2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Tow mirror swap - wiring harness connector

[DLausche]

I'm getting ready to do the heated/power tow mirror swap. I've got the non-power tow mirrors and the 03 power mirrors are on their way to me. The question I have is regarding the wiring harness that connects behind the panel to the door wiring harness. I have the factory heated/power non-tow mirrors. Are you guys retrofiting the wiring connector from the old mirors to the new mirror heads, or are you just hardwiring the new mirrors in and bypassing the existing connector? I know I will need to modify the connector on the new 03 mirrors, but I'd like to retain the stock connectors in my doors. I would rather not have to butcher the factory mirrors I have now just for the connector and a few inches of wiring. I'd rather send the factory mirrors I have now to someone who can use them (PIF). Is there any aftermarket source for the connectors or should I look for someone with trashed mirrors that I can swap for just the wiring/connector?



-Deon

 

[Fireman Dave]

I cut both connectors off since they weren't compatable. I put individual connectors on all the wires. Then I could plug and unplug to figure out which wire should be connected to which (since the colors don't match).

 

[pgleavitt]

I also cut off the factory connectors and hard wired mine. I also had to extend the wires from the mirrors

 

[jjordan1]

This might be a dumb question but here goes. I had the heated & power regular mirrors. I then got the NON POWER tow mirrors. Since i have the wiring in the door is it possible to get the NON power tow mirrors to have power???????

 

[DLausche]

Yes...

This might be a dumb question but here goes. I had the heated & power regular mirrors. I then got the NON POWER tow mirrors. Since i have the wiring in the door is it possible to get the NON power tow mirrors to have power???????

... it can be done - with a bit of work. The short story is that you will need to buy a pair of 03+ heated/power mirrors and then disassemble all 4 mirrors you have and use the bases off of your current mirrors and then the arm and head assembly off of the 03+ heated/power mirrors. There are several excellent threads about how to do this swap. Do a search on "tow mirror swap" and you will find some excellent information on the procedure.



-Deon

 

[surfbeetle]

When swapping from the chrome '95 power mirrors to the 03-05 power flip out towing mirrors (with the 02 bases) can my existing power mirror adjustment switch in the door still be used? I realize that the heated part would have to be separatly wired. Thanks.

 

[Alphacowboy]

Deon... . hook a brother up, were did you get the none powered ones and the powered ones? I REALLY want to do this mod to my truck! Heck, i would settle for none powered ones... . if you can find an extra set of 94-02 tow mirror bases, I might buy the non-powered mirrors off ya for now. That is if the price is right. . lol

 

[DLausche]

Deon... . hook a brother up, were did you get the none powered ones and the powered ones? I REALLY want to do this mod to my truck! Heck, i would settle for none powered ones... . if you can find an extra set of 94-02 tow mirror bases, I might buy the non-powered mirrors off ya for now. That is if the price is right. . lol

I lucked out on getting the older bases for mine. The guy I had install my ATS trans mentioned a few things he was ready to part with and one was a set of 02 flip up mirrors. I doubt he has another set on hand since they were from a buddies truck or something like that. I didn't ask too many questions as the price was right and I knew I wanted/needed them.



-Deon

 

[DLausche]

When swapping from the chrome '95 power mirrors to the 03-05 power flip out towing mirrors (with the 02 bases) can my existing power mirror adjustment switch in the door still be used? I realize that the heated part would have to be separatly wired. Thanks.

I have no experience with the 95 model year specific details, but if they are like mine (99), then I see no reason why it wouldn't work. Just use individual t-tap connectors for each wire connection. This way you have the ability to experiment and switch wires around fairly easily till you get the up/down/left/right working correct. Oh, 1 bolt stud on the 2nd gen flip-up base mount needs to be ground down so the adjuster switch on the door will clear. It is a tight fit in there between the bolt/nut and the switch.



-Deon

 

[Alphacowboy]

I lucked out on getting the older bases for mine. The guy I had install my ATS trans mentioned a few things he was ready to part with and one was a set of 02 flip up mirrors. I doubt he has another set on hand since they were from a buddies truck or something like that. I didn't ask too many questions as the price was right and I knew I wanted/needed them.



-Deon

ok, well, if you are not going to use the mirror heads from the none powered ones... how much you want for them? I may try and make something myself or somthing... .

 

[Fireman Dave]

ok, well, if you are not going to use the mirror heads from the none powered ones... how much you want for them? I may try and make something myself or somthing... .

I don't think you'll want to try to rig something up without the bases. The bases have the mounting cylinder built into them that mate to the arms. I don't know how you would make them work successfully without the bases. I saw a pair of non power flipups for sale in the TDR classifieds yesterday. Looked like a pretty good price compared to what the dealer gets for them.

 

[pwerwagn]

This is a little late, but FWIW, I just did the 2nd gen power/heat tow mirror conv. It went pretty well. I had to modify both the drivers side and pass side 2nd gen tow base, and modify both sides of the 3rd gen tow mirror mounts. I had to grind and cut a little. I used the original plug off my 98 sport mirrors and spliced it to the 3rd genners, instead of lenghtning the wire.

I think yellow on went to gray, and blue to green and which ever was left went together. It works great!!! The part i was impressed with is how when you flip up the mirror, the controls still control the mirror right (ie it moves left instead of up when you move the mirror).

I have a total of 176. 26$ invested. I got the 3rd gen power/heat mirrors used for 60$, and the 2nd gen mirrors used/broken for 116$. Pretty good bargain.

--Jeff

 

[surfbeetle]

I have a total of 176. 26$ invested. I got the 3rd gen power/heat mirrors used for 60$, and the 2nd gen mirrors used/broken for 116$. Pretty good bargain.

--Jeff

Now you're just braggin' about how cheap you got them! But Seriously, good job on the bargain hunt. I wish I could find the stuff that cheap for the conversion.