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New side mirrors


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I added the later XJ mirrors to both my MJ and XJ.  I like the slightly larger size and the fact they don't fall apart at the joint like the originals.  Some people don't like the styling though.  I will say it is some work, you have to remove and carefully trim the stainless steel door trim to make the mirrors fit.

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9 hours ago, schardein said:

I added the later XJ mirrors to both my MJ and XJ.  I like the slightly larger size and the fact they don't fall apart at the joint like the originals.  Some people don't like the styling though.  I will say it is some work, you have to remove and carefully trim the stainless steel door trim to make the mirrors fit.

 

I had the exact same setup.  ...and I did the same upgrade to later XJ mirrors.  I've never looked back (no pun intended, haha). 

 

Yes it was a little trimming required, but totally worth it.  You also need a trip or two to get used to the divider (the vertical strip separating your window from your "smoker's triangle window") showing up in your reflection.  After the second cruise, I no longer paid any attention to it.  Insignificant disadvantage, really.   Go for it.  You'll be happy you did.

 

Also while you're at it, pull the horizontal window seal from the later XJs while at the JY.  Again, a bit of trimming at the forward edge but you'll have superior lower window seal than what came on your MJ.    

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10 minutes ago, coolwind57 said:

 

I had the exact same setup.  ...and I did the same upgrade to later XJ mirrors.  I've never looked back (no pun intended, haha). 

 

Yes it was a little trimming required, but totally worth it.  You also need a trip or two to get used to the divider (the vertical strip separating your window from your "smoker's triangle window") showing up in your reflection.  After the second cruise, I no longer paid any attention to it.  Insignificant disadvantage, really.   Go for it.  You'll be happy you did.

 

Also while you're at it, pull the horizontal window seal from the later XJs while at the JY.  Again, a bit of trimming at the forward edge but you'll have superior lower window seal than what came on your MJ.    

Yes, while you are at the junkyard, get those window sweeps/seals.  If yours are weathered, you will likely be able to find some in better shape.  Look for 95-96 XJs.

 

Also, I don't know if the late XJ mirrors came in a manual adjustment type.  I think they may all be electric adjustment.  You can still manually adjust them, you just have to push on the actual mirror glass.  This might be an issue if two people regularly drive your truck.  My XJ had electrically adjustable mirrors, and I was able to wire in the new mirrors so the original switch works.

 

Also, the late XJ mirrors are available with built in defrost.  It may be a coincidence, but nearly every 97 XJ I see has the defrost option.  It is easy to tell, there will be a defrost icon on the mirror glass.  I have a set on my MJ (which of course does not have an electric defrost circuit of any kind).  My XJ set does not... didn't know they existed when I did the XJ first.  So. I've never tried to wire the defrost option in.

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1 hour ago, schardein said:

Also, I don't know if the late XJ mirrors came in a manual adjustment type.  I think they may all be electric adjustment.  You can still manually adjust them, you just have to push on the actual mirror glass.  This might be an issue if two people regularly drive your truck.  My XJ had electrically adjustable mirrors, and I was able to wire in the new mirrors so the original switch works.

 

Yes, my junkyard mirrors were wired for electric too, but I use the ol "row-down-window-and push-with-your-fingers" method of adjustment.  My wife has driven my truck like 3-times, maybe.  I had to adjust my driver's mirror only a couple times now since the conversion 8-Months ago.  So it turns out that my laziness in not wiring for motorized operation wasn't so much a negative.  Hey, gotta love that.

 

My original sweeps/seals were shot, with severe weather cracking and even large areas missing.  Those early MJ/XJ ones don't stand the test of time.  This simple mod goes down as one of my top 5 favorites.      

 

 

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So just to clarify the ~95-99 mirrors should fit onto my 86 comanche?  There is a junk yard nearby, perhaps I'll be visiting today since it'll be really nice out.   As for the sweeps/seals you all are talking about is that the weather strip along the bottom edge of the side windows?  I've rarely ever worked on the door cosmetics of a jeep, my wrangler never really had doors on it...

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There was a year in which Jeep changed this piece to a much more durable one and I think you're correct, 95+.  You'll see the difference in design.  The weather strip we're talking about installs on the door metal itself, where the lowest part of glass meets the door.  It's installed on the door metal, with a rubber sweep that touches your glass. 

