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Ok; I've searched this subject enough to see that it's been discussed multiple times, but I have a more specific question...
I have the small mirrors on my truck now, which aren't that helpful when towing. I've got the aftermarket slip-on extensions, but they are more frustrating than helpful.
I understand that the 4-hole "hoop style" mirrors won't mount right up, and have read that the upper mounting plates won't cover up a square hole of some sort (haven't seen pics or had mine removed). Has anyone ever tried to create a new upper mounting tab for the 4-hole hoop mirrors that would mate up and cover the upper mounts? I can be pretty crafty with a couple pieces of stainless and a milling machine.
Not interested in going to the full-on towing mirrors or grafting on SD or Dodge mirrors.
You're wanting to do what I want to do, however, having electric mirrors has spoiled me to some degree, so now I'm hesitant to do it. I prefer the aesthetics and the functionality of the wire mirrors as well.
Wondering if I could get creative and create a way to make them electronically adjustable as well. I can hide the wiring, or make it look somewhat factory.
You're wanting to do what I want to do, however, having electric mirrors has spoiled me to some degree, so now I'm hesitant to do it. I prefer the aesthetics and the functionality of the wire mirrors as well.
Wondering if I could get creative and create a way to make them electronically adjustable as well. I can hide the wiring, or make it look somewhat factory.
I don't see how you could make the hoop mirrors electronically adjustable. I'm ok with disabling all that; I don't adjust them often anyway.
I can't see what mirrors you have now. From your saying that you're OK with disabling the electric adjustability I assume you have that now (what people here sometimes call the "Nemo" mirrors, from the fish in the Disney movie with the undersize fin on one side). I had those on my '95 and got some strap-on (rather than slip-on) extensions that worked pretty well. It's been quite a few years since I had that truck, and I don't remember exactly how they mounted. But they added a flat mirror outboard of the stock mirrors, and didn't cover up the stockers. I did need to add a stick-on convex mirror in the upper outside corner, but with that addition it was pretty good.
My '97 now also has small mirrors, but not the Nemo style. They aren't electrically adjustable, but have a head on a ball-an-socket pivot bolted to a hinged frame. I made extentions for them that work out really well. But it doesn't apply to the Nemo mirrors.
I have the big mirrors that came on super duty of this vintage, and apparently some newer vehicles, on my super duty van and they're awesome for towing. They suck for daily driving, either they stick out too far or when flipped around are too tight to the body, but still usable.
I've had a lot of vehicles over the years, and the common ford style hoops are great all around mirrors, durable too.
The top mounting holes of the four-point "big" mirrors DO match the Nemo mirrors. There's also a plastic plate that goes between the mirror bracket and door skin along the top, that covers all the holes. We converted from the big mirrors to the Nemos on one truck, and the holes matched right up, and the square hole for the Nemo outrigger ("inrigger"?) was there. The bottom bolts just broke off.
You'd have to do something about the bottom, however, since the original four-point mirrors mounted with rivnuts in the door skin. Perhaps a backing spreader plate inside the door.
I have the big mirrors that came on super duty of this vintage, and apparently some newer vehicles, on my super duty van and they're awesome for towing. They suck for daily driving, either they stick out too far or when flipped over and around are too tight to the body, but still usable.
These "big" mirrors you are describing were introduced in 1975 F100/350 & Econoline.
They came standard equipment as part of the package for 1975/79 F250/350 Camper Specials & 1976/79 F150/350 & Econoline Trailer Specials, were optional for others.
The mirror head (D5TZ-17723-A includes the 'goose neck' arm) is the same 1975/91, possibly later.
