For those interested in auto-dimming/compass/temperature mirrors

[87gtVIC]

My dad and I installed one into his 85 mustang last weekend. He got his out of a 1999 Grand Marquis. His mirror was equipped with auto dimming sensors (front and rear of the mirror) as well as a digital compass within the mirrors face. Some may have even gotten thermometers in them?

My dads was a simple three wire hook up. A keyed power a ground and a reverse triggered lead (to un-dim the mirror when the car is put into reverse). He didnt hook that up though.

To install the mirror onto the existing windshield bracket he had to drill and tap a hole for a set screw and that was that. Looks really nice and it is pretty cool that the compass is integrated within the mirrors face.

Here is a picture:





All that was required to configure the compass was to select the magnetic field zone as per the Grand Marquis' owners manual (the field was 10 in our case). Then drive in circles for a bit till a direction is displayed.

[P72Ford]

Nice. I love the overhead console in my truck; displays temp, direction, fuel consumption, trip odometer, etc.

What is that underneath the radio, in the center console?

Also, does your old man ever rip it up in that car? Or does he just kind of cruise it?

[87gtVIC]

Underneath the radio is a clock and a little info center thing.

It looks like this:



(Picture not from his car)

My dad tinted the face of it though so it disappears.

And as far as my dad ripping on the car, well he had his fair share of that in his younger years because this exact car was his first car! Whenever he goes out in it I am always along for the ride.

He never romps on it from a stop but sometimes he will be idling along in first then pop it into second and and let the smoke fly while buzzing down the block.

And on long open roads he is not too shy about dropping it into third, from fifth chirping the tires and then running through the gears past the 140 marker on the speedometer.

He really enjoys just cruising with the occasional excitement thrown into the mix.

[1990LTD]

I really like how basic those cars are on the interior. Nice Fox.



I'm really interested in this. I love my big hand-rest mirrors in the middle of the door but not so much in the winter time.

[hemihotrod402]

hmmm...me thinks I should this

[johnunit]

What would it take to put the auto delay for the interior lights in if it's attatched to the mirror?


I've got a 1stgen explorer mirror with auto dim and also controls/computer for delayed shutoff of interior lights built in. Would this be ridiculously complex to rig up in my CV?

it looks similar to this: http://www.tdsremotestarters.com/ran...DimMirror2.jpg

oh and sweet mustang. Rode home in an 85 GT from the hospital when I was born.

[87gtVIC]

No idea mang. No idea. Start small though with bench tests figuring out what all of the wires do.

[gadget73]

Auto lamp delay isn't on the mirror. Its under the dashpad below that little tiny grille near the speaker. The auto dimming high beam sensor is on the mirror, and I think that was a Lincoln only thing.

If you're talking about the self-dimming mirror, those have 3 wires. Power, ground, and reverse lights to force the mirror to un-dim when you shift to reverse. Ones with lights in them probably have 5 wires, the 3 for the mirror, constant hot for manual lights, and door-switched hot for courtesy lights. Other than finding out which wire does what, it should be easy enough to install.

[87gtVIC]

Thain, do you know of cars that come with rear view mirror lights (both courtesy and manual) but with compass and thermometer? That is what I would love to put into my car.

[gadget73]

I know some Chevy trucks have it. My stepdad's Avalanche has the compass, temperature, and lights on it. I think mom's Blazer has it as well. I have to imagine some Ford product has it too, but I don't know what. I'm not really up on newer vehicles.

[87gtVIC]

Awesome. Definitely something to keep in mind on my next trip to a yard!

[marquisman]

do the clocks in the fox bodies have a red display opposed to the green desplay on our cars? the mustang clock looks red from pics but never seen one on.

[87gtVIC]

Yes the illumination is red. At least on my dads car and some others I have seen. Though I have heard some gossip surrounding stock blue illumination. I have never seen blue though.