Loosing the camper mirrors...maybe?
 

So, I am going to be getting some body work on my 76 Camper Special completed soon. I have the roof seams starting to rust and a few other things I would like to address to make the truck look nicer. I am looking at the mirrors today and they are just this huge contraption of poles and mounts...kind of messy. Now, I am a big fan or originality but I was thinking of finding some of the cleaner looking mirrors that bolt by the same upper (window) location and then about ¼ way down the door. They are I think the 5X8 size.

What do you think?

I don’t know if even the bolt holes from newer mirrors would align on the top but I know I would be drilling on the bottom. I am aware the holes would be finished up from the old locations. I just think it would look nicer…I am debating.

Anyone recommend a good place to find mirrors or good reproductions? LMC has some on page 51 but I thought there would be some others that may be a little lower in price.
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If you're wanting to sell the west coast mirrors, PM me with price. I'm looking for some. I've got the West coast Jr's and some of the smaller standards, I'd trade ya for!

Cool, then Mr. D will forward them to me!!!Hahaha

I think you are talking about mirrors like this. I had the big mirrors and swapped them for these. Make sure you get the models made for 73-79. The newer yrs have a wider spacing on the mounts making the lower mount line up with the "dent" I had to do some custom work on mine to get them to fit.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...psb91f63e8.jpg

A nice set of the factory stainless west coast mirrors bring big money on ebay; roughly $200.00 and up, plus shipping. And they almost never include the unique mounting hardware such as the plastic gaskets, and the small T-headed bolts.

Here's a link to a 1977 Ford accessories catalog showing different mirror styles: 1977 Accessories Ford Truck Sales Brochure

Here's a link to a 1975 Ford accessories catalog:
Page 15

On a previous truck I had the style depicted as number four. I liked 'em a lot. I do prefer the big west coast stainless type, but they also do a great job of blocking your view. The number fours worked well.

Wider spacing applies to 1973/79's as well, as there were FOUR different types of these "Low Mount Swing-Lok" mirrors installed on 1973/79 F100/350's and 1978/79 Bronco's.

Since the dealers installed ALL the outside mirrors and would install whatever they had in stock, who knows which type is present?

1973/79 Ford Truck Parts Catalog lists these mirrors as Type 9 / Same mirrors listed for 1978/79 Bronco's are listed as Type 12 .. since Bronco parts are listed in the Ford car parts catalogs thru 1979.

The four different types use THREE different mirror heads. One head (D4TZ-17723-A) is 5 1/4" x 8 1/4" and used with both D4TZ-17696-A & D6TZ-17696-A Swing-Loks.

The two other heads were used on 1978/79 mirrors, are 6" x 9" but the difference is how the mirror glass mounts to the frame.

One type has a gasket between the glass and frame, one type does not.

Type 12: Notice the descriptions for D4TZ-17696-A & D6TZ-17696-A

Mark, you looking for MORE west coasts? When you come back out to the land of the big wide open, schedule some more time for yard hopping! Goodro's is a Gold mine.

V10man, Thanks for the heads up. You are right on the picture, those are the mirrors I am considering. I found some 'aftermarket' NOS mirrors of the time and they look similar but I won't know about the exact measurements where I would need to bend or drill until I own them.
Did you leave some plates in place or something of the holes?

I mean, the west coasts are cool...but the size of everything is crazy. It just looks cleaner without them. I just don't know. I may try to clean things up and replace the glass on the passenger side; adjust them nicely and take for a long drive and figure things out.

I did not realize all these mirror options...it's something you could actually customize at the time unlike now where dealer inventory is the common.

Mirrors, mirrors everywhere....

http://i41.tinypic.com/15wh53p.jpg

You can barely see in my pic the black elec tape I put over 2 sets of holes(was tracking down a whistle-was the vent windows) the other set of holes is under the mount on top below the glass. I used one of the holes for the mount the other hole is just open. Had to drill 2 holes for the bottom mount & 1 for the top.

Those mirrors were aftermarked replacements for 80-96 trucks & were cheaper than the 73-79's. I had to cut off 2" from the arm, rebend it and drill a new piviot hole. I would rather have the correct ones.

I have also seen some 92-96 plastic mirrors on a bumpside and a dent. The ones on the lower right in this link. http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fd/full.aspx?Page=81 Good way to get power mirrors.