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Blind Spot Mirrors

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by timkins42, Apr 2, 2023.

  1. Apr 2, 2023 at 5:20 AM
    #1
    timkins42

    timkins42 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    On the newer 4Runners you can change the flat mirrors to RAV4 convex mirrors to get the blind spot mirror. Is there such a conversion for the 3rd Gen Tacoma mirrors or do I need to go to those 2” round stick on blind spot mirrors.
     
  2. Apr 2, 2023 at 5:35 AM
    #2
    Devious6

    Devious6 Not your Average College President Emeritus

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    You can use RAV4 mirrors - couldn't find the link with the part numbers but it's here somewhere. I have Spotter Mirrors on mine which I prefer over the RAV4s, but it's just personal preference. The RAV4 mirrors are less expensive - just make sure you get the right flavor if you have BSM.

    Spotter Mirror Install 5.jpg
     
    TRDRed, KY_Rob, vinyl and 4 others like this.
  3. Apr 2, 2023 at 5:49 AM
    #3
    roboturner

    roboturner Dead Eyed

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    I believe it’s off an earlier RAV4 - I only did the driver side but both work- DS part number 87961-42D20

    D2C16791-9256-48A7-A051-31D167FA7641.jpg
     
  4. Apr 2, 2023 at 6:00 AM
    #4
    BRFab

    BRFab Well-Known Member

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  5. Apr 2, 2023 at 6:10 AM
    #5
    WhiteTaco20

    WhiteTaco20 Well-Known Member

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    TacomaGuy7878 likes this.
  6. Apr 2, 2023 at 6:14 AM
    #6
    VTi EG6

    VTi EG6 Well-Known Member

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    90EF9B46-8090-43E3-9F16-99AEED754F38.jpg
    1392FD18-EB5F-4FFF-97E8-5D714115CE67.jpg
    15F620AF-18DB-4714-8686-B755B50F8924.jpg

    Make sure all the tabs are clicked in once you remove the old mirrors if ya decide to go the Rav4 mirror route.

    Heater wires are a bit to pull off. I used some pliers in fear of ripping them completely.
     
  7. Apr 2, 2023 at 6:21 AM
    #7
    stftaco

    stftaco Well-Known Member

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    And now the re-occurring public service announcement on adjusting side mirrors and minimizing one's blind spots on both sides of the vehicle...

    The way to accomplish this is very simple, and is as follows:

    When sitting in the driver's seat:
    1). Lean your head against the driver door window.
    2). Adjust the mirror starting from the angled all the way out position, until the back-end of the vehicle just comes into view.
    3). Lean over the shifter. Do the same as in step 2 with the passenger side mirror.

    Now you will find both side mirrors are angled optimally, and better complement the view from the rearview mirror, providing more of a panoramic.

    It generally seems funny for a few days, but then, once you've set your mirrors up this way, you'll likely never go back.

    I feel this is also one of the most important tips to provide a person you are teaching to drive.
     
    CemenTRDgen, Foushee, Jesse H and 4 others like this.
  8. Apr 2, 2023 at 6:24 AM
    #8
    jsinnard

    jsinnard Well-Known Member

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    I have the RAV4 mirrors on my 4runner and 2 inch discs on my Tacoma. After having both I prefer the discs in the lower corner because not only can I see cars in my blindspot, it gives me a view of the rear tires in relation to curbs / parking lines / driveway edge when backing up.
    20230402_115659.jpg

    You don't get that view with the RAV4 version.

    Discs were only about $5 whereas the RAV4 mirrors were about $80.

    If I were to do it over again I'd have saved the $80 and installed discs on the 4runner. I'm only keeping them because I'd spent the money and broke two clips removing the original 4runner mirrors during install.
     
