Have any of you tried mounting the towing mirrors from a 2003 or 2004 E model to an older van? Also, are these mirrors available with any electric functions?

I would like to put them on my '94 E150 and retain the electric glass adjustment function. I don't care about electric extension, heat, turn signals in the mirror or puddle lights.

I have looked at the new mirrors on a van at a local dealership and it appears that it just overlaps the rubber window weather strip as apposed to the older model fitting within the weather strip. I think the newer model has four bolts and the older one has two or three. I would guess that these changes are for added stability and vibration resistance with the wider mirrors and that it isn't likely that much if anything has changed with the door design itself except for the additional holes.

If I can't get the electric adjustments I also would like to know if these mirrors can be put on the van without making any modifications that would prevent me from putting the original mirrors on when not towing.

So, any parts guys out there or anyone who has done this modification to their van?

Thanks,

Gene

 

These mirrors can not be put on with out mods. There was older threads about installing these mirrors. There is a company that does finally make a extendable mirror for the E-series. I don't remember the name I'll have to get back to you on that. Its in one of my camping books will have to look for it.

 

Hi Clubman61,

Thanks for the reply. I think Power Vision may be the mirror that you are refering to. They are an option but more than I want to spend if I can avoid it.

Do you have any idea what the mods may be to the Ford towing mirrors? I'm pretty sure they have more bolts and would require drilling an additional hole or holes in the door, but beyond that, I'm not sure what else is required.

I haven't had any luck turning up a thread in the archives on the topic but I will keep looking.

Thanks again,

Gene

 

Gene, I have a set of new manual towing mirrors for sale ($90/pair plus UPS). I purchased these, said to be from 2003 E-series. E-bay ad said they would retrofit to older (my 1992). When questioned after delivery, seller got stupid and couldn't help. They have 4 studs each and are more contoured than what I have. I'm not concerned about drilling holes but the contour is beyond what I will work with. I was willing to forgo the electric function as I hardly adjust them. These are manual extension, manual adjust, large mirror over a smaller one. Let me know if interested and I'll dig out the part numbers and take pictures. Hanno

 

Hanno2s,

I will keep your mirrors in mind when I have more information on this subject.

The contour issue is interesting because it doesn't appear that the van body has changed since the introduction of the '92. From my examination of a new van at the local dealership, my first thought was that the base of the new mirror was larger both top to bottom and front to back. The more I looked at it and compared it to my '94 van, I began to conclude that the door shape and rubber trim detail was the same and the only thing that had changed was that the new mirror base overlaps the rubber weather strip and has four bolts instead of three. I guess that they made those changes to give more stability to the larger, longer mirror. Another assumption that I made was that it would be no benefit to Ford to change the shape of the door in the middle of a production run. Changing the bolt pattern would be an easy change for them to make. What did I miss? Where is the contour difference that you mentioned?

Another question that I have about the new mirrors is if the bolt studs can be unscrewed from them? If they can, it would make a trial fit very easy. Have you tried to remove the studs?

I found an old thread about swapping the mirrors and one member seems to have successfully done it. I have emailed him hoping to get a little more info on it.

As for the electric functions, they would be nice to have but I'm not sure if Ford has made an electric towing mirror for the E series vans. The ebay seller says that he hasn't had any yet. Another thought was, once the extra holes and any other mods were made, it may be fairly easy to swap back to my original electric mirrors when I am not towing my travel trailer.

Any additional info that you have would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Gene

 

Gene, thanks for the reply. I missed your year as a 94, so I don't think what I have would fit without modification, which is what I am having a problem with. Plus, if modification can work, ther are going on my 1992. The contour issue is that I cannot remove the diecast bosses (approx 1.5") on the mirrors I have. They are part of the base casting with only short brass threaded inserts at the ends. I didn't want to drill the extra hole (assuming the other 3 line up) and then get stuck due to the contour. I'm toying with getting a junkyard mirror and cutting the bosses just for a fit check of the contour. Its either than or some plaster mold mockups.

 

hanno2s,
Is the boss that you are refering to the thicker part of the mounting base that the studs are mounted in? Can you remove the studs for a trial fit of the mirror to the van?

I found the following post in a thread that you had posted on at about the time that you bought your mirrors. I don't know if you saw this responce or not, but the poster didn't mention having any trouble with the boss thickness. I have emailed him hoping for additional information but haven't heard anything from him yet. I will let you know if I do. Below is what he said in that thread.
Gene


Bluke
New User

I bought E-bay ford take offs and did the conversion on my 1995
E-350 it wasnt as easy as they make it sound but it is doable.

I used a drill bit which Im guessing was the size of a quarter. maybe a tad bit smaller.There are 4 studs but only 3 holes on the truck so you just line up the morror as best you can,use a black magic marker,mark all 4 spots then drill out one hole at a time.One or two of the holes match up the other 2 need to be
brand new spots.

Your door is not flat so I drilled the first hole the the stud touches first,then the second hole and so on.The 3rd hole from the top was the toughest cuz theres a stableizer inside the door and you basically need to drill right along it so close that I needed a tire iron to stick in the hole to move it over a 1/4 inch.

The most important tool i needed was a tapered file bit for my air drill.The top hole and the bottom hole were the easiest to drill out.The two inner holes required more TLC.

The type of air drill I used was like a dremmil but hooked
to my compressor


You will take the mirror off and on about 20 times getting the holes to match up.You basically need to drill the holes slighty smaller then the girth of the studes and air file the holes larger and larger so you have a tight fit.

First mirror took 1 hour as to take my time,the second to 30 minutes.

there are two types of these mirrors!The ford originals allow you to move the little mirror along with the bigger mirror the non-ford mirrors that are look alikes,the small bottom mirror is fixed.

Putting the nuts required a little thought also cuz the holes
are so big inside the truck but I managed to use a few different tricks to tighten them on.

Good luck
[

 

I saw an ad on "Two Guys Garage" for a company called "Power Vision Mirrors". I went to thier web site powervisionmirrors.com and found they do make electric towing mirrors for E series vans. I also e-mailed them to see if their mirrors would fit a '93 E350. According to them, the mirrors are a direct bolt on. I'm going to file my taxes quickly this year so I can have these mirrors for next season.

 

I too, have been looking on E-bay for these mirrors. Found a pair of non-auto, then an auto-elect. pair for $100.00 W/no wires. 98-03 Econoline. Claimes to fit earlier models with minimum modifications.???
Would like a pair of auto adj. for my 03 E-350.