Neo

iTrader: (4)

Hey guys,

I know it's not the typical "hesitation" or "boost creep" post, but how about those people who are trying to bring some convience into their car after all the upgrades everyone has done?

Meaning, does anyone have a write up or how-to on installing an Autodim, compass, temperature, Homelink mirror?

Do any of the mirrors offered on any other Mazda fit the FD?

I know for the Miata there are people using the Mazda5 mirror for all of the features I mentioned.

Supernaut

iTrader: (83)

Interesting question. BUMP for you.

Uncle Hungry

iTrader: (2)

Im sure it's not very difficult. I need one too actually. Believe it or not, I took mine off and put it on the garage floor. I forgot it was there and backed over it, because I couldn't see it.

baggedoutmazda

if u are just looking to see better try 1 of the clip over mirrors, i've got 1 works great. it's not the one that takes up the whole w/s just abit bigger than stk

FD3sAutobot

iTrader: (6)

I was actually just thinking about this too. My jeep liberty has an autodim that is awesome for driving at night. I HATE driving at night in the FD because everyone's lights are all up in my mirror. I would really like to find out if anyone has done this.

nero1106

iTrader: (12)

I would suggest something that clips on as well. I thought my looked pretty tired so I got a broadway mirror. Just a bit bigger than stock but it looks clean and simple. As for the autodim feature, just tint the back window and problem solved.

RiceFx306

iTrader: (7)

How do broadway mirrors attach?

Just curious but any tips for putting the mirror back on when you get it off? I had a hell of a time trying to put it back on after a friend managed to knock it off with his head. Finally manged to get it on but it's rather loose and assume I'm probably going to need to buy a new mirror since I probably bent the other one all to hell.

JConn2299

Well, it's not just a matter of the mirror, right? One of my other cars has autodim and homelink and there's some serious wiring and electronics involved. I suppose anything can be done with enough time, effort, and money. One of the things I like best about the 3rd Gen RX-7 is the relative purity and simplicity of it. It's all about the driving. There aren't a lot of gizmo and doodad distractions.

1QWIK7

iTrader: (33)

No, broadway mirrors are awesome. I have one in my altima.

It hasically has like 4 prongs in the back of the mirror, almost like fangs. 2 on top and 2 on bottom. 2 of them are spring loaded so when you clip one side on, you have to sorta snap the other 2 onto the mirror so it stays on tight.

Theres no way of hitting it by accident with your hand or head and it will come off. Its really on there tight.

And if you wanna take it off, just unclip the sping loaded side first, then it will just fall off.

I would put on in the FD and i tried it before i installed it on my DD but when i put the sun visors down, it got in the way of the mirror and defeated the whole purpose of having a wide view rear mirror. So i just left it stock.

Neo

iTrader: (4)

Thanks for responding guys.
But no one has answered the question.

It's not that I want to view more real estate out the back. It's the simple function of having the homelink. I know our cars are pure and all when it comes to driving, but there are some conveniences that are nice to have.
Since I want an OEM look, I would really like to know if anyone has adapted a Mazda supplied auto dim/compass/home link system.

I know it's possible with the Miata, and that sucker has a complete removable roof.

Granted, it's not going to be simple since these type of conveniences weren't available when the FD was being designed. But I would like to know a bit before I start tearing into the interior panels.

If it's going to end up being too much work, I'll live without the homelink.

2RotorsNaDream

iTrader: (7)

Oh the irony...

shinrars2

iTrader: (14)

I have an auto-dim mirror with compass and temp. I'll try to find pictures later.

Neo

iTrader: (4)

Shin rars2,

Is it a Mazda supplied mirror or is it from somewhere else?
Did you do the install or did someone do it for you?

I think I'm going to be the first one to attempt this type of install???

shinrars2

iTrader: (14)

The mirror is from a company called Gentex. If you decide to use a Mazda mirror, all you would have to do is buy rear view mirror adhesive to mount the bracket onto the windshield.

