Electric mirrors anyone?

[Mister 4x4]

Hi Eric,

Hope your traveling OK these days. Hey, i thought i would ask you out of curiosity, what brand or style of power windows and door locks did you end up getting for your Mustang, and what did you think of the windows you installed? Thinking about going down that road myself.

Thanks, Greg.

Hey Brother!

I'd originally gotten some Autoloc universal power window kits (yes, 'kits,' since I'd done the roll-up/down quarter window thing), and a set of power locks and alarm system from them as well. I wasn't happy with the Autoloc mechanisms, so I grabbed a set of SPAL universal window mechanisms. Since the long console I'd gotten from ebay had been damaged in the flat area above the ashtray, I used that space for the power window switches (a la Camaro/Firebird style) - the previous owner of the console had added a bunch of switches & indicator lights to mimic the Diamonds Are Forever Mach 1 with the smoke screen, machine guns, and rocket launcher controls (cracked me up when I read the write-up, so I had to have it - damage, switches, and all, for just $125).

Here's the Autoloc website: https://www.autoloc.com/catalog/

Power Window Kit: https://www.autoloc.com/catalog/Pow...lt-Kit-with-3-Illuminated-Switches-&-Hardware

Power Lock Kit: https://www.autoloc.com/catalog/Pow...wer-Door-Lock-System-with-Plug-N-Play-Harness

I'm not seeing the alarm system, but if you get the Keyless Entry system, the remote will handle the door locks, as well as a trunk popper.

Speaking of trunk popper, I'm looking to add that to my entry system so I can relocate the back-up camera to the trunk key hole from the license plate frame - it's just too low and gets blinded by cars behind me with their lights on.

https://www.autoloc.com/catalog/Pow...p-Kit-w--Solenoid-Motor-Latch-and-Door-Popper
The Autoloc universal power window mechanisms are the same as the Electric Life units, with the plastic ribbon cable/belt passing itself through the middle section, with some rubbing of the teeth on the belt. I found some debris after the first several up & down tests, and they ran super slow. I'd seen another member had success with the SPALs, so I grabbed a pair of them (the cable/belt paths are separated from each other, offering a little more flexibility during the installation as an extra benefit).

SPAL Power Window kit: https://www.a1electric.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AEOS&Product_Code=3300-0297

Unfortunately, the SPALs I got are still in a box in the garage awaiting installation, mostly because of ridiculous heat issues (West Texas), and lots of other 'squirrel moments' life's been throwing at me. Since the car runs, drives, and passes registration inspection, I haven't really worried about making sure the windows were functional or not, since I don't drive it during inclement weather, nor need to.

Hope this helps!

 

[rcadd1ct]

I have been looking at mirrors from a 2015 mustang. They have the little blind spot mirrors so that might be nice. Had a line on some for $100 for the pair, but it fell through.

 

[Austin Vert]

Hey Brother!

I'd originally gotten some Autoloc universal power window kits (yes, 'kits,' since I'd done the roll-up/down quarter window thing), and a set of power locks and alarm system from them as well. I wasn't happy with the Autoloc mechanisms, so I grabbed a set of SPAL universal window mechanisms. Since the long console I'd gotten from ebay had been damaged in the flat area above the ashtray, I used that space for the power window switches (a la Camaro/Firebird style) - the previous owner of the console had added a bunch of switches & indicator lights to mimic the Diamonds Are Forever Mach 1 with the smoke screen, machine guns, and rocket launcher controls (cracked me up when I read the write-up, so I had to have it - damage, switches, and all, for just $125).

Here's the Autoloc website: https://www.autoloc.com/catalog/

Power Window Kit: https://www.autoloc.com/catalog/Pow...lt-Kit-with-3-Illuminated-Switches-&-Hardware

Power Lock Kit: https://www.autoloc.com/catalog/Pow...wer-Door-Lock-System-with-Plug-N-Play-Harness

I'm not seeing the alarm system, but if you get the Keyless Entry system, the remote will handle the door locks, as well as a trunk popper.

Speaking of trunk popper, I'm looking to add that to my entry system so I can relocate the back-up camera to the trunk key hole from the license plate frame - it's just too low and gets blinded by cars behind me with their lights on.

https://www.autoloc.com/catalog/Pow...p-Kit-w--Solenoid-Motor-Latch-and-Door-Popper
The Autoloc universal power window mechanisms are the same as the Electric Life units, with the plastic ribbon cable/belt passing itself through the middle section, with some rubbing of the teeth on the belt. I found some debris after the first several up & down tests, and they ran super slow. I'd seen another member had success with the SPALs, so I grabbed a pair of them (the cable/belt paths are separated from each other, offering a little more flexibility during the installation as an extra benefit).

SPAL Power Window kit: https://www.a1electric.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AEOS&Product_Code=3300-0297

Unfortunately, the SPALs I got are still in a box in the garage awaiting installation, mostly because of ridiculous heat issues (West Texas), and lots of other 'squirrel moments' life's been throwing at me. Since the car runs, drives, and passes registration inspection, I haven't really worried about making sure the windows were functional or not, since I don't drive it during inclement weather, nor need to.

