Autodim Rear Mirrors

Stanley

Stanley

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302
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Canada
Vehicle Details
1997 Thunderbird 4.6L V8
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Does anyone know what specific Ford or Gentex models of rear-view mirror can swap into Tbirds and fit properly?

With the powerful lights on the road everywhere, I'd really like to add this to my car. Thanks.
 
Stanley said:
Does anyone know what specific Ford or Gentex models of rear-view mirror can swap into Tbirds and fit properly?

With the powerful lights on the road everywhere, I'd really like to add this to my car. Thanks.
Click to expand...


There’s really not a specific one, Gentex autodimming mirrors all mostly mount the same(which is the same as stock), some have extra features like a compass and are color coordinated to the car they came from(blue green etc) but I’d say pretty much any 90s-early 2010s Ford or GM one will work. Stick with midsize-full size models though, the mirror in compacts(like my Focus) are considerably narrower.
 
Yes, I've actually added two. First one from a Taurus, then one from an Avalon (to get the garage door opener).

The base on the windshield is a standardized part, not specific to any brand. The thing that does change between models is how the mirror is attached to the base. Our stock mirror has a metal clip inside the foot of the mirror. Other Fords have a metal clamp around the foot. The single best method is a set screw through the foot, which you find on many Japanese cars; easy to install and to remove. Removing the stock mirror requires patience, a small angled pin, and a tiny hammer; proceed at your own risk.

97s, and presumably all years, are pre-wired for the mirror up until the connector behind the driver side B-pillar trim. There will be a purple/orange wire carrying ignition ON power.
 
1997ThunderbirdLXV6 said:
97s, and presumably all years, are pre-wired for the mirror up until the connector behind the driver side B-pillar trim. There will be a purple/orange wire carrying ignition ON power.
Click to expand...

Definitely not on my 94. I had to tap into the moonroof wiring to get an ignition source for it. The autodimming mirror that was was optional had different connectors than most of the Gentexes you find as well IIRC
 
1997ThunderbirdLXV6 said:
You checked the connector at the bottom of the B-pillar? Behind the seat belt retractor?
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Ooh I gotcha I misread, I thought you were saying it was prewired other than the reverse wire from that connector. You’re correct, all MN12s are prewired up until that point, the roof harness beyond is option specific
 
XR7-4.6 said:
Ooh I gotcha I misread, I thought you were saying it was prewired other than the reverse wire from that connector. You’re correct, all MN12s are prewired up until that point, the roof harness beyond is option specific
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Yes, that's what I meant. Which makes installation really easy and clean. Just get another like connector from the junkyard, remove pins, and add pins to your connector in the unused spots, extend wires as needed.
 
1997ThunderbirdLXV6 said:
Yes, that's what I meant. Which makes installation really easy and clean. Just get another like connector from the junkyard, remove pins, and add pins to your connector in the unused spots, extend wires as needed.
Click to expand...

Exactly… I didn’t do that with mine… but I’m putting a regular mirror back so it all works out lol
 
What didn't you like about the AD mirror? I was considering it.
 
Grog6 said:
What didn't you like about the AD mirror? I was considering it.
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Nothing really, the mirror I have has a blue compass and the color clash annoys me. I don’t find the autodim function all that essential to seek out another one, so I’m just simplifying back to stock
 
I gotcha. That mirror you describe is what I have also, and similarly, don't need a compass. Oh, I also got your meaning on the ammeter being a fire risk; the meter shunt hits 600F @60A. Won't be using it.
 
Grog6 said:
I gotcha. That mirror you describe is what I have also, and similarly, don't need a compass. Oh, I also got your meaning on the ammeter being a fire risk; the meter shunt hits 600F @60A. Won't be using it.
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I actually wanted it solely for the compass ironically 🤣 I was just unpleasantly surprised by its color after I wired it up. I’m actually thinking I might throw it in the Focus since it has blue interior lights, the one in it’s starting to delaminate anyway
 
1997ThunderbirdLXV6 said:
Yes, I've actually added two. First one from a Taurus, then one from an Avalon (to get the garage door opener).

The base on the windshield is a standardized part, not specific to any brand. The thing that does change between models is how the mirror is attached to the base. Our stock mirror has a metal clip inside the foot of the mirror. Other Fords have a metal clamp around the foot. The single best method is a set screw through the foot, which you find on many Japanese cars; easy to install and to remove. Removing the stock mirror requires patience, a small angled pin, and a tiny hammer; proceed at your own risk.

97s, and presumably all years, are pre-wired for the mirror up until the connector behind the driver side B-pillar trim. There will be a purple/orange wire carrying ignition ON power.
Click to expand...
I like this idea. So the wires are at the base of the B pillar? How did you route it around to the mirror? Maybe my 94 has them pre-fitted?
 
andy625uk said:
I like this idea. So the wires are at the base of the B pillar? How did you route it around to the mirror? Maybe my 94 has them pre-fitted?
Click to expand...

Yes, in a connector behind the seat belt retractor. You have to remove the rear seat and rear side trim.

The wire routing is really up to you, but I went up the B-pillar and along the inside roof trim and front edge of the headliner. Not worth dropping the headliner for this.

And wires, i.e., plural, is almost an overstatement. Strictly speaking, you only need ignition power. You ground the mirror to the roof, just like the map lights. That connector also has a wire that's hot when you shift into reverse, to un-dim the mirror when backing up; in practice, it's unnecessary in my opinion.
 
That's handy for adding a backup camera.
 
I've seen aftermarket mirrors with a video screen in them.Depending on the install, it could be convenient to use.
 
Grog6 said:
I've seen aftermarket mirrors with a video screen in them.Depending on the install, it could be convenient to use.
Click to expand...
If they are anything like the OEM rearview mirrors with video screens in them I wouldn't bother. Most of the time, the image is so small and fuzzy you can't see much anyway. I'm old fashioned. I just swing my head around and look behind me.
 
KevinVarnes said:
If they are anything like the OEM rearview mirrors with video screens in them I wouldn't bother. Most of the time, the image is so small and fuzzy you can't see much anyway. I'm old fashioned. I just swing my head around and look behind me.
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Based on what @Ericv8thunderbird said with his experience with those mirrors I’m glad I went with the touchscreen head unit instead. I’ve yet to actually reverse the car in the wild with it, but considering I took this pic at midnight and my Focus is quite visible it seems promising

IMG_8214.png
 
I won't be adding one, Cougars aren't hard to see out of.
I was originally going to put a touchscreen in the dash, and use a laptop with all my music on it; but it takes too much attention to use. I prefer knobs.
 
XR7-4.6 said:
Based on what @Ericv8thunderbird said with his experience with those mirrors I’m glad I went with the touchscreen head unit instead. I’ve yet to actually reverse the car in the wild with it, but considering I took this pic at midnight and my Focus is quite visible it seems promising

View attachment 16913
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I’m much happier with the camera on the radio than the mirror.
I ended up turning off the guided lines, it doesn’t help on this unit, different story with my truck. But that’s a factory camera and radio.
 
Ericv8thunderbird said:
I’m much happier with the camera on the radio than the mirror.
I ended up turning off the guided lines, it doesn’t help on this unit, different story with my truck. But that’s a factory camera and radio.
Click to expand...

I didn’t know they could, but I’ve not read a page of instructions on this thing past the wiring diagram 😆
 
I always read the manual. Stuff often has features you may never see otherwise.
 
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