Mirrors with Turn Signals?

[dtboyer]

I'm in the process of trading my '03 for 5. 9 '07. Would like to have door mirrors with integrated turn signals---seems like all of the Fords and Chevys have them. The dealer showed me the ones Dodge sells as an accessory, but they seem way too wide for a SRW truck---might be fine for a dually. Did several searches on the this site, but got no hits. I was able to find some after market stuff on the web, but it is not compatable with the "flip out" towing mirrors. Anyone have any experience, thoughts?



Thanks



David T. Boyer

 

[MMeier]

Do a search on CIPA mirrors and see what you think.

 

[ENafziger]

Well, here's my cheap solution... I think I have about $20 in them from JC Whitney. When in the trailer tow position, neither mirror lights are visible from inside the truck. When in the regular position, the ones on top are visible... kindof gives it the blinking-lights-on-the-tip-of-an-airplane-wing feel. Of course, you could position the lights anywhere to your liking...



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Just another idea... --Eric

 

[dtboyer]

Eric,



That looks like a great solution. Can you provide more details about how you went about the installation? Happen to have part numbers? Are the lights LED? Is there already a turn signal lead in the mirror plug? etc.



Thanks



d. t. boyer

 

[ENafziger]

Can you provide more details about how you went about the installation? Happen to have part numbers? Are the lights LED? Is there already a turn signal lead in the mirror plug? etc.

The lights that I purchased can be found at the following location:



http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/...Product.CATENTRY_ID:2003504/p-2003504/c-10101



The lights are not LED, but to me that didn't matter. I was looking for an economical solution that still looked good. These offer 40,000 hour bulbs, and very low current draw. I used (2) 3" lights and (2) 6" lights in the amber color. The lights come with a sturdy aluminum mounting strip, which I bent slightly to match the subtle contour of the top of the mirror. The light strips push and lock into the aluminum channel. The channel mounts with 2 small screws (predrill first). I'd suggest putting a small piece of 1/16" black rubber as a pad to help keep water out and make the fit a little better.



As for wiring, the light strips have about a 12" 2-wire lead, which is easy to connect to. Wiring does not exist from the factory for mirror turn signals. You can either tie into existing turn signals, or to the appropriate fuse terminal. An interesting alternate way to use them as running lights and turn signals, is to wire the positive lead from the lights into your running lights. Then wire the negative lead to the positive lead on your front turn signals. This will allow the mirror strip lights to come on with the running lights (will ground through the front turn signal). Then, when you use your turn signal, the light strip will receive two positives, and will go out. The result will be the mirror light turn signals flashing exactly opposite of the vehicle turn signals. (Do a search for a post about this that explains this wiring method more detail)



The wires can be routed through the existing rubber harness cover going to the front doors. Use a small drill bit with a lot of caution to drill through one of the unused squares in the white plastic connector terminal (you'll have to remove the rubber boot to see this).



Well, I don't want to be too wordy here, but feel free to ask if I could help out more. Oh, the factory technician manual shows an easy way to remove the mirror glass to gain access to perform the wiring. There is also a round inspection cover on the bottom of the mirror housing that is easily removed to help with wiring as well. --Eric

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Great setup ^^^^^^^^^



NOW, if some wiseguy would just come up with a WIRELESS setup for a few dollars more...

 

[Pawpaw]

Well, here's my cheap solution... I think I have about $20 in them from JC Whitney. When in the trailer tow position, neither mirror lights are visible from inside the truck. When in the regular position, the ones on top are visible... kindof gives it the blinking-lights-on-the-tip-of-an-airplane-wing feel. Of course, you could position the lights anywhere to your liking...

I like your setup! I'm also thinking that a simple mercury switch in series with the top light would keep it from working until you put the mirrors in "tow" mode.



Good job!



Bob

 

[ENafziger]

I'm also thinking that a simple mercury switch in series with the top light would keep it from working until you put the mirrors in "tow" mode.

Hey, I like it! I had the front windows tinted a little, and it helps, but I like you're idea. I just may have to try that... --Eric

 

[PVasilauskis]

I like your setup! I'm also thinking that a simple mercury switch in series with the top light would keep it from working until you put the mirrors in "tow" mode.



