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Not sure if I am the first to do this to an IS500 or not, but I figured i would share my experience on one thread.
First I want to thank we1rdoo
for this link... this is where I purchased the power folding mirrors.. https://www.fromjapan.co.jp/en/
I got 2 mirrors, same color as my car for 305.00 or 42000 yen plus some fee or something...
with shipping and other fees was about 140.00 so a total of 445.00 give or take a few dollars.
I then watched a few videos on how to remove the door panel.. Its literally 4 screws and the panel will pop off with a little help of course..
here's a pic with the new switch installed in the trim piece of my door panel
it was a direct fit to the factory wire harness in the IS500.. I dont know for sure, but I dont think it will work for the IS350 because GeorgeR said his set up was a 22 pin (no memory seats)
I routed the wires through the hole in the door to where the original wiring was and hooked everything up.. and it worked!! didnt have to tap any wires, or hack anything up.. direct plug and play.
I will say the angle is off a little bit for the driver side.. I see more of the car than I would like to see.. I am trying out the different mirrors to decide which I like more because one is more magnified than the other see pic below
Here are some pic with a very unscientific way of measuring lol these are of IS models at a dealership...
IS500 at dealership.. standard no power folding mirrors IS500 at dealership.. standard no power folding mirrors IS500 at dealership.. standard no power folding mirrors IS500 at dealership.. standard no power folding mirrors the power folding mirror I installed.. I tried to get the exact same angle but thats easier said then done. The power folding mirror base plate, appears to be the same as the ones that came on the car.. Side by side comparison.. power folding mirror in my hand.. have yet to install it in this pic..
Hopefully this helps someone out.. and if anyone has ideas on how to make my mirror angle proper so I see less of the car and more of the road I more than welcome the feedback and ideas.
Thanks for the how to lol. I've been really tempted to do it as well cause I recently saw a GS350 F Sport and she had the power folding mirrors lol. To say that I felt inferior in my IS500 is rather funny.
congrats on the mod! this is how it should've came to begin with in my opinion.
Thanks CP.. I totally agree.. its crazy that they dont come that way.. Even the sales manager at my local dealer was surprised when I asked him if the 2024 IS500 would have power folding mirrors because the older ones dont.. he was like yes they do! lol.. I said show me.. and he went to the car and whadda know... no power folding mirrors lol
Very nice and good job! I wonder if the angle and magnification are off because they’re Japanese models. Left is right and right is left as far as angles and magnification go. My NX 300h had the power mirrors and if not for the 5.0 V8 in the IS500, I almost feel like I traded down without them 😝.
Good job! I noticed that the JDM mirror has a dotted line next to the BSM light. Is the JDM mirror auto dimming?
Bro! that is a good question.. and a strong possibility.. especially since the actual glass or mirror from the set I purchased from Japan have an additional wire.. When I try out the original mirrors that came with the power folding mirrors Ill try to see if they auto dim Mirro on top is the glass that came with the set I purchased in Japan.. The lower mirror is the stock glass that came on my car originally
Bro! that is a good question.. and a strong possibility.. especially since the actual glass or mirror from the set I purchased from Japan have an additional wire.. When I try out the original mirrors that came with the power folding mirrors Ill try to see if they auto dim Mirro on top is the glass that came with the set I purchased in Japan.. The lower mirror is the stock glass that came on my car originally
Hmm I’m almost certain that’s exactly what it is. For me personally, that would be enough reason for me to use the JDM mirrors instead. Keep us posted! The only part of this whole set up that has me iffy is that the window switch itself doesn’t appear to be an OEM switch. I think that’s the reason why it worked off the bat. It seems that the aftermarket switch is using ACC power to determine when to fold and unfold the mirrors, whereas the true OEM switch which to my knowledge unfolds when you unlock and folds when you lock. Still impressive work nonetheless.
Hmm I’m almost certain that’s exactly what it is. For me personally, that would be enough reason for me to use the JDM mirrors instead. Keep us posted! The only part of this whole set up that has me iffy is that the window switch itself doesn’t appear to be an OEM switch. I think that’s the reason why it worked off the bat. It seems that the aftermarket switch is using ACC power to determine when to fold and unfold the mirrors, whereas the true OEM switch which to my knowledge unfolds when you unlock and folds when you lock. Still impressive work nonetheless.
Thanks I appreciate that. Not sure if your accurate or not though.. Based off a video I saw, at about the 1:33 mark a guy in a Japanese version of the IS500 has to press the button in order for his mirrors to unfold..
also, I am pretty sure I saw a post on here with the Japanese IS500 and I am pretty sure it also had a push to open mirror button.. The only thing mine has that is different is the auto folding feature button which of course doesn't work...
Also I will for sure update you when I know about the mirrors
Last edited by OCJACKAL; Jan 28, 2024 at 08:31 PM.
Reason: forgot to add something lol
Thanks I appreciate that. Not sure if your accurate or not though.. Based off a video I saw, at about the 1:33 mark a guy in a Japanese version of the IS500 has to press the button in order for his mirrors to unfold..
also, I am pretty sure I saw a post on here with the Japanese IS500 and I am pretty sure it also had a push to open mirror button.. The only thing mine has that is different is the auto folding feature button which of course doesn't work...
Oh I was referring to the auto function with my statement. I thought when I watched your video, when you hit the start button twice the mirrors unfolded by themselves. But I guess what I’m gathering is that you actually unfolded them by pressing the button? That would explain it and make sense.
ohhh that makes sense lol.. either way, Im pretty stoked with the outcome. I hope when I swap the mirrors back to the ones from Japan, it will provide a better angle for me
Great find and write up...thanks. Makes sense to have the driver's side mirror plug into the new switch. What does the passenger side mirror plug into to enable the folding?