tow mirror question
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2008
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tow mirror question
Hey guys, just installed my tow mirrors. Finally! Love them so far. I did have a question though, do all the mirrors telescope? I was able to get actual Ford mirrors (part #3C3Z17682DAA) in the box for $200. They work and look awesome but seem to be extended all the time (about an 8 inch gap between the mirror the base). Am I missing something?
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Northwest OH
The original tow mirrors on '99 and some '00 f250's do NOT retract. They are out all of the time, just like you describe. Ford made the change later to telescoping mirrors. If your mirrors have some white lines on top of the bottom rails (Where the mirror would slide in), then they are surely telescoping. If they do not (Even early telescoping mirrors did not have the marks), then they may not be telescoping.
Give the outside of the mirror a good hit with the palm of your hand (toward the truck). If it doesn't budge, then it is most likely the fixed kind.
Give the outside of the mirror a good hit with the palm of your hand (toward the truck). If it doesn't budge, then it is most likely the fixed kind.
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Western NC Mountains
According to the part number you gave they are telescoping mirrors and should look like the pic below.
Notice the gap on the arms in this pic which shows them pushed in, yours may already be out, if so try pushing them in. If not try pulling out on them. It sometimes takes a quick jerk, but not enough to pull them off the truck :-)
Notice the gap on the arms in this pic which shows them pushed in, yours may already be out, if so try pushing them in. If not try pulling out on them. It sometimes takes a quick jerk, but not enough to pull them off the truck :-)
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That's what thought, at least that's how they were advertised. They dont look like that though. The "stalks" are much longer. I bought them from the guys sister so I wonder if these are the take offs and the telescoping ones are on the truck??
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Northwest OH
They could be NOS (New, but old stock). The telescoping ones aren't much different other than the fact that they telescope and the bottom small mirror is adjustable.
Just be careful when pull up to things (mailboxes, atm's, drive-thru windows, etc.) and you will be just fine. If they were advertised as something that they are not, then that is different altogether.
Just be careful when pull up to things (mailboxes, atm's, drive-thru windows, etc.) and you will be just fine. If they were advertised as something that they are not, then that is different altogether.