Since there is so much discussion i figured i would do a write up on how to switch em over. Im limited on pics so i will do my best to talk through it.
**The power-fold option i do not think will work because the motor mounts in the base (which is why the bases are bigger) but my truck was not powerfold to begin with so it did not hurt my feelings any.**
you need both sets of towing mirrors (OE for your model truck and the new ones). MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE WIRING HARNESS FOR YOUR MODEL TRUCK FOR THIS TO WORK PROPERLY.
completely disassemble both sets of mirrors removing all of the glass and plastic off the mirror and rails. Remove the snap ring on the lower rail, Then slide the mirrors off the rails.
Next you need to take the old base and rails and cut about 1/2 in off of the bottom rail and later cut and notch it where the mirror will not come completely off. This is because the mirror will not fully push in if you dont.
Disassemble instructions:
Old:
How to disassemble 06+ towing mirrors - Diesel Place : Chevrolet and GMC Diesel Truck Forums
New:
2015+ Power Fold Tow Mirror Disassemble for Paint | Chevy Truck Forum | GMC Truck Forum - GmFullsize.com
Now that you have the plastic slide ons from your new mirror put the top one on over the older style base (ie just snap it back together). for the bottom it gets a little tricky... i do not have adequate pictures of this so i am borrowing some from LAchevy so photo creds go to him in a few of these...
You need to trim just enough off of the raised lip to give you proper clearance without trimming too much where there is a noticeble gap. i trimmed maybe an 1/8in off (not as much as the pic below) with a dremel, but this was trial and error putting on and taking off as i went. Results may be different with each old style base. After this is done and where you like it the new mirror should just slide right on.
That's the real modification necessary... Now here is where it gets fun, the wiring...
If you remember from here... http://www.duramaxforum.com/forum/how-tos-diy-write-ups/384185-led-mirror-lights.html
before i start i cut the stock harness inside the mirror glass (giving adequate length for the telescoping part and adjusted the new wires in the new mirror accordingly where everything tied together behind the glass. I never took the original bases off of my truck but you will need to in order to run the extra wires for the reverse lights and the amber lights.
i already ran wires for my previous mirror lights so it was easy just splicing the new amber LED clearance lights into this wire... If you just have stock mirrors you can see in the other writeup how i ran the wires for the clearance lights. you will also have to run a wire for the LED reverse lights. All that is needed is a hot wire as everything is grounded inside the mirror. The rest of the wiring is just a matter of matching colors and splicing together into the old harness. I spliced everything behind the mirror glass. into the old harness. the only extra wires you are going to have is a yellow (for the reverse LED's and orange for the clearance lights). It makes it easier too to reuse your mirror defrost leads that way it minimizes cutting and splicing.
Here is a list of colors on the mirror and what they connect to. Splicing may vary for anything older than 2011.
Mirror Motor (Passenger)
White connect to same OEM color
Grey connect to same OEM color
Orange/Black/ connect to same OEM color
Driver Side
Blue/White same color
Grey/White same color
White same color
LED turn signal
Red/Black connected to OEM flasher brown
Black/White connected to OEM flasher blue/white
Clearance Lights
Orange connected to aux wire coming from fuse
LED Reverse Lights
Yellow connected to aux wire
Defrost
Both Black Wires
and everything is grounded together at the LED turn signal
now for the turn signal in the glass you need to reverse the polarity of the wires. ie switch the wire orientation in the plug socket that plugs into the back of the glass (i guess the new models have a reverse polarity on their flashers.)
After all of this reassemble the mirrors and you should have a fuly functional new style tow mirror.
i will add pics as i can find them but this should get you started. Also your amber clearance lights will also flash with the turn signal which is also something else different. PM me for any questions! :drink :neener
I will edit if i think of anything else to help yall out. Thanks!
**The power-fold option i do not think will work because the motor mounts in the base (which is why the bases are bigger) but my truck was not powerfold to begin with so it did not hurt my feelings any.**
you need both sets of towing mirrors (OE for your model truck and the new ones). MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE WIRING HARNESS FOR YOUR MODEL TRUCK FOR THIS TO WORK PROPERLY.
completely disassemble both sets of mirrors removing all of the glass and plastic off the mirror and rails. Remove the snap ring on the lower rail, Then slide the mirrors off the rails.
Next you need to take the old base and rails and cut about 1/2 in off of the bottom rail and later cut and notch it where the mirror will not come completely off. This is because the mirror will not fully push in if you dont.
Disassemble instructions:
Old:
How to disassemble 06+ towing mirrors - Diesel Place : Chevrolet and GMC Diesel Truck Forums
New:
2015+ Power Fold Tow Mirror Disassemble for Paint | Chevy Truck Forum | GMC Truck Forum - GmFullsize.com
Now that you have the plastic slide ons from your new mirror put the top one on over the older style base (ie just snap it back together). for the bottom it gets a little tricky... i do not have adequate pictures of this so i am borrowing some from LAchevy so photo creds go to him in a few of these...
You need to trim just enough off of the raised lip to give you proper clearance without trimming too much where there is a noticeble gap. i trimmed maybe an 1/8in off (not as much as the pic below) with a dremel, but this was trial and error putting on and taking off as i went. Results may be different with each old style base. After this is done and where you like it the new mirror should just slide right on.
That's the real modification necessary... Now here is where it gets fun, the wiring...
If you remember from here... http://www.duramaxforum.com/forum/how-tos-diy-write-ups/384185-led-mirror-lights.html
before i start i cut the stock harness inside the mirror glass (giving adequate length for the telescoping part and adjusted the new wires in the new mirror accordingly where everything tied together behind the glass. I never took the original bases off of my truck but you will need to in order to run the extra wires for the reverse lights and the amber lights.
i already ran wires for my previous mirror lights so it was easy just splicing the new amber LED clearance lights into this wire... If you just have stock mirrors you can see in the other writeup how i ran the wires for the clearance lights. you will also have to run a wire for the LED reverse lights. All that is needed is a hot wire as everything is grounded inside the mirror. The rest of the wiring is just a matter of matching colors and splicing together into the old harness. I spliced everything behind the mirror glass. into the old harness. the only extra wires you are going to have is a yellow (for the reverse LED's and orange for the clearance lights). It makes it easier too to reuse your mirror defrost leads that way it minimizes cutting and splicing.
Here is a list of colors on the mirror and what they connect to. Splicing may vary for anything older than 2011.
Mirror Motor (Passenger)
White connect to same OEM color
Grey connect to same OEM color
Orange/Black/ connect to same OEM color
Driver Side
Blue/White same color
Grey/White same color
White same color
LED turn signal
Red/Black connected to OEM flasher brown
Black/White connected to OEM flasher blue/white
Clearance Lights
Orange connected to aux wire coming from fuse
LED Reverse Lights
Yellow connected to aux wire
Defrost
Both Black Wires
and everything is grounded together at the LED turn signal
now for the turn signal in the glass you need to reverse the polarity of the wires. ie switch the wire orientation in the plug socket that plugs into the back of the glass (i guess the new models have a reverse polarity on their flashers.)
After all of this reassemble the mirrors and you should have a fuly functional new style tow mirror.
i will add pics as i can find them but this should get you started. Also your amber clearance lights will also flash with the turn signal which is also something else different. PM me for any questions! :drink :neener
I will edit if i think of anything else to help yall out. Thanks!