Well finally got around to getting my new rearview installed today.
The only problem was trying to remove the factory mirror. It is held on my a stupid clip mechanism that requires luck as well as skill to remove. As it turned out the install shop broke my windshiled trying to remove it. This was even after we contacted the dealer to ask how the mirror was supposed to come off. So now i need to bring my truck to a glass shop and have them replace my windshiled. (there goes another 4 hours)
All this hassle so i can see where i am going and what the temperature is, without trying to look through the steering wheel.

The good news is we did manage to get the factory compass and temerature settings to work along with the new mirror.

If anyone tries todo this to their trucks, bring your truck to the dealer and have them remove the factory mirror first.
I allready went by a local glass place to see if they could even get the mirror off, and their response was once the windshiled was removed they would be able to take it off. I am going by the dealership shortly to see if they can at the very least remove the old mirror so i can use the new mirror till my new windshiled gets installed.
Later Trev

P.S. It is raining outside so i will post pics as soon as it stops raining.

 

Once the current factory mirror is removed (with the secret tool and magic words) is this new mirror as easy as "plug and play"? Where did you get the mirror (manfac/model number)?

 

If it wasnt for the factory crap...i mean mirror, the install would have been done in about 1 hour. It is allmost idiot proof.

I bought ther mirror of Ebay, i posted the info in a previous mirror post a month or so ago.

The bad news was the dealer wasnt able to get the mirror off either. I will have to wait till they replace my windshield.

I have no idea why Ford made the rearview allmost impossible to remove!
Later Trev

 

I like that mirror. I had one almost just like that put into a Mercury Sable when I had it before this truck. There nice and probably loooks very good in ur truck!

 

My old chevy had one very similar to that, it even dimmed when someone behind you is driving with their lights on bright. That's the only thing I miss off of the old truck.

I read several posts about swaping out for one like that, but this post makes me want to skip this mod.

 

My Lariat's rear view mirror dims other cars lights?

 

The one in my chevy had some sort of electro-dimming feature that would darken when there was a bright light shinning on the mirror. Does yours not do that? Or did you misread my post?

 

AK Jay - My Lariat does the electro-dimming thing.

 

The XLT I had, also had the auto dimming, but you can barly tell it's on at night though, that mirror your going to put on probably works a lot better that the auto dimming mirrors we have in our trucks now

 

As soon as they can replace my windshield i will take some pics and let you all know how good it works. We allready tested it and it is much, much better then the factory mirror, especially the look and design of it.
Later Trev

Still cant believe an auto glass shop, and a Ford dealership couldnt remove it without breaking the windshield. Allthough both places the guys said they were the worst to deal with.

 

That sure is a bummer. I was really looking forward to doing this mod. I wonder what the deal is with the mirror/windshield?

 

Update, Our windshileds are pretty expensive around $700 cdn installed. They will be coming to my work to replace mine. When they do i will finally see how that stupid factory mirror comes off. Here is a picture of the damaged caused in the attempt to remove the factory mirror.



Here is a pic of the factory wiring harness attached to the compass circuit board in the background. The new wiring harness is the one closest to the passenger side.
I will be putting the factory harness and compass in the headliner as there is enough room in there for it. (i hope) If not we will extend the wires and install the factory compass somewhere else in the truck.

Trev

 

Well the new mirror is installed, along with my new windshield. Now i can see where im going and how warm it is with out taking my eyes off the road. This is the way it should have come from the factory. But considering it was an extremely easy mod todo, as long as you can find someone who can remove your factopry mirror first.


As you can see the new mirror is much cleaner looking, not as bulky as the factory mirror. If you look closely you can see the factory tucked behind the new mirror. You cant see it from anywhere else insode or outside of the truck.


Hope this helps anyone else who is thinking about changing their rear view mirror.
Later Trev