Redneck_ranger
Banned
I'm not sure, talk to Hooligan. He knows more about the mirrors than I do.
New Mirrors
- Thread starter DPG3
- Start date
Fx4wannabe01
New Member
There really aren't many options available to you. 2006+ Ranger, up to '01 Explorer, and up to '05 Explorer Sport and Sport Trac are the only mirrors that will swap onto your truck without looking like it's from the 70's with 3 screws in the middle of your door. Those you linked......are DOG ugly in my opinion. Below are your options...
You have a 2004 Edge. Factory they came with styled mirrors and not the "flag" mirrors someone was bringing up earlier. These extensions mount to your existing mirrors...
I prefer this option for it's cleanliness (if you have to go this route)...http://www.stylintrucks.com/parts/slide-on_towing_mirrors/1104000017_114.aspx
http://www.stylintrucks.com/parts/cipa_clip-on_towing_mirror/1104000017_1806.aspx
The other option is going to a 2006+ Ranger mirror. It offers considerably more vertical mirror glass, as well as some added to the outside corners (because it's so square). I wasn't too sure of doing this mod, so I drove around a few days with just one attached, then fell in love with the added visibility. I noticed considerably more newly added visibility on the passenger side than the driver's side.
And you can get them with caps so you can paint to match your truck...
I added adjustable blindspot mirrors ($3/pair)...
http://www.ksource.org/UniversalPro...On+and+Clamp-On+Mirrors&ID=11&ProductNo=C0400
Ever since driving tow trucks for a living, my mirrors have felt very tiny. So, I purchased some new blindspot mirrors that fit perfect, and they add even more outside visibility for me. I actually find myself using them instead of the intended mirror glass for every day driving. I haven't yet towed any trailers with them, but I can tell they'll be more than enough for added visibility for me ($3 ea)...
http://www.ksource.org/UniversalPro...On+and+Clamp-On+Mirrors&ID=27&ProductNo=CW072
Which leads me to my opinion for your needs: Upgrade to 06+ mirrors, and slap on the CW072 blind spot mirrors(or something similar).
Scrambler82
Old Guy User
I have only heard but the Cool Vues tend to be a little loose, you might try a local JY and see if you can get a pair of OEM Mirror.
Fx4wannabe01
New Member
That I am. lol.
Just take your time and it'll turn out just fine. I haven't any experience on swapping electric mirrors over, but I'm sure it's pretty straight forward. The plugs are different between the -05 and 06+ mirrors, so cutting and crimping will be necessary. I already know how I'll be doing it when/if the occasion ever happens.... I was going to swap plugs on the mirror side....solder and heat shrink. Straight up factory look if you open up the door panel.
Redneck_ranger
Banned
Yeah, those are the 06 style mirrors. They'll be great, while still keeping the stock look of the truck.
Scrambler82
Old Guy User
Now that you know what you want, take a walk thru a couple of JYs and see what they have.
OEM units will be made of a better quality, some of the after market mirrors are not made well.
OEM all the way on mirrors.
Redneck_ranger
Banned
That's not surprising.
Fx4wannabe01
New Member
That was my opinion as well.....
...Until two my friends bought Keystone brand replacements. The mirror glass wiggled less than my OEM's that I bought directly from Ford. And they were very reasonably priced and readily available and if you ordered the style with the caps, you got a set of chrome caps AND a set of paintable caps!
Best part about it: one friend busted his off on a tree and needed a replacement. His replacement: needed no modding to fit his '05 and down truck! The side that mounts to the door was exactly as his were that upgraded from.
So it's something to ponder...
Fx4wannabe01
New Member
Depends on the yard. ALOT of the yards that have newer vehicles are private closed to the public yards. And typically, they're part of a big auto recycler organization with internal inventories that are shared with other yards. The yards you pay a buck or whatever to go into and u-pull the parts yourself are public yards and they typically have old junk....ie 10-15 year old vehicles. But a surprising amount of up to 2001 explorers do show up quite a bit. At least they do at my local U-pull's.
It really helps having hookups at yards.... especially closed to the public yards that you get to stroll through with your buddy to give him a break from the computer. lol.
But for what it's worth, on this type of mod, you'll want to go new. At least that's my opinion to go new on something like mirrors.
Scrambler82
Old Guy User
Do you think the Keystone Units are good quality ?
I have never had an OEM Unit “Wiggle”, what does it do vibrate when moving along ?
I will need to visit a store with the Keystone product and take a better look.
If good I may buy them too.
so i dont have to mod the connectors to fit my 04? and im having a hard time finding keystones products.. wait is keystone koolvue?
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Fx4wannabe01
New Member
The word "wiggle" may have been a word I may have exaggerated on a little bit. In reality and in person, the Keystone brand mirrors were on-par with OE quality. My OEM Ford mirrors wiggle around ever so sightly mostly due to out-of-round tires thus making the truck bounce at speed, so my truck will be different than most. The wiggle/shake is nothing like a '82 chevy pickup with worn out mirror bushings..... like I said, ever so slightly. The Keysone mirror glass "shook" less than my OEM brand new Ford brand units.
I think the Keystone's are the best choice in regards to price vs. quality. This based on two local friends who upgraded their mirrors. I'm actually considering getting a pair with the caps for my truck. Color matched.
Also Grev, I'm working on signals for '06+ mirrors. I'll hook you and Pedro up if I perfect my idea.
My bad........my notes were regarding non-power equipped trucks. I'm 112% sure the plugs are different. I was more-so speaking on the mounting to the truck. Some drill out the door holes out bigger while others, like myself currently, shave the mirrors and make them fit the truck. I've done both.
If you have ran LKQ yard in your area, LKQ is a big seller of Keystone after market parts.