The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Only one mirror?

I was curious why my 2 ton with a grain body only has one mirror. There is none, and never has been any installed on the passenger side. I've seen this on a few and was just curious if there was a reason. With such a big body on the back wouldn't it make sense to have a mirror on the passenger side?

Standard equipment was one outside mirror - on the driver's side.

Roads were just 2 lanes back when that thing was built. You didn't have to worry about anyone being on the passenger side of you. Most of the guys that drove bob tails on those days never did learn to back with mirrors. They would hang out the driver side door. Thats why there are so many overextended driver side doors.

And when they did have a Mirror there it was only this little round 4 or 5 Inch thing. Even on some Road Tractors to boot.

By the time I started driving in the early '70's all the heavy trucks had West Coast Mirrors, and I'm sure glad they did.

But again, as the culture would have it, none of the trucks had any Convex Mirrors. I was the first one to put one on any of our trucks. I asked the Mechanic to buy me one, but after about 3 times and still nothing, I just went out and bought my own, lol. (Separate Bolt-ons. I absolutely hated the "Stick-ons").

Some of the other drivers commented on how they liked it. Ask me how many times I was happy it was there...

Bill

My 38 1.5 ton only had 1 mirror. Some how I failed to remember that and decided to pass someone. With the grain body no way to tell for sure when I cleared I felt pretty foolish.

Interesting feedback, Thanks! Like said above, my only fear is having to merge or pass someone on the passenger side.

One of the vehicles that I drive is a 1921 Model T Depot Hack. I have taken a large spot mirror and attached it to the windshield. I can see an image if it is coming up behind me. Now it is a little more open than these old trucks, but positioned correctly it may be helpful....

I am interested in restorations versus restomods, but one exception is the addition of a right side mirror. With traffic densities of today, it is unfortunately necessary in most areas.

I'm not sure if the passenger side mirror on my 46 2-ton is from the factory as an option, or was a dealer add on, or an aftermarket item. I do know that the holes for it were in the door from the start and the mirror arm seems to be identical to the driver side one. It is one of the options that most of the truck buyers of the day decided to save on. Much like the passenger side windshield wiper.

My 42 1.5 has both telescoping stalk type mirrors mounted to the upper door hinge, which is original to my truck. The body is a dump, maybe that's why it has both?.

My canadian 1.5 ton 1947 had a mirror each side. But its a right hand drive export model and they probably didnt know what to do, or drilled the cowl for both mirrors anyway. They left the lock on the RH (drivers) door- I like that.
The mirrors were those useless 4 or 5 inch round ones. Like looking down a telescope.