I am looking to buy a set of towing mirrors for my 96 Ram 1500, the ones for the years 97 and back are very hard to find. Atleast the ones with 7x10 glass are hard to find. The 6x9 glass ones are a dime a dozen. There was a set on ebay but I missed them. I was wondering how hard it would be to convert the wiring from a 98-01 towing mirror to fit mine. I wouldn't mind having the heated ones anyway. Friend of mine has a set on his 01 2500, and the mirror bolted up fine, but his are manual not power so I couldn't check out the wiring to make an adapter.

 

Does the harness on your truck have provisions for the wires for heated mirrors? If it does..... take off your mirrors, clip the connectors off, and splice them into the 98 mirrors. Real possibility that they will hook right up for that matter.... I don't think much changed in that area. (note: I don't Think it did..... doesn't mean dodge didn't do it anyway.) Have a look, and see what ya got.

 

I do that know the pluggins are different after 98.

Since mine never had heated mirrors I doubt it, I can look though. I wondered about going to the scrap yar and getting a wire harness out of a 98 up and clipping the ends off. Then I would get the wires for heated mirrors to.

 

Why am I not surprised?

Was heated mirrors an option in 96? If it was, it isn't uncommon to have the wiring harness in place, even for an option the truck does not have. (fewer part numbers to track, and fewer complicated manufacturing processes to take care of. If they ALL use the same wiring harness, makes life a lot easier. again, don't know if dodge subscribed to that theory.

Have a look at what ya got. If you don't have what you need, grab it from the scrap yard. Good Plan.

 

I don't beleive it was and option. My dads draw dropped when I told him I had power mirrors and power seats, factory.

 

I just got back from checking it out and I can't seen any extra wire that would be for heated mirrors.

Also wondering if I would need and fancy resistors or anything or do the heat elements just need a constant 12v supply

 

There was guy that did this awhile back our plugs are a little different than the 98-01 plugs. Are mirrors didnt come heated so you will have to do something about that to get it to work, Make sure the mirrors come with the mounting bracket or you buy it seperate. Dont think anyone makes the power tow mirrors for 97 and older, but they will fit just need to splice it up

 

What happens if you don't buy the mounting brackets? The friend I mentioned forgot to put his on and drove like that for better part of a year. Then he found them in a box and put them on.

AM Auto Parts sells them for the 94-97 rams, they are about 200 a set w/o the reinforcement brackets.

I would not have a problem doing that, except what does the heat need? Just a constant 12 volts?

 

Well I got a set installed, they are 7x10 glass, and power for the 96, so everything plug and played. I did buy the reinforcment brackets since they were only 30 bucks for both from my dealer. For anyone wondering they make a big difference. I drove them for a week until the brackets came in. They shake a lot less with the brackets.

I really like them, so much nicer pulling a trailer with them. Also, they add a great look to my truck. I'll post some pictures soon as I get my camera to cooperate.

 

Here are some pictures