Are power mirrors easy to install?

[DM616]

I'm contemplating about removing my old ones and re-painting them because the original owner ****ed up the paintjob or just buy new black ones.

And this may be a stupid question but there is apparently a Japan and US based model...which is which? After looking at the mirrors I know mines the US model but eh.

[Chris Crash]

Japan ones fold.

And yeah they're easy. You just need power, ground, and then to wire up the buttons.

[Mike Gerber]

Remove the black triangular piece from inside the car. It just pulls off. With that removed you will see the 3 bolts and the electrical connector that needs to be disconnected. That's all there is to it. Each side should be a 5 minute job.

Mike

[DM616]

Thanks Crash and Mike, so it's that easy? What do you guys think I should do, leave my mirrors like this:



remove the paintjob and possibly re-paint

or just buy new ones?

[LynchburgCSI]

Meh, just repaint them them. Why spend money when you don't need to? Unless you WANT to replace them.

[DM616]

Well I'd have to buy the paint :P. Plus the US mirrors seem to be $60 shipped for both unless I need to buy other parts along with the mirrors?

But you're right, I have to figure out my whole thing about painting this. My uncle is going to help me along with the paintjob but it's been 2 months since I've been asking.

Need to paint hood, bumper, and the mirrors. I might as well just take the first two to MAACO and get new mirrors but I might leave them I don't really care for them but it'd be nice.

[LynchburgCSI]

Well, you'd have to paint the new ones too! If youre going to be putting in power mirrors, there's more involved than just paint and install. You'd have to do some wiring.

ALSO.... IMPORTANT. Check your vin number. If it starts with a 4 your camry was made in Kentucky. If it starts with a J it's made in Japan. The mirrors are different depending on where the car was made. Just an odd quirk.

[DM616]

Lol Kentucky D:. Yah it starts with a 4. What are differences anyways? Been wondering.

Anyways, I forgot about the whole primered/painting thing, so I'll just be waiting and re-paint them one day.

I just can't wait to have my Camry looking all pretty again <_<

[LynchburgCSI]

Difference between the Kentucky/Japan built cars? Airbag screws and mirrors. And the fact that Japan models have punch outs of child seat anchors. There's just a few little weird things that really dont matter. I think the front bumper bars on japan models are welded on too instead of using rivets... I'm not 100% sure.

[Chris Crash]

4T vin is TMC and J vin is TMMK so mechanical differences too, right?

I know Gen 4 has the TMC/TMMK difference.

[LynchburgCSI]

Mechanically for gen 3? I don't think there's any difference. We all know how to nit-pick through the FSM's though. Gen 4... i'm not sure.

[dave1811]

You Tube

You Tube

Here is a link to remove the mirror on a 97-01 Camry.

Dave

[DM616]

Can't I just buy an aftermarket black powered mirror like the video says?

[dave1811]

You already have power mirrors, right? Just wanting to replace them/paint them? I bought a black power mirror off of Rock auto for I think around $50-60 and it took around 5 minutes to install. Piece of cake. You can take it to a body shop to match your paint. A couple of different shops quoted me around $50-$75 to match the paint.

If it is not already power, then you would have to maybe add wiring, power switch, etc? Both my 99 Camrys my kids drive came with power mirrors, one being a CE model and one an LE model.


Dave

[Mike Gerber]

Try Certifit for a price for a replacement mirror for your year. They usually have some real good prices on aftermarket body parts. Here's the link to their website:

http://www.certifit.com/Default.aspx?

Mike