Mirror Swap

barrickd · April 6, 2009

I want to swap my "standard" LT1 mirrors for the Trailering mirrors. To install, do I have to remove the entire door panel or can I simply pry off the triangular trim piece? Also, are these a direct swap? (ie... unplug/remove standard mirrors and install trailering mirror)

alg0317 · April 6, 2009

I want to swap my "standard" LT1 mirrors for the Trailering mirrors. To install, do I have to remove the entire door panel or can I simply pry off the triangular trim piece? Also, are these a direct swap? (ie... unplug/remove standard mirrors and install trailering mirror)

As you have to run the wiring to the switch in the panel, you have to remove the whole door panel.

barrickd · April 6, 2009

Any good links explaining exactly how to do this for a 2008? I've found some links that sorta explain it, but none that are detailed and explain every step. (one with pics would be nice)

Porter_ · April 6, 2009

you can get away with only loosening the upper part of the door panel. here's a pic from when i swapped my mirrors:

in the end i found it necessary to completely loosen the door panel so i could seat it properly for the reinstall.

here's a good write-up for replacing the door handles, which has all the steps required to remove the door panels:

http://www.gmfullsize.com/forum/showthread.php?t=93769

cerbomark · April 6, 2009

may or may not be a direct plug in. There are two different moduels and I can t remember which ones match up with what. I did my 07 NBS from trailer mirrors to regular mirrors. For example, your turn signals in the trailering mirrors may not work if you had a mirror without the right moduel in the door. Some mirros have heat and power folding too. The mirrors will fit but all the functions may not work. Now you can change the moduel in the door too. Do a search back to 07 cause I m sure we covered this. Also see if you can get the directions on removing the door panel. It will make it much easier if you know where all the clips and screws are before you break something.

Porter_ · April 6, 2009

may or may not be a direct plug in. There are two different moduels and I can t remember which ones match up with what. I did my 07 NBS from trailer mirrors to regular mirrors. For example, your turn signals in the trailering mirrors may not work if you had a mirror without the right moduel in the door. Some mirros have heat and power folding too. The mirrors will fit but all the functions may not work. Now you can change the moduel in the door too. Do a search back to 07 cause I m sure we covered this. Also see if you can get the directions on removing the door panel. It will make it much easier if you know where all the clips and screws are before you break something.

i've read this a lot on this forum and others. i don't know how people are breaking clips. i pulled my door panels with my truck sitting outside in 5 deg F weather by prying with a flathead screwdriver and nothing broke. i had the panel off in no time- i was in a hurry since i was freezing my ass off. maybe i just got lucky...or maybe you all are a bunch of impatient monkeys

barrickd · April 7, 2009

How can I determine if I have modules or not?

My truck has heated mirrors but no power fold or turn signals.

I'm debating between swapping them myself or paying the dealer to do it. I've had bad luck with dealers breaking the plastic when disassembling trim, so I'm hesitant to have them do it.

Porter_ · April 7, 2009

How can I determine if I have modules or not?
My truck has heated mirrors but no power fold or turn signals.

I'm debating between swapping them myself or paying the dealer to do it. I've had bad luck with dealers breaking the plastic when disassembling trim, so I'm hesitant to have them do it.

i believe the only way is to have your dealer hook it up to the Tech 2. from this thread:

When swapping mirrors on a vehicle, the first thing that needs to be known is if the vehicle is equipped with door modules or not. The easiest way to determine if the vehicle has door modules is to use the Tech 2 and try to communicate with the "Drivers Door Switch" and "Passenger Door Switch".

it sounds like you're in the same situation i was. if that's the case, if you swap to DL3's you'll get power heated mirrors with turn signals, but no power fold option. it's a pretty straight forward swap, but ultimately it's up to you if you want to pay the dealer to do it or not.

barrickd · April 7, 2009

Thanks for the info.

I actually want to go from my stock DL8 mirrors to the DPN (trailering mirrors). Having the turn signal indicator work in the DPN's would be nice, but not a deal breaker. Retaining the heated feature is somewhat important. Power fold is not an issue, as I don't have that now.

Porter_ · April 7, 2009

ah, i didn't reread the thread...thought you were going from DL8's to DL3's. i'm fairly certain the swap is the same, but maybe someone who's actually swapped from DL8's to DPN's can chime in.

Outbacker · April 7, 2009

I changed my stock mirrors (no folding feature or turn signal) to the towing mirrors with heat and turn signals. The swap was painless and the new mirrors are great. I did however get the dealership to do the work (1/2 hour labour) so if something did go wrong, then it was on their dime to get it fixed. But I am pleased with the new mirrors.

cerbomark · April 7, 2009

plug one in before you install it and test it out.

SierraMist · April 9, 2009

I just swapped my non-turn signal, non-folding, non-puddle lamp mirrors in my '04 Sierra for a pair off of my brother's Yukon. Everything on them works except for the power folding. So do I need a different door module, or is it just a BCM flash (I though I read this somewhere else). ?

Thanks!

barrickd · April 22, 2009

here's a good write-up for replacing the door handles, which has all the steps required to remove the door panels:
http://www.gmfullsize.com/forum/showthread.php?t=93769

That's a great link, thanks for that. One question though, could you help me identify where the door clips are so I can minimize snapping them off. That link does a great job of explaining how to remove the panel, but omits the location of the door clips, which would be very helpful. Maybe a pic of a door panel with a rough idea of where the clips are??

Any help is appreciated!!

billyjnelson · April 22, 2009

here's a good write-up for replacing the door handles, which has all the steps required to remove the door panels:
http://www.gmfullsize.com/forum/showthread.php?t=93769

That's a great link, thanks for that. One question though, could you help me identify where the door clips are so I can minimize snapping them off. That link does a great job of explaining how to remove the panel, but omits the location of the door clips, which would be very helpful. Maybe a pic of a door panel with a rough idea of where the clips are??

Any help is appreciated!!

I had to remove the door panels for a color-matched handle install. It's really hard to say "the clips are here, here, and here." There are numerous clips all the way around the panel. My advice is to start on the top of the panel pulling the top lip of the panel off first. Then, work your way toward the rear of the door panel, down the rear side, then remove the bottom working toward the front of the panel. Essentially, counter-clockwise on the driver's side panels and clockwise on the passenger's side panels. While your working, you can hang the panel by leaving the black "hook" or "latch" (located on the bottom of the panel, in the middle) in it's opening. To re-install, start by hanging the top lip of the panel first, make sure the bottom is lined up, and begin snapping the cips back into place by applying pressure. Sorry I don't have any pics... I used the same link listed above and I just used some caution when pulling the panel away. From my experience pulling four of these off, you've really got to inflict a lot of pressure to snap these clips. But, that's just my experience. Hope that helps.