I just got my rugged ridge relocation brackets in, everything went on good, but ... is there an easier way to get the stock mirriors apart!? so i can get them on the new brackets?

 

Get ready for a loooonnngg installation. I bought mine two weeks ago and I've only gotten the driver's side mirror on. I also broke something in it while pulling it off, now it doesn't sit perfectly level.

 

Getting the stock mirror out of the stock bracket is a PAIN IN THE ASS. I ruined a mirror doing it the first time.

Get a thick punch and put it up into the bolt hole. Make sure it doesn't touch the threads and bottoms out on the bottom of the bolt hole. Start whacking on that punch hard with a hammer. When the mirror finally lets go it's going to pop off. So be ready to catch it or do it over something soft.

If you don't have a big punch a socket extention might work.

When I did mine the first time I used a long bolt instead of a punch. But the threads on the bolt were catching the catching the threads on in the mirror as I beat on it and ended up tearing the threads out.

 

I must be lucky. I don't remember having any trouble with mine.

 

There was a change to the mirrors in early 2008. The earlier mirrors are much easier to remove. I know that because I was the first one to have one of the new mirrors so I had to work with Omix-Ada (rugged ridge) as their relocation brackets wouldn't work exactly right with the newer mirrors.

 

Loosen the screw from underneath. Place a flat head screw driver in the screw head making sure it won't damage the torx pattern. Bang the screw driver up with a hammer. Should pop off but not fly in the air.

 

Take the screws off the bottom. Put in a large drill bit (think I used .5 inch) and lightly tap with a hammer.

 

I wouldn't recommend this. You'll damage the threads. This is basically how I ruined my first mirror. Mine were in so tight I had to wail on them with a ball-peen hammer.