[Steve G PW]

So, I saw a member had added garage door buttons to his dash recently and I thought that was a great idea. I wanted to share what I did to solve the same problem (garage door remote floating about the car).
I bought an auto-dimming rear view mirror at a wrecking yard that came off of an infinity Q35 (homelink version).
I also picked up a harness from a Mazda RX8... similar mirror. They're all pretty much the same thing other than some have compasses and some have backup cameras, etc,

I love not having to flip the dimmer lever on the mirror anymore.

It's a little larger than stock... but, I can see around it just fine. It was easy to wire up and I don't have to worry about my floating (easy to grab) garage door opener any more.

I like the buttons in the dash from the other member... But, this was quick and easy too

PS: You can buy GENTEX mirrors on ebay from $50 to $300 depending on what they come with and whether they're new or used. GENTEX is the major manufacturer of almost all of the Homelink / compass / lighted / auto-dimming mirrors for most vehicles

 

[03txspyder]

Well you sure have been busy lately!

 

[Steve G PW]

Well you sure have been busy lately!

Yup! Just doing what Toyota should have done in the first place. (and I love driving this machine!)

 

[Uncle Mush]

. . . Love what you did there. How much did you have to pay for the mirror and harness?

 

[Steve G PW]

. . . Love what you did there. How much did you have to pay for the mirror and harness?

Thanks! $50 with harness.

 

[FiJi]

I freekin love that wood grain center console! Is it wrapped?
Looks great brother

 

[Steve G PW]

I freekin love that wood grain center console! Is it wrapped?
Looks great brother

Thanks FiJi. More pics and description in the Appearance section http://spyderchat.com/forums/showthread.php?52585-New-Center-Console-Rainy-Day-Install

 

[madmaxbiaggi]

Is it as easy as wiring up power? If so, did you connect to the dome light wire?

 

[Steve G PW]

Is it as easy as wiring up power? If so, did you connect to the dome light wire?

It's an auto-dimming mirror with Homlink.

- Full time 12v for the Homlink
- Switched 12v for auto-dimming
- Ground
- Reverse wire to turn of auto dimmer when backing up (I didn't hook that one up)

The plug / harness I got from the RX8 had it's own wire colors so I had to find a pinout for the mirror.
I decided not to tap into the dome and I ran a 3-strand wire down the A-pillar chase to the fuse block. I had a stereo installed right around the same time... so, I had the installer hook-up the power to the mirror based on my schematic.

 

[Rampage]

Nice mod. I love to see people do mods that make the car better than it was from the factory. This is definitely one of them.

 

[Steve G PW]

Nice mod. I love to see people do mods that make the car better than it was from the factory. This is definitely one of them.

Thanks, Rampage!

 

[T-bone]

0000000000000000

 

[Steve G PW]

did you wire that into the dome light?

some detail here for the wiring challenged would be cool

No, T-bone... I ran a 3 strand wire down to the fuse block area (through the A-Pillar chase).

I needed: Constant 12v, Switched 12v, and Ground (see post #9 - four posts up)

 

[xbiker]

OK, you have been redeemed. I'm not a fan of the Boxster bars, but you have a lot of skill in the modding department. Good work, mane.

 

[Steve G PW]

OK, you have been redeemed. I'm not a fan of the Boxster bars, but you have a lot of skill in the modding department. Good work, mane.

Thanks, xbiker!

 

[The_Tango]

Anyway to list the size of the new morror or hold the original up next to the new one and post a pic?

 

[Steve G PW]

Anyway to list the size of the new morror or hold the original up next to the new one and post a pic?

Here's a pic comparing the original to the new mirror. Keep in mind... Gentex makes a variety of sizes... this one was made for a Q35 and other smaller to mid-sized cars

Here's a few other views of the mirror in place:

 

[Erdoc48]

That is one very nicely modded Spyder. Best of luck with it. You've done some pretty sweet mods already. I love the mirror mod with the Homelink. Nice touch!

 

[Steve G PW]

That is one very nicely modded Spyder. Best of luck with it. You've done some pretty sweet mods already. I love the mirror mod with the Homelink. Nice touch!

Thanks Erdoc!

 

[butch_mr2]

Very nice touches. I wonder if you have taken pictures when you did this and somewhat put the documentation in the how-to section. A lot of people would benefit from this. I know I will. Thanks.