2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Tow Mirrors

[garylmoore]

The older I get, the more I miss the wide view tow mirrors. More for the blind spot help than for towing. I have standard powered and heated mirrors now but they are not tow mirrors.
I didn't realize I could replace them with a tow equivalent until I stumbled on these.
Has anyone done this switch?
I will give the door interiors a good spray of mineral oil rust preventative while I have the door panels off.
https://www.1aauto.com/dodge-ram-15...trail-ridge-tr00456/i/trmre00018/4518193/2001
Gary

 

[NIsaacs]

I went from manual tow mirrors on my '01 to electric, direct fit. I did have to buy a switch from E bay since I didn't have one.

 

[petersonj]

Gary, in 2014 (over 120,000 miles ago), I bought a brand called "Kool Vue", powered and heated. They look exactly like the 1A-Auto ones that you posted. Mine are still performing well.

- John

 

[garylmoore]

Thank you. I have what is needed now for the electrics.
I am happy I found them.

 

[Ozymandias]

I confirm that the Gen3 mirrors have the better view angle then the Gen4, especially when folded.

 

[garylmoore]

Ive always respected your opinion Oz, but because I know nothing about this subject, that comment appeared to be sarcasm (and funny as well).
So, if you will, please interpret the comment for a guy who only has experience with gen 2 Rams. Thanks, Gary

 

[Ozymandias]

Ive always respected your opinion Oz, but because I know nothing about this subject, that comment appeared to be sarcasm (and funny as well).
So, if you will, please interpret the comment for a guy who only has experience with gen 2 Rams. Thanks, Gary

It's about the wide angle insert, on the Gen 3 the one in the corner is designed hemispheric, means it shows the same picture no matter if folded in or antlers up. The Gen4 is more like a strip, it has great picture antlers up but is almost worthless folded down as it only shows a very narrow picture of the road by your side, blindspot is huge on it.

I wasted my money by "upgrading" my truck to the Gen4 style mirrors, would I've known then I would have kept my factory tow mirrors.

 

[garylmoore]

Ah... now I get it. I just figured out that the mirrors actually flipped.
Thanks Oz.

 

[Ram4Sam]

I installed these about twenty years ago, they worked great although mine were a little buzzy compared to the stockers. Have you pulled a door panel to see if you have the plug for the electric mirrors? I vaguely remember that the plug is on the SLT and Laramie trucks only...but I could be wrong about that.
Most important thing is to sure the wire loom is in the right spot on the back of the new mirror mount, if it isn't, when you tighten the mirror down, it will cut the wire loom in half. Twenty years ago, Kool Vue didn't mention that in the instructions and many of us had to learn that the hard way...... Here is a pic that was on the TDR way back then.....

Good Luck, Sam

 

[garylmoore]

No, I have not checked the plug, though that is probably a good idea.
My truck has stock mirrors that are powered and heated now. Attached is the Pic of the control.

 

[Ram4Sam]

No, I have not checked the plug, though that is probably a good idea.
My truck has stock mirrors that are powered and heated now. Attached is the Pic of the control.

View attachment 142336

No need to check if you have those mirrors......

Another thing though, again if I remember right, when a truck got the tow mirror option from the factory, they added a small reinforcement plate to the inside of the door to support the extra weight of the tow mirror. You will need those if they don't come with the new mirrors. They were available through the dealer parts dept back then. If the old TDR threads are still online here, the part number was mentioned in them.

Sam

 

[Ram4Sam]

55156128AB - BR RH Reinforcement Plate
55156129AB - BR LH Reinforcement Plate

This should be right...double check my homework though....

Sam

 

[Ozymandias]

The aftermarket tow mirrors come generally with the reinforcement plates standard.

 

[Ram4Sam]

The aftermarket tow mirrors come generally with the reinforcement plates standard.

Good to see the vendors include them now but that wasn't the case with Kool-Vue when they put them on the market years ago....
Evidently inflation has left them alone as the price today is pretty much what it was twenty years ago.

Sam

 

[Ozymandias]

For my buddy I got the one from 1AAuto, they come as a complete set and are considered as best aftermarket mirrors.

 

[garylmoore]

I originally did not have these mirrors, I had the heated power mirrors in the non tow version. I wanted the blind spot mirror and the website said they would fit my truck so I ran with it.
No reinforcement plates with this set.
I started install today and the studs on the mirror I received were way too long and the stud diameter was the next size up..
I would think a 2001 door is a 2001 door regardless of the truck model, is that right or wrong?
Picture is attached.

 

[garylmoore]

I'm guessing this is the reinforcement kit?
Not for sale, I found it with a different set of mirrors. No results for the part numbers in my searches.

 

[Ozymandias]

Did you buy from 1AAuto like recommended?

 

[garylmoore]

Yes. I have a ticket in for a non fit product that I made before I found out a reinforcement was needed. I've sent them a Pic of the brackets and a note on the conversation here, but no one has returned my email concerning the problem.
Sorry, Double post...

 

[garylmoore]

Yes,. I have a ticket in for a non fit product that I made before I found out a reinforcement was needed. I've sent them a Pic of the brackets and a note on the conversation here, but I'm still waiting on an email. Hopefully they will send a kit when they address the problem and that will be it. The brackets do not appear to be available from the Dodge part numbers or on ebay with the search terms I have used.