Modern Retrofit Tow Mirrors.

[tebgm81]

Modern Retrofit Tow Mirrors.
I have an 81 GMC K3500 with West Coast mirrors. It didn't take long after buying it to remember they create a blind spot when you pull up to a stop sign. I would really like to find some mirrors like what's on late model rigs but they all mount in the wing window area. I also like the look of the newer mirrors. Has anybody got any ideas of what might work? Thanks

 

[EvilGenius]

The newest GM trucks (2019 1/2 ton, 2020 HD) have door mount mirrors instead of the window frame mount that has been standard the last few decades. I've never seen anyone mount one on anything, but it should be possible. May have to do some trimming on the base to get the mounting angle to work. If you want to explore this option I would recommend finding someone parting one out and get a mirror with the door attached. That way you can really examine the mounting system and reuse as much of it as possible.

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If you do end up doing this document it for the forum! I can't say I think it will look that good, but I'm open to being happily surprised. I've thought about this myself, but in my head I'm not sure it will look very good.

 

[EvilGenius]

After looking at the pictures I posted closely, you may run into clearance issues with the vent window frame. It looks like this style of mirrors intrudes into the door interior a good margin. If you look at the window area on the silver truck there is a black plastic blank at the front of the window. This most likely serves to create a space in the front area of the door for this mirror to mount without interfering with the window travel up and down.

 

[EvilGenius]

There is also this thread here where a guy kept the stock base and machined a post to go in it and mounted the newer style mirrors to the post.

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[Grit dog]

Unless it’s just a beater that you tow with and looks don’t matter, I think any “newer” style big black plastic mirror would look totally out of place.
Assuming you have the old school aftermarket west coast trucker mirrors that mount top and bottom? By your description.
There are similar style mirrors for step vans etc that have 2 mirrors mounted on the same hoop. A big one and a blind spot mirror.
That would seem to be period correct, and not cause all the bodywork required to patch up old holes and make new ones in your doors.

 

[TotalyHucked]

You're always gonna have some kinda blind spot with tow mirrors, no matter the style. Stick with the ones that belong on the truck

 

[bucket]

The newest GM trucks (2019 1/2 ton, 2020 HD) have door mount mirrors instead of the window frame mount that has been standard the last few decades. I've never seen anyone mount one on anything, but it should be possible. May have to do some trimming on the base to get the mounting angle to work. If you want to explore this option I would recommend finding someone parting one out and get a mirror with the door attached. That way you can really examine the mounting system and reuse as much of it as possible.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

If you do end up doing this document it for the forum! I can't say I think it will look that good, but I'm open to being happily surprised. I've thought about this myself, but in my head I'm not sure it will look very good.

Those top mirrors are some of the worst looking mirrors ever put on a truck. At work when we were researching new trucks and originally planning on going GM, we had selected to use the smaller mirrors like the bottom ones because the bigger mirrors are so dang ugly. And we tow big stuff all the time too.

 

[bucket]

There is also this thread here where a guy kept the stock base and machined a post to go in it and mounted the newer style mirrors to the post.

You must be registered for see images attach

Also barf, lol. Imho of course.