The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1949 Mirrors

I'm sure I'm not the only one who finds the factory style side view mirrors all but useless on these? The passenger side I can see, but without physically bending the driver's side its totally obscured by the A-pillar. And even then it's so dang small it's not doing much.

I use my mirrors a lot, that's how I back up. I've got kids and animals around, so it's definitely a safety concern.

There any aftermarket mirrors people are using (I'd want to keep the originals on there as well unless one bolts right in place there) that don't look out of place? I don't see any on the usual supplier store sites, although it does look like a 51 drivers' side mirror might be better.

I agree! Subscribing to hear what mirror options are out there.

I picked up some mystery mirrors years ago at a swap meet to see if I can make them work (but I am not to that stage yet! (still welding :D) )

Ha yup a lot of welding time went into mine as well and there's a ton more I could do.

I am scratching my head on how the designers intended to make those mirrors functional back in the 40's, as installed. Thought perhaps I was missing something.

They look good, but...:)

My '51 has the original mirrors bases and stock mirror heads. The comment that you cannot see anything with the passenger side mirror caught my attention because mine seems well placed and I can see that side of the truck and the highway beyond. Admittedly, the mirror is pretty small and thus, the field of view is small. It could be improved by replacing the mirror itself with a larger one or a panoramic mirror. I am wondering if your equipment is stock or the base is reversed or placed in a non stock location. I cannot see your picture well enough to judge if it is different than mine.
Kent

I ended up putting "Jr. West coast mirrors" on my 48. I like the way they look. 5 x10 seems like about the right size. Look around on the internet, you may find something a little more period correct looking.

https://www.raneystruckparts.com/5-x-10-adjustable-jr-west-coast-silver-mirror-97644/

Jon

ASU - thanks I thought that style might not fit, but the "jr"s actually don't overwhelm the truck. Definitely worth consideration.

Lightholder's, yes I meant that the driver's side is obscured. The passenger side is somewhat workable if not small.

Couple photos of the mirror (have it tarped because I need to get to the weatherstripping and we have had all of about six days of sunshine here since last January), I see '51 style have more of an "L" or "s" shape to kick them out a little more, not sure if the bolt pattern is the same.

I think it is on wrong

Mine looks like this

It looks to me like you may have installed the bracket incorrectly. Unbolt the mirror, turn the bracket over then reattach the mirror.

Looks like you may also have to switch them from side to side.

The passenger side AD mirror has a wicked bend in it. The driver side is a slight curve that hangs pretty low down.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/bAovRJCvheY1u68m8

You can see them both in this video.

Ha! You folks are right. I knew I had to have done something wrong. Fox, great video and a nice looking rig.

So the brackets are on the correct sides, but I've got that arm in the wrong position.

Much obliged!

NC3800,
Yeah, I misread your post and thought it was the passenger side that was obstructed. Glad you found the problem. Still, the original sized round mirrors are kind of on the small size. Some of the vendors sell rectangular mirrors which give you a larger field of view and they attach to bases like the originals. You can see what they look like if you click on the link to my COE highlighted at the bottom of my signature lines.
Kent

Thank you Kent; BEAUTIFUL COE there.

I see what you mean on the mirrors. The photobucket links are not working but I can see those in the main view. Very similar to the 3100/3600 but longer and slightly (tastefully) larger.

I really like the one I purchesed from LMC. They may be like the original ones that was new after market. They were on ever since 1954. They are a very heavy duty clamp on the door type. Put where you can see the best. Doc.

My '48 came with big West coast style mirrors but it still had the original type mirror post style on the driver's side. I tossed the West coast mirrors and put a 5x7 mirror on that post.

I got another driver's side post from the junkyard and bent it (vise and hammer, surprised it didn't break) so it would be symmetrically located on the passenger side. You can see in the pics that it has a crook in it.

When driving, the passenger side door post blocks the view of that mirror but I don't care. I just wanted a bigger mirror on the driver's side and a symmetrical look.

You do know that there are mirror arms available that will move that passenger side mirror forward so you can see it, right? They were optional back when our trucks were new.

I went with the larger west coast mirrors. I can see a whole lot better.

I believe that the OP's left mirror bracket is for a '51 and later trucks with vent windows and, as already mentioned, upside down. If a '47-'50 left side bracket were mounted upside down, you would be able to see the mirror through the windshield (but wouldn't be able to anything behind the truck).

Appreciate all the replies and info, this is quite useful. 52Carl, your description is exactly the issue, I didn't get the chance to move it today but at some point this weekend I'll give it a whirl and take it for a test drive.

I do like those rectangular mirrors, particularly (for mine) the smaller mirrors; they both look good it just gives a different look to the truck. It's a safety issue as I say, I do like being able to see when I'm backing up.

I ran into a couple of convex mirrors which are the right diameter, stainless steel and mount the same way as the originals. I put one on the right side and holy smokes, I can see what is behind and beside me without moving my head all over the place. I can't tell you where they came from. I got them at an estate sale.

CIPA makes/sells a variety of black/chrome/stainless round mirrors - with and without "ribs" - flat and convex

Thanks 52Carl & tclederman; will look into those. I moved the arm into the correct position and that helped a ton today but a convex mirror - yup I could see that helping a lot.

I'm happy with 5x7 mirrors on my '51 3600. Somewhere....I have images of pretty much just the mirrors, unfortunately can't find them. Hopefully the four attached images help.

moparguy, thanks. Those look great. Very consistent with the original style.

Beautiful truck and glad to see it's still doing its duty.