Written By: STL

Discussion Thread: How To: Ford Thunderbolt Turn Signal Mirror Install


Mirrors can be bought here. http://www.hillbankmotorsports.com/1...05-ranger.html


These are instructions on installing the signal mirrors if you do not have the correct mirror housing. These are a direct swap if you have 2002-2004 OEM power mirrors


This will work on 1998-2005 mirrors




Tools Needed

• Ratchet with extension
• Dremel
• Hot glue gun
• 6mm socket
• 11mm socket
• Small slotted screwdriver
• Razor Blade
• Small Pry Bar
• Spare wire for pulling wires through rubber grommet in door
• Electrical Connectors
• Wire crimper/stripper
• Heat gun or blow dryer
• T-20 torx bit

Step 1:
Removing door panel


Remove 2 screws behind the grab handle and the one at the bottom corner. Marked with a white arrow and with a red circle.


Remove the torx bit behind the window crank on manual windows



Remove the speaker using the 6mm socket. Reason for removing speaker his to help when running the wires later on.

Door panels without the map pocket there is one screw in the arm rest







Step 2.
Removing the Mirror from door.

There are 3 11mm nuts holding the mirror on



Step 3:
Removing mirror from housing on power mirror style

Push in on the outboard edge of glass. Insert a large flat screwdriver into the notch as shown above. There are two notches. Use the notch furthest inside
of housing along motor.




Twist the screwdriver about a 1/4 to 1/2 turn to disengage the motor mount from the housing.



Removing Mirror on manual style

Stick a flat blade screw driver in under the mirror and pop it straight up


Step 3:
Prepping the mirror

remove the alignment pins so you dont bend them or break them. Be sure to remember which spot they go in.



Now grab your hammer and smash the glass breaking it all off the black part.





Once you get all the glass removed scrap the glue that held it down off with a razor blade



Once the glue is off you are ready to now cut out the thunderbolt mirror from it's housing. keep the plastic film on the glass.

Step 4:
Removal of thunderbolt mirror

You will notice a lip around the whole mirror. You need to cut it down below the glass. Be careful and not to force the blade you can break the glass. Cut the plastic down so you can see parts of the bottom of the mirror.








Once you have it down you will be able to slid a knife under to cut the glue holding it down.







Step 5:
Cutting out the opening for the LED

Now the Thunderbolt mirror wont fit directly onto the factory plastic piece due to the LED. You need to cut a hole so it will fit in.

Set the Thunderbolt piece onto the factory one to trace the outline.







Using the Dremel cut out the hole


Test fit the thunderbolt mirror to see if it fits. and trim accordingly.

Once you got it where it fits. If the glass will not seat into the frame use a blow dryer or heat gun to warm the plastic so it will stretch to fit.



Notice the corner not all the way down. Just apply a blow dryer/heat gun for about 45-60 seconds


Finished product.


Step 6:
Glue the back side of the mirror




To help ensure the glass hold use a hot glue gun to glue it.




Replace the alignment pins now.


Step 6:
Replace the glass into the housing.

Take the supplied wire with the kit and attach the shorter one to the driver side. The longer one to the passenger side.

Before placing the mirror back into the housing fish the wire harness through the housing coming out where the mounting bolts are. manual mirror owners will need to drill a large size hole to get the wire through.

Placing the mirror back into the housing by aligning the pins and firmly pressing the center of the glass.

Now you can take the plastic film off the glass


Step 7:
Running wires.

I chose to run my wires to the front of the vehicle and tap into the turn signal wires.

Here are the wire colors for the different years

98-99 Ranger turn signal
LF: light green/white
RF: white/light blue
LR: light green/orange
RR: orange/light blue

2000 Ranger turn signal
LF: light green/white
RF: white/light blue
LR: dark blue/white
RR: brown/yellow

2001-2005 Ranger turn signal
LF: light green/white
RF: white/light blue
LR: light green/orange
RR: orange/light blue


Finish up by replacing all panels