86scotty
Cynic
I've always been unhappy with the stock GM van mirrors. They are simply lousy IMO. They are unsafe. I've had a few personal GM vans with these mirrors and also driven lots of work vans over the years with them. The newer ones with the lower blind spot 'sliver' are even worse than the old single glass ones IMO. I couldn't stand it anymore. Below are the ones I mean. I put the big blind spot mirror on them last trip because I couldn't see to drive the van.
Untitled by K A, on Flickr
The problem with a fix for these mirrors is that any towing/long arm models are made for cutaway/Class C's and are too big. Also, they are expensive, so the idea of butchering them was one I wasn't thrilled about.
There is another model available but the arm is shaped in a way where my mod idea of shortening the arms looked more difficult. Also, they are more expensive than what I got. Thirdly, they have lousy reviews. Here they are for comparison:
www.1aauto.com
Since I planned to shorten the arms I went with the Velvac clones with a smooth arm:
These have about a 9" arm, way too wide for regular vans. total length of mirrors is well over 12" with these. You can swap the heads since they are offset which will bring each side in an inch or two but it's not nearly enough IMO, especially on a van which might see some miles off road. I was really pleased to see when I got them that the arms are a smooth piece of aluminum extrusion with set screws holding the base, arm and head together, painted over with a textured paint. They came apart pretty easily by removing the set screws, mounting in a vice with wood blocks and knocking them apart with a rubber mallet.
End piece (that holds mirror head) removed:
Mirrors by K A, on Flickr
Arm after my first cut, 4" removed:
Mirrors by K A, on Flickr
Mirrors by K A, on Flickr
You can remove how much ever you want but these mirrors have one indent perpendicular to the van body. In other words, for the arm so lock solidly into place you need them straight out, not angled forward or back, so 4" was the magic number for me to get the mirror head out far enough to have full view of the glass in the passenger mirror. Any shorter arm and the door above the window would obscure part of the mirror and you wouldn't get as much of a benefit of having these awesomely huge mirrors. This mod might look a little weird on a stock GM van but if you are 4wd/lifted and have oversize tires, bumpers, etc. it looks fine. I'll try to get some better pics up.
Also, this mod pertains to non power/non heated mirrors. If you have any of that it's still doable I'm sure with some added wiring and a whole lot more money.
Untitled by K A, on Flickr
Mirrors by K A, on Flickr
Mirrors by K A, on Flickr
Untitled by K A, on FlickrThe problem with a fix for these mirrors is that any towing/long arm models are made for cutaway/Class C's and are too big. Also, they are expensive, so the idea of butchering them was one I wasn't thrilled about.
There is another model available but the arm is shaped in a way where my mod idea of shortening the arms looked more difficult. Also, they are more expensive than what I got. Thirdly, they have lousy reviews. Here they are for comparison:
Side View Mirror Replacement - Driver & Passenger | 1A Auto
Get free shipping on all replacement side view mirrors at 1AAuto.com! We carry a huge selection of driver, passenger & rear view mirrors for all makes & models!
www.1aauto.com
Since I planned to shorten the arms I went with the Velvac clones with a smooth arm:
These have about a 9" arm, way too wide for regular vans. total length of mirrors is well over 12" with these. You can swap the heads since they are offset which will bring each side in an inch or two but it's not nearly enough IMO, especially on a van which might see some miles off road. I was really pleased to see when I got them that the arms are a smooth piece of aluminum extrusion with set screws holding the base, arm and head together, painted over with a textured paint. They came apart pretty easily by removing the set screws, mounting in a vice with wood blocks and knocking them apart with a rubber mallet.
End piece (that holds mirror head) removed:
Mirrors by K A, on FlickrArm after my first cut, 4" removed:
Mirrors by K A, on Flickr
Mirrors by K A, on FlickrYou can remove how much ever you want but these mirrors have one indent perpendicular to the van body. In other words, for the arm so lock solidly into place you need them straight out, not angled forward or back, so 4" was the magic number for me to get the mirror head out far enough to have full view of the glass in the passenger mirror. Any shorter arm and the door above the window would obscure part of the mirror and you wouldn't get as much of a benefit of having these awesomely huge mirrors. This mod might look a little weird on a stock GM van but if you are 4wd/lifted and have oversize tires, bumpers, etc. it looks fine. I'll try to get some better pics up.
Also, this mod pertains to non power/non heated mirrors. If you have any of that it's still doable I'm sure with some added wiring and a whole lot more money.
Untitled by K A, on Flickr
Mirrors by K A, on Flickr
Mirrors by K A, on Flickr
