I was wondering if anyone has found a replacement straight/flat mirror for the passenger side mirror?

I just can't stand that darned curved mirror they have there. Way to much distortion to be any good for backing a trailer.

Has anyone found a replacement straight mrror or replacement straight mirror glass for the stock mirror?

TIA

Rex

 

I heard that.... I can't stand that passenger side mirror. "Objects are closer than they appear"

 

I think that because every vehicle made including all foreign makes have the same mirror on the right that it is part of a safety law. So dont expect any company to take on the Feds. and make a flat mirror.

Mike

 

Dr No, that is not correct, my F250 had two flat telescoping mirrors. These are trucks and people use them alot for towing and hauling, which usually means backing up, why cant they offer as an option similiar to the Superduty.

 

We replaced a broken mirror glass on our last truck with a piece of of flat, optically near-perfect mirrored plexiglass from TAP plastics. It cut easily on a band saw, after making a paper pattern. We stuck it to the old mirror with double-sided foam tape. Only catch is you have to wash it more carefully, as it scratches easier than glass.
Larry in SF, CA

 

just try asking a local auto glass shop, they should be able to cut you one to fit the mirror.

 

That's what I've thinkin' bout doin' Steve. I did that a few years back on a little Ranger and worked real well. I used black silicone adhesive around the edge and you had to look real close to see that the flat mirror had been glued on top of the original curved mirror.

I guess that the way I'll have to go. I'll post some pic's of the mod when I get it done. It's a little cool right now so It'll prolly be awhile before I get to it.

Rex

 

Actually, Dr. No was correct.

All vehicles sold in the US have to meet very specific guidlines on the size, location and configuration of rear-view mirrors. Among those is the specification for the wide-angle (sometimes referred to as "aspheric") mirror on the passenger side.

The rules vary according to the type, size/weight, and application of the vehicle in question. Larger trucks have to meet somewhat different specs than smaller trucks, vans and cars.

The telescoping mirrors on the F250/350 do have a large flat mirror on both the driver and passenger sides but don't forget they also feature a second mirror as part of the assembly that provides the wide angle view required by law.

 

I may have been correct but that does not mean i like those mirrors .

The people who make the laws need to try to use the equipment.

Mike

 

Dr No and Nick O Teen,

You should check the laws before you quote them.

49 CFR 571 part 111 says:

S6. Requirements for multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and
buses, other than school buses, with GVWR of 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) or less.
S6.1 Each multipurpose passenger vehicle, truck and bus, other than
a school bus, with a GVWR of 4,536 kg or less shall have either--
(a) Mirrors that conform to the requirements of S5.(this is what we have) ; or
(b) Outside mirrors of unit magnification (this is means a flat mirror) , each with not less than
126 cm2 (a mirror of at least 5"x5") of reflective surface, installed with stable supports
on both sides of the vehicle, located so as to provide the driver a view
to the rear along both sides of the vehicle, and adjustable in both the
horizontal and vertical directions to view the rearward scene.

So you can see that Ford is not under law to provide us with these car mirrors.

 

Well here's a link to my RH Miror Modification to go from convex to flat.

It's a lot easier to tell distances with the flat mirror. I added a 2" diamter spot mirror on each side to give a little more visibility. Got the 2" spot mirrors at Wal-Mart for $0.97 each.

The silicone adhesive is still pretty shiney in the photots but it wasn't fully cured yet.

I let one of the boys drive the truck and they didn't even notice the mirror mod until I pointed it out to thme.

 

3864766969 Ebay item number... This guy sells 1/8' mirror plexiglass cheap. It's nice stuff. All different sizes..

 

Thanks for the heads up on the mirror plexiglass Dunk.

I went to a local glass store and had them cut me a piece of 1/8" mirror glass to shape. They smoothed and sealed the edges. Cost me $9.00. Used some black silicone adhesive to stick it over the top of the factory mirror and around the edges. You can see pic's of the results in my previous post. When I took the pic's the silicone hadn't fully cured yet so it looked a little shiny. Now that it's cured you hardly notice it there.

The flat mirror makes it a lot easier to judge distances. It really helps when passing other vehicles. I added a couple of little 2" spot mirrors just to be on the safe side. Believe it or not, but they do help.

Keep the bottom side down!

Rex