Electric Power Mirrors Add-on PLEASE

[bartflossom]

Me in a vehicle with manual mirrors:

1. Get out and go around to passenger side and make best guess on alignment.
2. Get back in and see I guessed way off.
3. Get back out and adjust again.
4. Get back in and see it's almost there.
5. Get back out and make minor adjustment.
6. Get back in and see I overshot the adjustment. UGGGGH.
7. Finally get it right.
8. Drive through car wash.
9. Realize it's off again.
10. Decide I can live without looking at it.

 

[cvollers]

Is the Slate side mirror adjustable inside a fixed body mount housing or is the mirror housing adjustable on a fixed stalk (like my motorcycle mirrors)? If motorized, the former is preferred. If manual, the latter. My motorcycle mirrors are a lot easier to adjust than manual car mirrors…

 

[Luxrage]

Some Fords (and I'm sure others) in the 80s and older had manual passenger mirrors with a long cable adjuster that was mounted somewhere on the dashboard. Would be a good idea if they did stick to full manual mirrors. My truck's pretty narrow and I am able to lean over and adjust the passenger mirror with some effort, so hopefully it won't be so bad. If not I'll make a passenger do it for me LOL

Not that it would be a costly addon, although maybe that interferes with their concept of taking the doors off.

 

[Ewwgas]

Shoot, the way this truck comes I'm surprised it even has a passenger side mirror... remember the old base model cars with only the drivers side?

 

[Luxrage]

Shoot, the way this truck comes I'm surprised it even has a passenger side mirror... remember the old base model cars with only the drivers side?

I drove one for a few years, while I didn't NEED the side mirror, I definitely wouldn't go back to another car without one. This car was how I found out UHaul requires TWO mirrors on a car to rent a trailer...

 

[JeffVA]

The truck is small enough that you just have to roll down the passenger window and lean over and adjust it. Don't overcomplicate the simplicity of it.

How did people survive in the 60ies and 70ies???

 

[bartflossom]

The truck is small enough that you just have to roll down the passenger window and lean over and adjust it. Don't overcomplicate the simplicity of it.

How did people survive in the 60ies and 70ies???

Back about 10 years ago I bought a 69 C-10 which was something I had always wanted. The passenger mirror drove me crazy. The right door window crank was barely working and required a crap-ton of torque to turn so going out and around the truck was easier. But the damn mirror wouldn't stay in place for more than 2 days.

If the Slate one will stay put, I'll be o.k., but if they make a electric adjuster or even a manual one with the cable, I'll be the first in line.

 

[SlateModGarage]

I will work on a Bluetooth design for you.

 

[cvollers]

I will work on a Bluetooth design for you.

There’s a four button Bluetooth module for the right side of the steering wheel that controls audio. Just needs a center button toggle to switch between audio, driver mirror, and passenger mirror.

 

[JeffVA]

Some didn't...

Obviously. Well they said this wasn't going to be for everyone. For those who like all the gadgets, buttons, tech, screens, self driving, 12 speaker stereos, etc.... Elon has a truck for you

 

[Ewwgas]

I just think electric mirrors are a safety issue. Trust me, I spent a good few hundred thousand miles driving manual mirrors and cars with just a drivers mirror only.

I agree here, anytime you switch drivers it takes a bit to get the mirrors right, even if you think they are good in the driveway a few miles down the road when you are settled in, small adjustments are handy.

 

[bartflossom]

The truck is small enough that you just have to roll down the passenger window and lean over and adjust it.

Can't. I have T-Rex arms.

 

[SlateModGarage]

There’s a four button Bluetooth module for the right side of the steering wheel that controls audio. Just needs a center button toggle to switch between audio, driver mirror, and passenger mirror.

Hey everyone,

So I went down a rabbit hole last night after seeing the discussion about Bluetooth mirrors and the steering wheel’s Bluetooth connector. Turns out, there’s actually a pretty cool possibility here: I contacted a manufacturer in China, and they’ve got a model that could work perfectly. These mirrors can be controlled with a phone app and pair with the steering wheel’s Bluetooth controller, making installation super streamlined.

Originally, the retail price would have been around $250–$270, which is pretty reasonable for something this high-tech. But with tariffs, that jumps to about $700–$800 per set, which is a bit steep right now.

These mirrors use rechargeable batteries that can last 6 months to a year, so you don’t have to worry about frequent charging. If you want to bypass wiring for turn signals, there’s an additional plug-in Bluetooth module that goes inside the vehicle. This module detects when turn signals are activated and sends the signal to the mirrors, so you get turn signals without any complicated wiring.

I’m looking into U.S. manufacturers as well, but it’s tough to find one that can handle the entire process—design, glass cutting, battery integration, app development, and packaging. In China, you get everything done under one roof, which makes the process a lot simpler.

I’m going to keep exploring options and see if the costs come down. If that happens, these Bluetooth mirrors could be a game-changer. Appreciate all the ideas—this community is awesome for brainstorming this kind of stuff!

 

[TheShark]

How did people survive in the 60ies and 70ies???

I lived through manual mirrors, they were a PITA to keep adjusted and god forbid if you changed drivers. I can live without some things but power mirrors isn't one of them, just seems like a basic safety issue if nothing else, kind of like have a passenger side mirror. I think we have the Japanese to thank for the ubiquitous power mirrors now being standard across the board.

 

[SlateModGarage]

At the production cost level, it's a door switch, two wire harnesses, and electic motors in the mirror head. There are hundreds of mirror motors already in production, which I'm sure are found in an automotive engineering catalog.

Trying to go Bluetooth seems like an overreach.

agreed. There is lots of kits already out there. Nun for me to be innovating and original with. I am sure others will have a kit quickly. I like the crazy ideas and try to make them.