    Last edited: Apr 2, 2023
  9. Apr 2, 2023 at 6:32 AM
    #9
    TexasWhiteIce

    TexasWhiteIce Well-Known Member

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  10. Apr 2, 2023 at 7:18 AM
    #10
    099

    099 Well-Known Member

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    I have these also and they work great. They are a little expensive. If you go this route, cut the heat shrink off of the terminals before pulling the spade clips off.
     
    Devious6[QUOTED] likes this.
  11. Apr 2, 2023 at 7:54 AM
    #11
    Firn

    Firn Well-Known Member

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    Disagree, this method prevents the side mirrors from seeing straight back while sitting in a normal driving position. As the center mirror is occluded in even minor traffic angling the side mirrors out prevents one from seeing what is approaching from the rear.

    The same procedure is recommended however do not lean your head over the shifter or against the glass, simply tip your head slightly to the side towards whichever mirror you are adjusting but not leaving your normal driving position.

    Side mirrors are designed to see parallel to the side of the vehicle, not simply to look in the blind spot. BSM, spotter mirrors, and turning your head are for the blind spot
     
  12. Apr 2, 2023 at 8:13 AM
    #12
    VTi EG6

    VTi EG6 Well-Known Member

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    OP if the mirrors help, wether its glued on blind spot aids, rav4, other. Do it.

    I wanted mine to look as it came from factory. So I opted for RAV4. ($75 shipped) via ebay.
     
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  13. Apr 2, 2023 at 9:51 AM
    #13
    CleanWilly

    CleanWilly Well-Known Member

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    Disagree, there is no need to see straight back with your side mirrors, that's what the center mirror is for. Different if you've got a canopy or something that prevents center mirror use. Basically, if you can see the side of your truck in your side mirrors you're doing it wrong. The side of your truck isn't going anywhere. We teach this in HPDE.

    upload_2023-4-2_9-50-16.jpg
     
    TXnativeson and Jesse H like this.
  14. Apr 2, 2023 at 10:04 AM
    #14
    Chew

    Chew Not so well known user

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    the Rav4 mirrors are awesome, one of the best "mods" (if you want to call it that) I have done to my Tacoma. I liked them so much, I did the same on my GF's 4R.
     
  15. Apr 2, 2023 at 4:36 PM
    #15
    stftaco

    stftaco Well-Known Member

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    @Firn @Cleanwilly In the end, all three of us are recommending that it's necessary to angle the mirrors out more than many people do. That is the important take away. It's interesting these convex mirrors are being added to people's mirrors in this thread.

    I believe it was the original author of the SAE article that patented it.
    Original article:
    https://www.sae.org/publications/technical-papers/content/950601/

    Subsequent patent on additional mirror to be added to side-view mirror:
    https://patents.google.com/patent/US7097312B2/en
     
  16. Apr 2, 2023 at 6:17 PM
    #16
    timkins42

    timkins42 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    None so far
    I guess I must have been using my mirrors incorrectly for the past 40 years. It must be true you cannot teach an old dog new tricks. I am sorry for asking what I thought was an innocent and simple question.
     
  17. Apr 2, 2023 at 6:23 PM
    #17
    Firn

    Firn Well-Known Member

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    You picture shows exactly what I was saying, it does show visibility straight back. It does NOT show what stftaco was describing. He is right however in that seeing the side of your vehicle is the worst thing you can do.
     
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  18. Apr 2, 2023 at 6:24 PM
    #18
    Firn

    Firn Well-Known Member

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    I'm not sure where you were even identified in that discussion. As is normal a comment spawned a related side discussion but it wasn't directed at you. No need to play victim here
     
    Chew likes this.
  19. Apr 23, 2023 at 10:39 AM
    #19
    TacomaGuy7878

    TacomaGuy7878 Mmmm....Tacos

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  20. Apr 23, 2023 at 1:42 PM
    #20
    Jesse H

    Jesse H Well-Known Member

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    I've never worried about crashing into myself, although I do like knowing there isn't a car in my "blind spot." I don't have blind spots because my side mirrors are angled further out.
     
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