DIY Power Side Mirrors - Anyone Done This?

I have a basic '09 Access. I have been slowing adding things on like variable speed wipers and cruise. Seems like most stuff is pre-wired and wondered if the side mirrors were and if anyone has tried DIY power side mirrors.

Rick

 

stupid question.... but if your adding all of the options to the truck.... why didnt you just buy a truck with the options to begin with ?

isnt it going to cost more to add them then if you just got them to begin with ?

not trying to put you down, im just wondering

 

Things change. When we bought the Taco I was looking for a secondary vehicle. The basic cab ride had it. I upgraded from the basic cab to the Access because my wife hated the bench seat. And after sitting in the Access buckets seats I agreed and liked the extra room. It had the basics of AC, automatic, power windows and locks. I opted for a dealer trade to get the color we (my wife ) wanted. The only thing it didn't have was cruise which wasn't a deal breaker and I knew I could add it later.

Well it turned out this sucker rides so smooth and quiet and fuel efficient it is now our #1 ride. The Toyota package upgrades included stuff we really didn't need or want. I must admit that I didn't do my homework on standard equipment like daytime running lights, variable speed wipers and power mirrors, but I pretty much expected that and didn't realize it wasn't there until I got the Taco home. My bad. But, I am only out $300 for cruise and intermittant wipers. I leave the headlights turned on and they automatically turn off when I turn the ignition and open the door so I have DRL.

So, I am 60 years old and I have a vehicle I enjoy more than any I have ever owned and only have $300 invested over basic price for the stuff I like thanks to this forum. I don't think I could have gotten that from Toyota. Power mirrors would be nice but not a big deal.

That's why I didn't get a duded up Taco.

Rick

 

ok makes sense,

like i said i was just wondering, not trying to rain on your parade

 

It was a valid question and I have no heartburn over it. I just wanted to explain my situation and I think some good info was passed on to others which is what this forum is all about.

Rick

 

If the Taco power mirrors are anything like my scions mirrors- They are EXPENSIVE (200 bucks a side for replacement mirrors) and that is provided you have all the wiring in place. You'd also need the switch in the cab and the relay I think.

Not sure what else you'd need- Those are the quick things I can think of.

 

Mirrors themselves are available as an after market part for less than $40 at Rock Auto:

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php?carcode=1442971&parttype=1304

They look identical to the OEM mirrors but are slightly smaller (very slightly). I added Burco heating elements to mine to defrost as well. I have the wiring diagram at home, I marked it up to add the mirror defrosters, will post later. Not the easiest install in the world, a tad time consuming but doable.

 

Thanks for the link. I am wondering if the power mirrors include the motor? Probably not since they are about the same price as the non powered.

As it turns out the mirrors are pretty much a non issue. My wife has driven the truck once since I bought it Oct 08 so the mirrors never move.

 

Actually the Rock Auto aftermarket mirrors do include the motors with plugs for the standard wiring in the doors. But if you don't have power mirrors I doubt that the wiring is in the doors, it wasn't in mine.

I put them in because I have 4 different people using the truck and the manual mirrors are a real pain in the ass to adjust. It wasn't a hard install but pretty time consuming. The doors have to come apart and I had to make the wiring harness because it wasn't part of the base model wiring harness. For someone who is electrically challenged it could be a little scary. I guess I could put together install instructions if anyone is interested.

I did the mirrors at the same time as the keyless entry system and a speaker upgrade so I only had to take the doors apart once. A also added an auxiliary fuse box and got rid of the cheap Toyota radio (put in a Sony MEX 3700U head unit with bluetooth, very sweet!), and an auto-dimming rear view mirror with temp/compass at the same time. Did the whole thing in a long day. The power mirror thing cost about $100 the Burco heater pads for mirror defrost were another $50. Bought the OEM Mirror switch on Ebay for $10 used, the mirrors were about $40 ea at Rock Auto and I used wire and supplies I had laying around from vehicle restorations I have done.

Before anyone says why didn't I buy that stuff already on the truck. I'm cheap and the way I bought the truck I pretty much got what I could get. I paid a little over $14K out the door with Auto and A/C and a 10 year 100k mile bumper to bumper warranty. It's a long story and was a pain in the butt however I saved a lot of money and I don't buy vehicles very often so it was worth it.

 

most aftermarkets are fine, just gotta get the wiring to the inside...try a junkyard for that...mt g/f escape side mirror for 37 plus shipping, from ford was 189

 

I found these mirrors.

 

Rock Auto Aftermarket Power Side view Mirrors
Actually the Rock Auto aftermarket mirrors do include the motors with plugs for the standard wiring in the doors. But if you don't have power mirrors I doubt that the wiring is in the doors, it wasn't in mine.

I put them in because I have 4 different people using the truck and the manual mirrors are a real pain in the ass to adjust. It wasn't a hard install but pretty time consuming. The doors have to come apart and I had to make the wiring harness because it wasn't part of the base model wiring harness. For someone who is electrically challenged it could be a little scary. I guess I could put together install instructions if anyone is interested.

I did the mirrors at the same time as the keyless entry system and a speaker upgrade so I only had to take the doors apart once. A also added an auxiliary fuse box and got rid of the cheap Toyota radio (put in a Sony MEX 3700U head unit with bluetooth, very sweet!), and an auto-dimming rear view mirror with temp/compass at the same time. Did the whole thing in a long day. The power mirror thing cost about $100 the Burco heater pads for mirror defrost were another $50. Bought the OEM Mirror switch on Ebay for $10 used, the mirrors were about $40 ea at Rock Auto and I used wire and supplies I had laying around from vehicle restorations I have done.

Before anyone says why didn't I buy that stuff already on the truck. I'm cheap and the way I bought the truck I pretty much got what I could get. I paid a little over $14K out the door with Auto and A/C and a 10 year 100k mile bumper to bumper warranty. It's a long story and was a pain in the butt however I saved a lot of money and I don't buy vehicles very often so it was worth it.

CAN YOU PLEASE SEND ME DETAIL INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO REPLACE THE MIRRORS, IF YOU DONT MIND, THANKS

 

I'm looking for a write up myself on how to replace the mirrors for electric. Anyone know of anything?

 

What year is your truck? The later years are all wired for most of the options. It might be plug and play.

 

I've got an 05 Pre Runner (Profile Pic) you'd think the pre runners would have came powered oh well. Its all basic though, no power options crank windows and all.

 

Ahh. my 2012 is all wired up, but I opted not to pay for all that stuff. I'm not installing it either...so I won't be of any help. good luck with your mod!

 

I have a 2013 regular cab 4x4, do you know if it's pre-wired for power mirrors?

 

I think they all are, but I've been wrong before.