Buy Toyota Pickup Side View Mirrors

Overview

A Toyota Pickup side mirror-also called a door mirror, side-view mirror, or wing mirror-lets you see traffic next to and behind the truck. United States rule FMVSS 111 says every light truck must have at least one outside rear-view mirror that meets field-of-view rules . The Pickup (the North-American name for the Hilux) was sold from 1979 to 1995 before the Tacoma replaced it (Wikipedia, Wikipedia). This guide explains fitment, features, safety, care, recycling, costs, and answers common questions so you can choose and maintain the right mirror.

Fitment Guide

• Model years covered - most buyers search by 1984-1995 Pickup model codes RN/LN 105-110. Mirrors for earlier third-generation trucks (1979-1983) mount with the same three-bolt pattern but sit on a flatter base.
• Cab & door style - Regular, Xtra Cab, and long-bed doors share the same mirror footprint; only left-hand vs. right-hand assemblies differ.
• Manual vs. power - 4×4 SR5 trims after 1989 often came with power-adjust mirrors; base models stayed manual. Power units add a short three-wire harness that passes through the door grommet. Owners removing the mirror will see three 10 mm bolts hidden behind the inner sail panel (IH8MUD Forum, IH8MUD Forum).
• Glass shape - Flat glass was standard on North-American Pickups; many global Hilux trucks used wide-angle convex glass to widen the view.

Core Functions

Side mirrors cut down blind spots and show lanes the inside rear-view cannot. NHTSA's BGE (Blind-zone Glare Elimination) method recommends turning each outside mirror about 15 degrees outward so a passing car moves smoothly from the inside mirror to the side mirror with no overlap . Good adjustment lowers lane-change crashes and night glare.

Types & Features

• Power-adjust - Small motors tilt the glass; the switch sits on the driver door.
• Heated glass - A thin grid warms the glass to melt fog or ice; it activates with the rear-defog button .
• Manual-fold or power-fold - Hinges let you fold the mirror against the door for tight trails or car washes; 1990s Pickups use a simple push-fold hinge while later Toyota power units fold by switch .
• Turn-signal repeaters & puddle lamps - Modern retrofit housings add LEDs that signal turns or light the ground.
• Blind-spot monitoring - An amber icon lights up on the glass when radar spots a car beside you; SAE J2802 sets the symbol and timing rules .

Materials

Mirror housings are usually ABS or polypropylene plastic. ABS is rigid and paints well, while PP is lighter, resists moisture, and costs less . Glass comes in two main styles:

• Flat safety glass - Gives true distance but a narrower view.
• Convex safety glass - Curves outward to widen the scene; studies show it can make cars look farther away, so "Objects in mirror are closer than they appear" is etched on U.S. passenger-side glass .

Installation Tips

1. Pry off the interior sail panel with a trim tool.
2. Unplug the mirror harness if present.
3. Support the mirror outside the door, then remove the three 10 mm bolts.
4. Clean the gasket surface; replace a cracked gasket to stop wind noise.
5. Torque the bolts snugly (about 7 N·m is typical in Toyota service guides) and re-fit the trim. DIYers report a 15-minute job per side (IH8MUD Forum).
6. Cycle power mirrors before reinstalling the door card to confirm full travel.

Maintenance & Care

• Wash the glass with mild soap; harsh ammonia glass cleaners can fog plastic backing plates.
• Use the built-in heater or rear defogger to clear mist instead of scraping .
• Fold the mirror when parking on busy streets to avoid hits.
• Check bolts yearly; vibration can loosen them and create buzzing at highway speed. Aero-acoustic studies show that a loose housing greatly boosts wind noise (SAE International).

Safety & Regulations

FMVSS 111 governs mirror size, location, and field of view for U.S. trucks, while many Asian countries adopt similar UNECE R46 rules. Indonesia also requires Bahasa-Indonesia labeling on replacement mirrors sold domestically . Engineers are testing digital camera-mirror systems, but standard glass mirrors remain mandatory in the U.S. today .

