Adding homelink...

[gchu]

I have a base 2011 Highlander with tech package... Stupid me didn't read the details close enough but I had thought it came with homelink...

Anyway, before I let myself get creamed by the dealer to trade up to a SE... what's the best way to add homelink.

I had done a search and saw many linked Gentrex, but there are a number of different models.

I just want autodim w/homelink... No need for temperature as it's on the multi-function display... a compass would be nice to have but not a must have.

Questions I have is:

1 - There are a number of Prius mirrors on Ebay with homelink... will those work in the Highlander?

2 - Which Gentrex model have people prefered/liked?

3 - And, of course, what's the best price/source to get one?

From what I've seen of the searched threads, it seems easy to install but I did see one person get quoted less than $50 to install it.... May be worth not risking damaging the headliner/overhead console.

Thanks!

[Thunderchief]

Guess you saw my thread:

Homelink+Mirror

Number one, it drives me batty not to know the outside temp, I had to get one with the temp but could care less about the compass. It's a package deal, you get one with the other. For me, I could not see going to all this trouble and not get the temp gauge. I did not pay close enough attention, maybe you have a temp reading on your HL and I did not.

I elected to have it done by a pro because it is under a warranty from them. I never fooled much with car wires. The needed to pull a wire from the dome and the A-pillar.

Did I pay more than e-bay? Sure I did but sometimes you just have to weigh the time+knowledge to do these things vs price.

I am real happy I had it done by a place that does all the car dealer mods for dealer installed options. They knew what they were doing and did a great job.

[gchu]

Yea I saw your thread. Great information and seems like you really liked it. Any problems with the mirror getting "loose" from pressing buttons on it regularly? My Titan had homelink in it's overhead console (along with compass and temp) but never had a vehicle with one on the mirror

I saw another thread about trying a Prius set up but never heard the results.

In hindsite I do kick myself for doing more research on 2011's as I had been negotiating for a couple of 2010 hybrid highlanders. When the deals both fell through in the last day of the month.. I stopped at a third dealer and they were really willing to work put a deal on 2011 Gas Highlanders (they didnt have 2010s left and trot hybrids were all limited/loaded at 40k+ each). I wound up with a base awd v6 with tech and tow packages with crossbars for $30.8k and they gave me $3k more in trade than the hybrid dealers. And I got 0% financing instead of the $750 rebate.

If I had known about the SE trim level and equipment.. I may have spent the extra $2k for it to get all the extras (moonroof, leather, homelink). Would have only been am extra $35/month...

Oh well.. Then I wouldnt have all these little "projects" :-)

[Thunderchief]

Originally Posted by gchu

Yea I saw your thread. Great information and seems like you really liked it. Any problems with the mirror getting "loose" from pressing buttons on it regularly? " :-)

Nope, not a problem at all, the mirror is really on there. Sometimes you get what you pay for. I could have gone less money but would the quality have been the same? I dunno, maybe. I did pay some big bucks but I did not have to screw around all day tearing up the car. My install cost at the Spectrum Sound place was peanuts because I bought it there and probably paid more retail than e-bay.

I also screwed up by getting a base and then adding all the stuff you see on my sig. We have all been there at some time.

[bingo883]

I installed a homelink just like this in my 2010 Scion xb.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHARC...Q5fAccessories

All I did was wired it up with the dome light power line (always hot), find a place to cut a small hole on the roof liner and install the unit. It looks VERY OEM and cost you thirty bucks...

[gchu]

That looks pretty slick.... Thanks for a plan B.... I may stick with pursuing the mirror route as the extra $$ gets me auto-dim as well

So... anyone use the Prius homelink auto dim mirror in the highlander?

[gchu]

Anyone know if the mirror mount in a 2012 the "standard wedge" mount? Found a new homelink/autodim mirror for a "standard wedge mount" ford for a really good price

Thanks!