mirror mirror....

[tenn.jerry]

has anyone found a source for the mirrors on our trucks? is there any other mirrors that will work? i was thinking of west coast mirrors as a last resort i dont really want them but may have to go that way. what do you think?

[3dodgedoobie]

i wondering same thing. i have both mirror mounts that bolt up to the top hinge. just mirror heads are shot.

[1955 plymouth]

I just bolted a couple of motorcycle mirrors on mine.

[Desotodav]

I went with a couple of 'Motogard' mirrors that I picked up new for $22 each. They were the closest that I could find to the original - but they are stainless steel. Although, I'm not sure that you guys over there used the same mirrors as us here in Oz. The mirror fitting shown in the attached photo is what we had installed by the factory over here. The left side mirror on my 52 right-hand drive truck is for show only as the 'A' pillar blocks all view from the driver's seat.

Desotodav

[Dennis_MN]

I bought mine at NAPA. They are a rectangle about 5 x 7 or so.

[geopcanuk]

http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=20362

[Jim Shepard]

Mirrors are relatively easy to find new in any good auto parts store. The problem for 48-50 trucks is no one makes the mounting bracket. I looked for 7 years before I found one in a wrecking yard. Until I found mine I used an old school hot rod mirror that just clipped on the drip rail. I think someone on the forum sold a pair (driver/passenger) for about $300 a couple of years back. Somewhere I read that Chrysler Corp. has not released the patent on the 48-50 brackets, although the 51-53 brackets can be had from Roberts and others. The 48-50 brackets would be simple to manufacture after the stamping mold is made. Probably not enough demand...

[TheMoose]

Here's a mirror head on Amazon.com

Only $20 w shipping so I have one coming just to check out.

I need a pass side mirror though & they seem rare as hens teeth.

[ggdad1951]

Mirrors are relatively easy to find new in any good auto parts store. The problem for 48-50 trucks is no one makes the mounting bracket. I looked for 7 years before I found one in a wrecking yard. Until I found mine I used an old school hot rod mirror that just clipped on the drip rail. I think someone on the forum sold a pair (driver/passenger) for about $300 a couple of years back. Somewhere I read that Chrysler Corp. has not released the patent on the 48-50 brackets, although the 51-53 brackets can be had from Roberts and others. The 48-50 brackets would be simple to manufacture after the stamping mold is made. Probably not enough demand...

just as an FYI, the patent protection has LONG expired, that is not a reason they have not been made.

[48Dodger]

just as an FYI, the patent protection has LONG expired, that is not a reason they have not been made.

Patents can get pretty involved....how do you know its long expired?

48D

[ggdad1951]

Patents can get pretty involved....how do you know its long expired?

48D

patents only offer protection for a set amount of time, back then it was 17 years, now it is 20. But after that time anyone can use the design. Trademarks can be renewed, patents cannot. I know this because I work with patents at my company and hold about 40 of them.

[48Dodger]

I understand the changes in the patent laws from 1995 etc....and the fact patent laws only give you the right to sue if you think someone copied you.

With the multiple laws surrounding patents, including extentions....was wondering if any automotive patents are still in effect from the 1940's. How do you research a part like the mirrior arm, and is it something they would even bother to patent?

48D

http://www.edn.com/article/460416-Checklist_When_does_a_patent_expire_.php

[ggdad1951]

I'd say very strongly there are no patents in legal effect from the era of our trucks. I don't see a reason to file for an extension for any patents and doubt after the initial patent protection they would have any legal reason to maintain protection. Pretty basic rule is the 17/20 year deal and MAYBE a year or two after that, but not 40 years. Patents cost money, actually they can cost a LOT, I'd have serious doubts they patented the mirror arm under anything beyond a design patent.

[Scruffy49]

Mirror heads are easy, any truck stop. Mirror arms? If you don't absolutely need to have stone stock, Harley Davidson mirror and a bushing can replace the top hinge pin. I have the stock driver side mount, wasn't planning to use it. Maybe I should pop it off and fire up the forge... See if I can make up a reasonable facsimile of it...

Remind me later via e-mail. It is pecan harvesting season, toys are on the back burner until probably March.

[1952gary]

Vintage powerwagons offer what you need hwever they do not offer the mount to the hinge. I purchased the mirrors and extentions but only used the mirrors. I have two extentions from vintage for sale.

[Boss Hog]

Still waiting for Rare Parts in Stockton, CA. They are making hinge mounts to fit my 53 B4B. Will bolt an arm similar to Vintage PW on them. It is not cheap to have them made...

Edited December 14, 2011 by Boss Hog

[Dave72dt]

I got a look at an original this morning and it's a fairly complicated piece to duplicate. Chances are they're waiting for enough orders to make a run of them.

[ggdad1951]

I got a look at an original this morning and it's a fairly complicated piece to duplicate. Chances are they're waiting for enough orders to make a run of them.

be nice to that one Dave, I only have one good spare! And one REALLY beat up one that MIGHT be repairable....bu that one is for the future when I have time to work on it.

[Dave72dt]

Am being nice. Stripped it down and just put some primer on it on one side plus some other parts you dropped off and a lot of bolts that'll be red later today. It occurred to me you'll need most of those parts to begin reassembly.