Ya, they are a little small and I wonder what it would have been like back then?
Anyways here's a break down of the factory mirrors.

 

Bob,
What a phenomenal write up!! Thanks a bunch. I hope you don't mind but I'm going to steal your idea and try my hand a fabbing up a set (that is if Albuq F1 will let me trace the card stock off of his brackets......subtle hint there Ross)

I am very impressed with both your fabrication skills and your computer wizardry. A mighty clap on the back and a round of frosty beverages.....WOOOHOOOO!!!

Bobby

 

bob Those are good lookin mirrors. Very nice, Very nice. RUSTY

 

Bob,

Great job on the mirrors!

I can find the stainless rectangular mirrors at the local auto parts store, but finding the stainless mirror arms is going to be harder.

There are no truckstops around here. Perhaps JC Whitney might have them.

Ilya

 

Betcha there's at least one down in the old 101/17 "tangle" off of First Street or Fourth... the old Beacon station on 10th?

 

Awesome! I have been looking at mirrors whenever I see them trying to figure out how to do just what you did.

Thank you very much. Those tiny round mirrors, the side mounted spare, and my hearing problem do not go well together.

Now....the next time I go somewhere I will have to hit the truck stops.

Thank you very much.

EDIT: Abe and F250Rob both posted a lot of information about the original 53-56 mirrors that look simialar to what you created. I saved the information and the pictures on my computer. If anyone finds that thread (I can't), link it up so that everyone can compare.

 

Nathan,

Just think about when these trucks were new:

First, most trucks only have one tail light, the left one. Traffic conditions were nowhere what they are like today. It was a lot slower pace back then and there were a lot fewer vehicles.

Second, the top speed of most trucks was about 50 mph, at most. Most roads back then were posted at 25-30 mph. A lot of streets around my area are post at 35mph or more, many much higher.

Third, there were no super, multi-lane highways, only two lane roads with slower speed limits. The only things you had to worry about were the guy directly behind you, the guy coming at you and maybe someone who is passing you. Now almost every road you drive on is at least two lanes going the same direction, more places for cars to hind in your blind spots.

Forth, most other vehicles on the road were equal in power and size, you didn't have nuts in pint size sports cars and crotch rocket motorcycles that can do 100+mph and think they are driving on an open road course ignoring all of the rules of road, pushing their vehicles to their limits.

Those little mirror look nice on a vintage vehicle but are pretty much useless in today's traffic.

 

Dittos to the cool mirrors.

 

No more Beacon. The area is now a bustling industrial area with commercial buildings all over the place.

The nearest truck stops would be on I-5 near Stockton or Santa Nella and both are about one hour away.

With Bob's help, I was able to find them online.

Ilya

 

Pass along the tip... it'll save me a 3 hour (round trip) drive.

 

I found this info here some time ago.

The 48-56 Ford Truck Parts and Accessories catalog (printed in 1964)mentions the following outside mirror kits:
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

For just the outside mirror heads, the following parts are listed:
48-52: 6" face-non glare-less arms part#1C-17723A
56 panel: 5" round-stainless steel-less arms part #B6C-17723B
53-56: 6" square-less arms B7C-17723-B

The illustrations catalog shows a round headed adjustable mirror for 48-52, and the square headed adjustable mirror for 53-56.

Hope this helps.

 

The mirror I used is from K Source, http://www.ksource.org/. You can find them on-line at PartsAmerica, http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...rtnumber=RH057 The mirror probably isn't hard to find at one of the auto parts store, I think there are quite few manufacturers of mirrors.

The adjustable arm seemed a little harder to find. I looked around at different auto parts stores and even went to a couple of companies that sold truck mirrors and couldn't find what I wanted. I just happen to find these while paying for gas at the local truck stop. They're made by barjan, http://www.barjan.com/SearchResult.a...tegoryID=11293

 

Bob, I can make that work! Thank you!

 

Bob beat me to it.

 

Ol' Bob

He's a Beater allright.