Heated Mirrors Kit - Interest / Update Thread (pic heavy)

Put me down for the new style switch, 10 minute timer (I can change later?), and illuminated while heating only (amber). This is going to be another nice upgrade for sure!

 

Thanks for the order! I just added you on the list. Yes the relays can easily be adjusted after the fact and as I said it is just two mini toggles to adjust the heating time so can be done very quickly.

So I'll have amber arriving next week but only two of them. As soon as I get them I'll make sure there are no surprises with the fit and if not then I'll be ordering more to fill orders with. I know it's probably not as quick as you guys may like but I didn't want to order too many until I can confirm they all fit perfectly, otherwise I'd have a bunch of fancy paperweights lol.

 

Ok i have a few questions. I am definitely interested in the new switched unit, built into the mirror controls. Fantastic idea. What i don't know is what all i'll need.

1. There's an order above that is not getting the mirrors? I have mirrors, but do i need a different mirror? Or do i slap on a heating element to my existing mirrors?

2. On the new style switch, i'm wondering if i get the 20min automatic shut off, if it takes less time to defrost, can i hit the button again and they would turn off? or would that activate another 20min cycle? if i were to get an On/Off switch where i'd have to remember to turn it on and off, what damage if any would occur to the unit/mirrors if i forgot to turn them on and off?

3. if i did forget to turn them off, is it gonna drain my battery? or are they gonna turn off with my key off?

4. does the amber color match the amber panel lights?

If i am understanding everything correctly, i'd want the new style switch and kit, (probably a 20min automatic shut off, depending on answers) and i'd want everything lit in amber with my dash panel turning on and off when i turn my headlights on and off.

Questions?! lol. looking forward to hearing from you
-C

 

Those are all good questions... See below in red

 

Perfect. The reason I'm choosing amber is to know when the heat cycle is on. I don't need to see my mirror switch otherwise. Oh, it's quick enough. I appreciate taking time to do it right the first time. Less technical support later.

 

Actually that brings up a very good point. I've checked the green illuminated switch in the truck and during daylight it is very hard to see that it is on. Similar to if you were to turn your headlights on during the day and look at your other switches. I think amber will be a better choice for that reason, but I'll be checking it in the daytime too.

I've also ordered one switch that is illuminated in red, however for some reason Toyota charges about $45 more for that switch and as far as I can tell the only difference is the colour that it illuminates in. I'll know more once they arrive next week.

Green would be a good choice for anyone who has a 2012-2015 and wants it to light up with the headlights on.

 

Excellent! thanks for the reply so quickly! one final question i had, are there going to be install directions soon for the "new switch"? Cause sign me up for one! I think i'll stick with 20min automatic shut off, amber backlight to come on when headlights are turned on. i'll need the mirrors as well. Thanks,
-C

 

I have the green to match all my switches but when I turn on the mirrors there is an amber bar directly under the green that lights up so you know that they are on. Hope this helps

 

I believe you must have one of the switches that are on the left or center area. The one in my question is for those of us who have no blanks and will be using the new style mirror switch. If I had a blank, I'd be doing just what you have.

 

You got it and thank you for the order! Yes there will be install instructions although they will be about 90% the same as the Under the AC instructions with the only real difference being the switch location and install. In my opinion this will also be the easiest kit style to install.

 

Correct the previous two kits have a separate backlighting and status light. Because this new option has only one area to light up it becomes a choice if you want it to light as backlighting or as a status light. Just can't be both.

 

sweet. can you PM me payment details n stuff? how much do i owe? thanks. -C

 

PM sent... However payment won't be needed until the orders are ready to ship

 

I got half way done installing this yesterday. Today our local ski hill opened and I was so excited to finish installing my heated mirrors that I stopped snowboarding early to get it done. No more scraping mirrors before heading to the slopes!!!

 

Heated mirrors and we're in the middle of a heat wave. Dammit. Nice kit Jaimes. Took me a bit longer than I wanted because of the Kryptonite thread locker on one of the mirror screws. I wound up cutting the head off it and resorting to pliers. Other than that it was a pretty straight forward install. A couple of observations: It's easier to use a zip tie to fish the wires into the mirrors. Thats a pretty tight hole with the connectors on. The sticky tape on the relay sucks. A couple of short sheet metal screws into the plastic bracket under the passenger kick panel works well. Cant wait until we get some cold weather......

 

You must have been eager to wrap this up if you left the slopes early lol. Good to hear you got it wrapped up today. I'm sure it will be coming in handy!

Sounds like you might have the same warmth front that is rolling through here right now. It's a nice change from the freezing cold weather we had a week ago. The screws should definitely hold the relay in place firmly and there are a couple of holed tabs on it to do just that. Did the adhesive strips not want to stick well for you? It is the same stuff used to secure emblems on the sides of vehicles and is usually a pretty strong grip. Regardless it sounds like you found a good way to secure the relay. Hope you enjoy the kit.... Especially once the heat wave is through

 

WOW! very impressed with this kit, thanks for doing this Jaimes. One of those mods I wish I had done years ago.

 

Yeah, we're getting our usual late fall Pacific freight train of rain. Good for the ski areas and snow pack. We've got lots of cold weather to come. I'll work out these mirrors pretty soon. The adhesive on the relay will probably work very well any where but on the plastic bracket. It's hard to get anything to stick to that material. Short sheet metal (or even wood) screws will self tap the soft plastic and provide plenty of strength for mounting the relay. Simple fix. Thanks again Jaimes. Teriffic kit, good instructions, great value.

 

Glad you like it! Have you taken care of the install or just received all the goodies at this point?

Yeah actually now that you mention it some plastics will resist adhesives. You could stick it to a nearby metal area, the inside of the relay has a potting compound so nothing will short out. Using screws will be nice and secure though. I guess a bit of luck that you don't have to handle the installation in the freezing cold weather lol

 

Quick question regarding timer selection. Might have been asked/answered already, but too lazy to wade through 47 pages..........

If you use the vehicle in a warmer clime, where generally you don't have actual ice (like from sleet or refrozen snow) but have light to moderate frost and/or very heavy dew, I assume the 5 minute timer would be adequate. And hit the button again if not.

But if you chose the 15 minute timer, and things are cleared in less time, is there any issue with it staying on the additional cycle time, or is there a need to turn it off?

Or expressed another way, if staying on is not a problem, why wouldn't everyone chose a 15 minute timer?

Or why do you offer two choices ?