2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission A note about Pwr Htd Towing mirror conversion

[Sticks]

Referencing this thread



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/2nd-generation-ram-forum-no-engine-transmission-discussions/195450-towing-mirrors-pwr-heated.html



I received a set of Kool Vue mirrors, the HVAC control unit with heated mirror switch, and the mirror controller for my birthday (end of Oct) from my wife.



Yesterday I finally had time to tackle the project. Epic fail.



My 2002 3500 ST - no power anything (windows, locks, seats, etc) does not have the wiring in the doors for the mirrors. Only the speakers.



#@$%! #@$%! #@$%!



It would appear that I can get the wire harness that plugs into the main on each side where the boot cross between the cab and the door. I'll need to check on prices, and availability.



SO - for those wishing to do this conversion on their truck, before you buy the parts, pull the side panel on the floor and check to make sure you have more than 2 wires running into the door.

 

[Road Dog]

The previous owner [of my truck]went from manual to powered mirrors and had to add a wire harness (it probably came with the mirrors). You can use 7-wire trailer cable and make a harness. You need six wires per mirror: 2 for up/down, 2 for left/right and 2 for heat. You'll need one for power assuming there's a ground already in the door.

The flip up trailer mirrors on the 2nd gen were manual so even my full load power everything truck was lacking the mirror wiring.

 

[Sticks]

Lots of trial and error trying to figure that one out. I'd just as soon get a harness that plugs into the junction under the dash that runs into the door.

That and I reeeeealy hate butchering OEM harnesses.

I find it odd that DC would have 3 different harnesses. 1 for the ST with only speaker wires, 1 for towing mirrors with only speaker, window and lock wiring, and a third for non towing mirrors (PwrHtd version) with windows, locks, speaker, and mirrors.

 

[Road Dog]

There's more -- the Infinity sound system has an amplifier in the door so there's switched power plus wires in and out for the speakers on that side (A-pillar, front door, and rear on the club/quad cab).

The only connection to the OEM harness is +12V to power the motors. The heater switch looks like it's part of the same connector as the heater control but I have no idea how far the heater wire goes.

 

[SRath]

My '96 had no power windows or locks, but did have power mirrors. It took several patient months of monitoring ebay, but i eventually came up with everything from the door panels to the wiring harness, regulators, and harnesses to convert to full power. Heated mirrors were not an option then, but that involves nothing more than a fused toggle switch and 1 extra power wire to the door. Piece of cake.



The power locks would not work even with the new harness. They lacked a polarity-reversing relay, which I had mistakenly thought was built into one of the switches or already on the truck. So I made my own with four universal relays. Another piece of cake once you find a schematic, though I have since found ready-made ones available cheaply.



In other words, don't give up on your conversion. I love mine and it was worth the effort.



A deer later took out both of my power-heated mirrors (windshield, doors, hood, etc. ), but I have a set of the extended power/heated towing mirrors waiting to replace them once I replace the deer-damaged doors.



Your best bet, depending on where you live, is to find a salvage yard with a truck that has everything you need and to remove it all yourself from one truck. Around here, that is kind of tough, but should be easier in a bigger metro area.

 

[Sticks]

Unfortunately, all the salvage yards here are an absolute nightmare to even get into the parking lot (full from open to close - INS would have a field day), let alone finding a vehicle.

I am going to check with the dealer to see what a harness is going to cost and go from there. I still need to pull my dash apart to see if I even have the wiring for the mirror heat option. If not, I can probably get around it, but it may be enough for me to put my lot up for sale and live with my manual mirrors.

 

[Sticks]

Spoke to Dodge yesterday about the wire harness for the doors. $400 per side.

Anybody want to buy a set of mirrors, switch and HVAC control? Looks like I am staying manual as I don't see myself attempting a junkyard in the future.

 

[MarkMiller]

I have been thinking about buying a set of the towing mirrors. My truck came with the powered sport mirrors so I am wired already. PM or call me if you want to sell your kit. Mark 703-509-2565

 

[SRath]

you just gotta look in the right places; not at a dealer

Sticks, there's a guy down south that sells tons of used dodge/cummins parts on ebay and I have bought many parts from him, including the stuff to convert to power windows and locks. He's very reliable. He goes by redlinear on ebay and here is one of his auctions. You can send him a message from there.



97 Dodge Ram Cummins Turbo Diesel DASH WIRING HARNESS - eBay (item 360314113430 end time Jan-25-11 07:10:15 PST)



I did my whole conversion, door panels and all, for about half of what your dealer wants for just one door harness. That's just ridiculous. Yes, it took me a couple months of gathering parts, but it was worth finding the bargains. The only power accessory my truck had before was power mirrors.



The harnesses you need shouldn't be that tough to find. Do you know what years harnesses will work?



meanwhile, here are some more to look at:



94 -02 Dodge Ram DOOR WIRING HARNESS - eBay (item 110629272504 end time Jan-27-11 06:01:13 PST)



96-02 Dodge Ram power window lock doors WIRING HARNESS - eBay (item 110606867580 end time Feb-01-11 03:44:53 PST)



94 95 96 97 DODGE RAM 1500 DRIVER DOOR COMPLETE HARNESS - eBay (item 160382258737 end time Jan-21-11 22:27:08 PST)



Some idjit cut the wires on these...



97 94-01 Dodge Ram 1500 #54 Door Wiring Harness - Left - eBay (item 350201323174 end time Feb-01-11 11:49:37 PST)



97 94-01 Dodge Ram 1500 #55 Door Wiring Harness - Right - eBay (item 110389314944 end time Feb-01-11 11:50:51 PST)



here's some more:



2001 1500 4WD DODGE RAM UNDERDASH WIRING HARNESS - eBay (item 120666997590 end time Feb-01-11 16:13:24 PST)



1995 dodge ram 2500 power lock window mirror harness - eBay (item 350411058788 end time Feb-03-11 17:26:47 PST)



This one looks pretty complete. $60 bucks to your door. Ask the seller if he has the harness that connects them:



1994-2001 DODGE RAM 1500 2500 3500 DOOR WIRING HARNESS - eBay (item 110534520526 end time Feb-11-11 09:41:40 PST)