Sideview Mirrors
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: North Western New Jersey
Sideview Mirrors
OK this sounds like an absolutely dumb question but I need yours help on this.
My truck came with what looks like 2 factory mirrors however the passenger side mirror looks more "zoomed in" as I like to describe it than the drivers side. What I mean is that the glass looks as if its perhaps concaved more than what must be a factor mirror.
It had a crack in it so I figured this would be a good time to replace it. I went to the box parts store and grabbed an off the shelf mirror and it was exactly the same. Am I missing something here??? Why does my driver side mirror look "normal" and the pass side seem to be so close angled? Does anyone know where I can get a good quality mirror for the passenger side without going to a dealer. Junk yards I can try but for now I would prefer to find a new one.
Anyone else have this issue or am I just crazy?
My truck came with what looks like 2 factory mirrors however the passenger side mirror looks more "zoomed in" as I like to describe it than the drivers side. What I mean is that the glass looks as if its perhaps concaved more than what must be a factor mirror.
It had a crack in it so I figured this would be a good time to replace it. I went to the box parts store and grabbed an off the shelf mirror and it was exactly the same. Am I missing something here??? Why does my driver side mirror look "normal" and the pass side seem to be so close angled? Does anyone know where I can get a good quality mirror for the passenger side without going to a dealer. Junk yards I can try but for now I would prefer to find a new one.
Anyone else have this issue or am I just crazy?
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,949
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From: Virginia
Most mirrors on the passenger side of vehicles are made differently, and have the wording "objects may appear closer...." written on the bottom of the mirror. Is that what you are talking about? I am surprised you were able to get a mirror like this from the parts store.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,033
Likes: 11
From: Wausau, WI
The drivers' mirror is flat, while the passenger is slightly curved. That gives you the illusion of things being farther away, hence "Objects in mirror are closer than they appear". You could try places like LMC, but don't know if they are like factory glass or not. Don't rule out finding a nice one in the yard, Sometimes you can get one that looks like new.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 924
Likes: 4
From: Johns Creek GA
Oddly enough, my truck has what I believe to be factory mirrors as well, and the passenger-side one is perfectly flat...which is annoying as hell! I don't even bother keeping it adjusted, as the field of view is so small as to be useless.
Maybe it's because it's one of the little tiny car-style mirrors?
Maybe it's because it's one of the little tiny car-style mirrors?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
Those are original 1980-1981 variant 6x9" low mount swing loc mirrors.
Not every truck had those "concave" mirrors installed on the passenger side.
Mirrors were not installed at the factory, they were installed at the dealer. If they were ordered the mirrors were placed in the seat in a box. (Explanation Thanks to Numberdummy)
The practice (objects in mirror are closer etc..) started for 1982 and newer, and is most common with the 1982-up areo head type swing loc mirrors... Although these type fit 1980-1991, they are not year correct for 1980-1981. The triangular head swing loc, pictured above are.
The driver side mirror is interchangeable with the passenger side with the swing loc variants. Not recommended using a convex mirror on the driver's side though. I hate convex passenger mirrors myself.
Not every truck had those "concave" mirrors installed on the passenger side.
Mirrors were not installed at the factory, they were installed at the dealer. If they were ordered the mirrors were placed in the seat in a box. (Explanation Thanks to Numberdummy)
The practice (objects in mirror are closer etc..) started for 1982 and newer, and is most common with the 1982-up areo head type swing loc mirrors... Although these type fit 1980-1991, they are not year correct for 1980-1981. The triangular head swing loc, pictured above are.
The driver side mirror is interchangeable with the passenger side with the swing loc variants. Not recommended using a convex mirror on the driver's side though. I hate convex passenger mirrors myself.
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: North Western New Jersey
Thanks All. I'm aware of the "objects in the rearview mirror..." but wasn't that a Meatloaf song? ha-ha.
On a more serious follow up, the replacement mirror was not a factory mirror and has a small field of vision. There mirror was a universal replacement not specific to the side of the vehicle. I have since busted out the "junk" mirror and took a nice piece of 1/4" glass mirror I had laying around and cut and glued that in place. I'm still having trouble seeing. My other F250 and even my car don't seem to have this "issues". Its like I am not seeing the same fields from the mirrors. One is narrow and one is wide. Maybe I should swap the good drivers side with the passenger side. LOL Theres a start... I'm leery to buy a mirror from LMC only because what if its the same mirror pep boys sells? Then i'm stuck with it regardless...or i can return it to pep boys
Thanks
On a more serious follow up, the replacement mirror was not a factory mirror and has a small field of vision. There mirror was a universal replacement not specific to the side of the vehicle. I have since busted out the "junk" mirror and took a nice piece of 1/4" glass mirror I had laying around and cut and glued that in place. I'm still having trouble seeing. My other F250 and even my car don't seem to have this "issues". Its like I am not seeing the same fields from the mirrors. One is narrow and one is wide. Maybe I should swap the good drivers side with the passenger side. LOL Theres a start... I'm leery to buy a mirror from LMC only because what if its the same mirror pep boys sells? Then i'm stuck with it regardless...or i can return it to pep boys
Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
Thanks All. I'm aware of the "objects in the rearview mirror..." but wasn't that a Meatloaf song? ha-ha.
On a more serious follow up, the replacement mirror was not a factory mirror and has a small field of vision. There mirror was a universal replacement not specific to the side of the vehicle. I have since busted out the "junk" mirror and took a nice piece of 1/4" glass mirror I had laying around and cut and glued that in place. I'm still having trouble seeing. My other F250 and even my car don't seem to have this "issues". Its like I am not seeing the same fields from the mirrors. One is narrow and one is wide. Maybe I should swap the good drivers side with the passenger side. LOL Theres a start... I'm leery to buy a mirror from LMC only because what if its the same mirror pep boys sells? Then i'm stuck with it regardless...or i can return it to pep boys
Thanks
On a more serious follow up, the replacement mirror was not a factory mirror and has a small field of vision. There mirror was a universal replacement not specific to the side of the vehicle. I have since busted out the "junk" mirror and took a nice piece of 1/4" glass mirror I had laying around and cut and glued that in place. I'm still having trouble seeing. My other F250 and even my car don't seem to have this "issues". Its like I am not seeing the same fields from the mirrors. One is narrow and one is wide. Maybe I should swap the good drivers side with the passenger side. LOL Theres a start... I'm leery to buy a mirror from LMC only because what if its the same mirror pep boys sells? Then i'm stuck with it regardless...or i can return it to pep boys
Thanks
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