Tow mirrors (part 1)

I replaced the factory paddle mirrors with some eBay special towing mirrors this weekend.

The stock mirrors had power and heat when Fessick left the factory. By the time he came into my life, the heat was completely non-operational. The left mirror moved correctly, but the right only moved left to right. It wouldn’t move up and down.

The replacement mirrors have marker lights and turn signals behind a smoked lens as well as turn signals mounted in the glass. Additionally, I can pull the mirror further away from the truck to increase the view when I’m pulling a trailer

New mirror above with built in blind-spot mirror and marker light & turn signals. Old mirror below
Look at all that space for (viewing) activities!

The seller included a pigtail to mate the truck wiring (separate connectors for heat and power) to the mirror’s harness (one rectangular plug for all mirror functions).

To install the mirrors, I had to remove the door skins (see door lock actuator for detailed instructions) but I couldn’t get the new mirrors to tighten flush with the door. The culprit was this little bit of plastic, it was hidden behind the foam weather seal. I removed it with a hack saw.

Here’s the problem

Now it fits!

Part two of the mirror install (waiting for a warm weekend) will detail how I get the marker & turn signals working.

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Author: rexplex

With a bachelors degree in history, I turn wrenches for a living. I’m most at peace when I hear the wind in the trees or the gurgle of a brook. I’m a believer in the Renaissance Man, as epitomized by DaVinci engineer, artist, soldier, statesman. As Heinlein said, “A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyse a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.”

One thought on “Tow mirrors (part 1)”

  1. Pingback: Happy Birthday Fessick – Modern Anachronist

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