Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror

[ssvette]

Does anyone know if an auto dimming rear view mirror can be installed in 2004 Highlander with side curtain air bags. I know you can't get it standard if the Highlander has side curtain airbags but is there an after market one that can be installed.

I found this site http://www.mitocorp.com/nvsmirro.htm which appears to have a nice auto dimming mirror with directional and outside temperature readings. The installation calls for running the wiring through the "A" pillar. The "A" reads side curtain air bags. Is it still possible to install it?

Thank You for any help.

[Bbbutch]

I can't answer your question but I am curious as to why you can't have the auto-dimming mirror with side curtain air bags?
Does that cause the normal driver and passenger air bags to deploy closer to the center (or the windshield) and a slightly larger mirror would come into contact with it?

I did see a recorded demonstration of an air bag deployment in a 2002 Ford Crown Vic for CHP. The rear view mirror had been mounted just a few inches back to make room for an inside center red light. Upon deployment the air bag caught the mirror and sent it with great force to within an inch of the driver's headrest.
BTW they were testing to see if the air bag would make hard contact with the laptop computer mounted on the center console.

[gman]

I might have completely misunderstood the question...

I have a 2004 Limited Highlander and we have side and curtain airbags with a factory installed auto-dimming rear-view mirror. It was part of the package, so I just assumed it was standard on the limiteds. You do mean rear-view mirror, right?

[ssvette]

That's correct rearview mirror. I didn't get a limited but do want the auto dimming, compass, outside temp features. At first I thougth it was strange that it was fully loaded but didn't have the auto dimming mirror. I was researching the options on edmunds.com it said the the auto dimming was not available if you got the side curtain aigbags. I just assumed that maybe having to run the wiring through the "A" pillar would interfer with the side curtain airbag. But that's great to know that the two be installed together.

[gman]

Yeah, I can't imagine there would be an issue then. I have no idea what they would charge to install it, but it definitely works pretty well.

[peid]

It is a Toyota Package issue, just like you can't (couldn't when I looked, maybe changed now) get 17" wheels and a moon roof in the Matrix together from the factory.

[gman]

Yeah, but if you bring it back to a dealership, surely they could order and install the part as an "aftermarket" install.

[ssvette]

I did get a reply from mitco. They said could install the auto dimming rearview mirror with compass but I could not have the outside temp option install. The outside temp wiring would have to run through the "A" pillar where the side curtain airbag is locate. The other wiring can be reroute. I am going to try the dealer and see what they say about installing it as an aftermarket.

Thanks for all the responses.

[TOM34]

I had one installed on my 2004 Highlander by the dealer. They had another place, that does these type of accessories, install it and made no mention of any issues with the side curtain air bags. I have the auto dimming mirror, compass, map lights and outside temperature. They did a great job with the install. No problems but you'll never really know if the airbags were affected until you need them ! The only issue I had with them was there was no manual or instruction sheet with it. I had to go to the web and get one. Overall I am very pleased with it and the operation of it as well. I view this as a dealer installed option and warranty would be covered by the dealer.

[ssvette]

Tom34,

You wouldn't happen to be from New Jersey and can recommed the dealer you used.

Thank You

[ssvette]

gman,

Where is the compass and outside termperature located on your Limited?

Thanks

[Red Hornet]

The auto-dimming rear view mirror is great if you don't have a shell on your truck to block the brights, which we do, or would have installed one.

'Nother GREAT feature would be the auto-dimming outside rear veiw mirrors as is on our Lexus RX300. The side-mirror glare bothers me orders of magnitude more than the rear mirror which you can flip it to darker.

Had an aftermarket Rat Shack magnetic compass, Airguide altimeter, early Toy 4Runner Inclinometer on my 1991 Toy truck. All nice features. Would be really cool to add the Supercharger instrument dial assy. on the driver side post-pillar, for these aftermarket features!!!

Cheers,
-RH

[gman]

ssvette,

The compass and outside temperature actually seems to be part of the navigation system in my Highlander. I am not a technician, but my guess us that the compass may be part of a ball-like device installed very inconspicuously on the left front dash near the windshield. However, if you look at the Limited literature, it lists "auto-dimming electrochromic rearview mirror with compass" as a standard feature. I am just guessing that since we got the navigation system, the compass runs standard on that, so they don't put it in two places.

I did some research on the pillar issue and the wiring install. I did manage to find a pdf file of the actual install of the mirror down the pillar. I can't find it again for the life of me, but it looked like the wiring ran in the pillar along with the curtain airbag. It was simply fixed tighly on one side whie the airbag seemed to be able to move around it. If I find it again, I will post it in this thread!

I will look into this further, investigate my vehicle a little better, and see what I can do to help you.

[ssvette]

gman

Really appreciate any help you can give. It's though when you get use to a feature and then don't have it.

Thanks Again.

[toad]

SSvette,
I have a 04 highlander limited with side air bags and i have a factory
dimming rear veiw mirror. Toad