While I don't do football....I have had to punt...

[Plymouthy Adams]

Nearing the goal, I hit a major snag with the build....while it was originally fitted with fender mirrors I figured they had some saving grace....NOPE !!!  Basically driving blind.  So the wing mirrors as useful as tits on tree trunk, I am backing up to punt.  First off, how to fill the holes in the fender this late stage with fully painted car...proved easier than the relocation and selection of mirrors.  I looked at tons of photos of these cars/trucks/vans and station wagons and all had either a peep mirror or fender mirrors.  One had swan necks where I thought of locating them but they are not without issue and totally look anemic and still the very small mirror head.  So plan B is shaping up....the indicators are used and rough so new ones are on the way to me.  Mirrors are a bit large but unless you have driven one of these....the mirrors need to be large for safety.  Before mounting these I will get the damaged set out of the yard, the mount bases are good, and see if I can alter the shape and shrink the physical footprint a bit.  The tape is about twice the size of the mount bases and look a bit out of place but they protects the paint for mock up.....keep in mind, this is right hand drive....if not for the over ride on the reverse camera, my drive to town I was totally blind on the left and rear.   This is the current mockup I am reviewing for now.  

 

 

 

 

Edited November 23, 2023 by Plymouthy Adams

[sidevalvepete]

These are my version Tim. They were very functional 30 plus years ago. Might look a bit agricultural on your fine build but I share nonetheless...

[Plymouthy Adams]

Thanks for sharing those pictures, the larger mirrors on these vans is a must for sure....the position you have these mounted I was going to cut aluminum blocks, drill, countersink the frame, tap the block and mount mirrors here also.  With the cover cap you never know the support block is in place.  Sadly the only mirrors I have to place here were again, the swan neck and the heads just are not ample size for good view for safe driving and do not come with convex mirror head.    My bud has a single stem mirror arm 10" length and 5 x 7 mirrors he plans to use on his truck and van but not mocked any of them up yet, also not listed as convex mirror in the set.  He has offered them to me to test fit and function.  I may do that this weekend.  In back of my mind though, I feel these may vibrate/shake when traveling at speed or shudder a bit when closing the doors.  I think the fender mirror scream Brit and I like the look, but as the van box is wider than the cab....they are not at all effective even with the greater offset over the original Lucas style.  Do you recall if the far side mirror was visible without the glass division bar being seen mounted in that position?  Swapping the mirror heads on the ones I show is so easy and allow for proper use of the convex mirror so that is a win also.    We still on the fence here for mirrors, the fender mounts are clearing going away and the indicator lights are in concrete so to speak.  

[sidevalvepete]

Had to go and sit in the cab to check this Tim. Memory for such detail definitely not reliable after 30 years park up...

So, sitting in the cab, the left side (passenger for the rhd vehicle) mirror view sits perfectly and unobscured in the small wing mirror. The driver's side mirror is viewable through the larger wind down window. In my opinion they both give good enough visibility on each side of the vehicle.

I agree with you that they are necessary. My '38 sedan never had these side mirrors and 40 years ago I don't remember it being a problem. After driving modern, well equipped vehicles with good visibility I am certainly on the lookout for some suitable door hung side mirrors for this car.

Am sure you will solve this one. The picture of the two Brits together in your shed looks really nice. They complement each other well.

[Plymouthy Adams]

Hey Pete, look at the yellow/orange color to the left of the van....third Brit car in that bay.  LOL  I rolled the Damask Red Austin out for a 65 mile jaunt Wednesday.   I do like that color.  AND many thanks for going to the trouble to double check and report the manner it fit and view from the driver's seat....much appreciated.  I think my position of the mirror head will be close to what you show.

 

Being able to see what is going on around you in traffic in very important and I refuse to drive this again till suitable mirrors are in place.  I have done a single bracket tweak that places the mounts nicely, as in flat against the door top and bottom and just returned from a hardware run for stainless steel button bolts.  After this coffee, will drill and tap the backing plates and go from there.  If weather is nice, the ole boy may makes its debut at the Dec. cruise in, am hoping my new indicator lights for the fenders will be here in time.  

Edited November 24, 2023 by Plymouthy Adams

[keithb7]

That is quite the shop. I covet thy neighbor's goods!

[Plymouthy Adams]

As an update...off the fence and the mirrors are installed pernamently onto the doors.  They look right at home there (blue tape does not define the mounts well) and the best part is my vision to the rear is great with the convex mirror on the left door (RHD car)

 

I also received in the mail my fender mounted T/S indicators which are a Mopar item, these utilized the wing mirror holes and covered that sin completely, they are wired in the T/S wiring and work great.    Flipping through my pics....the engine bay when I got the vehicle and the manner I finished it out during the build.  You can see the ineffective mirrors and as removed the Mopar lights on the finished picture.

 

 

[oldodge41]

True craftsmanship. Just beautiful. I'm a hack, but I can appreciate craftsmanship when I see it.

[Plymouthy Adams]

Thanks.....was a fun build with the only aggravation being the re-pop parts were closer to re-pooped parts.....lots of rework and finding alternate products to do the job.  

[Los_Control]

? ..... KK I'm wondering ..... what mirrors did you go with?

I saw one picture where you tested Ford mirrors on it .... better then original ..... I thought about posting a pic of my chebby mirrors .... They look a little more sporty then the Ford ..... I know how much you appreciate chebbies ....... I do not see what mirrors you ended up using in final pics?

