2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Any new info on power tow mirrors?

[NIsaacs]

All I can find doing a search is conversion from a 3rd gen mirror to the 2nd gen. Looks kinda intense.



I can find several power tow mirrors that claim to be a direct bolt on for the 2nd gen. However when I try to buy a control switch it comes up with a flat faced type, but my door panel has a cutout for the rotory knob, like the 95-96 style?? Whats up with that? Is the wire harness in the door? I might have to just pull it off and see what is in there. The knob type and flat faced one use different plugs.



Anyone have any first hand experiance with this up grade, using the direct bolt on mirrors that are advertised?



Nick

 

[JR]

some good wiring info
http://www.elektro.com/~charlie/mirrors

I went through these guys and like them so far
http://www.am-autoparts.com/1998/Dodge/Ram-2500-Truc

If these are for your 01 it should already be prewired

 

[NIsaacs]

Hey thanks for the info links, it looks like they are being installed, thats good news. I think the biggest issue I am finding is the power switch. The book shows (for '01) a flat faced switch with an 8 prong socket but the rotory switch (for 95-96) that fits my door panel uses an 8 prong pigtail, thats just backward from what I think my wiring harness has. I might just have to wire up some type of conversion.



My factory manual tow mirrors are a pain to adjust, they are either froze and you bust the glass or they get loose and wont stay put.



Nick

 

[JR]

Are you talking about the pigtail directly on the mirror? I have a spare set of mirrors from my former truck (a 00) and I just ran out to compare them to my stock mirrors on my 98. 5 And they are both a square 6 prong plug. My 98. 5 also has the rotory style knob. I know a few people that have ordered from that website and have had no fitment issues so you should be fine

 

[NIsaacs]

Are you talking about the pigtail directly on the mirror? I have a spare set of mirrors from my former truck (a 00) and I just ran out to compare them to my stock mirrors on my 98. 5 And they are both a square 6 prong plug. My 98. 5 also has the rotory style knob. I know a few people that have ordered from that website and have had no fitment issues so you should be fine

I think the mirror wiring will be fine, I am conserned about the control switch. Here is a picture of what the book calls for, for my year but my door panel is designed for the rotory knob style switch. They have a different wiring harness. I am not sure what I actually have for wiring behind the door panel. I guess I just need to order the mirrors and deal with the wire issue, if it even is an issue. Thanks again for your input.

Nick

 

[georgej]

I just ordered a rotary switch from mnjclassics on ebay for $35 delivered. I bought my koolvue towing mirrors from carparts.com for $108 each plus shipping. Planning to install on saturday if it stops raining

 

[NIsaacs]

I just ordered a rotary switch from mnjclassics on ebay for $35 delivered. I bought my koolvue towing mirrors from carparts.com for $108 each plus shipping. Planning to install on saturday if it stops raining

Awesome, let me know how it goes. I just ordered a set of the cool vue for $229 per set and includes the heavy bracket's, free shipping but they taxed me I found several rotary switchs on ebay but no phone numbers so I had to pass. Ended up ordering one from O'Reileys, big $$ and will take about a week. I think the flat faced switch in the picture is for an '03 and up, parts books are wrong I think. The rotary is hard to find, new.



Nick

 

[Ram4Sam]

I just ordered a rotary switch from mnjclassics on ebay for $35 delivered. I bought my koolvue towing mirrors from carparts.com for $108 each plus shipping. Planning to install on saturday if it stops raining

I installed mine a couple of years ago, back then they did not come with any install instructions, that may have changed. Be very careful how you run the cord on the backside of the mounting plate. If they are not in the right spot, the wires get pinched and cut when you tighten up the mirror base. Here is a pic of how to run the wires.....

Also, if you are using the factory switch, unless Koolvue made a change, one of the mount studs is too long and hits the back of the switch and the door panel won't go back on all the way. You can file off the end of the switch for clearance, which is what I did. I read others have cut/installed a shorter stud but seemed like a hassle to me. Before you start, roll the window down, it makes it much easier and you don't need to pull the door panel off all the way. Just take the screw out and pop the clips on the front, vertical edge, the panel will flex enough to tighten the nuts and connect the plugs.



