2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Power Tow Mirror Swap

[dvieira]

i'm having one horrible time with this spring...

and i don't see any protusion that will affect the

operation of the swing, and for sure anything that i can grab with a pliars and twist off.

this is not my day, poured fence post concrete this morning,

that's what i've been doing past week, putting up a fence,

that's why haven't tackled these mirrors till now, and it's hot

in the garage, makes for a calm disposition this day, my wife

has seen me and she's outa my way today.





dave



well i hooked the driver's side mirror, no go. .

i do hear click-click sound.

installed some connectors to passenger side mirror

that side works good.

i don't know, maybe i'll drive around with one good and one bad mirror. . quitting for now, relax rest of evening. .

thanks



also sitting watching t. v. , wondering if the mirror is push in to much to one side if the gears wouldn't catch to adjust, will find this out tomorrow, continuing watching A&E.

 

[Demon Dodge]

Why are you guys modifying the stock mirrors and buying 2 sets? Isn't it more practical to buy the CIPA mirrors from GENO'S?

I just ordered a set yesterday.

Just my 2 cents.

Rod

 

[BigUgly]

Guys;

I've got a buddy that's looking at a set of flip-out towing mirrors. However, the driver's side is missing a mirror. He wants to know if any of you guys that have done the swap have an old "driver's side manual mirror head" that you'd be willing to sell to him.

His name is Mike and he canbe reached at -- email address removed --

Thanks

Josiah

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

Why are you guys modifying the stock mirrors and buying 2 sets? Isn't it more practical to buy the CIPA mirrors from GENO'S?

Because I already have factory towing mirrors and can get the factory Dodge electric/power ones for $299 and the CIPA mirrors are $399 so I save $100 bucks. On top of that I personally like the looks of the factory mirrors better.



BigUgly: if it is just the glass missing you can get that at any glass shop for $25

 

[RandyMeyer]

Mirror Swap

I bought both 02 mirrors and 03 mirrors. Didn't have to grind anything. Cut the harness off my stock power mirrors and soldered them on to the 03 heads. Other than getting the springs back in they work great. Had to cut 1 stud shorter and trim the epoxy on the factory mirror joystick, but now have heated and power mirrors. Not shure why some have to grind anything. Mine fold in just like the stock ones before the were modified. Thanks to TDR for the tips.

 

[Mpotter]

I modified mine quite some time ago. No looseness, and work great.

 

[dvieira]

hi...



are the mirrors suppose to have power to them without

having the key turned on, because i can sorta adjust the

mirror without turning the key, i can only adjust the passenger

mirror up/down and not sideways, this with changing the

wiring a number of different combinations.



thanks



dave

 

[stg2500]

Well I got the '03 mirrors last week. Now I'm waiting for the '01's to arrive. They stated that they are back ordered.



Anyone else waiting for the '01's?



I am getting anxious to do the swap. I was hoping to do it over the long holiday weekend but it doesn't't look likely.

 

[IWeiny]

What do these look like?

Does anyone have a photo posted of them?



Ira

 

[BWagner]

I talked with the local parts guy for the dealer near me and he said, that you can get the power mirrors in the flip out style for the 95-02, it is not in a regular part manual but they are offered in the mopar performance catalog. I have not bought any but I can get the part number.

 

[DKayser]

Flip Out Mirrors

I would be interested in buying anybody`s flip outs if they upgrade. My trailer is small enough they will work fine. Thanx, Don.

 

[pcarlson]

BWagner,



I'd be interested in that part #. I would have thought that if they existed that we would have heard of them before though.

 

[pcarlson]

OK, I have everything to do the swap, can anyone give me a good idea of how they got that spring back in. I have tried wire but it wont hold that darn spring and if I go bigger gauge wire than the spring won't fit back in.



Did anyone try the socket and just compress the the retainer and spring back in without breaking the covers? How does the black plastic exterior case come off? I haven't had to grind anything so far the two match right up.

 

[dvieira]

you will have

fun doing this, but what i did is use the springs from the manual mirror, because the springs from the power mirror are stronger/thicker, and the manual mirror springs are not as thick. it worked fine for me, also didn't do or need to grind anything and the mirror works just fine when i pull it in.



dave

 

[pcarlson]

Here is the wiring color codes if anyone wants:



03 02



Blue White

Gray Yellow

Red Blue

(2)Black (2) Black



I used the plug from my 02 factory power/heated mirrors and pigtailed them to the 03 mirrors. I used twine to hold the springs together and just cut them with a razor verses wire. Both 03 and 02 springs were the same gauge on mine and it didn't matter which one I reused but I did use the 02 springs.



