Auto-dimming mirror removal?

[HeatXfer]

I learn something every time I read your posts! My '19 XLT Sport does not have an exterior dimming mirror though, nor is it heated. I'll have to spend more time observing the behavior of the system as I fool around with it.

Thank you!

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[foornath]

I learn something every time I read your posts! My '19 XLT Sport does not have an exterior dimming mirror though, nor is it heated. I'll have to spend more time observing the behavior of the system as I fool around with it.

Thank you!

@HeatXfer you have any luck? I have been exploring this same path because my rear view camera is obstructed right now with my swing out bumper and I can mount the Wolfbox camera up on my cap.

 

[HeatXfer]

Sorry for the delay. I need to get some 2 or 3mm screws to secure the screen to the mounting plate, but I'll test fit it right now and post a few pics

 

[HeatXfer]

The intermittent power issue went away, I probably just didn't have the connector tight. My cobbled-together bracket fit perfectly, the distance from my eyes to the screen was just what I wanted, but the inside anti-collision cover trim still blocks part of the forward camera view. And I realize now that I should have simply held the Wolfbox up and moved it around until I couldn't see that trim piece, because then I would have found that there is no good position to achieve that.

It's hard to see with the sunlight on the windshield here, but I've got it strapped as far to the left as possible on the OEM, but the trim piece is till in the way. When you're driving the screen is very bright and clear, this pic is deceiving.

There is a kit to mount it on top of the dash, but that view seemed too low to me. I'll just live with it until I can find an ideal setup.

 

[TheExtra404]

thank you for updating the thread with your findings.

 

[airline tech]

That’s good to hear as I was perplexed on finding a reason for power cycling as I could only see constant power and no control function (except inside) the OE mirror.

 

[HeatXfer]

That’s good to hear as I was perplexed on finding a reason for power cycling as I could only see constant power and no control function (except inside) the OE mirror.

Yeah, it was just me ?

 

[mokupilot]

So, I just had the windshield recall done and as I was driving my rearview mirror decided to liberate itself from my windshield. Since it’s off, maybe it’s a good time to replace it with a digital (wolfbox) one. This thread has been very interesting and my thought was what about using the oem mirror mount from the old mirror? Might be a better fit? I dunno. I’m feeling destructive.

I’m leaving all these pictures here in the hope they’re useful. Since all these things fell from the sky I might as well take pictures with part #s ?‍

 

[HeatXfer]

The stock mirror locks into place by rotating it while pushing up onto the upper hexagonal mount, starting at about 45° from either side of the mount.

You can get all the parts needed to replace the stocker through eBay, Amazon, Temu or Alixpress, but you'll have to cherry pick pick from the individual vendors to get the right combo: there are no Ranger 5g 'kits'.

That being said, once you've got everything inplace, you'll find the right-side front view is blocked by the anti-collision camera interior trim piece. But I'm working on an extension for the front camera to get it closer to the windshield so the trimpiece is out of the camera's field of view.

Nice clear pics, BTW ?

@airline tech: The power cycling was because I didn't have the rear camera plugged in. Apparently the G900 won't work without a rear camera. I've found no documentation regarding a configuration without one.

 

[Lynatic]

Very interesting thread, I was just looking to get a wolfbox too, you'll save me plenty of headaches.
Did you need the extension cable for the camera? How did you route it?

 

[HeatXfer]

Very interesting thread, I was just looking to get a wolfbox too, you'll save me plenty of headaches.
Did you need the extension cable for the camera? How did you route it?

For my cargo "bubble" over the bed, I ran the cable tucked into the headliner on the driver's side, down under the windshield piller trim, then behind the rubber door frame seal to the floor, under the sill all the way back to the under the rear cab liner. I drilled a hole through the cab wall (silicone-sealed of course) and ran it into the bed, up under the side rail. It's zip-tied to cable clips. The cable is in ¼" flex conduit and I used heat-shrink tubing to secure a couple of rare earth magnets to the camera cable cover so it'll stick to bed but can be repositioned as needed. I ran the cab mounted camera cable through the space between the roof and the headliner. Here's a link to the post:

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/what-did-you-do-to-your-ranger-today.3511/post-696950

I don't takes pics as I should for these posts, but here's a few 'after the fact':

(stock photo - not my truck)

 

[Lynatic]

For my cargo "bubble" over the bed, I ran the cable tucked into the headliner on the driver's side, down under the windshield piller trim, then behind the rubber door frame seal to the floor, under the sill all the way back to the under the rear cab liner. I drilled a hole through the cab wall (silicone-sealed of course) and ran it into the bed, up under the side rail. It's zip-tied to cable clips. The cable is in ¼" flex conduit and I used heat-shrink tubing to secure a couple of rare earth magnets to the camera cable cover so it'll stick to bed but can be repositioned as needed. I ran the cab mounted camera cable through the space between the roof and the headliner.

Nice work! Didn't think of mounting it with magnets to move it around, that's a neat feature. I might copy that for when my hard top is off.
I was thinking to go through the roof liner, why did you choose to follow the floor? Easier to hide the cable?

 

[Frisbeterian]

There is a hole in the cab on the passenger side in the lower back corner towards the bed. Peel back the upholstery just a bit to see it. It has a rubber grommet you must poke through or remove completely. I used this pre-existing hole to get my camera wire through.

 

[HeatXfer]

Nice work! Didn't think of mounting it with magnets to move it around, that's a neat feature. I might copy that for when my hard top is off.
I was thinking to go through the roof liner, why did you choose to follow the floor? Easier to hide the cable?

Thanks! I didn't want a connector or anything dangling from the 3rd brake light where I've got the cab mounted camera.

There is a hole in the cab on the passenger side in the lower back corner towards the bed. Peel back the upholstery just a bit to see it. It has a rubber grommet you must poke through or remove completely. I used this pre-existing hole to get my camera wire through.

I certainly could have. I though about going through one of the rubber-plugged holes, but right or wrong, I wanted only a short run exposed between the cab and bed. That's just me. I might wish I'd done it differently later.

 

[HeatXfer]

Here's an update on my Wolfbox install. I'm done except for the 90° ('down angle') usbc ribbon cable for power, and possibly an extension to move the front camera forward of the lower anti-collision camera cover so it doesn't block the right side field of view.

I was able to fit 2-2.5mm trrs jacks and a 4pdt toggle switch into the upper anti-collision trim piece directly above the mirror. This lets me easily switch between the cab-mounted rear camera and the cargo carrier mounted camera when I've got the carrier over the bed.

The usb power plug sits too high, and is rubbing against the upper trim piece, so I've got an 'angle down' usbc coming. Other then that I'm happy with the result.

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