2nd gen 4Runner drivers mirror help please

***Corey*** · 04-01-2005, 04:16 PM

When I bought my rig in Nov. of '98, the drivers lens was always a little shaky in the mirror housing.
I had taken out the screw before and the lens was tight on the plastic plate that sits in the housing, and I did not see a way to fix it.

Well, just a few days ago the whole lens/plate assembly is loose.
When I drive, the mirror is facing the ground.
When I come to a stop, the lens faces up.
These are power mirrors.

I am trying to take the whole mirror off, but it is not cooperating with me.
There are three phillips screws that attach underneath where you grab the mirror to swivel it in when you hit the auto car washes, or for on a tight trail.

The screws are out, but I can not pull the mirror housing off.
What is the trick to this?

I want to see if I can fix it, since Toyota wants $250 per mirror.

TIA,

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gwhayduke · 04-01-2005, 04:31 PM

Did they use a 3M sealant to keep water out? I tried taking my rear wind deflector off one time to repaint it but found it so tightly sealed to the body that I finally just left it in place. Some of the guys talk about using a hairdryer and dental floss to work it loose. It might work here.

***Corey*** · 04-01-2005, 05:00 PM

I am not even there yet.
I thought you could just take out the 3 screws on the bottom and pull the joint apart.
It is like a ball & socket type of joint.

I called Toyota, and the guy said the whole outer black plastic plate on the outside has to come off, and that means pulling the door panel off from inside, and taking out more screws.

Plus I have tape on Vent Visors, so that is going to screw it up

Troudt · 04-02-2005, 05:00 AM

If you can't fix it, I've found a site that sells mirrors very cheap.
http://www.autotruckmirror.com/toy-4runner-95.html
I've haven't bought from them so I don't know how good they are. If you do buy from there let me know as I'm thinking of replacing my chrome power mirrors with black power mirrors.

Cebby · 04-02-2005, 05:55 AM

Corey - you just need to pull off that little black triangle inside of the door panel, (not the whole door skin) to access the screws that allow you to remove the mirror from the vehicle. I have a set of mirrors I'm mounting lights and believe I have them apart. Let me see if I can find them and take some pics for you.

***Corey*** · 04-02-2005, 06:49 AM

Thanks Trout for the link.
This here is my mirror according to their pics.

Where it swivels is where I took the 3 screws out of underneath.
I was really hoping I could just lift up and pop it out.

Mike, yeah you can see the black triangular part in the pic above, and Toyota said I must remove the inner door panel to gain access to it.
But if so, I will have to break one of my Vent Visors then, as it is taped to it.

I have spare Vent Visors, as I had to buy a 4 pack a few years back to replace a broken one.

Cebby · 04-02-2005, 07:35 AM

Here Corey - all you need to remove is the small trianggle on the inside to get to the 3 screws that hold it on. Pry from the top and then pull it up and out. There is a tongue at the bottom.

The entire mirror comes off like the pic in your post. I couldn't find the ones I have. They are buried in my garage somewhere. Anyway, I wasn't able to figure out how to remove it at that joint - there is a decent spring in there that must be impossible to get back together if you do manage to get it apart.

***Corey*** · 04-02-2005, 08:02 AM

Thanks Mike for the pics.
I hope to attack this today, but the weather here is not much nicer than in your pics.

Since my garage is the great outdoors, I may end up ghetto rigging my mirror with duct tape

to hold the lens in place until nicer weather gets here.

***Corey*** · 04-02-2005, 11:12 AM

But with problems.
I need to head to Toyota to get them to fix my window gasket if they can.
When I go to power up the window, it drags, lists the blue panel inside, and will not go all the way up.
I hate working with gaskets and interiors crap.

If it rains, it will get wet inside.

Here are some pics and a vid.