 

You can usually pull them off by hand or by carefully using a pair or small piers.  Just yank straight up.  It installs using clips I think attached to the door.

 

Check out http://bleepinjeep.com/ and do a search.  He's got a nice video of how to pull and prep them for your use.      

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21 minutes ago, DracoSedentis said:

So just to clarify the ~95-99 mirrors should fit onto my 86 comanche?

I believe these years are probably accurate.  Just look for later XJs that have the larger mirrors attaching to the front corner of the glass, just as in Shardien's picture above.  You'll pop an interior triangular cover just inside the door of your MJ and you'll see 3 holes that the factory put in there.    Exact same set up on the XJs, as that's where they bolt their mirrors on. 

 

Pretty-much plug and play with the exception of some very minor trimming of your aluminum trim in that corner.  Let us know how it goes.  

 

  

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XJs up to 96 have the factory post mounted mirrors that are a bolt on for MJs.  97-2001 (late model) XJs have the larger mirrors.  You remove the small triangular cover on the inside (I think you have to pull the door panel first?), then three bolts and disconnect the wiring and the mirror comes off.  If you intend to wire in the electrics, get the body side connector and a few inches of that wiring also.

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Well, after fighting with one XJ to get its driver door open (without success), I've managed to find another and got the mirrors off of it.  They bolted right to the MJ and those ugly, POS trailer mirrors are no more.  I can actually see in the rear view to the left and right now.  Fantastic.  Thanks a million guys.

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9 hours ago, HOrnbrod said:

If only the late XJ mirrors were available in chrome.  :sad:

 

I was trying to get a set of early 90s Toyota mirrors to try.  They come in chrome. Looks like a very similar shape to the 97+ mirrors and 3 bolt mount.

 

Unfortunately she was crazy and we broke up.  I don't feel like paying money for mirrors that likely won't work.  Maybe another time. :laugh:

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16 minutes ago, DirtyComanche said:

I was trying to get a set of early 90s Toyota mirrors to try.  They come in chrome. Looks like a very similar shape to the 97+ mirrors and 3 bolt mount.

 

Unfortunately she was crazy and we broke up.  I don't feel like paying money for mirrors that likely won't work.  Maybe another time. :laugh:

 

I don't get it.   :confused:

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29 minutes ago, Pete M said:

awesome!  :thumbsup: 

 

what'd ya do with the little triangle caps?  :brows:


I still have them.  You want them?

 

 

4 minutes ago, saveevryjp1998 said:

Ill take those old mirrors. I'm trying to make a nice set with a bunch of bad ones.


If you want them you are welcome to them.

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1 hour ago, HOrnbrod said:

 

I don't get it.   :confused:

 

I dated a girl with a 91 Toyota.  She had a set of chrome mirrors on it and promised to give them to me when she found black ones.  If you put them side by side XJ mirrors they look like they could be twins, but the Toyota ones are maybe a little bigger.

 

But she was insane, so we broke up before I got the mirrors. I wanted them only for research purposes and I'm not going to go buy a set to see it they fit.  So basically I have nothing to contribute.  But if you want some rounded new style chrome mirrors, Toyota may be the answer. :laugh:

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2 minutes ago, DirtyComanche said:

I dated a girl with a 91 Toyota.  She had a set of chrome mirrors on it and promised to give them to me when she found black ones.  If you put them side by side XJ mirrors they look like they could be twins, but the Toyota ones are maybe a little bigger.

 

But she was insane, so we broke up before I got the mirrors. I wanted them only for research purposes and I'm not going to go buy a set to see it they fit.  So basically I have nothing to contribute.  But if you want some rounded new style chrome mirrors, Toyota may be the answer. :laugh:

 

Thanks. I thought I might be going insane too trying to follow that convoluted explanation.    :laugh:

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6 minutes ago, HOrnbrod said:

 

Thanks. I thought I might be going insane too trying to follow that convoluted explanation.    :laugh:

 

When I reply using my phone I tend not to proofread to see if what I wrote actually makes a lick of sense.

 

Anyways, somebody should go grab an early 90s Toyota mirror to see if they can fit. 

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