Buy Jeep Wrangler Side View Mirrors

Snapshot

The Jeep Wrangler's side mirror-also called a wing mirror, door mirror, or external rear-view mirror-is more than a piece of glass. It keeps you legal on door-off days, lets you spot traffic in blind spots, melts winter ice, and even folds in to dodge trail branches. Modern versions add power adjust, heat, turn-signal repeaters, and radar sensors. For most Wrangler generations (YJ, TJ, JK, JL, JT), swapping or upgrading the mirror is a basic Torx-bit job, yet correct fit, torque, and state mirror laws still matter.

What It Does

A side mirror lets the driver see the lane beside and behind the Jeep. U.S. safety rule FMVSS 111 says every passenger vehicle must have a driver-side outside mirror that shows a set field of view (NHTSA). Passenger-side glass is usually convex so it shows more area, but objects look smaller.

Fit & Models

• YJ (1987-95): Square metal arms bolt through the upper door hinge.
• TJ (1997-2006): Rounder plastic-back glass; shares two Torx-head screws with the door hinge (Wrangler TJ Forum).
• JK (2007-18): Three 10 ft-lb bolts hold the base to the door skin (ExtremeTerrain.com).
• JL (2018-present) & JT Gladiator: Add wiring for power, heat, and blind-spot radar; torque spec 13 Nm (10 ft-lb) on mounting studs (project-jk.com).
• Removing doors? Most states still require two outside mirrors; many owners add a "relocation" bracket that mounts on the windshield hinge (ExtremeTerrain.com, Reddit).

Key Features

• Power adjust: Small motor moves the glass.
• Heated glass: Activates with the rear defroster to melt ice (JL Wrangler Forums).
• Blind-spot monitor: Radar in the housing lights an icon when another car sits in the danger zone (jeep).
• Turn-signal repeaters & puddle lights: Available on upper trims and easy to retrofit (JL Wrangler Forums).
• Break-away hinge: Lets the mirror fold when it strikes a branch, cutting repair costs (JL Wrangler Forums).
• Aerodynamics: Side mirrors add 2-7 % to total drag; reshaping or deleting them can raise mpg slightly (Lindsey Research).

Safety & Law

• Federal rule FMVSS 111 covers mirror size and view angles (NHTSA).
• Many states demand at least one mirror giving 200 ft rear view; some require two when doors are off (Reddit).
• In July 2024 Pennsylvania became the last U.S. state to allow door-off driving, as long as two side mirrors and a rear mirror stay in place (The Sun).
• Mirrors are also mandatory in the U.K. and EU when doors are removed (The Sun).

Build & Materials

Wrangler mirrors use impact-resistant ABS housings on cast-aluminum or steel arms. Mirror glass is either:

• Flat (driver): True-size view.
• Convex (passenger): Wider field.
  Optional coatings cut glare, and silicone seals keep water out.

Install Steps

1. Roll window down to prevent door drop.
2. Remove plastic cap (JL/JT only) with trim tool (JL Wrangler Forums).
3. Unplug mirror harness.
4. Back out three Torx T40 bolts; note 10 ft-lb spec when reinstalling (ExtremeTerrain.com).
5. Seat new mirror; torque evenly.
6. Test power, heat, turn signals.
   DIY videos show the full swap in under 20 minutes (YouTube).

Care Tips

• Clean glass with mild soap to avoid scratching the coating.
• Spray a silicone safe lube into the hinge twice a year to stop squeaks.
• If the mirror vibrates at highway speed, tighten mounting bolts and check door hinge bushings.
• Foggy heat? Check the rear-defrost fuse first; heated mirrors share that circuit (Wrangler Forum).

Upgrades

• Relocation arms keep mirrors on the body for legal door-off cruising (ExtremeTerrain.com).
• Clip-on towing mirrors extend your view around trailers (etrailer).
• Blind-spot add-on sensors stick to the housing and beep when cars enter the lane (Car and Driver).
• LED signal mirrors add bright amber flashes for better visibility (JL Wrangler Forums).

Troubleshooting

← scroll table horizontally →

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are Wrangler side mirrors interchangeable between generations?
A: No. YJ/TJ use hinge-pin mounts; JK and JL have door-skin studs, and the wiring pins differ. Use a mirror made for your model year (ExtremeTerrain.com).

Q: Do I need mirrors when I remove my doors?
A: Yes. Every U.S. state now allows door-off driving only if you still have two outside mirrors and one inside mirror (The Sun).

Q: How do I turn on the heated wing mirrors?
A: Press the rear-window defroster button. The mirror heat uses the same circuit (JL Wrangler Forums).

Q: What tool size removes a JL mirror?
A: A Torx T40 bit fits the three mounting bolts (JL Wrangler Forums).

Q: Can I fold the mirror in by hand?
A: Yes. All JL/JT mirrors have a manual break-away hinge designed to flex without damage (JL Wrangler Forums).

Q: Will wider towing mirrors hurt fuel economy?
A: Any larger mirror adds drag. Studies show mirrors account for up to 7 % of a vehicle's drag coefficient (Lindsey Research).

Q: Why is the passenger door mirror curved?
A: Convex glass widens the view so you see more lane beside you; objects appear smaller but it cuts blind spots.

Q: Can I add turn signals to my stock mirrors?
A: Yes. Aftermarket covers with LED strips wire into the factory circuit and fit most JL housings (JL Wrangler Forums).

Q: What's the legal rear-view distance a mirror must show?
A: Federal rules require at least a 200-ft rear view for driver and center mirrors (NHTSA).

Q: How tight should the bolts be?
A: On a JK the spec is 10 ft-lb; JL/JT mirrors use 13 Nm (about 10 ft-lb) (project-jk.com).

Q: My mirror keeps moving on bumpy trails. Fix?
A: Tighten the hinge nut inside the housing and consider adding a rubber shim to damp vibration.

Q: Does blind-spot monitoring still work after an aftermarket swap?
A: Only if the replacement mirror has the same radar hardware; plain housings delete the sensor and will trigger a dash fault.

By covering function, models, laws, features, installs, and common questions-plus synonyms like wing mirror and side rear-view mirror-this guide offers wide-ranging, accurate content to help any Jeep owner choose, replace, or upgrade their Wrangler mirrors.