One
The cover you pry off, I used a flat blade screw driver, it worked well.
Two
Cover off, bolts exposed holding housing to outside.
Three
Screw driver used to pry off my Vent Visor which was adhered to frame.
I tried fishing line, but it was to weak.
Also tried dental floss, and it too broke.
Screw driver to the rescue once again.
Four
Dangling in the wind.
Five
I went through all that trouble for nothing, and could save myself a trip to Toyota to fix window seal.
It was the screw in the photo here.
The screw holds the mirror and backing plate in tight so it will not flop around.
The plastic that holds the screw in place is partially broken as seen.
Solution, cram a bigger screw in the hole.
Again, screw driver to the rescue.
I love screw drivers, and if I still drank alcohol, I would have me a couple right about now of the liquid kind

The video, 479.6 KB

Well, at least I know now how to take the whole mirror off.
Just wish I had tried that screw on the bottom first, now my wallet is going to suffer form the wrath of the dealer to fix the gasket.

I hate gaskets, but I love screw drivers.

Pay no attention to all the spooooooge in the pics.
That is from the tree above me, and that black stuff gets everywhere.
Rig needs a bath bad, and some TLC.

Toddski · 04-03-2005, 05:42 PM

Uh....hello...Mcfly....
Why didn't you call? You could have come by my place and we could have brainstormed

it, well maybe not brainstormed but atleast we could have worked on your rig first then mine. My mirror is shaking also.

04-01-2005, 04:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
gwhayduke Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: El Paso, TX Posts: 1,576	Did they use a 3M sealant to keep water out? I tried taking my rear wind deflector off one time to repaint it but found it so tightly sealed to the body that I finally just left it in place. Some of the guys talk about using a hairdryer and dental floss to work it loose. It might work here. __________________ '99 4Runner SR5 4WD, 5-SPEED. Abzug's vehicle for urban expeditions, navigating flash floods and debris flows (try 12-15 inches of rain in one week). It always gets her home. '95 4Runner LIMITED 4WD, 5-SPEED, over a quarter million on the original 3vze & headgaskets. TRD heavy duty clutch, TRD heavy duty flywheel, OME 900 springs and shocks. This old gal has gotten me out into the field, and back for 8 years, never failed to start or gotten stuck.

04-01-2005, 05:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,070	I am not even there yet. I thought you could just take out the 3 screws on the bottom and pull the joint apart. It is like a ball & socket type of joint. I called Toyota, and the guy said the whole outer black plastic plate on the outside has to come off, and that means pulling the door panel off from inside, and taking out more screws. Plus I have tape on Vent Visors, so that is going to screw it up __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

04-02-2005, 05:00 AM	#4 (permalink)
Troudt Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 100	If you can't fix it, I've found a site that sells mirrors very cheap. http://www.autotruckmirror.com/toy-4runner-95.html I've haven't bought from them so I don't know how good they are. If you do buy from there let me know as I'm thinking of replacing my chrome power mirrors with black power mirrors. __________________ 1995 4Runner Pewter Pearl V6 Auto Front Husky Liners, Bushwacker Flares, Manik Tube Steps, White Face Indiglo Gauges, TJM T17 Bumper, K&N FIPK, Scion 6 Disc MP3, Clear Tails, 2.25dia exhaust W/Carsound cat & Magnaflow Muffler, Bridestone Dueler A/T Revo, American Racing Mojave Teflon, Hood Scoop "There is no limit to stupidity, so I think there's still a lot more I can do." Shinichi Watanabe on directing Excel Saga

04-02-2005, 05:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
Cebby Contributing Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 11,246	Corey - you just need to pull off that little black triangle inside of the door panel, (not the whole door skin) to access the screws that allow you to remove the mirror from the vehicle. I have a set of mirrors I'm mounting lights and believe I have them apart. Let me see if I can find them and take some pics for you. __________________ UZswap.com A site dedicated to sharing info for swapping the Toyota/ Lexus UZ (V8) engines into Toyota Trucks and 4Runners. My 4Runner 1993 4Runner, 1UZ (V8) auto dual ultimate crawler, double locked, 35's on beadlocked SR5 alloys, low lift, hacked fenders, tubbed firewall, custom armor TOOLandFAB.com A discussion forum dedicated to tools, fabrication & workshops. See my JD2 Bender Hydro Conversion BUY THIS 2008 CALENDAR

