Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Tow mirror conversion and problem

[JMcKee]

I just completed the power tow mirror swap onto my 02 and everything is great except the mirrors shake. It doesnt seem like the glass is moving but rather the whole arm, even slightly at idle. I used the bases off a 98-02 and the power heads off a 3rd generation and that all went together fine. One thing im not sure of is why all the 2nd gen tow mirrors have long studs on them when my factory power mirrors had short ones. I just removed the studs and used bolts to hold the mirrors on, does that create a problem? How do the factory mannual tow mirrors mount on a 2nd gen truck? How vital is that gasket that sandwiches between the mirror base and the door? Any help would be appreciated i love the mirrors but the shaking makes them useless!



thanks

joe

 

[FLynes]

Joe,



I just replaced my OEM non-power tow mirrors with new OEM non-power tow mirrors from the stealership... my glass was broken and the mirror didn't move freely... $238. 00 w/tax out the door, by the way.



There's about 1/8" of the stud protruding from the nut, when it's torqued down. The gasket is, in my opinion, vital because it keeps everything watertight. Without those gaskets, you'd get water in the door everytime it rains, leading to bottom door rot. The only complaint I had about the whole install was that those damned door clips were a b!tch to get out of the door... my fingers are killing me!



Overall, do you think that the power conversion was worth it? I have been debating this, but I can't justify paying out the ***** for a set of '03 mirrors just to cannibalize them. My mirrors are set, and if I'm towing, the wife can adjust her side.

 

[Thomas]

. . . One thing im not sure of is why all the 2nd gen tow mirrors have long studs on them when my factory power mirrors had short ones. . .

I think you will find the longer studs are needed to accomodate the reinforcement brackets that are used to limit mirror shake due to flexing of the door skin.

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•• Click to Enlarge ••

 

[FLynes]

Good point, Thomas. I figured the reinforcement bracket being there was a given, but that would explain why Joe's studs are longer, if it's not there.

 

[Thomas]

Somewhere way back I remember reading something (TSB???) mentioning that the brackets were added with the tow mirrors. The area around each hole in the stamped brackets is offset about a quarter inch from the plane of the bracket. The upper holes in each bracket in the linked drawing approximate this offset—the four lower holes are drawn incorrectly.

The bracket requires a noticably longer stud in the tow mirror base versus the non-tow base.

 

[benhall]

I have a quick question on the wiring. On the power towing mirrors, there is a black/silver wire. Where does this one wire go to? Thanks for the help,



Ben

 

[JMcKee]

This bracket that i am missing, can it be purschased seperately from the tow mirrors themselves? Anybody have a part number?



thanks

joe

 

[FLynes]

Joe,



When you bought the tow mirrors, I'm assuming from a stealership, the brackets should have been included in a separate packet, which also includes new nuts, new gaskets and some door retaining push pins. If you didn't, go visit your friendly Dodge stealership and ask him what the part number are and if they're sold separately.

 

[EricBu12]

Ben,



that is the mirror heat. if you have the button on the dash for this, great, just wire it up to the othe pigtail in the door. Ifyou don't, you will have to power the heat from a scource, loop it through the harness and wire in a switch and indicator light... otherwise it is big bucks for a replacement HVAC center panel that has the heat.



Eric

 

[benhall]

I have the power mirrors and heat already. On the wiring diagram that someone posted already, they didn't point out which black wire is which, since one of them has silver stripes on it. My guess is the straight black will go with the other straight black, but I want to be certain before I mate everything up.

 

[Bob4x4]

Joe,



When you bought the tow mirrors, I'm assuming from a stealership, the brackets should have been included in a separate packet, which also includes new nuts, new gaskets and some door retaining push pins. If you didn't, go visit your friendly Dodge stealership and ask him what the part number are and if they're sold separately.

If you bought individual mirrors you do not get thr mounting reinforcments. You nust buy the pkg,it also cost less that way.



Bob

 

[JMcKee]

part number !

Does anybody have the part # for this install package, im tearing out my hair trying to get the guy at the dealership to look for it, he keeps telling me i have to buy a whole set of mirrors that i already have!!



thanks

joe

 

[Thomas]

Does anybody have the part # for this install package, . . .

The tow mirror package is P/N 82206157. As Bob4x4 posted, the package is lots cheaper than two individual mirrors. Here is a new package on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge-Ram-New-Trailer-Tow-Factory-Mirrors-1994-2002_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33649QQitemZ290095090748

I know of no part numbers for the individual reinforcement brackets.

 

[Bob4x4]

Back in the day... ... ... . I would buy the kits to replace individual broken mirrors. Then I would have the extra reinforcements. Long gone now though. You can make them from a triangular piece of 1/8-3/16 plate.

I have also installed the Mirrors on Dakota trucks with a little creativity.



Bob

 

[FLynes]

Joe,



The part #'s are as follows (you're so lucky I transferred the stickers to the new plates):



55156128AB - BR RH Reinforcement Plate

55156129AB - BR LH Reinforcement Plate



Hope that helps you. Good luck.

 

[Thomas]

Price isn't terrible either!



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