[QUOTE=Brian_B;7526523]



Brian is right. The stock mirrors for '53-'56 trucks were the ones shown here. The chrome round ones that many of the FTE'ers use were not stock in '53-'56. They were stock on later model trucks but the piece in the door they bolted onto was the same so they fit. Yes, the stock mirrors would not fit your look you want.

I think the small convex stick on mirror is the best bet for helping you get better views from your passenger mirror.

 

very cool.. how far can you turn the head on the right side? can't tell from the picture..

nice shape tho..
Sam

 

Sorry Abe, that's incorrect. The round head mirrors were introduced for model year 1953.

The original part number was BAAA-17696-A, later changed to B5CZ-17696-A, and in 1961, to C1TZ-17696-E.

However...the round head mirrors sold today, are not the 1953 originals, they are the 1961 type.

From 1953 thru 1960, the mirror head was replaceable. Ford re-designed the mirror in 1961. This mirror comes to a point (bullet shape) in front of the mirror head.

This is where the original mirror head could be threaded on/off.

There were myraid different mirrors...and.. all outside mirrors were OPTIONAL on all trucks thru model year 1966.

Not one outside mirror, car or truck came as standard equipment until the new Fed Safety Standards went into effect on 1/1/1966 for passenger cars, 9/1966 on trucks.

 

Hello again Sam, the limits are controlled by the motor in the mirror itself, and guessing from a neutral point would be about 1/2" up/down, right/left. I haven't got them hooked up electrically yet as I'm still along way from that point. If you were to sit in any vehicle with electric operated mirrors you would be able to see how well they function. I've collected mirrors from various type vehicles to see if I can make a more stream lined pair, I don't mind the ones I have now but would like to make a pair that has a slimmer looking arm, a future project as the one I have now is taking up most of my time and one I'd like to get on the road some day,lol. John

 

you got some expectations!! I am just at 9 yrs..(July 5th, 2000) and ALMOST there!!..

Sam

 

But I can't wait until I'm as far along as you, sitting behind the wheel and chirping tires, I'll leave the trophies until a later date,lol.
John

 

HI Sam,

I just thought I'd jump in and add a thought or two.

For my inside rear view mirror, I kept the tiny stock (51) mirror, which is about half the size of your "Effie" mirror. I like the convenience of the modern things, but I want to be able to keep features of my truck stock as well.

So, I went up to Auto Zone and they had a convex clip on rear view mirror that fits right over the little stock mirror. It's WONDERFUL! I can see every lane (even on some of our 8 lane wide junctions) out the back window with no problem. It really elliminated about 80% of my blind spots. I can see in the lane next to me to within about 10 feet of the tailgate on either side.

If I want the interior to look all pristine and stock, I can slip the thing off and throw it in the glove box.....

On my truck I got rid of the remaining small blind spot (low on each quarter - where the idiots in the rice burners always sit) by installing a second set of 4 inch clip ons. I have hinge pin curved mirrors for regular side view. The small clip ons are high up on the drip rail and they point down at the blind box on the quarter. They only look there and work great - I have NO blind spots.

Now I don't really think that scheme would look so hot with your more "modern looking" set up. But, with the convex clip on and a little fisheye stuck onto the passenger side mirror (or both for that matter), your blind spots would be gone.

Here is a picture of my exterior mirror set up just for the other folks in "older" pick-ups:



Here are two pictures of my inside rear view mirror. Note in the picture of the smaller stock mirror how bad the vision is.

In the picture of the larger convex mirror (which is polarized as well by the way) look at the tremendous difference of how much of my Ranger you can see out the back window and the glare reduction. Here's the pics:






Anyway, good luck with it!

 

Thanks Julie, the clip on idea is a great compromise!..

the second set of outside mirrors really add to the mean look on your truck! really cool..

Sam

 

That's coolie, Julie. You take a nice picture too I might add

 

That's an interesting looking headliner you have there Julie, do you have a view of the complete thing ?

 

Trying to id nos # C1TZ-17723-g outside mirror. Anyone know what it fits?

 

bicycle haters.................probably wouldn't have trucks if it wasn't for bicycles.

 

Mifiddy and others have a 2 inch or 3 inch extension for the pass. side mirror to make it so you can see out it better.

Driving a panel you learn to look at the store fronts you are driving by to see if anyone is next to you in a blind spot. I use the extension and the convex stick on.

Michigan Rick..........bicycle lover since 1969.

 

I noticed that too...It looks like the pickup bed....Like maybe what was leftover from a longbed kit put on a shortbed....

 

Wow, was I lame in getting back to this thread to post a picture of that? Sorry!

Actually it is the radio deck I made to house my stereo and CDs. I will NOT cut a dash to put a radio or gauges in. I always keep the hard dash original. However, If I do add things (like the 51 car wind up clock I installed in the ash tray) I always keep an equivelant stock part to replace it with. I have another ash tray and stock glove box door (no logos) up in the parts box - all the same color, lock takes the same key and new rating plate on each.

The stereo deck is made of quarter sewn (sawed) red oak cut tothe exact dimensions of the bed boards. I polished some staineless steel bed strips/bolts and cut them to length. Finally made the front piece held in with countersunk pan head screws with finish washers. I mounted my tack in the center of it.

Works great! Here's a picture or two (one of the clock in the ash tray too -sounds weird but you'll see it looks pretty good!):