04-02-2005, 06:49 AM	#6 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,070	Thanks Trout for the link. This here is my mirror according to their pics. Where it swivels is where I took the 3 screws out of underneath. I was really hoping I could just lift up and pop it out. Mike, yeah you can see the black triangular part in the pic above, and Toyota said I must remove the inner door panel to gain access to it. But if so, I will have to break one of my Vent Visors then, as it is taped to it. I have spare Vent Visors, as I had to buy a 4 pack a few years back to replace a broken one. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

04-02-2005, 07:35 AM	#7 (permalink)
Cebby Contributing Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 11,246	Here Corey - all you need to remove is the small trianggle on the inside to get to the 3 screws that hold it on. Pry from the top and then pull it up and out. There is a tongue at the bottom. The entire mirror comes off like the pic in your post. I couldn't find the ones I have. They are buried in my garage somewhere. Anyway, I wasn't able to figure out how to remove it at that joint - there is a decent spring in there that must be impossible to get back together if you do manage to get it apart. __________________ UZswap.com A site dedicated to sharing info for swapping the Toyota/ Lexus UZ (V8) engines into Toyota Trucks and 4Runners. My 4Runner 1993 4Runner, 1UZ (V8) auto dual ultimate crawler, double locked, 35's on beadlocked SR5 alloys, low lift, hacked fenders, tubbed firewall, custom armor TOOLandFAB.com A discussion forum dedicated to tools, fabrication & workshops. See my JD2 Bender Hydro Conversion BUY THIS 2008 CALENDAR Last edited by Cebby; 04-02-2005 at 07:36 AM.

04-02-2005, 08:02 AM	#8 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,070	Thanks Mike for the pics. I hope to attack this today, but the weather here is not much nicer than in your pics. Since my garage is the great outdoors, I may end up ghetto rigging my mirror with duct tape to hold the lens in place until nicer weather gets here. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

04-02-2005, 11:12 AM	#9 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,070	Done But with problems. I need to head to Toyota to get them to fix my window gasket if they can. When I go to power up the window, it drags, lists the blue panel inside, and will not go all the way up. I hate working with gaskets and interiors crap. If it rains, it will get wet inside. Here are some pics and a vid. One The cover you pry off, I used a flat blade screw driver, it worked well. Two Cover off, bolts exposed holding housing to outside. Three Screw driver used to pry off my Vent Visor which was adhered to frame. I tried fishing line, but it was to weak. Also tried dental floss, and it too broke. Screw driver to the rescue once again. Four Dangling in the wind. Five I went through all that trouble for nothing, and could save myself a trip to Toyota to fix window seal. It was the screw in the photo here. The screw holds the mirror and backing plate in tight so it will not flop around. The plastic that holds the screw in place is partially broken as seen. Solution, cram a bigger screw in the hole. Again, screw driver to the rescue. I love screw drivers, and if I still drank alcohol, I would have me a couple right about now of the liquid kind The video, 479.6 KB Well, at least I know now how to take the whole mirror off. Just wish I had tried that screw on the bottom first, now my wallet is going to suffer form the wrath of the dealer to fix the gasket. I hate gaskets, but I love screw drivers. Pay no attention to all the spooooooge in the pics. That is from the tree above me, and that black stuff gets everywhere. Rig needs a bath bad, and some TLC. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

04-03-2005, 05:42 PM	#10 (permalink)
Toddski Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Graham, Wa. Posts: 922	Uh....hello...Mcfly.... Why didn't you call? You could have come by my place and we could have brainstormed it, well maybe not brainstormed but atleast we could have worked on your rig first then mine. My mirror is shaking also. __________________ Todd '91 4runner SR5. OME 901 coils, Bilstein shocks, 31" Wildcountry TXR Tires. Lightforce Lance 140 offroad lights.

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