Boy I really like these over the manual adjust and better than my Lucerix/CIPA/Bestop tow mirrors (which I returned due to vibrating so bad).



I did trim the epoxy off the switch to clear the bolt and I made a slot in the metal base for the wires to go into so they didn't get pinched by the base when snugged down. Made this right above where the wire comes through the base so it can exit through the middle of the mirror and through the door.

 

[stg2500]

I just finished the install of the new power and heated tow mirrors.



One thing that I found helpful was using a 6" C-clamp to retain the spring in the 2001 mirrors when taking them apart.



For the 2003 mirrors the wiring held the spring in place.



For the wiring I ended up installing the pigtail from the 2001 mirrors onto the wiring for the 2003 mirrors. It took several attempts to get the up, down, left, and right to work correctly, but I finally got it.



Here is a quick list of the wire colors for the 2001. I'm not sure if the colors change for other years.



Door Mirror



Blue Green



Yellow Grey



White Blue



Black Black



Black Black



All of the wires were soldered and heat shrinked to insure a watertight seal. The wiring was then wraped with electrical tape to match the other harnesses in the door. I ran the wiring through the hole in the middle of the reinforcing plate instead of around it to prevent the wires from getting pinched between the door and the plate.



The reinstallation of the springs was by far the hardest part of the installation. It took a lot of courage to take the first one apart. It took several attempts to get the mechanics wire tight enough the keep the needed compression on the springs. Just took a little patience. I was able to cut the wires free with a hammer and chisel.



The spring retainers were reshaped using a pair of pliers instead of the rapper and chisel since they didn't get too bent in the removal.



If I had to do it again i would probably spend a few extra bucks and get enough christmas tree fasteners to allow for the removal of the entire door panel. It would have been nice to have some extra room. The only thing i have left to do is to change out the top nut on the drivers side mirror to something thinner and trim the stud down so that it does not interfer with the switch. I may have to try to grind down the switch but that is a last resort.



Here are some photos of the installation. Power Tow Mirrors

 

[Sarge]

STG, thanks for the information. Unfortunately, I am stalled because the seller I was buying the mirrors from has disappeared along with my check. I am still trying to resolve the issue. Soon I hope. Thanks, Sarge

 

[JBevans]

Okay... you guys about have me convinced to be doing this. So here is the quick question. I have a 2001. 5 and the non-powered towing mirrors are already on it, which is cool b/c now i just need to buy the power mirrors, switch and etc. What I am wondering, will my truck already have the wires in the doors for the power mirrors? Is there anyone who did this up-grade that didn't start w/ power mirrors already and had the factory wiring just laying behind the door pannels ready to tie into?? Other then that it seems that you guys have this down to an art... What a great place...

 

[pgleavitt]

My truck came with westcoast mirrors. You know the ones that if you hit the large support bracket you waste the door. I also had to plug the 4 extra holes that mount it to the door. All the wires were in place. I had to purchase the control switch,switch knob and found a place on line that had the factory heat switch in the hvac control panel for $100. I decided to hard wire the new mirrors to the existing wires as the plugs are different. Not a big deal. Go for it and you will be very happy. Don't forget to get extra door panel fastners. The dealer wanted $1. 70 per each but you can find them at a good stereo shop or buy 50 of them from a place on line delivered to your door for$11. place is www.elliottdist.com.

 

[ntillm01]

calfroper-My 2001 came with the non-power tow mirrors and I had the wiring in the doors and behind the HVAC control all set to go. I haven't seen anyone here port that they didn't have the wiring. For the most part, these trucks are loaded with options along with the diesel engine. That means the wire harness is fully contented to have wires and connections for everything. It works out to be cheaper for the manufacturer to make one harness that does everything, vs several harnesses for each specific option combination.

For a quick check, take out the one screw at the top of the dorr panel. You can pull the panel back far enough to see if there is an empty white connector facing up. If it's there, you're all set.

I have some pictures of the swap in my reader gallery too, if you haven't been there yet.