Environmental Impact

Reusing or recycling a damaged mirror saves raw materials. A 2025 study found re-use of auto parts, including mirrors, cuts the carbon footprint and keeps more material in local supply chains . Plastic housings can be ground into pellets; glass is crushed into cullet for new products. Remove the wiring harness before recycling e-waste.

Troubleshooting

• Vibration at speed - Check for missing gasket or loose bolts.
• Mirror will not adjust - Test the switch first; if power, inspect the three-wire plug for corrosion.
• Heater not working - Confirm the rear-defog relay clicks; a broken grid needs new glass.
• Wind whistle - A cracked housing or missing foam pad creates airflow gaps; patch or replace.

Cost Factors

A bare manual replacement mirror costs less than a powered, heated, signal-ready unit. An online repair-cost guide lists average U.S. door-mirror replacement at about US $230-$450 including labor, depending on features and paint finish . DIY installation drops the bill to the price of the part plus primer and paint if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What tools do I need to change a Toyota Pickup side-view mirror?
A: A trim panel tool, 10 mm socket, and small pick for the harness clip are enough for most jobs (IH8MUD Forum).

Q: Will a mirror from a 2-door Pickup fit my Xtra Cab?
A: Yes; door shells share the same mirror bolt pattern on 1989-1995 trucks (Wikipedia).

Q: How do I get rid of fog on the mirror in humid weather?
A: Turn on the rear-window defogger; it powers the mirror heater grid if your truck has that option .

Q: Why does the passenger mirror say objects are closer than they appear?
A: It uses convex glass to widen the view, which makes objects look smaller and thus farther away .

Q: Can I upgrade to mirrors with built-in turn signals?
A: Yes. Aftermarket housings with LEDs fit the factory bolt holes, but you must tap the signal wire at the front corner lamp.

Q: Do I need both mirrors for inspection?
A: Most states let pickups pass with only the driver's mirror if the inside mirror gives a clear view, but two mirrors are safer and required when you tow wide loads. Check your local rules.

Q: How far out should I aim the mirror?
A: Follow NHTSA's BGE method: adjust so the horizon is centered and your own truck side just disappears from view .

Q: My mirror shakes on rough roads. What causes this?
A: The inner mounting plate may be cracked or the 10 mm bolts loose; tighten them and add thread-locker if needed (IH8MUD Forum).

Q: Are power-fold mirrors plug-and-play?
A: No. You will need the fold switch and an extra two wires to the door.

Q: Is ABS plastic strong enough for off-road use?
A: ABS is rigid but can crack in hard hits; PP flexes more before breaking .

Q: Can I recycle broken mirror glass at home?
A: Many curbside programs reject coated auto glass; take it to a facility that handles automotive glass or include it in scrap-metal loads as cullet .

Q: Why do new designs add cameras instead of glass?
A: Camera-monitor systems reduce drag and wind noise, but U.S. law still demands at least one physical mirror, so cameras are an add-on, not a replacement yet .

Q: How do I cut wind noise around the mirror?
A: A tight gasket and correct angle reduce turbulence; studies link loose housings to louder cabin noise (SAE International).

Q: What's the torque spec for the bolts?
A: Toyota service guides list about 7 N·m (62 in-lb) for the M6 mirror bolts-snug, not overtight.

Q: Does the heater draw a lot of power?
A: No. The thin ceramic grid uses only a few amps and shuts off with the defog timer, so battery impact is small .

Q: Are mirrors side-specific?
A: Yes. The driver's mirror is flat; the passenger's is convex in U.S. trucks, and the mounting angle differs.

Q: Will a Hilux mirror from abroad fit my Pickup?
A: Usually yes, but some international mirrors have an integrated "manual remote" joystick that North-American doors lack, so check the back-plate shape before buying.

Q: Can I paint an unpainted black mirror?
A: Clean with plastic prep, use flexible primer, then base-coat/clear-coat following the paint maker's flash times.

With these facts and tips, you can pick the right Toyota Pickup side mirror, install it safely, and keep it working for many years.