DIY 5 Panel Wink Mirror install WITHOUT removing visors

[bizintine]

Here is my step by step installation of the 5 panel Wink Mirror for my frs. I originally followed a guide by 87_Sivik_Si on http://honda-tech.com/honda-civic-de...isors-2840942/ but made quite a few adjustments to fit my frs.

I started by making the brackets that will attach to the sun visors. I found some small L brackets laying around the garage. You can get them at any home depot or lowes. They measure about 2 1/2 inches on each edge.



The holes in these brackets already line up perfectly with the screws in the visors. The only problem is they have to be slightly longer so that they do not get in the way when the visor is pulled down.

To get around this, I flattened them out.



Next, measure 3/4 inches from the center of the bracket and make a new bend.



The brackets are now long enough to clear the visor. (this will be easier to understand just keep reading!)

I then chopped off the excess and rounded it off to make it look clean. Also, the hole in this small lip must be bored out with a 1/4 inch drill bit.



Next, remove the original screws in the visor. Replace them with some longer ones to compensate for the new width with the brackets.





As you can see, the bend of the bracket allows the visor to fold up and down freely.



Now for the bracket that will connect the mirror to the last bracket we made.

Start with a piece of 1 inch aluminum flat bar. Cut it to 11 inches. Mark off at 1 inch and 5 inches, this is where we will bend it.



I rounded the edges and drilled 1/4 inch holes.



Next I used a vise to make the bends. Both bends are actually SLIGHTLY bent more than 90 degrees. I would say maybe 87 degrees or so.



Now I used a counter sink drill bit to counter sink one side. (Make sure you do the right side!)



This is done to allow more space for the visor to flip up and down. You will be using a 1/4 inch screw to fit in its place.



Here is how everything will screw together



This is where the brackets will connect. Also, here is proof you can still use your sun visors with this installation method.









I had some trouble getting a clear shot from the drivers seat. The mirrors look a lot more flush in person.



I read a lot of reviews that this mirror begins to warp in the summer heat. Then I found this out first hand.. So I fixed up some aluminum flat bar to prevent that.

I marked off where to chop it so it would be the same length as the mirror.



Both of them chopped and ready to be painted/glued.



Here you can see it painted and clamped to the mirror. I used Rustoleum Paint and Primer in One. IMPORTANT in the picture I used JB Weld. The glue failed to hold up when I was installing the mirror and I had to completely make new ones. Make sure to sand the mirror where the brackets will be glued thoroughly. I used a 220 grit the second time around and switched to Loctite Heavy Duty Epoxy

[B-R-Z]

[bfsnail]

Not my cup of tea, but great job at designing and assembly! Looks really well put together

[Pkush]

What is the purpose of such an atrocity? lol

[Gunman]

I didn't know they still made wink mirrors. I used to have one in my Ranger, back in my minitruck days. Do they still have the louvered panels for the front side?

[bizintine]

Originally Posted by bfsnail

Not my cup of tea, but great job at designing and assembly! Looks really well put together

Thanks bfsnail! I wasn't sure how I felt about these mirrors for the longest time but my friend kept pushing me to try it and I love it.

Originally Posted by Pkush

What is the purpose of such an atrocity? lol

The visibility with this thing is AMAZING. I can see if there is anyone in my blind spot with just a glance.

Originally Posted by Gunman

I didn't know they still made wink mirrors. I used to have one in my Ranger, back in my minitruck days. Do they still have the louvered panels for the front side?

Yup they still make them. You can find pretty much anything on Amazon.com
This particular mirror is actually flat on the front side. Not sure about the louvered panels but I think I have an idea of what you mean.

[Gunman]

Originally Posted by bizintine

Yup they still make them. You can find pretty much anything on Amazon.com
This particular mirror is actually flat on the front side. Not sure about the louvered panels but I think I have an idea of what you mean.

I haven't found a picture yet, but the louver panel came in chrome, red, or blue, and slide over the back (non mirror side), and had louvers punched in it. It served no other purpose, than to add a shiny bit, lol.

You can kinda see the mirror I had in my truck.

[Target70]

More visibility is always good, but are these dimmable? What happens when a lifted truck is cruising behind you on the highway at night? Also seems like using a sun visor will be slightly more difficult. At least if you want to install a dash cam in your car, you can hide it in the mirror without it being obvious.

[Fender0122]

I like it. I always enjoyed making brackets out of aluminium stock. I made some for a gas cylinder to lift my engine lid on my mr2. Might have to do the same thing again for a hood prob on the brz...

[Jake_86]

i wouldnt mind a few more pics of finished. especially showing your view while driving. installed looks clean, especially painting black. ive thought about this but couldnt do it hahah. would be so much view, butttttttttt

[bizintine]

Originally Posted by Gunman

I haven't found a picture yet, but the louver panel came in chrome, red, or blue, and slide over the back (non mirror side), and had louvers punched in it. It served no other purpose, than to add a shiny bit, lol.

You can kinda see the mirror I had in my truck.

Hah that sounds pretty cool ill have to check it out.

and thats a cool little truck you got there Gunman what is it?

[bizintine]

Originally Posted by Target70

More visibility is always good, but are these dimmable? What happens when a lifted truck is cruising behind you on the highway at night? Also seems like using a sun visor will be slightly more difficult. At least if you want to install a dash cam in your car, you can hide it in the mirror without it being obvious.

I've thought about this same issue before I purchased my mirror. It hasn't happened to me yet, but hopefully my tint will help dim out the light. The mirror definitely takes some getting used to as you can see EVERYTHING behind you, and then some. It's like when your playing those racing video games and you hold the button to get a view behind you. That's how I feel when I look in the mirror hahah. As for the visors, they only go down until the the mirror gets in the way, but it's enough to block out the sun.

Originally Posted by Fender0122

I like it. I always enjoyed making brackets out of aluminium stock. I made some for a gas cylinder to lift my engine lid on my mr2. Might have to do the same thing again for a hood prob on the brz...

This was my first time working with it and it's great. Easy to work with and you can end up with some professional looking stuff.

Originally Posted by Jake_86

i wouldnt mind a few more pics of finished. especially showing your view while driving. installed looks clean, especially painting black. ive thought about this but couldnt do it hahah. would be so much view, butttttttttt

Ill take some more pictures when I drive to work and post them up tonight. I know how you feel though, I was on the fence about installing one of these for the longest time but you got to try everything once! I don't think I'll go back. Just to be able to see cars in my blind spot very clearly with just a glance is incredible.

[Target70]

Originally Posted by bizintine

I've thought about this same issue before I purchased my mirror. It hasn't happened to me yet, but hopefully my tint will help dim out the light. The mirror definitely takes some getting used to as you can see EVERYTHING behind you, and then some. It's like when your playing those racing video games and you hold the button to get a view behind you. That's how I feel when I look in the mirror hahah. As for the visors, they only go down until the the mirror gets in the way, but it's enough to block out the sun.

sorry, I ment a sunshield; the big foil one that keeps the sun from baking your dash while you are parked.

[Gunman]

Originally Posted by bizintine

Hah that sounds pretty cool ill have to check it out.

and thats a cool little truck you got there Gunman what is it?

1988 Ford Ranger. I sold it a few years ago.