Hope this helps!

Hi Eric,

Wow! what a great reply to my questions. Thank you very much for going to all that trouble with your info, details and links.

I will investigate what you have put up here and see what it all brings. Regards the window kits, i always wanted to go with the New Relics brand, but could not justify spending around the $2,000.00 plus mark Aus to buy them and ship them out here (that's for 4 windows).

Thanks again Eric, and stay safe,

Greg.

 

[Austin Vert]

Hi to all again,

Just wanted to make a final point here to my above explanation post on the mirror thing.

Back in 2016 when i was going to jump in and start my mirror project, part of my initial research took in investigating other car brand assembled external sports mirrors setups that came with power mirrors as an original factory feature. I looked into brands such as seventies Mazda sports mirrors, late model Mustang sports mirrors etc as a solution to get setup with power mirrors without too much drama involved.

This may not apply to other Mustang owners, but speaking for myself, i then realized that it was important to me to do my best to keep or retain the 1,2,3 Mustang sports mirror bodies as a matter of original design and style, and not go outside of that boundary. That was where the challenge took hold, as i quickly realized that the Mustang mirror housing bodies were very small by design, and i would have a lot of trouble finding mirror motor mechanisms that would fit into them and work properly. After much research and time, i came up with the Thunderbird setups as a get out of jail working solution. If folks find motor mechanisms other than the T- Bird ones i did, that fit comfortably into the original bodies, then great, go with it.

My final point is that you can fit any style or aftermarket type of sports mirrors (power or not), to our cars if you want. Some might look similar to the original 1,2,3 Mustang design, some may not. That is your personal choice and decision. For me, i wanted to stay original style, and so went to the trouble of designing and making up power mirror systems based on the original 1,2,3 bodies. So go retro or stay original - the choice is yours.

Thanks,

Greg.

 

[rodgeydodge]

Hello from Australia.
As I mentioned previously, we don't have the same access to the bits and pieces that you do in the USA.
While I would like to retain the shape and size of the original mirrors it just became too hard.
As well, I have a cover over my car and every time I remove it, I bump the mirrors and the passenger side is a pain to adjust.
My car is also RHS so that makes a difference when buying parts for the original LHS version.
Interestingly, I have always wondered about these "blind spot" mirrors that people use. They are usually so small to be useless.
The point I would like to make here is that the wing mirrors ARE the blind spot mirrors.
I can't understand why people adjust their mirrors so that they all give a view of what is behind them. That is the job of the centre internal mirror.
The external wing mirrors are the ones that should be adjusted to cover the blind spots.
That's my view anyway. Roger.

 

[rodgeydodge]

Hello all. It seems I am not alone wanting electric mirrors for my classic Mustang. I put a cover over the car to protect it and every time I remove it, I bump the mirrors.
I decided to minimize the holes in the doors so I have made a spacer that connects the late model 2019 mirrors to the '73 Mustang. My car is fully restored and I did not want to have a repaint if possible. The spacer also covers all the other holes that were for the original mirrors and the aftermarket chrome (which rusted) ones. They work OK and now I will produce a silicon mold to reproduce them if required - another skill I have to pick up.
I have an electrician friend who will help me with the wiring to a Ford Territory mirror controller. I thought I'd be smart and get the actual controls and wiring loom from the new Mustang so I could simply match the colors. No such luck, they are all black. Probably saved Ford 50c. As well, the modern controller has mirror fold function and mirrors have indicators and a "puddle" light all controlled by a computer chip. Remember when things were simple?
So, still working on it. A lot of hours and $ for perhaps not much benefit, but it's just something I do. As I said before, "Been there, done that. Then been there, done that several more times, because apparently, I never learn."
Cheers, Roger

 

[rodgeydodge]

Hi Roger,

Greetings from Melbourne, Australia.
I have done done exactly what you are trying to achieve by using a set
of Australian delivery (RHD) 2019 Mustang mirrors.
It was not that difficult to cut the skin and fabricate and inner door mounting
plates - it was done prior to painting and the result is excellent.
I have not sorted all of the electrics yet but I know they will work - more importantly,
they look super on the car.
I absolutely agree with you about us Australian guys struggling with parts, costs and shipping -
I wish we could all communicate with each other somehow and share our unique problems.
Regards,
Mel (Melfunctions)

Hi Mel,
Just checked this thread again and saw your comment.
So far, I have made spacers that enable the mirror unmodified to fit the car.
I have some moulding epoxy and my next step will be to make moulds form the prototypes so I can manufacture them if anyone wants. I have spent hundreds of hours making the prototypes and now I have to modify them to enable suitability for casting.
I have a couple of mirror switches and am yet to choose the right one. I will have the indicators wired up and the ground light hooked into the door wiring so that all works. Perhaps a separate switch for the fold function.
I am getting an electrician friend to help me there and I am waiting for him . . . . very busy.
Anyway, if you want to talk, call me on 0400 760 300. Roger.