Good luck!



Sam

 

[NIsaacs]

Sam, thanks for the install tips and pictures. The partial door panel removal is great, I have the worst luck with panels and clips. At this time I am not going to get the heat style control unit.



Nick

 

[JR]

No heated mirrors in Snowflake, AZ!!

You will probably manage with out that feature :-laf

 

[georgej]

Nick- Yes the switch was used but there is one new oem switch at a dealer in Vermont,I believe, for $102 plus shipping. Hopefully this one will work ok.
Sam- Thanks for the instructions and ya the mirrors still don't come with them

 

[Ram4Sam]

I found the switch and the dash control on ebay... . used but they work fine.

Sam

 

[HHhuntitall]

Yep. AM Autoparts is the best I've used, so far. The round switches are the ones for 95+, but the 98. 5+ is different than the earlier trucks, and you have to order the mirrors for 98. 5+. The wire loom is in the truck, it's all just plug and play. I just did a 2001 in March, the switch came from the bone yard.....



Did you order BWD S13505 from Orielly's? If so, I believe that's the one for the 97 and earlier, and won't plug into your wireloom. Please correct me if I'm wrong... . but I ordered one of those last summer for one that the mirror rubbed into and shorted out, as mentioned above as the top bolt was too long. The switch didn't fit the '98+ wireloom... . The later models are a thinner, flatter connector than the earlier models.....

 

[NIsaacs]

Yep. AM Autoparts is the best I've used, so far. The round switches are the ones for 95+, but the 98. 5+ is different than the earlier trucks, The switch didn't fit the '98+ wireloom... . The later models are a thinner, flatter connector than the earlier models.....

Yes, you are so right I just found that out yesterday. The older switch has an 8 prong plug, my truck uses a 10 prong with 8 wires, jeeze! I did find one on ebay with a seller that lists his phone number so I will call and order it as soon as they open.



The mirrors appear to be a perfect fit and look identical to the old manual ones. I did remove the screw on wire clip for the wire loom, it seemed to interfere with the rubber plug that passes through the door. I also did not need to order the heavy duty mirror mounts, the old ones had them, but that ok.



Nick

 

[HHhuntitall]

Dang, sorry bro, wish I had gotten to you sooner. Hang on to those brackets... . I'm sure you'll use them somewhere, sometime!! :-laf

 

[NIsaacs]

Woo Hoo, I have electric tow mirrors! Why did I wait so long..... even got a tan switch knob to match Like others have said, I did have to grind a small amount off the back of the switch for the top mirror bolt interference. Also, the right side just barely has enough movement to see the bed side when folded in, I havent folded them out yet to check that part. Pretty much just bolt them on and hook up the plugs. The switch wire was a hair short to reach the door mounted plug so I pulled it off and cut the top clip off and just used the bottom clip in the top hole on the door and good to go.



Thanks for all the help!!



Nick

 

[JR]

Nice!!

 

[Ram4Sam]

Woo Hoo, I have electric tow mirrors! Why did I wait so long..... even got a tan switch knob to match Like others have said, I did have to grind a small amount off the back of the switch for the top mirror bolt interference. Also, the right side just barely has enough movement to see the bed side when folded in, I havent folded them out yet to check that part. Pretty much just bolt them on and hook up the plugs. The switch wire was a hair short to reach the door mounted plug so I pulled it off and cut the top clip off and just used the bottom clip in the top hole on the door and good to go.



Thanks for all the help!!



Nick

That is the way mine are also. I don't need to see the side of the bed, I want to see what is in the next lane over so not an issue for me. Great mirrors for the price.



Sam

 

[JR]

I actually had to use my defrost function this morning for the first time since replacing my mirrors. Had a cold front come in from the Lake and clashed with the high humidity we have been having and wound up with some very dense fog. While driving down the road my mirrors fogged over to the point I couldn't see through them so I hit the defrost button and watched the dew instantly displace. I mean within a matter of seconds it was gone. Not a big deal, it was only 43*, but my OEM's wouldn't have cleared up that fast.