I was surprised the 2005 Runner SR5 doesn't come standard with heated side view mirrors. The mirrors get a lot of condensation on them and in New England winters they will ice up. I clean them before getting in but on long drives them will freeze up again or get fogged up.

Has anyone tried to add a sideview defroster on their own? I believe the key thing is that the SR5 comes pre-hard wired for this feature. I am hoping it is fairly cheap & easy to do.

 

I used to have book marrks for this because that was one of the mods I planned to make to my 93. I don't know what happened to it - will see what I can find.

The heating unit (if not buying Toyota's version) is basically a flat pad that can be adhered to the back of the mirror surface. Run 12V to it and walla, heated mirrors. You need to set it up with either a timer or thermostat I think...it's been a while.

 

Here's "a" link, but not the one I was thinking of.

http://www.thermalcircuits.com/Markets/auto.html

 

thanks!