Gentex 453 mirror swap, homelink, temp, compass, auto Dimming

So here is my 453 mirror of choice for a swap, it’s a newer model and is still
made today for the newer cars and trucks and some Newer Tacomas I believe.
These Gentex mirrors may look the same at first glance but are far from that.
I had a Gentex 177 and this newer 453 model is soooo much better!!!!
I believe all Gentex mirrors are 10.5” across

Below is a comparison of the new style Gentex and the older style.

The 453 plus are
1) faster auto dimming (rear light glare)
2) outside temperature
3) built in compass
4) 3 homelink buttons
A) Garage door1, B) Garage door2, C) Community Gate

Plus of the newer model

• Sturdier mirror housing.
  
  
• Sealed photo sensors.
  
  
• Bigger, easily visible power indicator.
  
  
• Heavy duty mounting arm.
  
  
• Improved buttons - molded from black plastic, dual contact points, more solid feel.
  
  
• Internal compass sensor with Z-Nav compass technology providing faster, more accurate heading indication and calibration.
  
  
• Faster, more even dimming.

This model is one of the newer versions of Gentex 453.
It will fit into the 1st gen tacoma without any issues.
The newer model has an internal compass, not outside exposed.

I did install a 4Runner dual map light as shown a few years ago

The installation is as follows.
Make sure the key is out of the ignition and there’s no power to the accessories so no shorts happen during installation.
The mirror will use a steel wedge to attach to the windshield.
You will need to run the wires from the mirror in between the headliner to the map light area.
Leave a bit extra wire for the final adjustment and location for setting the mirror.
Run two wires to the front of the radiator or bumper by license plate area for the temp sensor on the passenger side through the fire wall.
I installed my temp sensor next to the license plate as far forward as possible.
I might look at installation later in the passenger side mirror away from all the engine heat.
Run two wire +- to the right side pillar and down under to the cigarette lighter power access .
You will need to remove the plastic pillar panel. The grap bolts might be hard to remove.
Get an extra large handle screws driver new if possible for a better bit unless there is a bolt used, they used a screw on the earlier trucks and a bolts later. They used some type of glue
on these, so some might be tough. DONT strip the screw head.
Ground the neg wire
Splice the hot wire.
You are useing the acc power so the mirror will come on and off with the ignition key and the battery will not get drained by the mirror, so don’t use the map light power.
You will probably need a thin solid steel wire to fish the wires through the headliner to the pillar from the map light location.
Remove the map light and make your connection at this point for the mirror wires to the power and temp wires.
Use butt connectors and tape them off, make sure all connections are making strong contact.

The wedge needs to be about 4 3/4 to 5” measured from the outside glass trim down as shown
The wedge has to be placed just perfectly with the mirror at the correct angle for the driver
so the visors doesn’t hit the mirror.
This will take a few tries but there is a sweet spot and the visors will not hit the mirror.
If you are having issues with this or getting the wedge to glue to the shield
Go to your local windshield companies and most will install it for free.
I had an issue with the glue and SAFELITE installed the wedge with the mirror, centered it for free for me. I gave the guy a 10.00 tip because it was perfect.
Lastly cut and fit the plastic wire cover that slips under the headliner(the tabs do) to the mirror slot.

You have 5 wires
1) Orange is 12v acc power.
2) Black/red strip, power for homelink, you can wire these together to run on just ACC
3) Black solid is ground
4) Brown
5) Blue both are for the temp sensor non polorized I believe


Here are a lot of photos to look at for more info.

 

I’m surprised how close the visors are to the mirror, they aren’t even close to hitting in my truck. Maybe it’s a single cab thing?

 

Mmm it might be how far down the wedge is placed or how high, all the Gentex are 10.5” across

 

Mine is to high and the visors hit my mirror.

 

With The location of the wedge I have shown here, neither visor hits the mirror. I’m guess it might also depend on the length of the mirror mounting arm too, not sure, but I had no issues with the older Gentex 177 or this model Gentex 453. The mirror body’s and mounting arm are almost the same.

 

Great How to! Thank you for the addition. Been meaning to get this done for awhile.

Whats the typical cost for the mirror and the miscellaneous parts for install?

 

You can probably buy this at a junk yard cheap if you can find the 453, I bought it from this guy, all he does is mirrors on ebay
and you get everything you need for 130.00 shipped and one year warranty.
It’s easier for me to just buy it complete with all the parts, wires, connections, correct temp sensor,
windshield wire cover, wedge and instructions for the setup of the homelink and compass and guarantee to work and everything looks super clean fit as you can see like factory

 

goot job

 

Looks great!
Thanks for the write up.

Does the windshield mount come with the mirror?

 

Some people sell them with it, I had one from before,
Probably get one cheap at safelite

 

I like the Gentex mirrors. My problem is finding a mirror glue, JB weld, Epoxy, Gorilla Glue etc. that works.
I'm sure it's just "user error" lol. I can't get my mirror to stick for more than about two months.
Anyone have any suggestions?

 

SAFELITE windshield company glued mine for free, I had the same problem

 

Good tip thank you!

 

sub'd for later

 

also remember the 01-04 sun visors have the piece that extends out from the visor to cover behind the mirror. so this may have something to do with size/length etc.

 

Got to bump this swap, I’m so happy with it touching the homelink button each day for the garage door .
No more ugly remote falling off visor or dead battery to deal with or someone stealing remote to break into the house.

The mirror “Gentex 453” which is a newer model is the one to buy!

 

Bump question, what if someone steals your mirror?


Anyways, I'm about to install the 4runner gentex onto the 1st gen dc, OP pics were helpful.

 

Right there with you. I've tried everything I can find- JB Clearweld seemed to work the best. It even stood up to my hammerfisting the mirror.

Then last month (about a year after I attached it), I found the mirror laying on the floor again. I am following all the directions, implicitly.

 

Just used permatex, will give a review when the summertime comes around.

 

Just take it to a auto Safelite window installation company and they'll put it on for free mine has never come off, sooo much easier