What would I need to do to put a set of the 92-96 outside mirrors onto my 81? I currently have factory swing-out mirrors that mount with two bolts on the top bracket and two on the lower bracket. Also, what would it take to get power mirrors of this style working?

I noticed that there is a square piece that's part of the mirror, that appears to go through the outside of the door and bolts to the door from the inside. I saw this on a 92-96 truck I was looking at recently. I take it that I would have to make a small hole in the door to make these fit as well as the hole for the bolt?

 

The sheet metal of the doors a basicly the same, 1980-1996/7, with minor cosmetic differences. Vents were also added to ease in closing the door in 1987.

So just drilling new holes for the mirrors, then finding a good place to wire them in would be the best bet.

I've also seen these mirrors placed on a 1973-1979 truck, so it's possible.

1980-1986 trucks did have a power mirror option, so I would wire in the new mirrors like it would be with that factory option. They were powered directly from the battery, via an inline fuse, and the switch was placed into the door panel just above the power lock switch.

 

What about that long piece that has to bolt to the inside of the door? Do the 80-86 trucks already have a hole for that, or is that one of the holes I'll need to make?

Would any power mirror switch work? Or would it have to be a certain type to be compatible with the mirrors?

 

The switches are different for the 1980-1986 mirrors, and the 1992-1996 mirrors, and that's all I can tell you. Can they be made to work using another type. Cant say..

Since all outside mirrors were installed at the Dealer during this time frame in the 80s, including factory optioned mirrors, then drilling of that hole would be needed. Especially since this mirror didnt come out untill 1992.