Installing JDM Side mirrors on USDM legacy (BG/BD)

[massdrewski]

I found this write up but do not know whom the writer is. Thank you kind sir/ma'am?

Disclaimer: I created this text for rough guide line only. This may not be the best way to do it. So please use it as "reference". Also I am not responsible for any defect you may create. Some part I think its not important, so I did not cover in great detail. Again, this text is for people who has basic knowledge about your car and is able to take things apart and put it back together.

Always wear protective glove and eye protection.

First I like to explain why I took extra steps than everyone else, because JDM mirror is used for RHD country, such as Japan, UK, therefore their driver side is our US passenger side. In another word. JDM mirror enable JDM driver / US passenger to see both side correctly from rear view mirror. If you try sitting in US passenger seat, you will not be able to see both side correctly from the rear view mirror. That's why we must.

1. correct the angle for US driving

2. JDM mirror show smaller object than USDM mirror. I can never get used to it, that's why we also need to swap mirror as well.

3. Each mirror (JDM) has 7 pins. 3/7 is the same as USDM, so we can neglect those 3.

4. There are 2 wires contribute to power folding / unfolding, which are brown (dark color), gray (light color). Later I will connect those wires by using

Brown - blue (darker color)

Gray - yellow (lighter color)

5. Heated mirror (optional), some JDM mirror come with heating pad behind the mirror. There are 2 wires out of heating pad, 1 is positive and 1 is negative. doesn't matter which one is which, just connect differently. In my first diagram. I use green wire to represent (+) for heating pad, so both driver and passenger side come in to the center of dash and merge into 1 wires. Later we will connect that 1 wire to (RED / blue) wire behind defroster switch. Of course ground the other wire out of heating pad directly to your door.

http://jdmspace.com/photo/DIY/powerfolding/m0.jpg

http://jdmspace.com/photo/DIY/powerfolding/m1.jpg

http://jdmspace.com/photo/DIY/powerfolding/m2.jpg

We will need to connect (Green) wires from each door to this RED / blue wire.

http://jdmspace.com/photo/DIY/powerfolding/m3.jpg

http://jdmspace.com/photo/DIY/powerfolding/m4.jpg

Heat black plastic evenly for about 2 minutes, then you should easily pry mirror up a bit, don't do too much. If you feel plastic is not soft enough, heat it a little more.

http://jdmspace.com/photo/DIY/powerfolding/m5.jpg

http://jdmspace.com/photo/DIY/powerfolding/m6.jpg

http://jdmspace.com/photo/DIY/powerfolding/m7.jpg

After you bore out the hole for new screw position, put everything back and get ready to install mirrors back to the car.

http://jdmspace.com/photo/DIY/powerfolding/m8.jpg

ster Connect (yellow / light) (blue / dark) wires according to my picture

Dark on the same side as tab

light on the opposite side of tab

Test everything and make sure everything works before you put everything back to its place

Good luck !!



(tried to find the original website. did not work " Under Construction Coming Soon Summer 2008 " text and pictures located at http://www.jdmspace.com/DIY/powerfolding.htm. someone download those before the internet eats them!)

[green97gt]

what is the difference between jdm/usdm mirrors?

[massdrewski]

The biggest difference is the mirror its self. Have you even noticed the little sign "Objects are closer than they appear". The side mirrors are designed to be used by the driver its self, not the passenger. the drivers side mirrors is a regular ol' mirror. The passenger side is a bit more magnified to give the driver a similar visual effect while the mirror is positioned further away.

I'm not sure why the instructions above are so in depth. Maybe it was just a preference thing. Again, I only stumbled across the DIY above. I found them and thought it might help someone here.

[massdrewski]

Just got mine in today from a member on this site. Compared both and yes, the glass magnification is different. Objects in mirror are infact now closer than they appear on the drivers side

[phi11]

and the mirror sizes are different,
you can't pull the JDM mirror off and use the USDM one,
at least with the '98GT ones.
I took a rubbing of each one to see if they where the same size.

plus the write up is for a GC.

I have a switch that I took apart, I should take some photos of that.

[stirally8]

That write up is from an ebay seller. I bought a set of mirrors for a gc from them and have actually been trying to find the write up. I still have the mirrors and from all the pictures I have seen it looks like the jdm impreza and legacy mirrors are the same the only difference is the mirror base. I have been wanting to try to make the gc mirrors fit my legacy but my BD has the non folding mirrors. as soon as I can get a set of folding mirrors I will see if the jdm ones will fit the us bases.

[MountainBayer]

does anybody know where i can find the heated mirror glass for a 98 legacy sedan or even just the heating element behind the mirror...iv been looking but havent had any luck