Rearview mirror..rust?

Hey everyone, so i just bought my 2003 double cab a few weeks ago and noticed the mirror had some weird corrosion around the outside (see picture). Has anybody else had this issue?
I was also wondering if there is a replacement I could buy. It looks like you can only replace the whole module (with the light fixtures) and it costs ~$80. Guess I could look in a junkyard?
Any help/ advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks.

 

The actual mirror part should be the same from any first gen. You could look up the cost for one without the map lights.

It looks like the actual mirrored coating on the back of the glass is corroded.

 

Replace it with a gentex mirror with Temp, compass and auto dim, you can buy a used setup off eBay for 50.00 or 60.00, or a salvage yard for 25.00, but you need ALL the connecting wires and temp sensor

 

More details on this part? Fancy!

 

Sure, there are a few people on eBay selling the complete kit with wires and sensor and etc.
The gentex 177 mirror is a GM mirror, IT IS auto dimming so the lights in the rear mirror automatically
dim the mirror, you also have a compass and a temperature indicator.
The hardest part is fishing the wires through the front of the head linier one at a time and then fishing them all through the headlinier to the right side pillar. You need to remove the PLACTIC side pillar and run the wires for power and the wires for the temp sensor that you will attach to the very front of the truck by the horn. 2 wires run to this sensor, the other 2 wires run under the glove box area( remove the glove box) and find a ground by the glove box frame and hot wire to the cigarette light so that when the key is off the power to the mirror is off also. The mirror will drain the battery if you connect to a hot wire that is not controlled by the ingintion. My cigarette lighter does not work when the ingintion key is off. The mirror is larger than the original mirror and is a tight fit between the visors n. But it's not a big deal
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gentex-177-...ash=item41b8c57248:g:E5MAAOSwNphWadsR&vxp=mtr

 

if you can't find a tacoma or a 4runner in the junkyard, try looking for old corollas or camrys of around the same years of your truck. They sometimes have the same or similar parts too and are much more common than tacomas. Clocksprings are an example

 

What gauge wire could you run through the headliner? I have a bunch of spools of 14ga for my new Gentex 313 with Homelink/Temp/Compass/Autodim. I don't know if it'll be too thick a diameter though.

 

16 gauge wire will be enough. You only need enough for a hundred milliwatts or so.

If you plan on running the wiring over to one of the A-pillars, you should first, before you buy anything, remove the 2 screws that hold the grab bar from the A-pillar. They were put in with loctite at the factory and are a real SOB to remove. You should also invest in a set of plastic trim removers (those at Harbor Freight are fine for about $7) so you can pop the A-pillar trim away from the pillar itself. You can also use them to GENTLY pry back the front edge of the headliner to ease in the wiring.

 

Yea, the early tacoma use 2 Phillip screws and I think the later Tacoma have a bolt, anyway if it's the screw used make sure you have a newer screw driver with a big big grip for a lot of torque and DONT strip the screw or use an impact. They are a bear to get out

 

I removed the grab handle bolt to mount my RAM phone mount, it wasn't that bad to remove if I remember.

 

purdy sure plastic can't rust

Looks like silicone was applied...
then it was driven in dirt that has red oxide in it.

It was probably applied cause the mirror was loose in the housing and vibrating.

2 minute repair job done poorly

I'd think it could be cleaned up and repaired properly...
But that'd be a hassle... so I'd likely just replace it altogether.

Salvage yard or one of those chinese repros, tho' the later could be sub-par in it's mirror quality.

 

Bolts are easy, the screws are the problem if you have an early Tacoma

 

Ah gotcha.

 

I didn't undo any trim. Just tucked my wires in the edge of the headliner, then tucked along the windshield pillar to left side of dash. Use a "Tap A Fuse"

 

car-part.com has a bunch listed for less than $55

 

The back of mirrors have a metal silver coating. When oxygen gets to it over time it will corrode. A mirror in a bathroom may see this corrosion quicker due to all the moisture.

 

I'm replacing my rearview with a Gentex one this weekend, I can sell you mine if you're still looking for one. It's gray and from a '98.