Prova Convex Wide-Angle Room Mirror in USDM Legacy BM/BR

Cross-posting from Facebook, so the formatting might be a touch off. Here is my complete installation of the Prova Wide-Angle Colored Convex Mirror Glass on my USDM Legacy. Have to split this into two parts due to the image-per-post limit.

 

Gigantic post warning: Info and install post for Prova Convex Colored Wide Room Mirror Glass for Legacy BL/BP/BM/BR/BN/BS, and the weirdness, information, and specifics I found in the process of installing one on my own BM.

 

Part #’s

90130IT0020 - Yellow

90130MG0021 - Blue

For Legacy BL/BP/BM/BR/BN/BS

prova.co.jp/products/mirrors/ksg9b60000000gau.html

 

I bought my glass from Rakuten, and both colors seem to be easy to find and obtain on eBay and Amazon now, just google the part numbers. This specific glass is currently still in production and not discontinued.

 

Firstly: the mirrors. This specific Prova glass is designed to fit on the JDM LEGACY NON-DIMMING FLIPTAB MIRROR *ONLY*. The 4th, 5th, and 6th gen JDM Legacy’s apparently all shared the identical non-dimming mirror. For the purpose of this post, I will be posting all information as relevant to a 5th gen BM, as that’s what I own. Important note: *ALL* versions of the USDM mirrors are different than the specific mirror that this glass was designed to fit. The JDM mirror glass is a different width/shape than the USDM glass, and the mirror itself mounts in an entirely different way and location. Essentially, to get the Legacy specific glass to fit, you’ll have to import the correct Legacy non-dimming mirror + mounting button, remove your USDM mirror, adhere and mount the JDM mount button, and finally install the JDM mirror with the Prova glass.

 

I’ll break the rest of the post down by images.

 

Image 1-2: My completed installation with full JDM non-dimming mirror transplant with Prova Blue Convex Glass.

 

Image 3: Prova Glass in package with the JDM mirror and mount button I imported. The OEM part #’s are 92021AG000 for the mount button and 92021AG001 for the mirror itself.

 

Image 4: Diagram from Prova’s website showing the dimensions of the glass in millimeters, as well as the chassis application.

 

Image 5-6: The Subaru OEM diagrams for USDM and JDM. You can see how different the shape/angle/mount style of the mirrors is between the two. USDM mounts on a double-articulating stem directly behind the mirror, underneath the shaded part of the window. JDM mounts on a single-articulating arm that mounts above the mirror and in the shaded part of the window, and the mirror itself is the only adjustable part. JDM also twists onto the mount button, where as the USDM slots down onto the mount and has a screw through it to hold it in place.

 

Image 7: Forward comparison between USDM auto-dimming mirror and JDM non-dimming mirror. The USDM mirror is wider but not as tall as the JDM mirror, and the plastic frame is much thicker.

 

Image 8: Face to face comparison of the size/shape of the USDM and JDM mirror.

 

Image 9: Showing the difference in shape between the USDM and JDM mounts. JDM is a circle while USDM is round oblong with a flat bottom. Note: the JDM mirror is shown here without the mount button installed.

 

Image 10: This is an image grabbed from a Japanese Legacy owner off Instagram (I do not recall the account name at this point) showing visually how the JDM mirror is mounted on Japanese Legacy’s. Note that it is within the shaded part of the window.

 

Image 11-13: Beginning the process of prepping my car for the mount button install. (Note: The first few steps can be skipped if you have a non-dimming USDM mirror. In that case, skip to removing the T20 screw). To begin, open the sunglasses compartment in the overhead unit, and remove the two screws upward facing screws inside. Carefully pry the overhead unit down and out. Unplug the large plug that connects to the overhead lights. Disconnect the smaller plug that connects to the mirror, and remove the plastic cover on the windshield that covers the wire going to the mirror. Remove the T20 torx screw in the mount base that holds the mirror to the window. Carefully slide the mirror up towards the top of the car until it’s free from the mount. Auto-dimming only: remove the other side of the plug from the back of the mirror. You CAN remove this plug from the car entirely if you really want to, but I personally just pulled it up into the opening behind the overhead unit and left it be. It seemed like I’d have to pull my headliner pretty far off to fully remove it. The mirror end of the plug is not visible from a normal riding position when pulled all the way in and can only be seen if you lean way forward and look at the top of the window.

 

Image 14-15: The JDM mount button 92021AG000 front and back. The smooth side goes against the window, the other side clicks into the JDM mirror arm.

 

Image 16-20: Installing the mount button. *THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF THE INSTALL*. The difficulty is not in the actual mounting, but in getting the orientation correct, and since you’re mounting the button pretty much permanently, you have basically once shot. To figure out the button orientation, I twisted the button into the base of the JDM mirror, and held it up to the glass, bit by bit angling and positioning the mirror where it would be comfortable to use while driving. *THIS IS ANNOYING TO DO*. I did this prior to mounting the button because moving the mirror around takes a decent amount of force, and I didn’t want to accidentally yank the mount off by adjusting it (I didn’t know just how strong the adhesive would hold at this point). Once I got the mirror where it would be comfortable to drive with, I made a mark on the top mirror base and the button where they would line up when installed, and also made a mark on the windshield right above where the button would go, just to get orientation right. I used Loctite Stik’n’Seal adhesive. Follow the instructions on the adhesive packaging. I applied some to the smooth side of the button and to the window just under my mark and pressed and held the button to the window for about 5 minutes. **BIG NOTE!** I ACTUALLY GOT THE ANGLE OF THE BUTTON A LITTLE BIT WRONG. When I was making my marks, the button wasn’t completely twisted into the base as far as it could be, so when I finally mounted my mirror, the mirror stem actually ended up not perfectly vertical, and is angled off to the left a little bit. The button would need to be rotated approximately another 5-10 degrees further counter-clockwise from where I have it to be perfect. However, the off angle of the arm is barely noticeable from either driver or passenger seat, and does not affect the functionality of the mirror in anyway. As long as you’re not off by 30 degrees or something, you’ll be fine. Nothing on my car is perfect, and this is good enough for me.

