1956 mirrors

[rolandm]

Hello fellas, I bought a set of mirrors for my truck from mid fifty and they are great. However I can't adjust the passenger side mirror. The driver's side was a piece of cake, but that passenger side has got me stumped. Will someone shed some light on this for me? Thanks a bunch. Rolandm

[fergusonicford]

ditto same here

[willymakeit]

Have you called Mid Fifty ?

[sdetweil]

the right side cannot be adjusted properly, due to the shape of the ball socket. I assume this is stock design problem.. I have the problem on mine too.

Sam

[grumpy46]

got the same problem. just on there for looks now.

[fergusonicford]

I had the same problem on a different '56 24 years ago.

[sdetweil]

you would think after all these years, someone would fix it..!!

Sam

[Stephen67]

Can you just use a driver side mirror for the passenger?

[56fatfender]

have same problem thought was just me.

[keith56_cruz_cab]

I think we all have the same problem.
In the mid fifty catalog they show what they call a spot mirror.
They say it covers the entire mirror and provides better visibility.
anyone tried it?

[sdetweil]

Originally Posted by Stephen67

Can you just use a driver side mirror for the passenger?

no.. its the angle of the tilt required that causes the problem.

Sam

[56panelford]

Would there be a way to bend the arm that slides into the door slightly without damaging the crome, it might not be too noticable and fix the problem, although that arm may be made to break off in case of impact, not sure of the repo's.

[sdetweil]

its really the arm that holds the mirror head that is the problem.. the socket for the swivel ball faces too far out, or the lip of the socket prevents the rotation of the head.

it probably needs 3 or 4 changes (for symmetry, BOTH mirrors need this change)

1. mirror arm slightly longer (to lift the mirror more into the window space, reducing the tilt angle required)
2. the shaft holding the mirror head to the swivel slightly longer (1/4 in) to lift the head away from the socket
3. the lip of the ball socket cut back to allow more swivel room (the shaft bottoms out on the lip currently)..
you MIGHT be able to do this by cutting away a little on the upper inside allowing more rotation up & in
4. you MAY need to increase the ball size to match the lip opening.

you MIGHT be able to accomplish 1 by extending and twisting the door mount arm, but it would look weird twisted (IMHO)

sam

[Jag Red 54]

I had the same problem, so I mounted a large convex "spotter" mirror on the flat mirror (3-4"). I think it cost about $3. It looks fine and the safty factor is much improved. Otherwise, you can't see out of that mirror! Jag

[AXracer]

Has anyone tried turning the head 180* and see if it solves the problem? I haven't remounted mine, but don't remember a problem adjusting either one when driving it home. Would definitely noticed in 2K mile trip and in a panel truck.