Good job!



Bob

Good idea but you may have a hard time finding a mercury switch now days with it being a hazardous material and all. It might even be illegal to put one on a vehicle. The alternates are tilt switches with a metal ball instead of mercury, but those don't handle high current well, tending to weld the ball in place but if you used LEDS current shouldn't be a problem.

 

[dtboyer]

I like the way this thread is progressing----lots of good ideas. Had another idea about how to source the juice for the mirror lights. What about tapping the turn signal and running light leads from the trailer wiring harness? Then, if I can find lights with two element bulbs, I could run a lead for each function---might have my cake and eat too---without having to worry (or maybe lessen my worry) about the potential undesired results with all of the computers in the vehicle. What are your thoughtss?

 

[Tmartin000]

ENafziger-



Can you pass some more info as to where you got those fogs in the grill from?



They look SWEET! Oo.





Tom

 

[ENafziger]

Can you pass some more info as to where you got those fogs in the grill from?

I'm still in the process of getting all my electrical stuff done... stereo, gauges, lights, etc. , so what you see is not quite the completed version yet.



The lights between the grill and the bumper are (like the mirror lights) from JC Whitney.



The clear ones are driving lights, and the ambers are fog lights. As I recall, to fit 4 lights in this location, they should each be about 2" high and 6" wide.



http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/...03728/p-2003728/N-111+10201+600010204/c-10101



I made a bracket out of 1/4" thick aluminum to mount the lights to. It attaches to the 2 inner bolts of the tow hooks on each side. At the ends, it is about 3 1/2" wide, but necks down to about 1 1/4" behind to lights to minimize the amount of air that is blocked from reaching the intercooler, radiator, etc.



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I used 3/8" stainless steel tubing and bent some "light gaurds" to conceal the lights somewhat, and to integrate the look a little with the factory grill. I placed the tubing at the very top and bottom of the lights so they didn't interfere with the light output.



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I don't actually have these wired up yet, so I can't comment on light output. I just installed a separate Painless fuse block, and will use this, along with some relays, to power the lights. These are Halogen H3 55-watt lights, and will help visibility alot, but if you had the money, PIAA makes a light about this same size that would probably offer much better ouput. Maybe I'll switch over someday... still a work in progress! --Eric

 

[RKaniefski]

Versa-Lite

when you installed your lights on the mirrors, did you cut them to make them shorter? The three inch looks much shorter then three. The light tubing on mine are longer then the rail and they say not to cut them. They will not fit in the rail if I don't cut them them shorter. I am still in the planning stage to install these lights. I tried the wiring with the turn signals and it works fine. The light blinks opposite the turn signals. Any info would be great. Thanks



Opps, my mistake, tried to put the 6 inch in the place for the 3 inch. Whitney only sent me the 6 inch and I thought they were the 3 inch. As I get older I get dumber.

 

[HowellC]

dtboyer,



I just recently installed the slide out MOPAR mirrors with turn signals in place of the flip out mirrors. I prefer the look of them on the truck compared to the flip mirrors and the better visability afforded by the slide out mirrors is a plus for towing. Another plus is that you don't have to adjust the mirrors when you slide them out.



I do like the ideas for add on signals posted here though!

 

[HowellC]

Eric,



What's the RED item below the front bumper that you also have the stainless tubing bent around?

 

[Grizzly]

Great setup ^^^^^^^^^



NOW, if some wiseguy would just come up with a WIRELESS setup for a few dollars more...

I think you have a good idea and very much doable.

 

[ENafziger]

Big Rig Edition...

What's the RED item below the front bumper that you also have the stainless tubing bent around?

It is a 48" light bar, of the same style and design as the ones I used for the turn signal mirrors. It's actually amber colored, just like the mirror lights. I don't like the way the stainless tubing looks on the 48" light though... it will be coming off. There is not enough support from the plastic valence to keep it in place where I would like it to be, and I don't think it really adds anything as far as looks or protection goes.



I'm not done yet with the truck, and still experimenting with what looks good. I like adding some custom touches, but not into gaudy or too flashy. I guess the light strip under the front bumper is part of my "Big Rig Edition" (idea borrowed from TomeyGun!)





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Comments, suggestions welcome! --Eric