RAV4 Blind Spot Mirror Swap for 5th Gen (2014+) 4Runner- Review and Install

I’ve always thought that the factory side mirrors on the 5th Gen 4Runner’s were a bit small for the size of the vehicle. Coming from trucks with larger mirrors, it took me a while to get used to it. I attempted to shop for the small “stick-on” blind spot mirror but later decided against them as I thought they all looked too out of place. However, while I was researching aftermarket mirror options, I came upon an O.E.M. option that is a pretty common mod by 5th Gen owners.

For some reason, Toyota decided that the 4Runner should have identical-sized side mirrors as the much smaller RAV4. Adding to this, Toyota gave their near smallest crossover an integrated blind spot mirror, but not the larger 4Runner. At least there is a bright side to all of this though, as the better mirrors from the RAV4 swap over in a matter of minutes with no tools necessary.

OEM Part Numbers

• Left: 87961-42D20
• Right: 87931-42D50

Find It Online

• RAV4 Blind Spot Mirrors Bundle: Check Price
• Local Toyota Dealer:
  – Left: Check Price
  – Right: Check Price

Review

These mirrors have been one of my favorite modifications to the 4Runner. Living in Southern California where people tend to drive more chaotically, the blind spot mirrors give me a greater view of my surroundings. Also being an O.E.M. part, there’s no surprise they have that factory look and feel too.

I think it’s important to point out the obvious fact that these mirrors are not supposed to supplement physically turning your head to check your blind spot. Its purpose is to make driving more relaxing by making your blind spot areas more apparent with just a quick eye glance. I would say that mission is accomplished perfectly.

However, one drawback is that the blind spot portion of the mirror cannot be independently adjusted from the main mirror. This means that moving the main mirror will forcibly move the blind spot mirror in the exact same way too.

Since everyone has different preferences on mirror settings, the small blind spot mirror might not be in an optimal view depending on your main mirror position. For me though, the mirror is in a good angle and I’m happy with the results. Considering how popular this mod is with these vehicles, I’d say they work for most people too.

Since these mirrors might not be everyone’s preference, here are some other great options to consider:

• Suma Performance Convex Mirrors
• Heated Car Trim Home Mirrors

Installation

You don’t need any tools for this installation, but I’ve seen some people use a plastic pry tool or a suction cup when removing the old mirrors. If you have these tools available to use, it will make the first step of the process easier. I didn’t have either so I just used my hands.

Step 1: Pull off the Old Mirror

Start off by adjusting the mirror all the way inward. You can do this by just pushing on the inner side of the mirror with your hand. This will give you enough room for your fingers to get behind and grab the mirror from the outer edge. When you have a firm grip, just pull the mirror off. It’ll be pretty stiff but just pull hard and it will come off of the clips. The four clips that you are aiming to remove the mirror from are shown in the picture above.

Step 2: Unplug Wire

Once the mirror is pulled off, unplug the wire for the heated mirror function.

Step 3: Plug-In Heated Element Wire on New Mirror

Grab your new mirror and plug in the wire for the heated mirror function.

Step 4: Align tabs and Push-In

Align the tabs in the picture above with the tabs on the housing from step one earlier. Once aligned, just push in. You should hear four clicks.

Step 5: Set Mirrors to Desired Position

That’s all there is to it! All that’s left is to hop in the vehicle and adjust the mirrors to your desired position.

Final Thoughts

Toyota made some odd decisions with the side mirrors across their vehicle lineup. While the 4Runner shares the same side mirror size as the RAV4, the 4Runner did not receive any type of blind spot detection until the 2022 model year. Luckily for us though, this mirror swap is easy and will only take a few minutes of your time.

Overall, these side mirrors give you a much greater view of your surroundings and make daily driving more comfortable. I also think that having the clean look, along with the O.E.M. fit and finish, was worth the price. I’m very happy with the results and recommend them to whoever isn’t satisfied with the factory side mirrors that come on the 2014+ 4Runners.

By the way, for anyone who has a 3rd gen Tacoma, these exact same mirrors will fit on those trucks too.