Aftermarket Blind Spot Monitor options

Thought I'd ask here if anyone has any experience adding a BSM kit to your second gen?

There seems to be a good amount of aftermarket options out there, but the "best" ones I can find mention they don't work with steel bumpers and are designed to be mounted inside plastic fascia's like you'll see on a car or SUV.

My issue is this... now that I have 2 kids (both in rear facing car seats in the back of the Tacoma), it's really tough for me to see out my passenger side rear window.

This makes lane changes a bit sketchy... My Camry and Highlander have BSM systems from the factory but the Taco obviously doesn't.

Please refrain from the obvious reply's of "just turn your head dude"... this doesn't work when there's a giant car seat sitting there lol.

I'd like some input from people who have actually installed aftermarket BSM kits... with either good or bad results.

Thanks!

 

Have you considered the low-tech, inexpensive option?

$9 Hypersonic Blind Spot Mirror Convex Wide Angle Rear View Car Outside Universal Fit Stick Mirrors

https://www.amazon.com/Hypersonic-Mirror-Outside-Universal-Mirrors/dp/B075DWPWC5/

I use these on everything I drive.

 

Blind spot mirrors are helpful and really cheap.

Used them when I was towing a camper. Couldn't see over the camper to view the right rear corner of the camper for lane change clearance.

 

there are a few threads on replacing the standard side mirrors with spotter mirrors that have the convex part built in (and slightly adjustable I think) even upgrading to heated mirrors is an option. cheaper than a BSD system, looks better than the stick on option.

 

I have similar set up on my taco, but the next size larger. Similar to this:

$13 Blind Spot Convex Car Mirror: XLarge Rear View | Rearview Automotive Mirror for Car Exterior Accessories and Interior for Women/Men (2Pack)

https://www.amazon.com/Utopicar-Mir...ords=blindspot+mirrors&qid=1618500077&sr=8-11

They work great, seems like the same thing as BSM to me and a hell of a lot simplier.

 

If your rear view mirror is obstructed, these probably won’t help. I’ve been using them for many years and they’re really helpful.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0040DVL6U/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8

For the outside side view mirrors I got these. They’re a little small but do the trick. Once stuck on, they twist click adjust. Well I can’t find them.

These are worthless garbage.

$7 Total View 360 Wide Angle Universal Adjustable Blind Spot Mirror, Frameless Square Design, 2 Pack

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0032J1KAK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8

 

https://spottermirror.com/p/toyota/tacoma/2005-2015-tacoma-spotter-mirror/

 

I like/prefer the one quoted above, but I have these and haven't been disappointed. Notice the "purple-ish" flowering shrub that is seen in the "spotter"mirror that isnt seen in the regular mirror. This is line of sight from the driver's seat.

 

Thanks for the input guys... I'd really like an electronic option, but some of those mirror replacement options look pretty slick.