Electric Mirror to Towing Mirror Change

[rwitt]

Hi to all. I've just joined the TDR as a new owner of an '02 Quad Cab Cummins HO. This is my first Dodge and must say I am quite happy about finally being the owner of a CTD truck. Everyone else in my family has PSD's so it's going to be interesting for me. My question is I'd like to change my electric mirrors to the factory trailer tow mirrors and was looking for any advise on what I might need to do this conversion or is it just a bolt on change. I have a set available to me from an '01. Thanks!

 

[Fireman Dave]

Welcome, R!



I did this swap on mine. It's easy. The hardest part is getting the door panel clips out. I'd buy the tool for this next time - would make it a quick job. Just 3 nuts hold each mirror on. they recommend an inch pound torque on them, but I didn't have one so I just went by feel. Good luck!



Dave

 

[rwitt]

Thanks for the response! Any idea where to get the tool to remove the door panel clips?

 

[Fireman Dave]

You can get it at Napa. I don't think it would cost much - well worth it. I need to get one one of these days.



The downside of these mirrors is the non-power. It's a pain to readjust them manually every time you flip them up or down. But I still like them a lot. JHanson is working on a retrofit to make them power and heated.



Dave

 

[Chipstien]

Hi rwitt. Have you looked into the CIPA towing mirrors. That way you would lose the electric part of it. They are kind of spendy but well worth it.

 

[RustyJC]

As long as you're swapping mirrors, you might consider the PowerVision mirrors. These have electric extend/retract capabilities while maintaining the factory mirrors' electric adjustment and heat features. We use them to tow our 5ver. Not cheap, but what on our trucks is... .



Rusty

 

[illflem]

If you have a Super or Wonder Bar nail puller they also work well for prying out the door panel clips.

 

[Thomas]

rwitt,



The OEM tow mirror install only requires the removal of three clips per door (per the instructions that come with the mirrors). Six replacement clips are included with the pair of mirrors. When I did the towing mirror instrall more 30 months ago I used a long screwdriver and didn't worry about saving the original clips. I'm with illflem on this one—you just need a slender prying tool.

 

[gitchesum]

Ask and ye shall recieve. PICS!!!

I thought I would see what is involved as well. I shot a pic of the backside of the mirror. The studs are too long, you will need to get some type of shim, or I believe DC makes a backing plate that takes up the extra space.

BTW, I decided to keep my power mirrors and sell the towimg mirrors on Ebay.



#ad

 

[Fireman Dave]

Yes, the tow mirrors come with a backing plate.

 

[rwitt]

Thanks for the great info everyone. If I didn't have a set of the factory tow mirrors available from a friend at a good price(trade deal) then I'd definately check out the aftermarket. Thanks again!

Rich

 

[Chipstien]

Good luck. Oo.

 

[tntway]

CIPA

go with the CIPA mirrors from Geno's. they come in a power, heated version. and they look like the, uuummmmmmmm,... ... ... .

Pherd mirrors. got 'em, love'em..... nuff said.

 

[redram]

Highly recommend using the inch torque wrench when tightening these mirrors. I just did the sway on my 96 dually and I was really surprised on how the torque values kept changing as you tightened one of the other three bolts in that triangular arrangement.



Without the clicker style torque wrench, there is a good chance of putting the holddown in a bind, which could lead to loosening or vibration down the road. I also put a dab of rtv on the threads to assist in keeping the nuts from vibrating loose after they were properly torqued to 40 inch lbs.



Good luck.