I am wanting to swap out my mirrors from the adjustable "egg shaped" superduty on my 2004 to the newer style square type mirrors. I like the newer style mirrors, because i drive an F-550 at work and it has those mirrors on it and it makes towing and seeing in general a heck of a lot better and easier. The question is, Is this conversion possible? Will the newer style mirrors fit on an older truck like mine?
Thanks in advance super dutiers

 

Yes, the swap is done often, and it is not difficult. Use the search function in this forum to find the posts where the mirrors were swapped. Some owners have even fitted the newer mirrors with the power fold option to older trucks.

 

Yes, they'll fit-bolt right on, once cutting off a little "tab" on the newer style mirrors ('08-'13). If, wanting it to have a "factory" look/operation (assuming you get the power everything type) you'll need to purchase the mirror control switch, extend switch, and will need a Power Fold Module. Plus you'll need to pull wire for all options that the truck isn't currently wired for.

 

I found two tiny rocker switches - double poll double throw - that just barely fit above the window switches as if they were meant to be there.

If someone doesn't already know what the Ford switch looks like - they think it's a factory setup. Only mistake I made was using a bigger gauge wire than I needed - it was a pita to stuff through the rubber hose in the door jamb. Works great otherwise.

I pulled my power from the power windows and ran the marker lights and turn signal from under the dash.

The switches themselves were extremely tiny - from Camping World for extending and retracting a slide-out on a camper. (I actually found them on a shelf at C.W. - after failing to find anything I liked at Radio-Shack or any of the box stores). When I get home I'll see if I can get you the actual part number.

Key to installation was very careful marking in advance, drilling the corners with a tiny drill bit, using a dremel with a cut off disk to begin the cut for the straight edges - and eventually using a razor blade for touch up since the plastic is fairly soft. When I get pictures, I'll see if I can pop the switches out to get a shot of the opening.

I won't lie - if you get impatient, it would be real easy to mess this one up if you get in a hurry or get sloppy. I took my time, checked, took more time, checked again, and eventually got a near perfect fit. I wouldn't start this if I was in a hurry.

Edit: There are other excellent posts on rewiring the inside of the mirror to get everything moving in the right direction when retrofitting to the older trucks. I'd already done this before I bought the switches - so I'm not sure if it's necessary or not.

 

What brand mirrors are you using? Thanks

 

I found a set of OEM 08 mirrors - power extend, power fold - through a salvage yard posting on Ebay. I used the post to look up their company contact info through google - and contacted them directly over the phone instead of going through Ebay - which ended up being a little cheaper, and faster. Finally have time to get a pic on my lunch break, hopefully have it posted in an hour or two.

 

I think I'm about ready to swap over to the 08 style mirrors...mine are currently held together by super glue lol. I have been going back and forth with how they look on the older trucks but i think the pros will outweigh the cons in the end. How much does a set without the power fold/extend options usually go for? if its relatively close to the older style ill probably go with the newer style mirrors.

 

I've had all of them - OEM sport mirrors, OEM Egg mirrors (couple of dad's trucks and our work trucks) and the 08 mirrors - and I can understand why the 08 mirrors demand a premium. I think I paid somewhere between 5-600 for mine in good condition - last time I checked they were going for a little more than that. I'm sure someone will chime in if they know where to find them cheaper.

The 08 mirrors are considerably more expensive - but for a reason. They're that much better. Bigger viewing area on the main mirror, twice the usable area on the blind spot mirror. The blind spot mirror is so big you almost don't need the main mirror.

Fantastic for backing into tight parking spots (you can see other cars and the ground along the whole length of the truck), amazing for backing trailers and lets you see all the little cars that like to tuck in near your back fender on the freeway.

Don't skimp and get the non-power - because being able to move it around is part of what makes it so nice for backing trailers. (I put it in a different spot for different length trailers.)

