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Dodge Ram 1994-2001: How to Replace Side Mirror

The dealer would charge you a lot of money to replace the side mirror on the Dodge Ram. Here's how to replace it yourself with minimal tools.

By Nik Romano - June 23, 2015

This article applies to the Dodge Ram (1994-2001).

They say the nail that sticks out gets hammered. The side view mirrors on a Dodge Ram are the widest point on the body and frequently, they do take quite the proverbial hammering. Whether the electronics have stopped working, the glass is broken, or the entire mirror has been whacked off, replacing the mirror is one of the simplest jobs you can do. It can be done with simple hand tools by any do-it-yourselfer in less time than it would take to bring it to a shop.

There are also many different aftermarket mirrors available at different price points, so you can choose what suits your budget and needs. The cheaper ones tend to be a little bit flimsy and may vibrate while driving. If that's a concern, opt for a higher quality unit.

Materials Needed

  • Phillips screwdriver
  • Flat head screwdriver or prying tool
  • 10mm socket and ratchet

Step 1 – Remove the old mirror

The bolts that hold the mirror to the door are hiding behind the door panel just under the upper corner that houses the mirror adjuster. There are two ways to approach this job. The first is to completely remove the door panel, which is a process that can take quite a bit of time. The faster way, however, is to leave the panel attached, but pull back only the area covering the bolts you need. It's a little more difficult to get your hands in there, but it's doable and makes the process a breeze.

To do this, first remove the Phillips screw in the upper corner. Gently grab the panel and pull it back far enough to slip a ratchet in with a 10mm socket. Remove the three nuts, and the mirror will come free. There is a cable for the electric adjuster that needs to be disconnected. Pull the mirror out from the door and pull on the wire until the connector is in a position where you can unclip it. Now pull the pigtail out through the hole as you remove the mirror completely.

Figure 1. Option one of removing the door panel to access the bolts.

Step 2 – Install the new mirror

Feed the wiring pigtail through the hole in the door and slide the mirror's studs into position. The hardest part of installation is getting the nuts started on the studs while pulling the door panel out of the way. Once you have all three started, tighten them down with the ratchet and plug in the harness. Test the mirror to make sure everything is working properly and screw the door panel back down. You are done!

Figure 2. New mirror installed.

Featured Video: How to Install a Side View Mirror

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