Heat/AC/mirror heat head came in and didn't have A/C. He's checking in on the new unit now.



Anyone with wiring advice from my last post, any help would be appreciated.



Thanks, Matt

 

[cap-n-cray]

Matt,



Here is what I used on my 2001. 5 2500 for wiring:



Left Side Mirror:



Mirror ‘06... ... ... ... . Connector - Pin... ... ... ... Door ’01. 5

Blue... ... ... ... ... ... ... White/Black – 1... ... ... ... Yellow

Gray... ... ... ... ... ... ... Yellow – 2... ... ... ... ... ..... Blue/White

Green... ... ... ... ... ... . Light Blue(2) – 3... ... ... . Yellow/Red

Black... ... ... ... ... ..... Black – 4... ... ... ... ... ... ... . Black/Green

Black... ... ... ... ... ..... Black – 5... ... ... ... ... ... ... . Blue/Yellow





Right Side Mirror:



Mirror ’06... ... ... ... . Connector – Pin... ... ... ..... Door ’01. 5

Blue... ... ... ... ... ... ... White – 1... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Yellow/Black

Gray... ... ... ... ... ... ... Yellow – 2... ... ... ... ... ... ..... Blue

Green... ... ... ... ... ... . Light Blue(2) – 3... ... ... ... . White

Black... ... ... ... ... ..... Black – 4... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... . Black/Green

Black... ... ... ... ... ..... Black – 5... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... . Blue/Yellow



This is what worked for me. I used connector from some brocken mirrors. My only question is how does the mirror know when it is flipped up or down... neat trick :-laf



Cary

 

[Tiger Rag]

Hey Cary, that is great information. I really appreciate it! I have to pull the door panels again this weekend to install dynamat and I'll try that combo. From memory, that is a different combo than what I used and your wire colors seem to be the same too.



One more question. Did you find that the remote mirror control switch had an orientation issue? In other words, the keyway and flatspot on the switch barrel orient the switch wrong with the keyway and flatspot on the door panel. It makes it that much more difficult to control the mirror. I realize it is an easy fix to ream the plastic door panel so the switch will turn and fit, but I'm just wondering if I didn't get the wrong switch for my truck? Anyway, thought it was worth mentioning. I'll get it figured out soon, but I'm sure your color coding will help. I found one other post on another site that should help too.



Thank you, Matt

 

[cap-n-cray]

Matt,



The switch is confusing. I had electric mirrors from the start, so my switch was already installed. But it works for the side when the letter "R" or "L" is in the level position. Confusing some time because it is opposite of what you would expect.



Cary

 

[Tiger Rag]

Matt,



The switch is confusing. I had electric mirrors from the start, so my switch was already installed. But it works for the side when the letter "R" or "L" is in the level position. Confusing some time because it is opposite of what you would expect.



Cary

Yep, the way my switch went in according to the keyways, etc made the switch sit 90 degrees to the left for some reason... ... well since the knob only sits on there one way too.

 

[ntillm01]

Sorry folks, I haven't been able to spend time out here for quite a while.



Glad the photos help! It is always good to see how the the job goes, before you dive in to your own adventure.



Cap-n-cray, thanks for the information! Now that the newer 2nd gen tow mirror knuckle internals are the same, the swap muct go much nicer. Mine were on the truck from the factory new (build June 2000) so they apparently were different then.



My switch from the dealer had a groove in it for orientation. The door panel also was keyed behind the tan plug that was in it to cover the hole. The only thing I noticed was that the longer tow mirror studs get real close to the switch once installed.



How do they know? Magic! One of two things I would guess A) mercury switches that change the motor wiring or B) slip ring contacts in the pivot. All I know is it really gives them a factory thought-it-out feel, and a fun feature to show off to your friends. I always get ooohs and ahhhs. Partly too because it's probably the biggest hunk of mirror anyone's seen move by power joystick.

 

[Tiger Rag]

Ok, I got my wiring changed around and the mirrors work great. Thanks to those who supplied the color combinations! What the problems was in deciphering this was the knob of all things. if you put the knob on the switch and orient the swith the way the knob suggests it has you 90 degrees off. We were doing our wire combos based on the knob... ... ... :{ . Boy does that make me mad! Anyway, they work, I just may have to lightly sand off the lettering so it's not confusing. Just thought I'd mention it since it cost me many hours.



Thanks again for the help guys!

 

[JRagland]

Matt,



Here is what I used on my 2001. 5 2500 for wiring:



Left Side Mirror:



Mirror ‘06... ... ... ... . Connector - Pin... ... ... ... Door ’01. 5

Blue... ... ... ... ... ... ... White/Black – 1... ... ... ... Yellow

Gray... ... ... ... ... ... ... Yellow – 2... ... ... ... ... ..... Blue/White

Green... ... ... ... ... ... . Light Blue(2) – 3... ... ... . Yellow/Red

Black... ... ... ... ... ..... Black – 4... ... ... ... ... ... ... . Black/Green

Black... ... ... ... ... ..... Black – 5... ... ... ... ... ... ... . Blue/Yellow





Right Side Mirror:



Mirror ’06... ... ... ... . Connector – Pin... ... ... ..... Door ’01. 5

Blue... ... ... ... ... ... ... White – 1... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Yellow/Black

Gray... ... ... ... ... ... ... Yellow – 2... ... ... ... ... ... ..... Blue

Green... ... ... ... ... ... . Light Blue(2) – 3... ... ... ... . White

Black... ... ... ... ... ..... Black – 4... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... . Black/Green

Black... ... ... ... ... ..... Black – 5... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... . Blue/Yellow



This is what worked for me. I used connector from some brocken mirrors. My only question is how does the mirror know when it is flipped up or down... neat trick :-laf



Cary

This should be put on the 3D website or a FAQ for 2nd gens. Those are the same colors that worked for me after spending 4 hours with what I thought was every possible combination. Thanks.

