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Upgraded/Modern rearview mirrors for classics?

Posted By: Kern Dog

Upgraded/Modern rearview mirrors for classics? - 10/27/15 04:52 AM

In the ongoing quest to make my 70 Charger more fun to drive, (including long distances) I want to install a modern style rearview mirror in the car. Years back a buddy installed one in his 71 Challenger. It had an auto-dimming feature along with a numeric display for temperature or a compass, not sure which. I'd love to have this sort of thing for my car. Does anyone know of an aftermarket kit like this?
Posted By: Kern Dog

Re: Upgraded/Modern rearview mirrors for classics? - 10/27/15 04:59 AM

As often is the case, I am behind the curve.

http://www.amazon.com/CIPA-36400-Dimming-Rearview-Temperature/dp/B00029WSWW

This seems right. Price is about half of what my buddy paid for his in 2003.
Posted By: OzHemi

Re: Upgraded/Modern rearview mirrors for classics? - 10/27/15 04:42 PM

I used a mirror out of a late 90's Suburban in my car..just grabbed the sensor for the outside temp and wiring plugs needed and wired it up. (compass is built into it too) super cheap and works great.

(Free in my case as I was chopping up the Suburban at the time like I do for a lot of them for the big blocks to ship to Oz, but plenty of them around for parts in general as well)
Posted By: Pyper70

Re: Upgraded/Modern rearview mirrors for classics? - 10/27/15 04:55 PM

I want to install a rearview mirror with a small Android screen so I can get GPS and also install a rearview camera which switches automatically when placed in Reverse
Posted By: jcc

Re: Upgraded/Modern rearview mirrors for classics? - 10/27/15 06:33 PM

I use a "retro" but still very functional "wink" mirror on my cars, It really upsets the passengers when they see me change lanes without turning my head, and cleans up the aero when I remove any outside OEM mirrors.
Posted By: Kern Dog

Re: Upgraded/Modern rearview mirrors for classics? - 10/27/15 07:19 PM

Those multi-panel WINK mirrors were everywhere in the 80s!
Posted By: MarkZ

Re: Upgraded/Modern rearview mirrors for classics? - 10/28/15 09:22 PM

I pulled a GNTX-104 out of an early 90's Plymouth years ago and wired it into the 5A.



I got it and the harness for $15 about ten years ago. It's been working fine ever since. Was easy enough to wire too. I already had a compass/temp readout in the overhead I pulled from a later model Fifth Avenue.
Posted By: Sneke_Eyez

Re: Upgraded/Modern rearview mirrors for classics? - 11/05/15 06:09 PM

If you like, I have a complete mirror, autodimming, compass, temperature, homelink garage door opener, and LED map lights out of a Stratus R/T for sale with the temperature sensor and a wiring harness for less money than that basic model on Amazon.

PM me if you're interested in it.
Posted By: Kern Dog

Re: Upgraded/Modern rearview mirrors for classics? - 11/05/15 08:44 PM

That is kind of you, but I did already buy one. It has what you describe except the lights. Those would have been nice to have.
Posted By: roadrunner7020

Re: Upgraded/Modern rearview mirrors for classics? - 11/05/15 11:20 PM

I like this idea. If anyone could share photos and details of a finished unit I'd love to see it.
Posted By: Kern Dog

Re: Upgraded/Modern rearview mirrors for classics? - 12/11/15 06:52 AM

The installation has begun.
The stock mirror has a base that has 2 functions. 1) It supports the mirror. 2) It secures the ends of the sun visors.
The new mirror is attached to the windshield. I still wanted something to hold the sun visors in place so I cut the stem from a unit with a bad mirror. I thought it would look a little better with some texture to it, so I spritzed it with some rubberized undercoating.

Attached picture V  M.JPG
Attached picture VM.JPG
Posted By: Kern Dog

Re: Upgraded/Modern rearview mirrors for classics? - 12/11/15 06:54 AM

The mirror has a temperature display. I ran the sensor below the LH side of the front bumper. The wires follow the same path as the headlight harness.

Attached picture Temp sensor.JPG
Attached picture TS wire.JPG
Posted By: Kern Dog

Re: Upgraded/Modern rearview mirrors for classics? - 12/11/15 06:56 AM

It is a bit thicker than stock.

Attached picture Rear V M.JPG
Posted By: Kern Dog

Re: Upgraded/Modern rearview mirrors for classics? - 12/11/15 06:57 AM

The wiring was routed inside the car and up the A pillar, then across the header panel where it exits above the mirror. I'm guessing this is how the OEMs run the wires in a stock application?

Attached picture TS A pillar.JPG
Posted By: a12rag

Re: Upgraded/Modern rearview mirrors for classics? - 12/11/15 05:01 PM

I did exact same thing on my 70 SPort Satellite . . . got complete kit from Ebay (Gentex I believe it is), that the mirror has temp, compass, homelink (for garage door opening), and auto dimming ! Works great and most people have to look twice ! I just removed the mirror stem from the mount and used the existing mount in place, for holding the sun visors. Gotta make your car for you . . . love the auto dimming and the homelink !!
Posted By: Sneke_Eyez

Re: Upgraded/Modern rearview mirrors for classics? - 01/14/16 05:30 PM

Originally Posted By Frankenduster
The wiring was routed inside the car and up the A pillar, then across the header panel where it exits above the mirror. I'm guessing this is how the OEMs run the wires in a stock application?

Looking good, this is the way to do one of these installs.

As someone with a lot of experience with mirrors like this - yes, this is generally how the OEMs do it!
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