After reading a subject on towing mirrors , and that 2003 and up models would fit on 1992 -2000 models with some work,
I ordered a pair on amazon ( claims they would fit direct 🙄 on my 96 )

I dont mind modifying , but there is no sure way to figure where to drill new holes
Even the contour shape aint the same , it’s longer in length

Is there anyone who found a good way of doing it right ?

 

Someone will have a way to cobble up drilling holes but honestly the best procedure would be finding a pair of 2003 front doors, swap them out and you'll have a perfect fit.

(FWIW it would appear the existing mirrors you had installed are a Velvac-type brand---is that correct? They do have the appropriate mounting studs/bosses should be for a stock 1996 door shell, direct swap.)

I added 2003 mirrors to a 1997 E-Series and it was more work with less-than-enjoyable results due the difference in the mirror mounting studs and bosses that your photos show so well. Because they are not 100% concentric the challenge becomes how to drill holes so the mirrors mount flush against the door shell as they require. For lack of a better description the holes on the outside of the door shell do NOT necessary match the holes on the inside of the door shell.

IMHO the extendable towing mirrors need to be firmly supported at their bases which is why Ford changed their door shell design in 2003. (If you were swapping in the standard dual-element mirrors that's less of a challenge as they weigh considerably less.) Since much of the mirror's stability is dependent on the metal stud bosses being firmly secured against the door shell this is there the challenge to do it correctly comes into play.

I went through more than a few iterations of cardboard templates that eventually resembled the mirror mounting base of the door shell for a 2003 and later E-Series. Were I do consider this again I'd just buy the proper year doors and suffer through that process of swapping them.

Stay tuned--someone else will have some way to do this without regard for how well its accomplished.

 

A timely subject, I am getting ready to do the same swap and have the same mirrors on my 'Watch' list. I have a '95E350, will the 2003 door fit mine? I just bought the truck, the mirrors are West Coast style and have suffered abuse, screws are pulling out and deformed the attachment points in the door, a straight door swap would solve a couple problems. What about the 'F' series, are the doors the same?
Thanks, Oj

 

Only E-Series fit E-Series and from 1992 all the way through the brand new E-Series cutaway or cab/chassis versions as now produced. If you go this route be sure to take the hinges too. Finding a nice pair of gently used doors complete is almost too much to ask but one never knows until they begin looking. Even if you're forced into taking wiring harnesses, door handles and latches along with glass it not a bad idea. You would want to remove the interior trim panels looking for rust inside the door shell at the bottom and outside at the seam where the outer skin is folded over the inner part of the door shell.

Surface-rust only is okay but I'm talking minimal at best. Naturally best case scenario is finding a pair in your van's exterior color.

Good luck with this---please keep us updated!

 

I did go looking and found, as you say, the E series doors are pretty much interchangeable. I also found out they are salty. If I were a body shop and repairng collision damage they'd be very reasonable, ($700-1K + shipping) but it was enough to give me pause. To be honest, I really do like the traditional West Coast mirror, I think they look Ford Truck, those newer ones have a european sophistication that I'm not sold on.
I have to make my mind up soon, this truck (95E350, 7.3) is new to me and I'm going thru it bumper to bumper on a minor rebuild and could have it ready for licensing next week, I don't think the existing mirrors would pass inspection, they don't pass mine.