Mirrors.... here we go again

[Stocker]

Looking for suggestions. I went through an agonizing search for different outside mirrors several months ago, made my choice and now I'm looking again. Long story short, my big oem mirrors were painted and I wanted something stainless, smaller but still useable, even on the passenger side. This is what I ended up with (not my truck, but the same colors).


Now my truck's in the shop for rust repair & paint and I just talked with the shop owner. He flat hates the mirrors because they aren't period correct. He's right, but they work so nicely....



Something like this might be a good choice, not too big & not too small, but the owner hasn't posted for years so I can't ask him for particulars. Here's what he posted:

Originally Posted by Stock72c10

I have a smaller version of the tripods on mine and they seem to serve their purpose pretty well. Of course, mine isn't a show truck.

[HO455]

Here is a link to a commercial truck mirror company. There are literally dozens and dozens of combinations to pick from at this site and others. I also included a gratuitous photo of my Burban's mirrors. Nothing fancy, but they work well for a daily driver.

https://www.velvac.com/products/mirrors

[Stocker]

Thanks for the link! Are yours the stock 5"x7" mirrors, and if so, is the pass. side convex?

[special-K]

I have a pair of those mirrors like the picture.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by special-K

I have a pair of those mirrors like the picture.

The blue truck? Talk to me, Tim.... details, details. Mirror head size, is the pass. side convex, are they all stainless.... new, used, nos, condition?

[Overdriven]

Originally Posted by HO455

Here is a link to a commercial truck mirror company. There are literally dozens and dozens of combinations to pick from at this site and others. I also included a gratuitous photo of my Burban's mirrors. Nothing fancy, but they work well for a daily driver.

https://www.velvac.com/products/mirrors

Thanks for this! My West Coast Jr mirror heads got replaced with ugly squared off heads at some point, found ribbed back mirrors and brackets that’ll look much better for 1/3 the price of beatup ebay junk.

[HO455]

Originally Posted by Stocker

Thanks for the link! Are yours the stock 5"x7" mirrors, and if so, is the pass. side convex?

Yep! Stockers turned 90*. Not convex.

You are all welcome.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by Stocker

The blue truck? Talk to me, Tim.... details, details. Mirror head size, is the pass. side convex, are they all stainless.... new, used, nos, condition?

I lost my camera recently. They are used, all stainless, about 2/3 scale of '72 mirrors. I think both are flat glass. I've had them for years. Took them off a truck because I thought they were neat. I'll measure them up in the morning and check for convex.

[Stocker]

Bummer about your camera! Thanks for checking, though. I'd prefer convex so I can see what I'm about to hit....

[dmjlambert]

Originally Posted by HO455

Here is a link to a commercial truck mirror company. There are literally dozens and dozens of combinations to pick from at this site and others. I also included a gratuitous photo of my Burban's mirrors. Nothing fancy, but they work well for a daily driver.

https://www.velvac.com/products/mirrors

What do we order for the brackets and mirrors in order to get that setup like your Burban?

[3drburb]

This is the best looking mirror for that truck. Google 72 GMC sport mirror.

[HO455]

They are available through several vendors. Here are links to Classic Industries. They are available in stainless and black. I am not completely satisfied with mirrors (from Classic) as they vibrate at idle. Something I believe is caused by the light weight material they are stamped from. It isn't horrible like the ones that came with the truck but they could be better. Still they are much nicer to drive with than the 4" round ones that were on the Burban. Not only too small but they never stopped vibrating.
One other note the arms on mine were on the truck when I got it. I don't know they are the original ones or not but I had to tack weld both arms to the mounting plate as they would not stay up. I have no idea if they are at the stock angle or not. I just went with what I though would work.

https://www.classicindustries.com/pr...ts/cx1164.html

https://www.classicindustries.com/pr...ts/cx1165.html

https://www.classicindustries.com/pr...ts/cx1147.html

P.S. there are some mounting plates that go inside the door that are threaded for the screws. I don't know if they are available or if you have to make your own

[special-K]

Originally Posted by 3drburb

This is the best looking mirror for that truck. Google 72 GMC sport mirror.

Worthless on a K/20. As good as no passenger mirror at all with those

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by special-K

Worthless on a K/20. As good as no passenger mirror at all with those

That's what I have been reading. I hope to find SS vibration-free OEM-type which is why I'm thinking mini-tripods with ~5"x7" heads.

[Already Gone]

I have the ones like in Post #11 on my truck and wish I had the DG4's like in the pictured truck.

[HO455]

Originally Posted by Overdriven

Thanks for this! My West Coast Jr mirror heads got replaced with ugly squared off heads at some point, found ribbed back mirrors and brackets that’ll look much better for 1/3 the price of beatup ebay junk.

Could you post what you went with?
Thanks.

[Stocker]

This is what came on my truck, but mine are painted, and IIRC the upper arms are horizontal (not angled down like in the pic). I still have them, just don't care for the bulky size.... and they are painted.

After looking at tons of mirror pics, I believe these are OEM for squarebodies. Looks nice though, and period-correct, just bigger than I wanted. Hmmmmm....

[Stocker]

Just found this... it seems to be what I have in mind, but his comment about shaking makes me cross it off the list.

Originally Posted by suburban99

I made these out of 3 different mirrors for my 72 K10 to fit the existing holes in the doors. They are ok around town but shake pretty good on the freeway. Most people that I drive by are looking at the truck so they don't care if I cut them off...

[HO455]

It is tough to say for sure but those mirrors look to be the same ones I have. I was looking at commercial mirrors to get a heavier mirror body to stop the vibration. I haven't done it yet but a trip to some of the local trucking supply shops is on my agenda. I want to get a "hands on" feel of my next mirror before I purchase it.

[S_Gibson]

I like the DG4's. I just need to find out where to buy them. The ones I have are plastic and look like they belong on a car.

[Killer Bee]

agree with above, sport mirrors are useless on the right side..

field of view for avg seat position is the bedside in front of rear wheel

the best looking and most practical general use mirrors are definitely the below eyeline..

dg4 stainless or d29 painted white

72 only had shortened arms and 69?-71 had longer arms that landed further down the door skin..

mirror mount angle tubes come in two lengths and extensions have been spotted..

member pickmup has had some great mirror sets for sale earlier this year..

good luck!

[davepl]

Every consider plating your big mirrors? That's what I did. They look great, they seem stock to 99.5% of people on earth, and work well.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by davepl

Every consider plating your big mirrors? That's what I did. They look great, they seem stock to 99.5% of people on earth, and work well.

Thanks for the suggestion! Since I haven't found any smaller mirrors that I really like, yes, I have considered using my old ones.
Wasn't sure if they could be plated, or where to get it done.
I will be looking into that option, unless I luck into a SS set.
Yours do look great all right!

[Ol Blue K20]

Hey Mike, Happy Thanksgiving. I have a set of stainless mirrors on my 71 parts truck. I'll take pics if you're interested. I'll be out to the ranch later today.

[davepl]

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

Hey Mike, Happy Thanksgiving. I have a set of stainless mirrors on my 71 parts truck. I'll take pics if you're interested. I'll be out to the ranch later today.

Are they the factory west coast juniors? If they're in good shape and Mike doesn't want them, drop me a PM with what you're asking!