HOW TO: Replace 95-97 side mirror with a 01-04 mirror.

I got tired of trying to see out of the tiny side mirrors on my 1995 Tacoma so after some research I decided to try a mirror from a newer Tacoma (2001-04 version).

I found it surprisingly easy to swap them out and was pleased with the results.

"OLD" mirror (1995-97 style):




"NEW" mirror (2001-04 style):





Comparison of old and new mirror:


The 01-04 mirror has a much bigger mirror surface (more viewing area) and looks better (IMO).


I purchased the NEW mirror from ebay. I purchased a power one even though I didn’t already have power mirrors (future mod will be to figure out how to make the power mirrors work).

Step #1: REMOVE THE INTERIOR PANEL.



Use a screwdriver and pop it off exposing the three bolts that hold the mirror on.



Step #2: REMOVE THE THREE BOLTS holding the mirror on. I utilized a #10 socket to take mine off.

Step #3: REMOVE THE OLD MIRROR. Note:now would be a good time to clean all around where the mirror was (inside and out). You will be surprised how much dirt can accumulate through the years!

Step #4: INSERT THE NEW MIRROR into the three holes.


The old mirror was held on by three bolts. The new mirror requires three nuts (not included) to hold it on. I purchased a pack of lock nuts nuts (M6-1.0) and some washers from the auto parts store to hold the new mirror on (#7).

Step #5: TIGHTEN THE NUTS HOLDING THE NEW MIRROR ON.

Step #6: REINSTALL THE INTERIOR PANEL.


Step #7: Enjoy your new mirror.


Total time: 5-10 minutes



If anyone wants to offer suggestions on how to rig up the power mirror to actually work I will be glad to create a write up on how to make that happen.

 

can you send me the write up on how to make the power mirrors to work?
thanks

 

Unfortunately this mod didn't turn out so well.
The aftermarket mirrors I ordered looked really good but the actual mirror shook terribly when traveling at highway speed. I sent them back and put the regular mirrors back on. I really liked the size of the newer model tacoma mirrors just not the quality of the aftermarket ones I ordered.

 

if u got the OEM ones it might be pretty staisfactory....???

 

Ok I haven't updated this in a while but I purchased some OEM Toyota mirrors from a TW member and they work perfectly.

The aftermarket mirrors were JUNK.

 

U by any chance bought the "shaky" mirrors from Amazon..,?

 

Woops ..!!

 

I bought two sets of mirrors. One from ebay and one from an online auto parts store named autopartswarehouse.com.
Despite arriving in different packaging, they wound up being the same EXACT same mirror.
Stay away from them. Pieces of junk.
They were called KOOL-VUE mirrors.

 

any update on this thread i plan on getting the mirror swap done too on my non powered prerunner....bump

 

The only update I can give you is that I LOVE the larger 01-04 mirrors on my tacoma versus the smaller 95-97 mirrors and that the aftermarket mirrors were junk compared to the factory Toyota ones.
I would highly suggest if you are considering this upgrade to buy the Toyota mirrors.

 

Did you wiring them up to work?

 

Honestly after installing them I pretty much forgot about wiring them up.
I can't state how much of an improvement they are over the smaller mirrors, especially when hauling a trailer. I have been very pleased with this easy to do mod.

 

Little bit of a thread revival, but I've got a couple questions for you OP. How do you adjust the mirrors? Can the actual mirror glass itself be positioned however you want if you just do it manually? And since I don't have power mirrors, I'm assuming it'd be okay to either buy w/ or w/o power correct?

The ones on my '99 are the same ones you had on your 95.5-97 and the entire mirror housing is what had to be adjusted. And I know the housing for the 01-04 can't be adjusted other than fold in and fold out.

 

How do you adjust the mirrors? Can the actual mirror glass itself be positioned however you want if you just do it manually?
Actually I have never had to position the mirrors since I put them on so i had to go take a look and see. Yeah, you can just position the actual mirror wherever you want just by pushing on the mirror.

And since I don't have power mirrors, I'm assuming it'd be okay to either buy w/ or w/o power correct?
Since I purchased a set of power mirrors (even though I previously had manual mirrors), I can only atttest to the power mirror set. I assume the manual mirrors are essentially the same as the power mirrors. With the power mirrors, all you do is push the power window wire and connector into the slot in the door and it is out of the way. I guess you could also cut it off if you did not have power windows.

These mirrors were one of the best things I have ever done for my tacoma.

 

Yea I agree that it definitely looks a lot better than the little ones and of course is more functional for it being larger. I've another search for parts to begin

 

actually just did this mod but with a set of aftermarket oe replacement mirrors and love it. But what made me more like this mod was that i actually found mirrors that had the same exact shape of a power mirror and it was actually a manual one. go figure....so need to figure out how to wire them up since these didnt have a motor in them

 

Nice! Have you experienced any rattling or shaking of the mirrors at freeway speeds? I know the OP had to return his aftermarket ones because they did that.

I've been wanting to do this for a while also, but right now I think a security system and window tint are first in line for me

 

no shaking or rattling.... just hope it stay like that, total for both side were 66.80 so i can complain about that, i know the powered ones go for more, priced for over $100/pair

 

I can't believe more people haven't considered replacing the side mirrors. The larger mirrors not only look better, they help to improve side visability.

 

I'm thinking about buying a pair of 01-04 aftermarket mirrors on ebay. The description says that they are "non-foldaway" mirrors even though the picture of the item being sold looks as if they do foldaway.



Am I wrong or possibly misunderstanding the "foldaway" term? Isn't that like if you park in really tight spots and "fold-in" your mirrors to avoid them being hit? I can afford a $60 aftermarket pair and hopefully not have "shaking" issues, rather than searching high and low for OEM ones at higher prices. Any help... could help