 

[hammersley]

Be careful on EBAY of buying Mirrors!

My 01 passenger side mirror went out - no heat - and I found one on EBAY and while the unit looked great - the mirror is slightly distorted... . I have to sdjuct it in slightly or else it's to difficult to look out of... ... ... ... . I think a lot of these really inexpensive mirrors are factory 2nd's and have this problem.....

 

[JRagland]

Thought I would let you all see this, if you're wanting the factory heated mirror button, here is the AC contol panel on E-Bay, cheap, until you bid it up!



About 2. 5 hours left.





Heater Panel

 

[Tiger Rag]

Good eye JRagland, and it went cheap too. $24. Dang, only a month too late. The bad thing is the dealership ordered the wrong one for me, it didn't have AC on the HVAC/heated mirror control head. Anyway, they've got the right one in now, just have to go pick it up.



Anyone else have the knob not read correctly as I outlined above?

 

[DLausche]

Anyone else have the knob not read correctly as I outlined above?

I was trying to figure out what you meant by the knob being off. Was it how it was mounted in the door panel that threw you off? If I remember correctly, I have to turn the knob so the "L" or "R" is oriented at the top and then that particular mirror is the one that will move when the knob is moved side/side or up/down. Trying to figure out what threw you off. I can't imagine the lettering being off and confusing to the point of having to sand it off and redo it. I think it is really quite straightforward. I'm confused as to what is confusing.



-Deon

 

[Tiger Rag]

Deon, I've got it figured out now, but I'll try and explain. I believe the knob for the control switch is for a different model than the one I have, or it was printed wrong, or the insert with the flat spot keyed into it was oriented incorrectly when manufactured.



My wires hooked up just like the other guys with the 2001's who were able to give me color combo's. The problem is that the way the knob is printed, it is telling you to input your movements of the switch the wrong way. In other words, it is 90 degrees off to the left.



A little history on my truck: I had the unpowered flip out towing mirrors from the factory and no control switch installed or heated mirror switch on the HVAC Control head. I ordered these from the Dodge dealership and the parts guy had to extrapulate from my VIN # to get the parts, so I'm not sure if the knob is actually for my truck or not. I know he got the HVAC contol wrong.



One other way to explain it. I had the inside door panels off the truck when installing the mirrors. I said to my buddy, "we'll put the knob on the switch and that will tell us which way the mirror is supposed to move" (knob can only go on one way since it has the flat spot to correlate with flat keying on the switch. Well obviously we had no luck getting the mirrors to cooperate with the knob that way because it had us turning the switch 90 degrees. We didn't get a clue until putting the door panels back on and seeing the keyway for the switch to fit into the door panel (only fits into the door one way), and then the knob is 90 degrees off counter clockwise. We used the multi meter and scribed notes on which way we believed the mirror should move given voltage through the switch. Again, we were pi$$ing in the wind because the switch was oriented wrong because the knob was telling us how to orient it.



Anyway, enough of that long story. After Sunday night came along and I had to get door panels on so I could drive it all week, I saw how the switch oriented in the door. The other guys gave me color combos during the week and I figured it out. They work great now, it's just that the knob still reads wrong. No big deal, I know how they're supposed to work, it just made it tough for the install.



Clear as mud? Well, that's about the best I can do without pictures. Maybe I can take a couple to explain it.

 

[DLausche]

I understand now what you were seeing. I wired mine as well with the switch out and used the knob to tell me which way it should move. That does sound really frustrating! I wonder if they changed the printing or flat/keyed location on the knob and switch at some point in time. Did the knob come in the packaging with the switch? Maybe you got a knob and switch combo that were from different years or something like that. Glad you did get it figured out.



Take care

-Deon

 

[cap-n-cray]

I used my mirror conversion for towing the first time last week. All I can say is SWEET. I think it is one of the best things I have done to the truck. Great conversion.



Here is a photo of my factory switch. It is positioned to adjust the right side mirror.



Cary

 

[Tiger Rag]

I understand now what you were seeing. I wired mine as well with the switch out and used the knob to tell me which way it should move. That does sound really frustrating! I wonder if they changed the printing or flat/keyed location on the knob and switch at some point in time. Did the knob come in the packaging with the switch? Maybe you got a knob and switch combo that were from different years or something like that. Glad you did get it figured out.



Take care

-Deon

Different packaging Deon. I had to order the switch, the knob, and the nut all as different part #'s.



Glad I got it figured out too. I'm thankful for all the help I got here! It is a great mod! Man, what a difference!

 

[Tiger Rag]

Ok here are some pictures that should explain what I posted above:





This is the position to operate the RIGHT mirror despite the fact that it looks like it should run the left in this orientation.

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This is the position to operate the LEFT mirror.

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