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2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission No electric on 01/02 tow mirrors?

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I'm interested in getting a set of the '01/'02 tow mirrors for my '95. I've heard of some 12 valvers that installed the '01/'02 tow mirrors and had to sacrifice the power option of their mirrors. Can anyone tell me why this is? I can understand not having the heated capabilities because it seems to me I wouldn't have the circuitry. If my stock mirrors are electric, why shouldn't I still be able to have the same with these tow mirrors?



Unless... ..... is it just the '01 tow mirrors that didn't come electric? If this is the case, I guess I'd need to make sure I got a set of '02 tow mirrors?



Thanks
 
The only power tow mirrors that Dodge has come out with are on the '02 half-tons (1500). The big rigs (2500 and 3500) don't have them. At least one TDR member (north of the border) has rigged up an older set of tow mirrors to be power by combining them with a set from the '02 1500. It's not a straight swap - it requires combining them - I believe it's because the 1500 mirror mounts to the doors are different.
 
I did the swap about 3-4 months ago, they're awesome. Like Dave said, you need the mirrors off a 3rd gen truck, and the factory flip-ups from a 2nd gen truck. Then take them all apart, and combine the two sets into one working set, quite a bit of work, but well worth it.



Later, Rob
 
I too am interested in this mod. I am willing to post the instructions on my web site if that would help make them available to everyone.
 
Why not just get a set of Powervision mirrors? They extend and adjust all by the push of a switch, and will still be cheaper compared to buying and disassembling 4 dodge mirrors.



-Mike
 
Originally posted by MikeR

Why not just get a set of Powervision mirrors? They extend and adjust all by the push of a switch, and will still be cheaper compared to buying and disassembling 4 dodge mirrors.



-Mike



BUT... ... ... ... ... they don't look near as sweet as the Dodge mirrors. ;)





Later, Rob
 
Ok, here it is... ... .....



You need to have the base's from an 2nd gen. tow mirror equipped truck. Then purchase a set of Power/heated tow mirrors from a 3rd gen truck, you can get them in a kit (which is both mirrors, you will still need to buy a switch, knob and nut)



Once you have all four mirrors, you must disassemble them. For that you'll need to tack them off the truck(3 nuts behind door panel). On the bottom of the base, you'll see a round plastic cover, remove this. Inside you'll see a nut/fastener, this must be removed. Take a small flat screwdriver and pry away the teeth that are in the groove, they are spring steel, so its not simple, but they will move.



Once all the teeth are outta the grove the retainer will "pop" out, there is a compressed spring under it. Then the base will seperate from the head. Do this to all 4 mirrors.



Start assembly on the passegerside mirror (it does not require any modifcations to assemble)

Fish the power wires through the "new" base, then the spring, for the spring to fit, it must be compressed, to do this instert the spring in a vise, compress fully, apply mechanics wire to both sides of spring(to hold it compressed when released), then remove spring from the vise.



Instert spring into the assembly, then the retainer (which you mangled, so you'll need to reposition the teeth at a 45* angle, via hammer and chisel) Install the retainer and tap (hammer/chisel) into the groove, then remove the wire from the spring by gently wackin' it with the hammer/chisel combo.



Now the wires, you'll havta cut the socket off the wires, (as its differant than the one in your truck, and wont fit through the base anywhooo) then fish the wires through the base (they will probobly need to be extended) and out, so there will be enough to wire to the truck's harness.



Install the nessesarry foam (between all the mirrors you'll have enough) and install on the truck. Passengerside complete, on to the drivers side.



What I said above applies to the drivers side as well, except for some minor modifications. The first being, on the base of the drives mirror, you'll see an alluminum "tit", roughly 1. 5"Lx1/8" thick, remove this with a pair of pliers(wiggle back-n-forth, till it braks off clean) The second mod, on the head of the new mirror, flip upside down so you see where the base meets it, the round section of alluminum has a additional 1/4"x1. 5" casting protuding from the side, this needs to be removed,via file/grinder. Then assemble per the passenger side instructions.



Wiring, I was lucky and had the factory harness behind the door panel, If you don't you on your own form here, sorry. If you do have the harness behind the door, you'll need to clip the conector from the wires on the harness, then you'll have 5 wires from the mirror assembly(the 2 black ones are for the heat) and the same from the harness.



This is where I oooopsed, and didn't write down the which wire goes to which wire, however, it's not that hard to figure out. Connect the black wires, black/black and black/black, then the 3 other wires are for the power(you'll need to conect the switch at this time) you have to connect all 3 wires from the mirror to all 3 wires from the harness, in order to get any responce from the switch. Then its trial and error, dont worry about blowin' fuses cause if they're connected wrong, the mirror will just opperate backwards. Simply connect till the mirror opperates correctly.



If you want the factory heat switch, you'll need to puchase the heat/AC assembly form DC, as you can't just buy THE switch(its $153 BTW) so I opted to go another route.



I bought a $2 lighted rocker switch, and installed it directly below the power mirror switch(in the door panel, on the horizontal surface) Thats it, you are done now. If I missed anything, or you have anymore questions, please ask. Good Luck!!:D





PS, this is one of the best mods yet, I did on my truck, I love 'em.





Later, Rob
 
"Honestly, I really don't like the look of the dodge fold-outs. I think they look even uglier when folded out. "





UMMmmm - let's be TOTALLY realistic, *I* have YET to see ANY decent towing mirrors that really look "attractive"... :p ;) :D



Pretty hard to design a substantial, steady towing mirror that actually WORKS properly - and still have it ADD to the overall looks of the vehicle - they pretty much ALL look like Ross Perot's ears... . :D



I personally have no problem with the appearance of mine - only the inability to remotely adjust them...
 
I have tow mirrors and love them

remote would be sweet!!!

hey Rob did you just replace the guts on the mirrors with the 3rd generation ones?



It sounds like a good next project





mike
 
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