The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs what are you all doing for mirrors on your ad panels?

Hi all,
the stock mirrors on my 47 panel aren't too effective. the drivers side isn't terrible but the passenger side mirror is mounted to a looong shaft and is pretty tough to see. I don't have an inside mirror and not sure if one would be of any help or not. just curious to see what you all are doing.
Many thanks,
Les

My take re: TF panels/burbs. I like inside mirror for sure. Outside, I put larger mirrors on stock arms. But if you like the trucker, west coast mirrors, go for it. In todays traffic, you need safety first, looks second.

I have the inside rear view mirror and original looking outside repops and it all works out well. 49 Burb



Weeds

I use 5" round [s]concave[/s] [i]convex[/i] original-looking mirrors on both sides, using original arms. My views are excellent.

I also use an inside rear-view mirror - I am surprised they were not standard equipment. The left side exterior mirror was the only standard equipment mirror (at least in 47-55).

A burb has much more visibility than a panel. I feel the small stock mirrors are not enough in traffic for a panel. If you are driving in the country, it's probably OK. A panel is one big blind spot on wheels.

I agree that the panels are hard to see out of. However, I am using all stock mirrors, need all three of them. To answer your question, Les, you definitely need the inside rearview.

I haven't gotten mine on the road yet but I am thinking about a rear camera with a wide view. Maby on lincence plate fraim?

Does not matter much who is behind you, it matters who is in front and beside you.

Running the original style with inside mirror. Its a little tight sometime. I think a 1" bigger mirror would be fine for me.

Les.S, it sounds like your right side mirror is on a long STICK type arm. The original has a big curve in it and you check it by looking at it through the passenger side windshield.

I do alright but I try to be extra carful and plan my moves ahead of time. Defensive driving......that's what I call it.

I have a 57 GMC Suburban with similar rear viewing problems- and my stock inside rear view mirror isn't low enough to be properly effective- like tclederman, I also swapped out my stock 4" outside mirrors for the 5" concave ones. Made all the difference.

Convex not concave.

These mirrors will fit perfectly on any AD truck.
They use to make the tubes out of stainless steel.
Now they are Coated White.
You could strip them and have them chromed.
But all the other hardware is stainless steel.
http://www.retracmirrors.com/Produc..._Assembles08/univ_jr_wc_assembles08.html
I put a round 180 mirror on the lower half of the rectangular mirror.
The picture is kind of crappy, and makes them not as of attractive.
The arrows are yellow reflectors.
In person they look nice.
And are adjustable, so you can set them right where you need them.
Made by Retrac www.retracmirrors.com

Thanks for the replies everybody!

AChipmunk - interesting, you are right the passenger side mirror is on a very long straight stick. I assumed it was stock but apparently not.

53 Panel - I'll get an inside mirror ordered and installed. Certainly can't hurt anything.

Thanks to all who mentioned upgrading mirrors to a larger diameter. makes sense!

I'll try all these things and see how it works out. if not I'll probably go with west coast mirrors as bartamos suggested.

You all are great!

Les

Here are some pictures of the Retract Mirrors mounted on a 1954 Panel.
611706 (21601) - LH
611708 (21601) - RH
4 picture Photo Album
In the 2nd photo in album, you can see the passenger side mirror through the drive side door window.

Thanks for the pics jorb! Those don't look nearly as bad as I had envisioned.
Les

The picture that is on Retract's web site does not do them justice.
Remember the mirrors in the 1st three pictures in the photo album are 36 years old.
The 4th picture (fuzzy one) is when they were fairly new.(1979)
That is when they still made the tubes out of stainless steel.
I called them to see if they would do a special SS order.
They said no because they stopped being a job shop 5 years ago.
So you will have to use the coated white tubes or have them chromed.
I have to say, they held-up pretty well after 36 years.

Guys
I have a 49 burb and put in a v butt windshield. I now need a longer stem for the rear view mirror. Any suggestions on aftermarket or a salvage yard substitute?

...or you can simply glue one to the windshield as GM did for many years.

My 58 burb has the factory rear view mirror. It may have been ok for the original barn doors but with the clam shell it's almost useless. The window opening on the lift gate is pretty low. That coupled with my height (6'4") only allows me to see about 150 feet behind the vehicle.

I've often thought that a dash mounted mirror like on the 50's Corvettes would look pretty cool. I wonder if you can still buy those...

I also don't have a mirror on the passenger side because there is no reinforcing gusset/bracket or holes like there is on the drivers side. I have been told that the door skin is pretty thick/doubled in that area so mounting a mirror without the reinforcement should be ok. I don't know. I'd hate to crease my door with the mirror arm. The one benefit of driving a burb is that there is plenty of glass. I just need to turn my head before changing lanes. I really want mirrors on both sides, so I'll have to make it work somehow.

I'm still mad that I had to pay Honda $34 in 1989 to put a passenger side mirror my brand new Civic. Who sells cars with only one mirror!!!???