HOW TO DIY: JDM Folding Mirrors with Signals

I would get this done when my 2 year warranty is done lol

 

This doesn't void any warranty. I have the extended 100K warranty and the dealer knows all about the mods I've done and they tell me nothing I have done would be covered, but it doesn't void anything else.

 

Wow. I have no words. Well done sir. Shit. That's a lot of wiring! Wow. Speechless!

 

Hey, looks like you're in Palmdale (it's not close to me but its also not that far either). If I get these lights, how much would you charge to put them in?

 

man these folding mirrors are nice !!! I'm seeing it everyday and I keep drooling, my friend has an Altis and the folding mirrors are just sick !!!!

I wanna do a got trip down to the States and ask sfv41901 to help me install them too

 

Dang it. Now you're tempting me! Trying to find an excuse to not go through with it lol.

 

Sean,

4hr/$200 = $50/hr
5hr/$200 = $40/hr

Your not charging enough at least not for the west coast, this would be an easy $350 here in NY state if not more and we know that aside from NYC everything cost more out there.

The "Custom" shops around the Buffalo, NY area would charge $1,200 to $1,500 w/parts and install for folding signal mirrors.

You'r going to have folks parked around the block waiting to get into your driveway.

 

Sean's a nice guy

 

It is a good deal if you are not familiar with installation. This is not an easy job and this mod is completely worth it.

LT26i ? 2

 

Hey sfv,

I found out the scion iq matte chrome mirror cover fits the jdm folding mirror.

I am temping to get it, it would be a nice match for my PIP

LT26i ? 2

 

Awesome DIY. Thank you for shaing!

 

First I would like to thank Sean and all the other posters for tips and tricks to make this work. It has been a fun and satisfying project.

I ended up modifying the mirror action slightly because:

- When I got my mirrors, I bench tested the power folding module and it was not operating. Taiwan is a long way away and I did not want to wait several more weeks for working mirrors!
- One of the posters noted that the puddle lamps really only light the door panels when the mirrors are folded.
- The mirror control on my 2012 Canadian Base model is lit at night and has a 16-pin connector. The JDM is unlit and has a 10-pin connector. I wanted to keep the lit control and not do a lot of extra splicing.

So, I fooled around with some relay and diode logic and came up with what you will see in the videos. My apologies for the ugly winter wheels and dirty car but there is no hope of keeping anything clean up here until May now!

Basically I have "OR'ed" the dome light and ignition so that the mirrors unfold as soon as the dome light comes on. This is different from what I see in Sean's video and puts some light on the ground as you approach the car.
The ignition activating then keeps the mirrors out when the dome goes off.
On exit the dome keeps the mirrors out when the ignition is turned off, and then the mirrors close as the dome dims. I think this action is the same as the JDM module.
I installed a separate switch to allow me to close the mirrors while operating the car (like the JDM switch). Keeps me from getting wet at the Tim Horton's drive thru!

I have a couple of issues with my design and will be doing some active electronics to fix these:
- because the dome current/voltage slopes up and down I am getting some relay chattering. This will shorten the life of the relays. I will fix this with a threshold driver that will also replace one relay.
- On exit the ignition actually cuts off about 1/2 second before the dome comes on so the mirrors "wiggle" a bit once and then stay open until the car is locked or dome goes out. I will add a delay circuit on the ignition relay to give the dome circuit time to catch up.

Of course this also means that the mirrors unfold as you approach the car. I've had some looks when I walk up to the car with my hands full and the mirrors welcome me!

Having fun with this!

 

Those are awesome. I love it. Now time to upgrade those wheels a little.