5th Gen Power Folding Mirrors- How To!

[Kenstyle]

I will also add to this thread, for general purpose information:

JDM Hilux mirrors = DO NOT come with puddle lights, but has the heated mirror feature
JDM Fortuner mirrors = include the puddle lights, BUT DO NOT have the heated mirror feature

The majority of the JDM mirror will be used on your truck for this conversion aside from the USDM mirror housing actuator which will need to be converted to fit the JDM housing so you can reuse your USDM mirror glass.

I had purchased an extra set of the Fortuner mirrors to retain the puddles for my truck, while [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] has the Hilux mirrors which I believe he will work on a custom job to install some fancy LED puddle lights when he has some time in the future. Customizability is endless...I know the new Ford Mustangs shine a little Ford logo with their Mustang puddle lights on the ground upon unlock. I can only imagine what kind of creativity Jeff has in store for his 4R, and also for anyone who has a creative side as well.

Jeff went out of his way to figure out how to transpose the heated mirror part and wires from my factory USDM mirrors to the JDM mirror set, and not only that, convert it all into the connector housing and the JDM remote switch/harness with the extra mirror folding button.

Hope this makes sense for anyone who is looking to do this conversion on his or her own.

 

[Antman]

I will also add to this thread, for general purpose information:

JDM Hilux mirrors = DO NOT come with puddle lights, but has the heated mirror feature
JDM Fortuner mirrors = include the puddle lights, BUT DO NOT have the heated mirror feature

The majority of the JDM mirror will be used on your truck for this conversion aside from the USDM mirror housing actuator which will need to be converted to fit the JDM housing so you can reuse your USDM mirror glass.

Ken, thanks for updating the info. Just to be clear, the "puck" that the mirror snaps into is not easily interchangeable between the mirrors.

I did not modify that piece to make the heated mirrors work on the JDM Fortuner mirror. I modified (dremeled) 2 of the plastic tabs behind the heated mirror glass that would not line up with the JDM puck. It's very easy to do. If anyone needs help I can walk them through it.

 

[Kenstyle]

After two long evenings of doing this conversion, I am proud to say the mirrors are finally installed. They work like a charm. [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] is truly the Mod God.

I wouldn't call myself the most experienced with installing mods or electrical wiring stuff, but Jeff truly made his "USDM --> JDM Folding Mirror Package" as close to plug and play as you can get it.

Before I post the video, here are some tools that you will need (aside from what Jeff has already posted in his long thread of photos).

Tools:
10 mm ratchet with extension
A damn good screwdriver w/ different adapters (spend the extra $5 on one with a torque wheel)
Electrical tape
Plastic trim pry tools
Elbow grease
Something to use to "fish" the wires through
A portable bright LED light
A solid crimp tool

Optional:
Extra female/male 22-16 insulated male/female connectors
Extra Micro sized (not Mini, or Micro 2) fuses in you case you blow like I did like a total idiot
Zip ties
Beer

Here are some tips. Please keep in mind I did not do any of the electrical wire work. I simply took the converted parts [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] had sent me and installed it on my end while following his directions to the best of my ability.

1) The hardest and most time-consuming part of the install was fishing the wires through the damn tight rubber grommet that connects the wires from your door locks/power windows/etc to the firewall. That damn thing is tight as can be to fit the wires that are already on your door. I tried using wooden chopsticks to tape the red & black wires to to fish it through, and even then it was too snug. Ended up using elbow grease. Really helps if you've got a good background playing the piano, the guitar, violin, something that has built your finger strength to stretch out that damn rubber snake to fish the wires through. I'd imagine an unravelled wire coat hanger would help but I was fresh out from the dry cleaners.

2) Having a good wire crimper/stripper really helps stripping the wires to consolidate the coils. Cannot stress this enough. Same with plastic trim tools.

3) MAKE SURE you follow Jeff's directions in matching the RED WIRES from the DRIVER&PASSENGER MIRRORS together, and crimping them into the connector. And the BLACK WIRES of the DRIVER&PASSENGER MIRRORS, crimping them together, to the other end of the connector. I misread his directions, ended up blowing the Accessory 7.5A fuse that left me panicked late last night. Radio/XM/Mirrors/Backup Camera didn't work. Luckily, the Advance Auto Parts was still open last night, got a replacement, and bam, all's well.

Here's the video of the finished product. Spent way more money than I should've on this mod, but I'd imagine if you are mechanically and electrically inclined, you should be more or less be able to do this conversion yourself for about ~$650-750 in parts if not less, and you are likely going to need to have the JDM mirrors matched to your car's paint as the Japanese/Thai vendors I've found really only put the white and black JDM folding mirrors on eBay. I suppose you can always request them to order a JDM mirror set in your color. My local body shop charged me $125 to paint the white covers to match my factory NBM and the shop did a really good job with a quick turnaround.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Smh8ddyciBk

 

[Kenstyle]

Some pics during the install w/ commentary

Prying the switch. Comes out real easy w/ a little wiggle.

Speaker does not need to come off to snake the wire through the rubber weather grommet

After getting the red and black wires through the damn tight weather rubber grommet.

Got both the red and black wires snaked through from the driver and passenger sides, crimped, and plugged in. Your JDM switch plugs back to your factory connector

This is the passenger side after snaking the Red and Black wires through the rubber grommet into the firewall. Passenger kickboard needs to come out for you to feed it through. There's a easy screw that you just loosen by hand before prying it out.

Finished product:

 

[CookieRoe]

Just Wow [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] . My deepest respects! Incredible mod!

 

[Antman]

Some pics during the install w/ commentary

Prying the switch. Comes out real easy w/ a little wiggle.

Speaker does not need to come off to snake the wire through the rubber weather grommet

After getting the red and black wires through the damn tight weather rubber grommet.