[Plymouthy Adams]

I would like to see a picture of the Cheb mirrors you think may work.....I walked the wrecking yard over and took in about any and all mirrors on site...saw nothing on a Cheb that came close to what I think would have fit.   My friend bought Chebby stalks and 5 x 7 heads and to me it is flimy and prone to vibration, the mounting hardware on the head a bit anemic and the ones he had the ball mounts were not as snug as they should be and no provision for tighteneing.  He offered these to me to mock up and I decided not to even consider it.  For the record, he has chosen these Ford mirror for his van after seeing and riding in the vehicle.  The convex mirror is ALL the difference and not offered with the Chebby set he bought.  I would never considered anything that is referred to as west coast as the door frame would not allow such fit.  Dodge has a smaller base but the mirror heads are even bigger.  I went with these Ford mirrors with a slight frame tweak and they then aligned perfect onto the door both top and bottom mounts.  Removed the door panels and ensured that the door latch/window mechanisms would not interfere with the mounts, backers and bolts.  Popped 4 holes in each door and the rest is history.  Win or lose be a good sport and to be sure I have excellent vision to the rear and the mirrors are cosmetically pleasing also. 

 

Just for you Los I walked out and snapped a picture, it is on the lift as I study adapting a sway bar to the front.  These never came with a sway bar and while there is an aftermarket unit being solid, it does not have the best reviews and folks say it hangs too low below the chassis and even the ear mounts look totally cobbled.....I hope to do better than cobble for a lot less money.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Los_Control]

Just for you I went out and snapped a photo   ...... My first thought here is the mirror head is large enough to give you a decent view.

 

 

Excuse the bug splatters .... truly were freshly painted last summer  

While the mounting covering fits this truck ...... I thought ...... Without all the chebby plastic on them ..... they do have a very small foot print.

A wise man like yourself could possibly fabricate mounts & a cover that would fit your vans profile.

 

 

 

 

The only complaint I have with these mirrors on my truck .... is you can see there is 2 small screws that pinch the mirror solid in place.

When I pass a on coming semi truck on a 2 lane road at 75 mph, the wind draft will move the mirror adjustment on the drivers side. ..... Not often, just when circumstances are right.

So I roll down the window and push it back out .... I did tighten the screws and it helped a lot ...... basically I just need to add a little shim in the adjustment to make it fit tighter.

This truck does have 435K miles on it ..... I assume original mirrors.

[Plymouthy Adams]

Thanks for taking the time to post the pic, there-in lies the biggest problem with the later mirrors. while they are some nice looking units out there, they do not play well with vehicles that have functional vents.  And while I have a small corner void for a mirror in this location, it would be a stem mount only and was a thought, but icks-nayed due to the fact if would mount, the mock up proved the division bar would now be in the view as would be the vent glass if opened....so for clean and practical install with fewer trade offs,  I think I made the best choice.  

[Los_Control]

To be Honest I love the older Fords, I've driven all of them from 1969 to 1987 during my working career ....  I never had a complaint with their mirrors.

Someone like myself just notices it ...... while most never will  ... I do not care what you use as long as you are happy .... They are good looking functional mirrors.

 

I had to think about it Toyota trucks also used a very similar mirror .... I have owned 4 of those  ?   Wonder how many other vehicles used the same?

 

 

 

You may always wonder though if you should have went with the Chevrolet mirrors with red wheels

[Plymouthy Adams]

The west coast style as on your Dodge look great, and the reason is, your door frame is sufficient to allow the upper mount to be installed neat and clean.  The Dodge mirrors from the Tradesman series of the 70's smaller but stylish base that would have fit this door and looked a bit spiffy but alas, the size of the mirror heads were out of proportion as again, they quite large heads, also not suitable for head swap due to head mount position.  Ability to cleanly mount any mirror in regard to proportion and to NOT have other functions of features blocking view or mirrors or inhibiting functions such as glass regulator and latch rods, well all has to be considered well ahead of drilling a hole in a finished door.  

 

I have a set of the mirrors similar to what you have on your truck but with the slim stainless steel glass frame that is fixed and the glass enters this frame thus preventing any fasteners.  

[Los_Control]

10 minutes ago, Plymouthy Adams said:

all has to be considered well ahead of drilling a hole in a finished door.  

I'm just learning this .... I keep telling myself I want to build one truck then I'm done. .... I want to play carpenter for awhile after my truck is on the road.

 

A wise man once said, never build a classic vehicle in a hurry .... buy one to drive, while you build yours. ..... You will make too many short cuts in the process.

I agree with them as I know when I take short cuts .... I also know I keep collecting parts for a future build when the parts come available .... Hoping I do better on the next build .... even though I say I do not want to build another.

 

Tim this is obviously not your first build, you have been through this a few times ...... Currently I'm stuck with what turn signals to use on my truck.

I know the average person just adds a dual element in the front parking lights and calls it a day. For me it just is not what I want.

 

Others have used cowl lights for turn signals ..... looks great .... for them.

 

I'm thinking for my build I want something on top of the fender .... I want something vintage .... Not too big, not too small .... maybe some vintage cab lights to match the cab lights I'm using.

I keep searching but just not found what I want yet. ........ I know you did the same with your mirrors, it is a tough choice to find something that really works for what you are doing.

 

I'm just learning this as I go through my first build .... and poking some fun at the true master while at it