ARCHIVE Wits’ End Gentex Mirror ARM

[NLXTACY]

Just a couple or updates. Have four Gentex mirrors now and it seems they all have different types of cables so the design need to change to accommodate the cable options and retention. The holes you see on the facing side are NOT the same as used for the retention plate on the back.

 

[mattcheston]

I left a comment on your IG post about this that you already replied to, but I just wanted to show my support here as well.

Start getting this stuff out so we can send you our hard earned dollars for it!

I've been looking at Gentex mirrors ever since I got my 60. My OEM mirror likes to glaze up with crap pretty quickly, and doesn't really stay positioned. I'd love to get one of the fancier units up there, maybe with an integrated backup screen as well. Electronic autodimming at the very least is a super underrated modern car feature that I'd love to have.

 

[NLXTACY]

The prototype machining has begun!

 

[Beams37]

Looks good so far.

 

[gregnash]

Nice!!! Can't wait for this one. Glove box is still in good shape but the rear view mirror is nasty. Would love to have one that is auto dimming, let alone any of the other functions hooked up.

 

[NLXTACY]

The block is done and fits nicely under the little panel. Dont judge, its just a test unit

 

[gregnash]

No judgement here brother! We love this stuff, not just can't wait to get one!! Wish I had it in time for my club outting at the end of the month.

 

[NLXTACY]

No judgement here brother! We love this stuff, not just can't wait to get one!! Wish I had it in time for my club outting at the end of the month.

Not sure it’ll be ready by then. The blocks for the 60/80/100s seem to need to be all different. But it seems that the arm can be the same because they all follow the same 35degree angle.

 

[Paul DiNapoli]

sub'd. i'd be interested in buying one of these when they're ready.

 

[Beams37]

Nice work dude !!

 

[NLXTACY]

Nevermind the crappy pics but progress.

The mounting block will be anodized. The arm will likely be powder coated because UV will just trash the anodize.

 

[NLXTACY]

Ok here it is test fitted on the 80 but the 60 is similar. Going to make one small aesthetic change now that I can see it attached. Shown in the images is two types of the Gentex mirrors that have a larger mounting surface but they both mount the same.

 

[NLXTACY]

 

[Spook50]

I like this idea. IIRC my aftermarket mirror is a Gentex. I'd love to have a more OEM mount for it in my 62, rather than have it glued to my windshield.

 

[gregnash]

Any thought on recessing the hex bolts that hold the arm to the mount so they dont interfere with the ceiling mounting screws?

 

[NLXTACY]

Any thought on recessing the hex bolts that hold the arm to the mount so they dont interfere with the ceiling mounting screws?

The production version hardware gets low heads. Didn’t have any on hand so used SHCS to test fitment only.

 

[Kmonty66]

Pretty flippin' awesome! Another thing I don't need but gonna have to have!

 

[NLXTACY]

For all interested in this solution for their 60/62, please keep one thing in mind: you will need to get creative with a wire fishing tool to get power/sensor communication up to the mirror. I'm not too worried about it but I do know it'll take some effort.

 

[Spook50]

For all interested in this solution for their 60/62, please keep one thing in mind: you will need to get creative with a wire fishing tool to get power/sensor communication up to the mirror. I'm not too worried about it but I do know it'll take some effort.

I'm hoping the wires that were fed up along my windshield gasket have enough slack for me to put the mirror on the mount. As it sits on the windshield now, the wiring that comes out of the headliner is pretty tight. Worst case is I guess I'll take it to a car stereo shop and have them feed more of the wire up.

 

[NLXTACY]

Some tweaking:

1. Internal slot radius where slot meets the thru pocket. Eliminates a sharp edge. Also extend slot a little further down to meet the bottom edge of the pocket.
2. Reduce the notch width at mating interface. .015" clearance per side currently, reduce this to .005"
3. Reduce block width. This will make it easier to get the plastic trim piece on and off
4. Increase cable width on block slot
5. Angle changed 12deg
6. The arm thickness will increase because of the angle change.

I installed the prototype again and played with it some more. The visors on the 80 clear the mirror just fine so the 60 will likely be fine, but if something more than 3" wide is attached the arm it will interfere with the visors. Something ScanGauge sizes wouldn't fit in the zone for that reason but some sort of drop bracket and bring it under the mirror could work.