I installed the mirror myself. Probably the most challenging part would be removing the original mirror. To remove the oem mirror you have to use a heat gun to heat the adhesive from the outside. Simply grab the mirror and firmly pull in a back and forth motion. It is not necessary to remove any of the mirror parts, and do not pry the bracket or you can crack your windshield.

As for the wiring, just tap into a wire that gets voltage when the key is in the on position, such as the cigarette lighter.

FD3sAutobot

iTrader: (6)

^ That's what I'm talking about! Google here I come!

staticguitar313

iTrader: (2)

MOAR! This is relevant to my interests. Any way of mounting it a little bit higher on the windshield? Cost for this mod?

FD3sAutobot

iTrader: (6)

It's looking like this Gentex mirror can be had for about 80$ plus 9$ for the plastic wire cover.... http://www.autoanything.com/mirrors/...?kc=ffcategory This is a mod I might have to do sometime soon.

gracer7-rx7

iTrader: (16)

Yep. Been done before. I believe most people used the Miata mirror or the Mazdaspeed mirror for the Miata. At least they did many years ago when this was first tried. There is a thread about it somewhere on here.

Neo

iTrader: (4)

This is excellent.

shinrars2,
I sent you a PM regarding installation.

I might just get a mirror from Mazda, since the majority of these mirrors are made by the same company.
Just need some details regarding installation.

thanks,

shinrars2

iTrader: (14)

Advertisements of the mirror are being shown on the forum now...

There are a lot of models of the Gentex mirror to choose from. The mirror should be mounted in the same place. If you look from the outside of the windshield, there is a black square. That square offers a rough surface for the adhesive to stick onto.

Neo

iTrader: (4)

Revisiting an old thread.

I recently finished installing the 09-2010 mirror on my Miata PRHT. Believe it or not, I asked the dealer to do this since it's basically the same instructions for all Mazda vehilces when it comes to installing and wiring an autodim/homelink mirror.
Unfortunately, since there were no official instructions for this hookup, they declined to install it.
A friend and I went to work 2 days ago and the results are fantastic! Love having the mirror with the Homelink feature.

So after performing the install on the Miata, I'm really interested to know if it can be done with the FD. The only big differences I see is the roof liner. The FD was never designed to have the mirror replaced. So I'm wondering, for those who have installed such a mirror, how much of a chore is it to get the roof liner to give enough to run the wire for the mirror?
I know the A pillar and getting to the fuse box area is the easy part.
I'm just worried about running the cables through the roof liner.

I'll be using the same mirror I installed on my Miata.

Any help?

Thanks,
Chris

Neo

iTrader: (4)

The only part I'm worried about is running the wire through the roof liner. Did you have to gently pry at it or did you take it off completely?

Neo

iTrader: (4)

Alrighty then... Man, the bill for upcoming mods is starting to get expensive!!!

This mirror would be such a huge convenience. I couldn't begin to tell you how much.

DaleClark

iTrader: (55)

Running wires through the headliner is a snap. You don't have to pull it down or anything - just tuck the wires along the edge. They will tuck in there nicely and stay out of the way.

I have my boost controller (AVC-R) attached to the window by the mirror, and I ran the wires this way. It's super clean, been like that for years with no issues.

I'm REALLY interested in one of these mirrors. It would be a lot cleaner to have Homelink than a garage door opener. Mine is on the driver's sun shade, and it's pretty ugly right there.

Right now I do have a Broadway mirror on the car. They're really cool - 2 second installation, they stay on nice and sturdy, they have great optical quality to the glass and give a good wide view out of the back of the car.

There are also different widths of Broadway mirrors, some would be too big for an FD to fit with the sun visors. Some also are convex, where the mirror is curved and you get a wraparound view. I don't dig the convex, as it makes everything in the mirror smaller, and it's hard to tell if a car is a cop or a white Crown Vic .

Either way you'll be in good shape.

Dale