Got both the red and black wires snaked through from the driver and passenger sides, crimped, and plugged in. Your JDM switch plugs back to your factory connector

This is the passenger side after snaking the Red and Black wires through the rubber grommet into the firewall. Passenger kickboard needs to come out for you to feed it through. There's a easy screw that you just loosen by hand before prying it out.

Finished product:

Poor Ken! That's still pretty intimidating for a first timer- even though it's mostly plug n play.

You did it though!

 

[Kenstyle]

Poor Ken! That's still pretty intimidating for a first timer- even though it's mostly plug n play.

You did it though!

Thanks man!

In all honesty, it wasn't too bad or complex of a install lol. Don't know if I came off a little whiney in the video lol. Was a long day at the office, then came home to wrap this up without too many fancy tools or experience taking apart trim parts on the car.

LOVE this mod. Backing into the tight garage space, ingress/egress in the tight garage door, parking in tight spaces at the office or downtown, just makes everything so much easier now driving a big truck around.

 

[Nitro81]

power mirrors

This is a great thread, I'd love to do this to my 4runner but i don't have the balls to pull it off. Has anyone suggested a group buy for parts? and any volunteers (to make money) to do the work? if that was to happen, count me in!

On an other note I had an idea that was sparked by this mod thread. It seams a bit unfortunate that the memory button for the seats is not linked to the exterior mirrors as well as the seat. for what these T$R's cost you'd think they would come with it. I think the Lexus does and i just wondered if the Lexus part could be integrated with our TR4's to make the mirrors apart of the memory setting. just a though i had while reading this awesome thread.

 

[Herper]

I just finished this mod on my 4runner and love it but it was a hugh project.
My question now is how to hook up the puddle lights with the new JDM mirror since my old mirror didn't have them. Can anybody out there help with this?
Also trying to get the SMC control to work with the wiring to fold and unfold when door remote lock and unlock car door?????

 

[Kenstyle]

I just finished this mod on my 4runner and love it but it was a hugh project.
My question now is how to hook up the puddle lights with the new JDM mirror since my old mirror didn't have them. Can anybody out there help with this?
Also trying to get the SMC control to work with the wiring to fold and unfold when door remote lock and unlock car door?????

Nice work!

I've got a few SMC units from Japan that I will take to my local auto electronics guy to see if he can figure out to get the auto-fold to work on lock and unlock.

Shouldn't be too difficult from what I'd imagine. Unfortunately I don't have the proprietary electrical skills to figure it out on my own, but I will keep this thread updated once I figure out how to get this to work, and with all the parts info for everyone.

 

[Herper]

Good Luck on the SMC unit. I'm starting to give up on it.
Any Ideas on what wires to hook the puddle lights up to, it's turning into a nightmare trying to figure it out. Trying Auto dim circuits & etc. just can't tap into the right one now.

 

[RamFab]

Part 4: The switch and wiring!

Ok- almost home free here.

Install the mirrors on the truck. If you ran new wires for the folding motors you will need to fab up a plug at the door in case you ever want to take the mirror back off. If you used the factory plug like me, you need to cut the corresponding wires (the ones originally for puddle lights - another project hehe) from the door plug- vehicle harness side- to run wires into the kickpanel.











You can pull the weatherstrip loose like this.







Take these bolts out on the door, pull the rubber grommet loose from the body side and it'll be easy to fish the wires into the kick panel.




Run extension wires from the motor (blue/green keep track of which is which!) along the door wiring channel, through the rubber grommet into the kickpanels. I split-loomed these later. Connect the blue/blue and green/green motor wires in the drivers kickpanel and run extension wires up through the mirror switch hole in the dash (I know, I know- the wires I ran are red and black. FWIW, Black=blue, red = green, Don't get confused, think Xmas bruise, lol). If you mix them up you will blow a 7.5A fuse in the driver’s fusebox, AHEM.








Here’s the OEM mirror switch and harness- 7 wires. We need 9 now.







The NEW switch and it’s harness. Pay attention to the plug where I removed the 2 wires. These 2 will go to the mirror folding motor wires. You can hook them up to either motor wire- I wired mine so button in = folded, button out = open.











Connect the folding power leads to the wires you ran into the switch opening and plug the switch into the factory harness.




DONE!!!!!! Now I get to do it all over for Ken's truck!

PS- Yess [MENTION=6163]phillyd2[/MENTION] if you send me the parts I will convert them plug and play (mostly) for you. I owe you my friend! HAHA!

Very cool mod for sure!!!

 

[EEEliminator]

I definitely don't need this, but I love that you wrote this up. I like the gizmos and mods like this, thank you for this and I'm going to try not follow in your foot steps and do this. The fact that this uses factory parts and functions like a factory set up is awsome.

 

[Antman]

I definitely don't need this, but I love that you wrote this up. I like the gizmos and mods like this, thank you for this and I'm going to try not follow in your foot steps and do this. The fact that this uses factory parts and functions like a factory set up is awsome.

I'm currently in the middle of conversion #3 for another member on the board.

Thanks for the nice words!:rockon:

 

[Bob43]

Okay I need this ....actually I don't NEED this I WANT this !! :heh:

 

[nhltfour]

Photos aren't working [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION]

 

[Bob43]

must have

 

[lpasssr5]

Wow that is far beyond my ability, but an amazing writeup!

 

[varipa08]

removing mirror

kinda of a separate question but related. If I am just removing the mirror assembly do I need to remove the entire door trim or can the mirror be removed with out taking the entire door apart? Any help is much appreciated. I am guess I will have to remove the entire door trim to gain access to the mirror wire harness.

 

[Jimmy T]

Jeff,

Are you able to obtain the necessary parts and do the Power fold mirror MOD for a 2018 4 Runner in Winchester, VA?