Mirror Mirror on the truck.......

[thedudeabides86]

Good morning gearheads!

I was at the Gearhead Get Together out in Maple Lake, MN over the weekend and discovered I really like the look of the round mirrors in place of the factory square mirrors. I snapped a couple photos of some sweet trucks, so if these belong to you, let me know so I can give your truck the credit or remove the photos if you'd rather I not post them.

If there a vendor everyone likes for round mirrors? Any disadvantages to mounting round mirrors on the door or the window casing? Right now, the factory mirror on the passenger side can't be tilted in enough to actually use it and I've heard from other people on the forum that that mirror just might be for aesthetics more than use. Any input would be helpful to make a decision as to what route I should take.

Again, if you recognize these trucks, let me know so I can give a shout out to the owners and be sure they don't mind their trucks posted. Thank you!

[Bearhawg]

You are correct about the right side door mirror, completely useless. I owned a '71 Duster that didn't even have a right side mirror. I've been thinking about adding the universal peep mirror shown on the beige truck. I'm not sure how useful they are.

[thedudeabides86]

Originally Posted by Bearhawg

You are correct about the right side door mirror, completely useless. I owned a '71 Duster that didn't even have a right side mirror. I've been thinking about adding the universal peep mirror shown on the beige truck. I'm not sure how useful they are.

Yeah, all I can see out of the passenger side mirror is the side of the truck. Doesn't do any good. What the hell? I'd love to put these round mirrors on the truck. They look really good.

[leddzepp]

Peep mirrors, and factory round or square mirrors are worthless as far as functionality. They look cool though. They are too small to have any real field of view, and often times vibrate making it even more difficult to see anything.

[weq92f]

I ran a peep mirror on the driver side for a few years once on my '68. I attached it to the 45 degree door pillar about 3/4 of the way to the top of the door and it worked pretty good from there.

Just about any small-ish mirror on the passenger door isn't functional.


-klb

[jfnar]

I tried a peep mirror on the top of the door on my '64 but it caused the paint to chip when I tightened it up. I had it on just long enough to determine it was just cosmetic and of no use. I've really gotten spoiled to the larger mirrors on modern trucks. Much more useful IMHO.

[thedudeabides86]

Thanks for all the info and advice. It's nice to hear what works and what doesn't.

[oneperfectrun]

Originally Posted by thedudeabides86

Good morning gearheads!

I was at the Gearhead Get Together out in Maple Lake, MN over the weekend and discovered I really like the look of the round mirrors in place of the factory square mirrors. I snapped a couple photos of some sweet trucks, so if these belong to you, let me know so I can give your truck the credit or remove the photos if you'd rather I not post them.

If there a vendor everyone likes for round mirrors? Any disadvantages to mounting round mirrors on the door or the window casing? Right now, the factory mirror on the passenger side can't be tilted in enough to actually use it and I've heard from other people on the forum that that mirror just might be for aesthetics more than use. Any input would be helpful to make a decision as to what route I should take.

Again, if you recognize these trucks, let me know so I can give a shout out to the owners and be sure they don't mind their trucks posted. Thank you!

For the factory type mirrors on the green truck in the first couple of pictures, the three mounting holes are several inches forward than the mounting holes for the square factory type mirrors. The factory round mirror heads are gonna be pretty far to the center of the door using the factory mounting holes. Just a little FYI if you decide to go that route.

I’m basing that on my truck (1970), which came with the factory round vs a friends ‘71 with the factory squares.

[68chevyfl]

I just ordered a set of round ones from Brothers Trucks and should have them soon. Pretty reasonably priced though

[Nh4clo4]

We have the little peep mirrors like the beige truck, they are pretty much worthless. Will probably change them out.

[Old_Gold]

I'll keep watching to see if anyone finds a re -pop mirror they like. I have the big camper style, good vision, but the LMC unit I bought is going require a little welding to keep it from vibrating back to the door every time i go over 45!

[Red71gmc]

I have been down this path of buying new mirrors a couple times. For what it is worth, I found to only buy from a vendor that is known to handle better quality goods, pay more and hope for the best. Nothing worse then boring holes and putting on something that will always be incapable of staying in place.

[68is4me]

I have what is on the green truck. They work okay, something is better than nothing. They do vibrate going down the road so the images are not the best. 1 thing I did notice is the stainless after market mirror arms are longer the originals about 1-2" longer and the stainless is not as stout as the originals. Maybe if I was to do it again I would try the original arms and paint to match maybe they wouldn't vibrate as bad. Or maybe I will get the originals chromed.

Peep mirrors were a no go for me when I found out they were just clamped on. Don't want to scratch the paint.

[Nh4clo4]

We put gasket material with the peeps , it didn’t chip

[special-K]

If you can see a blurry vehicle in the RH mirror it's doing it's job. You don't need to identify the make, year, color, and model to tell if it's safe to change lanes. You also have the interior rear view for comparison. That's what you need to do with these perfect mirrors these days with convex lens and a clear view.

If you mount those factory 67-70 mirrors you'll want them mounted farther forward as the factory did. If you just want round heads instead of rectangle you can buy '60s Chevy car mirrors that are practically identical to the 71/72 base factory mirrors you have. Same look, closer to body, round head...with a bowtie!

[HO455]

Going round gives you several size options up to about 8". In addition you can get them in convex glass to make the passenger (or both sides) have a wider field of view. Look at earlier trucks for other options. Used these 6" black finished ones on the 51 GMC. High quality chrome larger sizes are available at commercial truck suppliers.

[bill3rail]

I have the stock round mirrors on my truck and like the way they look.

I cracked one while backing into the garage and needed a replacement but all I could find locally was a round convex mirror.

Flat round mirror is great for backing up into a tight garage!
Convex round is great for driving! (Much better view.)

Now, I am more careful backing into the garage...I installed two new flat round mirrors.

[72LB]

I like my round mirrors.

[omodified]

subscribed

[thedudeabides86]

Originally Posted by 72LB

I like my round mirrors.

Those are pretty sweet mirrors. Where'd ya pick those up?

[thedudeabides86]

Originally Posted by bill3rail

I have the stock round mirrors on my truck and like the way they look.

I cracked one while backing into the garage and needed a replacement but all I could find locally was a round convex mirror.

Flat round mirror is great for backing up into a tight garage!
Convex round is great for driving! (Much better view.)

Now, I am more careful backing into the garage...I installed two new flat round mirrors.

These are really cool, but I got a bad feeling once I put them on the truck, I'll never get it in the garage. I park my truck in a standard singe stall and I bet these will make the overall width too wide.

[bill3rail]

They are not that wide overall, they just appear to be wide.
How wide is your door?
Going to measure mine.

[72LB]

Originally Posted by thedudeabides86

Those are pretty sweet mirrors. Where'd ya pick those up?

Got them from a little place not far from me, Tommy's truck parts.

http://tommyspickupparts.com/default.html

[68panelman]

My two trucks both have the stock type mirrors, round and square.
My previous home was built in 1928 and had a detached 18x18, basically built to house model T's. Without the smaller mirrors, they would of never fit. The 67 C-10 is so quiet and smooth running and riding, I barely get any vibration in the side views.