 

-END OF FIRST POST-

Image 21-22: Shows the mounted button and my temporarily re-installed factory mirror, sans the wire cover. **The adhesive on the button needs to sit for around 24 hours to fully cure, and not get too hot or cold, or be jolted too hard**. Thankfully it’s pretty easy for it to sit and cure without the weight of the mirror on it. I did the mounting in upper 70/lower 80 deg weather, and it got down to around 60 that night. I don’t have a garage, so this would be much easier in a garage. AGAIN, I GOT THE ANGLE OF THE BUTTON A LITTLE WRONG. IT NEEDS TO BE TURNED ABOUT 5-10 DEGREES FURTHER COUNTERCLOCKWISE TO HAVE THE MIRROR ARM BE PERFECTLY VERTICAL.

 

23-27: Mounting the Prova glass to the JDM mirror. I opted to remove the side adhesives and replace it with 3M VHB tape per recommendation of Edward Hamilton of the Top Shelf page on FB. I left the middle adhesive pad alone. Don’t know how well the original adhesive would’ve worked, but it’s definitely not going anywhere with the VHB. As the package tells you, BE GENTLE WHEN APPLYING. Do not press to hard on the glass or it will absolutely shatter. It’s freaking glass after all. I lined it up and pressed it very softly into place, then set it face down onto a thick microfiber towel to let the weight of the base act as pressure on the adhesive. **DO NOT BREAK OUT THE FACTORY GLASS FROM THE JDM MIRROR**. I actually imported another JDM mirror and tried smashing the glass, and doing so leaves absolutely no way to install the Prova glass as there’s nothing behind to mount it on. Just keep the factory glass in place.

 

Image 28: Final step. The following day, after you’re certain the mirror button adhesive has fully cured for 24 hours. simply twist your JDM mirror base carefully onto the button as far as it will go, and if you went through the hassle of adjusting everything earlier on, it should land right in your perfect view. I did not bother trying to remove the original USDM mount as it’s completely hidden behind the mirror, and I’d be worried about damaging the window. Plus, leaving it allows me to reverse this installation if I ever wanted to. The new mount also does not look out of place from the outside either since it’s up in the shaded area of the windshield. The method for install that I’ve detailed resulted in a very secure installation that does not rattle or vibrate, and is very nice and solid. I’m in love with the color. The expanded view angle does take a little bit to get used to, but truthfully after 10 minutes of driving, it felt normal to me. The wider view angle is AMAZING. I can literally shoulder check without turning around. The only downside is now I can see my own ugly mug at all times. The glare cutdown effect at night is very nice as well, I’ve never been satisfied with my auto-dimming mirror as it never seems to dim when I really need it. The Prova glass is great for that. Also, one of the hidden benefits of doing this install the way I did is that I was able to position the mirror a little higher up the windshield. I’m pretty tall at 6’3”, and one of my biggest gripes about this car is that the mirror has always been in my direct line of sight. This install allowed me the freedom to position the mirror a little higher up the windshield so now I can see perfectly across the full span of the front of my car. Win-win.

 

Image 29-30: There is one other BM owner who mounted Prova glass on a USDM non-dimming mirror. As you can see, the edge of the glass are not within the confines of the plastic rim. I am not bashing this install in anyway as it’s obviously way easier than what I did, but I personally did not feel comfortable with that much exposed edge of the glass, so I went with the JDM transplant. Pictures courtesy of Stephen Marques.

 

Tl;dr: You could just as easily do this transplant with any of the Impreza/Forester/other model mirrors, it’s just that the Legacy-specific Prova glass was the first piece I purchased, so I ended up down this rabbit hole.

I had Prova side mirrors for my 2005 LGT but dont know if they make them for my 2011.

 

The rear view mirror is awesome, but i have a clip on with the same blue glass that i bought for under $20 and use.

 

If I enter car shows or for baller status, id get this.

nice work Humble Rumble, I've added it to the interior mods sticky

I had Prova side mirrors for my 2005 LGT but dont know if they make them for my 2011.

 

The rear view mirror is awesome, but i have a clip on with the same blue glass that i bought for under $20 and use.

 

If I enter car shows or for baller status, id get this.

 

They do make them for the side mirrors for 5th gen, but just like the interior mirror, you need to have the JDM mirrors for it to fit.

That’s a much nicer looking mirror than the stock one! Sadly, this won’t be something I’d be willing to do; can’t bear to lose my Homelink buttons. I *hate* having a garage door opener floating around.

 

 

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I *hate* having a garage door opener floating around.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I velcroed mine to the inside of the map pocket in the door. That way I just reach down and hit the button. We have 2 garage door openers, and the one on my side is too old to work with Homelink. For the other side I use the Homelink button.

 

They do make them for the side mirrors for 5th gen, but just like the interior mirror, you need to have the JDM mirrors for it to fit.

 

Why does that not surprise me.

This writeup is totally different on the forum, and the I do love this look but the homelink is nice (even if i have to use the repeater in my garage)