The power fold / extend seems excessive - like power windows... until you've owned a vehicle that has them... and you wonder why you didn't get them sooner. Bank teller windows, drive through, parking spaces intended for Hondas and keypads for gate openers all make me grateful I bothered. Folding them in for parking lots keeps someone's kid from taking your mirror off when they fling open the door of their mom's SUV - because these do stick way out when they're extended... it's kinda the point.

If I buy an excursion, it'll be the first thing I do after an oil change.

Going outside to get a picture of the switches now. I think I spent maybe $8. (Spent more on wire and blade connectors.)

Edit: loading now...

 

There is only one downside to the mirror upgrade-cost. I'd do it again without hesitation and recommend it to everyone I know with a SD. Safety feature alone is worth the upgrade. But as mentioned by T8R...convenience, function, etc is great. It truly is one of those features you think; what's the big deal/point. Then you get it and see just how useful said features are and how much you use them.


For me I wanted them to look and function like they were a factory option on my '00 F250. So, it cost me more buying those components than what some others might spend doing it another way.


PWR mirror control/fold & extend/retract switch - $120
PWR Fold Module -$80
Wire/connectors - $20
Plus a few hours or weekend to do the task.


Finished product:

 

Switches, $18
Blade connectors $7
Wire - left over from a previous project.
Mirrors that work - Priceless.

The inboard switch handles the power fold. (Since the hinge is inboard on the mirror.)
- Rock in to fold in.
- Rock out to fold ... you guessed it... out.
The outboard switch handles extensions. (Which is the more outboard function.)
- In for In
- Out for Out
It's intuitive enough that it doesn't need a label.








Please ignore the smudges from dirty hands. I have apparently been working too much to get the truck clean.



Apparently I wasn't worried about how well I parked. Then again, if I'd backed in and used the mirrors....





Great for watching traffic back by a 32 ft car hauler. Also why it's nice that they fold in.



I realize I didn't post pictures from outside the truck. It's because there are lots of those... and from the drivers seat, these are the only ones that matter....

I have a set of panels and switches with the newer style window rockers - I just don't have the plugs for the back of the switches. When I get around to updating them, I'll sell this set to someone who doesn't mind the older style window switches.

 

Looks clean Brian - points for keeping the factory look.

 

Thanks! Should point out for those that might being doing this upgrade on a CC. If wanting the "factory" look, can use the mirror/fold switch but will need to install the extend switch somewhere. As the CC's don't have enough room for the extend switch to be in the panel itself.

 

Those look awesome! How much extra is it for the power options usually? Also ive got some 08 door panels I've been meaning to install is the mirror switch with power options built in a plug and play kinda thing? How hard is it to wire up the power mirrors?

 

The '08 and up mirror control switch has the power fold built into it. But you'll need need to cutout and install the extend/retract switch. Also will need one for the heat option if truck doesn't currently have that feature unless you're wiring them direct to run whenever the truck is on.

It's not a plug and play kind of thing given the plugs are different from the mirror plugs. You'll need to cut and splice together all wires and run wire for features your truck doesn't have. It's not a hard project, more time consuming than anything else. Wires are easily pulled, takes time waiting for all components to arrive via mail, but once you have everything, viewed a schematic or two-pretty easy, straightforward project.

 

depends on how handy you are with wiring and a multimeter / test light. Having done it once, I could probably have the mirrors installed and wired in a few hours.

I installed them mirrors in one evening - pulled the covers, removed the old mirrors, trimmed the studs with a cut off disk, and mounted them in a couple hours.

Wiring was another evening, but took longer because I had to
- hunt around under the dash for the turn signal and marker light wiring
- which meant a trip to the computer / forum search for wire colors
- double checking with my multi-meter
- stuffing wires through the rubber tube in the door hinge
- zip-tying wiring under the dash and stuffing it in plastic loom so it looks clean
- tap power for the fold / extend from the power mirrors
- spend another half hour crimping all the little blade connectors
- half hour making sure I had the connections in the right order
- 2 minutes to pop the panel back out and turn both switches around
- 15 minutes to clean up after myself

If I had to do it again, it would take me about half the time, less if it was done by someone who worked with 12v wiring more often than I do.