What is the diameter of the bright shaft abe..?

 

The bright metal shaft is squared off at the top. It measures 9/16 x 5/8 inches. The OD of the tube as nest as I could measure is 5/8".

In case anyone wants to know, the black tube has an OD of 3/4".

I have found that the bright metal washer and large headed bolt and the black brackets that hold it all together fair better than the black and bright tubes out in the weather.

 

On the topic of the original 1956 telescopic mirrors, here's a repost of pictures from 12 years ago when a single NOS mirror came up on eBay. The guy sold the mirror for $175 if memory serves. Somebody on FTE mentioned that Tractor Supply sold generic telescopic mirror arms that were very close and I bought them years ago. This eBay link that Abe just sent for the Toyo mirror heads looks perfect to complete a cheap but passable replica of the original '56 Ford set up. (I just bought a pair. Thanks for the heads up, Abe!)

Here's that NOS mirror. It was extra-long (18" I think) and not the typical shorter one sold with F-100's and F-250's:



NOS '56 Ford truck mirror

Another view of the NOS '56 Ford truck mirror.

The 48-56 Ford Truck Parts and Accessories catalog (printed in 1964) showed the following:

Outside mirror kits (telescoping arm plus mirror head):
53-55: RH or LH telescopic type, with approx 6" mirror, part# B3TZ-17696
56: RH or LH telescopic type, with approx 5" mirror, part# B6TZ-17696

Just the mirror heads (no arms):
48-52: 6" diameter, non glare, part #1C-17723A
53-56: 6" square, part #B7C-17723-B
56 panel truck: 5" round-stainless steel, part #B6C-17723B

 

Here's the generic stainless steel telescoping arm that I got at Tractor supply. Cost $15 each. They are available from several online sources, just look for the manufacturer "Barjan" and "stainless steel adjustable extension arm" or similar. They are 10" to 15" in length.

Stainless steel adjustable mirror arm.

 

Rob, it's interesting that you say there were different lengths of the stock mirror arms. I thought or think that there were also. But I think Number Dummy earlier said there is only one part number for these mirror arms. The mirror arms on my truck when I bought it from Grandpa are about 14 inches. I have a real short mirror arm which I obtained that I will show in my next post. I think owners or dealers cut the black tubes to shorten them to taste. Here is a truck with short mirror arms:

 

The pair of mirrors I bought on eBay arrived yesterday, Sunday! Is nothing sacred anymore?
They are almost the exact size and shape of the stock originals. Differences that I Have found: they are a little deeper and the corners are more rounded as you can see in the following pictures. The stems and threads are identical. The acorn nut outside dimension is smaller.

I wrapped them up and put them in safe dry storage in my basement workshop. The question is shall I try to paint them black? How well will paint hold on the stainless or chrome, whatever it is?





And the little square cover that goes over the top of the tube is exactly the same. See the new one compared to an old one of mine.

 

I also have one short mirror arm for my truck that looks crudely cut down on one end, with the tube flattened and a hold drilled through it. I bought a pair from that guy on eBay too. I plan on trying to paint or powder coat them black.

 

Rob, I'll let you paint or powder coat them first and see how yours turn out! Would the heat from the oven used to bake the powder crack the glass?

This spring I painted a stainless division bar black for my standard cab 55. First I scuffed it up with 0000 steel wool then painted it with self etching primer. I sanded that with real fine paper, like 1500 grit. Then painted it gloss black. It has a couple small spots that the black peeled off, barely noticeable.

 

I bought a pair of them too. I will probably take my mirror arm apart and blast and powder coat. The silver part will likely be black but i'm fine with it rather than having nothing.
I still need to find another arm for my passenger side.

As for the mirrors, i'll play around with them once i get them and see what i can come up with. If that is just chrome coating then it can be removed and painted....or i'll just be happy with them being chrome

 

You know I thought if I had too I could leave the backs of the mirrors shiny...

Can you paint the silver part with silver or chrome paint?

 

Most likely would. I was thinking taking the glass out, but might be easier said than done. I'm sure painting would work too, especially with some work scuffing the surface for some bite.

 

You'd have to break the glass to get it out, then put new mirror glass after you've powder coated.

 

Silver paint is a possibility for the inners and since I likely won't be adjusting them once I get the desired length they wouldn't get scratched up either