2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Mirror upgrade

[KJReilly]

Can the 94' year mirrors be replaced with the later years? 98 and up with the heated glass is the replacement I am considering.

 

[Matt42]

It is doable, but it is a chore. I can't say if the later year OEM mirrors will physically fit. It can be done with replacement Cipa mirrors, but it is not for the faint of heart. You will need to run a second set of wires thru your door bellows and then figure out a way to get fused power. Then you'll need to install a switch that you MUST remember to turn off, or rig up a DPDT magnetic hold relay system that will reset to off when the "run" power is turned off.

 

[charlessmith]

You can easily upgrade your mirrors. The '98 type will bolt on your truck.

You'll have to do a wiring plug conversion, something similar to the Tow Mirror conversion covered on my web page:
Dodge Ram - Towing Mirror Upgrade Information- '94 to '06

Hooking up the wires for mirror heat isn't a big problem. The mirrors have a 6 connector plug and only 5 wires are used. 3 are for power mirror movement. The other two are for mirror heat. This is covered on the web page above. '98 type mirror connectors are the same as the tow mirrors discussed in the web pages.

Of the other two for mirror heat, ground one of them and connect the other one to the same wire from the other mirror. Then, connect another wire to the connection of the 2 mirror wires (above). Run this wire through an inline fuse and then hook it through a switch to something that's only hot when the ignition is on.

 

[Matt42]

Charlie: Very nice job on your instructional website. I wish I had seen it several years ago when I had to upgrade a "fleet stripper" 04. 5 to power mirrors. For what it's worth, it came with manual mirrors, and no mirror wiring at all. Last June, I needed to do the same job to an 07. It was also a fleet order truck, and was similarly not equipped.

 

[DragsterRob]

I have a set of Cipa mirror originally purchased for my 2002, and I put them on my 1995, I am going to use the rear defrost swithch out of a 2000 Neon to power the heated glass. It is a has a timer relay built in. I got a 6 pin connector out of the junkyard, and figured out the wiring with my 2 service manuals. If you look at the wire colors it makes sense. The link above is awesome, wish I would have found that 2 weeks ago.

 

[KEnglish]

Charlie, How far from the door do the mirrors stick out in the "in" position? Just wondering about the overall truck width, mirror tip tp mirror tip, for clearing my garage doors etc. Thanks for the great instructional.

 

[charlessmith]

How far do the tow mirrors stick out when folded in?



Measuring from the furthest point straight in to the window glass looks like 16 1/2".



That's about 4" further than my dually fender.