Converting to Western Style Mirrors
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 667
Likes: 4
From: New Jersey
Converting to Western Style Mirrors
I acquired a set of rust free doors for my '80 from the JY. One is off an '87, the other off a '94. The '87 had western style mirrors but the '94 didn't. What is the best way to go about converting it to the western style? It looks like it has a bracket on the back of the door skin to hold nuts, can this be cut off or removed from the inside?
Or... if somebody is in need of a later style mirror door shell and wants to trade me a rust free door shell with western mounts, I'd be open to that too. Saves us both the work.
Or... if somebody is in need of a later style mirror door shell and wants to trade me a rust free door shell with western mounts, I'd be open to that too. Saves us both the work.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,244
Likes: 40
Do you mean towing mirrors? I am trying my best to get Dodge style towing mirrors to work on my Ford, I think it will work sexy. I've determined that the best course of action is to remove the vent windows fab up a metal piece to fit in there drill it out for the mirror and then bolt it in, and box in the back side.
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 667
Likes: 4
From: New Jersey
The '94 door on the left, my '80 on the right. I have the western-style arm mount mirrors, and the '94 had the all in one unit that just bolts on under the vent window pillar.
I planned on welding up the holes for the old mirror and drilling the new ones, but I'd like to know what goes with that backing piece.
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 667
Likes: 4
From: New Jersey
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,251
Likes: 8
From: North Carolina
I'd call them "break-free proximity detectors". Or "wind resistance friction plates". Sheesh they really stick out.
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
Correct. or Jr west coat mirrors
Trending Topics
New User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Ford actually refers to both mirrors as western style. It depends on what brochure you are looking at.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
And I am not sure when the last year was those were offered from FORD?
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,362
Likes: 22
From: Florence, SC
My 1985 brochure calls the ones on the red door swing lock mirrors.
The 1980 - 1981 swing lock mirrors have a slighter different, more angular mirror head.
I think 1991 was the last year for the swing lock mirrors.
The 1980 - 1981 swing lock mirrors have a slighter different, more angular mirror head.
I think 1991 was the last year for the swing lock mirrors.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 938
Likes: 1
From: copperas cove tx
Western style to me is what you see on an 18 wheeler. Then you have the tripod mirrors like mine, where you have two arms that mount just below mid-door. The ones on your door Id just call a low mount swing away mirror.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 938
Likes: 1
From: copperas cove tx
When I was growin up my family owned a 94 F150 with the swing out mirrors.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 666
Likes: 5
LMC has all of the different mirrors shown on one page of their catalog.
LMC Truck Parts - Page 75
My truck originally came with the little "car" style mirrors. A PO removed them and installed some aftermarket "swing lock" mirrors. He just drilled holes and drove in sheet metal screws. The door panel has stress creases in it from times when someone (or something) has pushed the mirror back on its pivot. The stiffening plates inside of the door would definitely be useful. You could probably remove them from a door and add them to the new door, or you could make your own. I think it would try putting them in with body panel adhesive. Welding would warp the door panel. If you clean both parts down to bare metal, the body panel adhesive is incredibly strong.
LMC Truck Parts - Page 75
My truck originally came with the little "car" style mirrors. A PO removed them and installed some aftermarket "swing lock" mirrors. He just drilled holes and drove in sheet metal screws. The door panel has stress creases in it from times when someone (or something) has pushed the mirror back on its pivot. The stiffening plates inside of the door would definitely be useful. You could probably remove them from a door and add them to the new door, or you could make your own. I think it would try putting them in with body panel adhesive. Welding would warp the door panel. If you clean both parts down to bare metal, the body panel adhesive is incredibly strong.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
I picked up a set of new mirrors from ebay, and they came with the screws and plastic "nuts" so you could actually do the conversion. They were actually those plastic push nuts that you would use for license plate screws, and they used large self tapping screws with like a 3/8 or 7/16 head and flathead slot. Maybe a #10 screw? I'm not sure what size they were. It looks like you just drill the right hole, and shove those things in there, and mount it with the self tapping screws.