Hey Moose, here is what I found out regarding this mirror/opener/temp display unit. I called Gentex on this link I will provide:
http://www.mitocorp.com/homelink-aut...g-mirrors.html
I asked where in my town is an authorized dealer? They said you can buy from us direct or in my case, there was a local shop 10 miles away called Spectrum Sound. They do all kinds of installs like fog lights, audio, you name it. Their lot was filled with new dealer cars that still had the dealer temp tags. My own Toyota dealer sends cars there to sub out work. They said 80% of the business was car dealers so I trust them. They said they would sell me the mirror with home-link for 249.00 or the one with temp and compass for $349.00. I think that is about 50 bucks off MSRP.
I asked about wiring and they said they pull the auto dim part from the overhead console and then they run a wire under the liner down the A-pillar to a hot lead for the display and Homelink functions. I understand they need to hook to a lead that is hot only with ignition on so it is not drawing power 24/7. Since I have never done this before, I asked about their install price. For me it was a no brainer. They would do the straight auto dim and home-link for 25 bucks or the one I ordered today for 46 bucks. They have to run a temp probe into the engine compartment. They said I will be in and out in 1.5 hours. No brainer for 46 bucks in my book. Getting it done next week.
I asked why they do not offer it at the dealer and this shop said, if Toyota could just tap in by the light as they do with the self dim mirror option, they would do it. Once you have to screw around with going down the A-pillar, they bow out and start subbing work to him.
I miss some of the features in my last car and at least now I can get a couple of them back. Too bad I can't get one with the trip fuel econ! That's another story, no way for us Base guys to get that.
Linear Mode
