Side Mirrors!
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 790
Likes: 0
From: Highland Village, TX
Side Mirrors!
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?
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?
FTE Legend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 283,683
Likes: 8,271
From: northwestern Ontario
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.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
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.
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.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,378
Likes: 5,387
From: Central PA
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.
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.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
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!
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!
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 150
Likes: 2
From: Kansas City, MO
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
MIRROR HEADS
Trending Topics
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,757
Likes: 138
From: Alberta Canada
Mirrors
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.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic 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
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,002
Likes: 0
From: victoria
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
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
FoMoCo: Western Jr., and probably look similar to upper catalog pic.
More Turbo
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 688
Likes: 1
From: Netherlands
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
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
