*** I nor Ford Ranger Forum are responsible for any damage done to you, your mirrors, or your truck during this mod. Please use caution and take your time***
I know that many other Ranger websites have a how to like this, but we don't so...
This is a how to for a 06 side mirror swap on a pre 06 ranger. For me, my ranger was an 05. Noitce how much nicer the 06 side mirrors are..
Lets Begin..
Tools Needed
- hack saw and file
-OR-
-dremel with cut off wheel & grinding tool
- 4mm socket
- small flat blade
- large flat blade
- phillips screw driver
- 11mm socket
- 7/64 allen wrench
In order to properly fit the 06 mirrors on your truck, you need to remove the small risers where the bolts are. In order to get to these you need to remove the foam backing from the mirror.
Notice the difference the risers make between the two different style mirrors.
Then you need to remove the 3 screws on the back of the mirror with the 4mm socket. Take either your hack saw or dremel with a cutting wheel and cut off the risers the bolts where on.
Next grab your file or dremel with the grinding wheel attachment and smooth out your risers so that the surface is flush with the rest of the mirror.
Use the small blade to remove the shavings from the screw hole. Once they are nice and clean take the screws and put them back into the holes. Try to put them in as straight as you can.
Once you have tightened the bolts halfway, reinsert the foam backing and then finish tightening the bolts. The bolts should be on top of the foam when they are completely tightened down.
Congrats! Your 06 mirrors are now ready to be mounted to your truck!
In order to install your new 06 mirrors you first need to take off your door panel. First you need to take off your cover on your window crank, if you have one. Use the large blade to pop it off. Once the cover is off, it will reveal a torx screw. Remove this too with the 7/64 allen wrench. With the torx screw removed, just pull on the window crank and it should come right off.
Next you need to remove two screws. One in the inside handle and one in the bottom outside corner. **Notice, on my 05 ranger with manual windows and locks there were only two screws that needed to be removed. You may need to remove more screws depending on your year and model** Screw location marked by red arrows.
The trick to removing the door panel is to lift up and then pull out. Do this carefully and take your time because the tabs on the panel can be easily broken! With the panel removed, you can access the back of the side mirrors that are currently on your truck.
I had to remove this gray backing to access the bottom two bolts.
Use the 11mm socket to remove the three nuts in the holes. Be carefull not to let the bolts drop down into the door panel. Once the three bolts are removed, the mirror should fall off. Install your new 06 mirrors by placing the bolts in the holes and using the same nuts to tighten up the new mirrors.
Reinstall everything the in reverse order. When reinstalling the door panels, make sure all of the tabs are lined up and that the door lock goes into the placement hole.
Lastly, stand back and admire your work.