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TriniGS Carson Tuned LED Mirror Caps Documentary and DIY

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Old 03-17-10, 03:06 PM
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carbongs
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Default TriniGS Carson Tuned LED Mirror Caps Documentary and DIY

Installed these for TriniGS yesterday. Took some pics along with the install.

His car sits so nice in my driveway lol. The neighbors were like another GS? Really? lol









Used this thread for the references but I compiled some steps that were skipped.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...iy-thread.html

Start with opening up the door panel, Here's how



Use a small flathead screwdriver to slowly pry off the cap behind the handle from left to right.



Once the cover comes off there will be a phillips head screw to take out



Then there is a phillips head screw behind the hole for the air vent which comes from the dash to the door.



Then use a small flathead screwdriver to take off the led light housing



Remove the LED for easy access later



There is a long phillips head screw behind there



First roll down your windows it will make thins much easier! Then by pulling towards you pull the panel from right to left starting at the lower right hand corner there should be 9 tabs. Then once the bottom and side are free start at the top corner furthest away from the side mirror and gently pull up. The door panel should separate and pull of. I used a cardboard box to rest it on. Easier to leave it on then to take everything off.



Then there is a phillips head screw on the side panel that covers the door latch take that off





Then there is the door trim moulding that is held in with two tabs. One on each side. Simply use a flat head or small needle nose pliers to pry them off.







On the ABS unit on the door locate the clip that goes to the side mirror. It should be the one on the right. Disconnect it.



Remove the side mirror bolts. There are three 10mm bolts. Don't worry about the mirror falling off there is a plastic rod that holds it in place.



Pull from the outside and it should come off nicely



Make sure the clip comes with it through the hole on the door



Done



Do everything again on the passenger side and you are ready for the hard work



Bring the mirrors to an open space where you can spread out and work

Old 03-17-10, 03:07 PM
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carbongs
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I used three layers of masking tape along the bottom of the mirror. You will need to do this in order to keep the mirror from scratches and pry marks later.



From the bottom you will need to pry up using a pry bar or flexhead flat head screwdriver.



There are two plastic clips holding the mirror onto the plate. Once you get them to separate then it is all easy work



Take off the two plugs on the mirror with a small flat head screwdriver





Then the mirror should lift from the housing





Take off the phillips head screw on the plate



It should come off with the spring attached



Pull the plate off carefully, there will be some clicking noise from the ribbed rods that are holding it in place



Remove the 4 phillips head screws this will release the top part of the housing away from the mirror cap



What you should see



Then remove the puddle lamp housing





Use needle nose pliers to take off the mirror guts from the housing. There should be three



Pull the insides out



Comparing the caps. The new one is on top the OEM is on the bottom





Transferring the tabs





Now for wiring. Pull the rubber grommet off of the triangle piece that bolts to the car. You will see this clip underneath of it



Pull towards you and it should pop off





Run the wire through the pipe.



Old 03-17-10, 03:08 PM
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Pass the line through the grommet, reassemble, and done!





Everything back together and wired up



On the side of the door locate the grommet and hosing from the door to the car. There are two 10mm bolts holding in the door side of the grommet. Take those off and using a flathead screwdriver you can pull the grommet from the car.



I attached the wires to a long zip tie and ran that through the grommet and through the car. Inside the car you will have to remove the plastic and carpet and feel for the wire coming through.



Pulling up the driver's side scuff plate to get to the main harness







As the other thread stated look for the large green and large yellow wires. Those are the ones you tap into. Yellow = driver's side. Green = passenger side.



All buttoned up









Old 03-17-10, 03:18 PM
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rominl
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wow mad props on the diy!!!!!!! great great job!
Old 03-17-10, 03:19 PM
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Nicely done, I am glad the thread I made was helpful....just a couple of things I would add, silicone around the LED housing is something I added to make sure moisture stays out. I also used some silicone caulk for the mirror to mimick the factory "glue" that you separate. Lastly, I cut off the LED wire connectors, since they can come loose, but it looks like you zip secured them. WTG

Last edited by EyeKutr; 03-17-10 at 03:24 PM.
Old 03-17-10, 03:26 PM
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twylie
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Excellent write up; looks great. Thank you for taking the time to document the process and take pictures.
Old 03-17-10, 03:30 PM
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Originally Posted by EyeKutr
Nicely done, I am glad the thread I made was helpful....just a couple of things I would add, silicone around the LED housing is something I added to make sure moisture stays out. I also used some silicone caulk for the mirror to mimick the factory "glue" that you separate. Lastly, I cut off the LED wire connectors, since they can come loose, but it looks like you zip secured them. WTG
Thanks it was very helpful. I took these pictures for TriniGS nothing against your write up. The people who know me know I like to document things. So this is merely a reference that will help show TriniGS what I did.

Originally Posted by twylie
Excellent write up; looks great. Thank you for taking the time to document the process and take pictures.
Thanks
Old 03-17-10, 03:31 PM
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I've thought about this mod but was afraid to take my door apart that way. I thought it might give me squeaks once put back together.
Strangely, my door has started squeaking anyway. Started about 2 weeks ago.
Anyway, props for the DIY mod. Good stuff.
Old 03-17-10, 04:08 PM
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rominl
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Originally Posted by Ice350
I've thought about this mod but was afraid to take my door apart that way. I thought it might give me squeaks once put back together.
Strangely, my door has started squeaking anyway. Started about 2 weeks ago.
Anyway, props for the DIY mod. Good stuff.
lol, then might as well do it
Old 03-17-10, 04:17 PM
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Stormforge
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great pics and diy install guide! to quote the dummies slogan, "a reference for the rest of us!"
Old 03-17-10, 04:43 PM
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dunnojack
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https://docs.google.com/uc?id=0Bz0UX...nload&hl=en_US

archived for posterity should pictures disappear
Old 03-17-10, 05:17 PM
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ItsChris
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nice carbonGS, was thinking about this if I didn't get a chance to get 08+ mirrors.
Old 03-17-10, 08:56 PM
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Great job Excellent write up with pics. Car looks amazing.

Last edited by 1STLXS; 03-17-10 at 09:02 PM.
Old 03-18-10, 03:40 AM
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great write up! makes it difficult not to do this mod. lol
Old 03-18-10, 06:09 AM
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awesome, great write up with pics..


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