HOW TO DIY: JDM Folding Mirrors with Signals

No I've gone back to Subaru land. I just picked up a 2008 Legacy GT Spec B. I'm tossing around the idea of maybe keeping the Prius as a DD or throwing it on CL

 

DIY JDM full-bore folding mirror update:

On a beautiful Saturday some weekends ago I bit the bullet, took all the T-taps out from the install cluster behind the left side of the dashboard (behind all the switches etc) apart, junked the rat's nest of T-taps, and replaced every connection with the supplied Packard connectors that fit into the kit-provided MetriPack. Moreover, I soldered every single Packard connector and its crimped wire together, just for peace of mind.

Two most practical results of this mod, IMHO:
1). makes life easy in very narrow parking spaces when you happen to park between two GMC SUVs.
2). The "Welcome Winker" multi-LED downward puddle lights are surprisingly beneficial for the driver and for the passenger, in the dark of night to see the car-curb gap or that dark puddle of water.. whether the mirrors are unfolded (just parking) or folded (approaching the car after the dinner, etc). It's hard to judge their effect until it's really dark, but when it is, you're glad they are there.

Now, weeks later, I have... Peace of Mind. could have / should have done it this way from the get-go. This added step would not have added that much time to the original install. As my Dad used to say to me when I was younger and very stubborn "do it right or do it over... how much is your time worth?"

Note: this approach mandates a Packard connector crimper, as per SFV's earlier comment and picture - these things are $$alty unless you have tool-fancying friends around.

Again, a Warm Shout-Out to fellow PriusChat member 69ShovlHed for his kind help and his expertise!

Hope this helps!

 

All my mirror stuff is listed for sale now Check my Sig!

 

This are a great accessory and improvement but a bit pricey for my wife's Prius.

 

Hi where is the lock and unlock trigger located? do you have picture?

 

hi how bout the unlock signal ?

 

hey its on the passenger side right? lol

 

thnks a lot for your help . it works now..peace

 

So impressed with this thread….

SFV, do you still install for $200? Would you install signal lights only (non-motorized); if so, how much and time needed? I’m in SD county, would come to you.

My understanding is I would need to buy the signal mirrors AND Wish motorized mirrors (plus harnesses, switch of choice, etc.). The guts of the Wish mirrors get swapped into my factory mount and signal mirror. Correct?

I’d still have the ability to extend the mirrors with the car parked and doors locked by using the ‘swing’ button, but the car would need to be in accessories mode. Correct? This is important to me for when I’m parked waiting to pick someone up and the mirrors give extra views, or chow fast food in sketchy areas.

Do you get bears and mountain lions in Palmdale or is it too desert?

 

Anyone in the Bay Area know how to install?

 

SFV41901 installed the power signal mirrors on my Prius IV in early March at HybridPit and it’s been money well spent.

I wanted to have it done for a few reasons: (1) I like the safety and visibility of the extra turn signals for cars hovering in my blind spot, or when night driving since my car is dark blue; (2) to retract mirrors in tight parking or the drive through car wash; (3) to upgrade my ride’s appearance. I ended up opting for the Toyota Wish indicators because they look more factory than the aftermarkets which look slightly more bling. In doing so, I lost out on the pool light feature of the aftermarket signal indicators, which I don’t need or miss.

I was surprised by two unexpected benefits. The first is I can see much more easily whether my car is locked from a distance. If the front and tail lights are blocked by other cars or landscaping I can still see the side view mirror light winking or the pinned back ears look of the retracted mirrors. Also, since the side view indicators are in a sense perpendicular to the broad flat surface of the side of the car it adds an extra visual plane of confirmation. No more neck straining if I happen to be standing at an oblique angle to the front and rear lights, or trying to decide if I’m being tricked by the sun bouncing off a lens reflector. I appreciate it more than I would have thought.

The second is the motorized function is not compromised if something bends your mirror back the wrong way. You’ve still got the flexibility of the non-motorized mirror. The addition of the motor to the guts of the mirror mount does not add an unforgiving rigidity that could break your mirror or motor. I’ve bent the mirrors backwards a few times now in the car wash when I forgot to hit the little retract button before entering or I did remember but the car wash’s twirling side brushes were having a particularly aggressive day. The mirrors will self-correct once you hit the motor button again. You end up with the best of both worlds. But, it’s not like I’m looking to test that at every opportunity either.

You might not want to hang around when they’re getting installed. It was a shock seeing parts of my car in umpteen pieces during the process. But that’s because they’re really thorough and do it correctly. Everything was put back together without so much as a finger smudge or new road squeak.

 

@sfv41901 I'm interested in doing this to my 2010 Prius. I found I can order just the folding motors off AliExpress. If I can get just the motors, would that be all I'd need from the JDM mirrors?