I know this has been beat to death like a rented mule but I could use some clarification. First I have the standard power mirrors on my SD. I want to replace them with towing mirrors(go figure). I have found kits and such that will do the trick but I would realy like to have the mirrors with the turn signal indicator built in to them. The only problem I see is I can't find any except for at the stealer which want like $350-$400s per mirror ($300 for the mirror and $95 for the lense (what a joke)). These also are heat mirrors which would be fine I would just have to do some creative wiring with the addition of a switch or something.

First, where is a good place to buy mirrors at a reasonable price?

Second, the towing mirrors will bolt right up if I'm not mistakin, right??

Third, outside of the actual wiring are ther any other problems with doing this??

lastly, If I can't find the ones I want (with turn signals built in) for the right price does anybody know of good aftermarket replacements that are at least power? and how much did you pay and where did you get them????

I don't want to put junk on my $30k pick-up so if you have any comments good or bad about a particular brand I would like to hear them.

I need a set before I put my slide-in camper in this spring. Help!!!!!!!

(guess I probably have at least three months to think about it)

 

I did the same swap a few months ago. I had the same questions and researched a bunch of aftermarket mirrors. Stay away from aftermarket as they are all junk and if you break one or the glass, there generally are no replacement parts. I found, and have seen quite often, brand new still in box Ford OEM part numbered tow mirrors on Ebay. I found mine there for under $300 shipped to my door. They are actual ford mirrors. They are heated, telescoping, power mirrors with no turnsignals. Easy bolt on installation. You may have to modify your wiring depending on model year of your truck.
Do a search of this website for the instructions.
Also look into C-better spot mirrors for the tow mirrors!
Also check out the classifieds on this site for mirrors-I seen a set here for less money shortly after I bought mine on Ebay.

 

Thats kind of the impression I was getting about aftermarket mirrors but since I haven't actually seen any I didn't know. I have a hard time paying $600 for mirrors from ford thouth, if you know what I mean. Hopefully I can find a set of OEMs for around that $300 mark. I would really like to get the signaled mirrors if I can find some as I do think that they look really sharp and I like the added visability of the signals for on coming traffic. I'll keep an eye out in the classifieds and I'll have to look around the salvage yards as they do come across them occasionally.

Thanks for the info.

 

Bumpidy Bump - a few of you other guys have to know something about this!

 

I'll give this one more try - Bumpidy Bump

 

I purchased my replacement mirror from the dealer for $208 + tax, originally was told $247 + tax, but I asked the parts guy if he can do better, he asked me if I used thr truck for business to which I said yes, and he lowered the price to $208. They would have installed it for $337 + tax.

That's for the drivers side, I heard that the passenger side is a little bit cheaper

 

Look on E-bay. It is a great place to find parts and accesories.

 

I've never dealt on ebay and don't want to try so I just called dealer. $350.00 for tow mirror kit (incl. both mirrors) and $90.00 install (decided to let them do it even though the install is all spelled out on this site and others). Just hope I don't regret going to the tow mirrors 'cause I was getting used to the others.

As to the question, no signals without some custom wiring (which others hereon have done with success--not that brave to go wiring stuff in a $30k plus truck since I've wired some junkers and boy did they start to smoke and, uh, flame a little).

 

Taulk to your mechanic he should be able to buy them from ford for around 250$ ,mine did and what a difference.

 

How about on the forum. I recently bought a set of 2004-05 oem ford superduty towing signal mirrors with heat,telescopic and power , brand new , complete and shipped for the sum of $280,including insured shipping and they were perfect in every way and as stated. Now all I have to do is find time to install and run signal and heat wires. I answered an ad on the forum with a fellow ford enthusiast an e mail. worked fine for me.

 

The Signaling and lights are no problem for me to wire I guess I'm just wondering about the wiring for the heat option now. I'm Guessing I will need to add a rocker/toggle switch in order to have an activation pont for the heat?? other than that I thing I'm going to have to go for it. I've found a set of what I wanted for $300 so now it's down to ordering and wiring.

Thanks for the help.

 

Ford wires the heating element hot all the time the ignition is on. Ford Service department told me the element draws minimal amps. I wired my heating wire into the power locks supply inside the door. One wire hook up. Works great.

 

That's great to hear. thanks for the reply. It makes the install that much easier. any other wiring info would be great but I beleive the rest should be a cake walk. I guess the heating is too I just haven't ever looked to see which wires are available on the mirrors themselves. thanks again.

 

CORRECTION FROM PREV NOTE> > >
sorry I had a brain fart-
I wired the heating elements into the power supply for the windows-not the locks. The locks are hot all the time-even when the truck is off-this would be unneeded.
If your truck currently has power mirrors, just plug and play for the power wires. Wire the heating element into a hot feed when ignition is on-power windows. I believe the turnsignal mirrors were new on 2003 or 2004 models-older model trucks will not have the wiring in the doors for turnsignals. You will need to pull wire from the truck cab into the doors for your signals, couldn't tell you where to find the simplist place to splice. Wiring will be hardest part. Actual mirror swap took me 45 minutes on mine with no turn signals.
Steve

 

Related to this thread, does anyone know what switches the OEM heat elements on in a factory set-up F350 CC? Neither of my mirrors heats and I think that I either have a switching problem or a brain fart as to how to turn them on...