Now that I have been driving my truck more I notice how bad the side view mirrors are on these trucks (53-56). My thoughts on what I have tried so far:

Originals - If I wanted to lean out the window to see the side of my truck I would just lean out, no mirror needed. Worthless on the passenger side.

Peep Mirrors - Even with extensions they are worthless, 2 small and completely worthless on the passenger side.

After market Truck Mirrors - My latest endeavor, plenty big and useful but don't contour to the top of the door under the window.

I have seen the BIG truck mirrors that look like you are towing a trailer and don't care for that look.

What are you guys using or have you just given up?

 

I had the same problem... couldn't see squat behind me. I bought some of the bigger heads and mounted them on my stems. Not a perfect solution, but I can see behind me now.

 

I made my own using mirrors from a 95 pontiac grand am, used the original mounting point.
1956 Ford F100 4x2 - Mirrors I made I had to rework the right mirror because I had the wrong angle, and being electric it helps with the viewing angles.

 

The chrome mirror w/the 5" round head is next to worthless for seeing anything. They're EZ to find, as they're reproduced and look nice, but...

Other types of 1953/56 mirrors (left lower pic) also fit into the door slots (once the rubber plugs were removed). Both telescoping/non telescoping were available.

Similar mirrors were used thru 1966 on F Series, and on 1963/69 N/NT/T500/1100 & 1967/69 F800/1000. There are a few of these mirrors available NOS

Right: 1964/69 same as 1957/63, similar to 1953/56.

 

The mirror that was available for Ford trucks from 53-56 is the second you see in Bill's post.
Here is a pic:


The round chrome mirrors they sell in the repro catalogs where sold by FORD in 1957 and after. I have a dealer brochure from 1956 and they show no such mirrors. I have a 57 brochure and they show trucks with the round ones on and they list them as an option. The mounting area is the same for 53-56 models as it is for 57 and up trucks and that is why I suppose they call them stock. It drives me nuts when they show trucks with the little round chrome mirrors and they call their trucks stock originals.

I have a pair of the stock mirrors on my truck:

And they work! I put a stick-on convex mirror on the passenger side which makes it even better.

Good luck finding any, however. They are not reproduced. You might find good mirror arms. They are telescoping. The base can be cleaned up and painted black. The part that extends is stainless and cleans up nicely. The mirror heads usually are rusted unless it comes off a barn find or from somewhere in the dry areas of our countries. If you find the arms the parts store mirrors will fit on.

 

I beg to differ, to begin with, what 1956 brochure are you referring to, sales or accessory?

When I was buying/selling obsolete parts (1964/86), I had several of these chrome mirrors, the part number was B5CZ-17696-A which replaced an older part number, I think the prefix was BAAA.

DC's 1948/56 truck catalog shows a pic of this mirror, has an 'invented' Ford part number of B6C-17696-S, but I know better, as this mirror is actually C1TZ-17696-E.

1961: FoMoCo changed the design of the mirror head and the way it attached.

FoMoCo also changed the basic number of 18402 to 17696 in the late 1950's. Look at the numbers listed in the 1948/56 Ford truck catalog (bottom of page 757).

Of these, I found one B6TZ-17696-A available NOS .. The telescoping/non telescoping mirrors used 1961/66 will also work. Last time I looked, several were available NOS

Also notice the 1958 part number listed for 1956. FoMoCo is in-famous for replacing 10's of 1000's of part numbers EVERY YEAR!

 

I have seen these advertised in magazines and wonder how well they would work. They are supposed to be wide angle "super view" mirrors but have a very stock look to them. Anyone familiar with them or that has tried them?

MIRROR HEADS

 

I used the aftermarket 5" round and shortened the arm that fastened to the hinge; they are adequate while still giving a period feel to them.

 

Thanks all, some good suggestions here. I am trying to keep more of a hotrod look like 56PanelFord so I am still torn on what to do...

 

I have gotten the small "west coast mirrors " for my truck from the Kenworth dealer ..I would show you ..if I could figger out how to get the picture off my dang phone and post it here ..but for about a hundred a side with mounting brackets I think it is a good deal

 

FoMoCo: Western Jr., and probably look similar to upper catalog pic.

 

These are obviously not stock, don't look that great, but they came with the truck and they do work good. Thought you might want to see what they look like.

 

I have the mirrors from fatties
They have a good few
here they youtube link
and are al the mirrors
FATTIES- MIRRORS

they are not cheap butt I am very happy with the view

 

 

Mine are from a 80s ford ranger.They work great,I have a small round convex on the passenger side. the brackets need to be bent to fit the door but real easy and they where free.