‘42-48 outside rear view mirror install???

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Bruce_MO

Well-known member
‘42-48 outside rear view mirror install???

Super hard to see out of my ‘46 Merc in reverse. So I waited until the Drake cowl mirrors were back in stock. Just got it and it seems absolutely impossible to mount. The cowl stainless trim that I need to remove is held on with a stud/nut clip in the front hole and a spring clip in the rear, and there’s no way I can see the rear hole to get a nut on it to tighten the mirror. Seems like I have to pull the dash out to access it??? The front hole is barely accessible thru a hole in a body brace, so that one will be tough enough. What am I missing?

Thanks
 

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Re: ‘42-48 outside rear view mirror install???

Update… tried the pass side and I could indeed get my hand on the spring clip. So went back to the driver side and wrangled my hand up in past the hood latch handle and cable. Very little room there, with E-brake handle and wiring harness in there. I think I can easily loosen the hood latch handle bracket for clearance. Hope I can get a nut driver in thru all the stuff that’s in the way.

The mirror came with two different lengths of mounting studs, along with a short backing plate with only one hole in it. Im thinking the backing plate (and longer stud) goes to the front mounting hole, for a stronger install. Any thoughts?

Any of you who’ve already done this, please let me know what worked. Thanks
 
Re: ‘42-48 outside rear view mirror install???

Bruce_MO said:
Update… tried the pass side and I could indeed get my hand on the spring clip. So went back to the driver side and wrangled my hand up in past the hood latch handle and cable. Very little room there, with E-brake handle and wiring harness in there. I think I can easily loosen the hood latch handle bracket for clearance. Hope I can get a nut driver in thru all the stuff that’s in the way.

The mirror came with two different lengths of mounting studs, along with a short backing plate with only one hole in it. Im thinking the backing plate (and longer stud) goes to the front mounting hole, for a stronger install. Any thoughts?

Any of you who’ve already done this, please let me know what worked. Thanks
Click to expand...
573542
 
Re: ‘42-48 outside rear view mirror install???

Yeah.... and to be 'negative', when ya get all done with the passenger side, I think you will find it absolutely useless. Unless, of course, you are providing it for your passenger.
 
Re: ‘42-48 outside rear view mirror install???

bobH said:
Yeah.... and to be 'negative', when ya get all done with the passenger side, I think you will find it absolutely useless. Unless, of course, you are providing it for your passenger.
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X2 on the passenger mirror. Those were not a "better idea"
 
Re: ‘42-48 outside rear view mirror install???

I suggest a door mounted mirror. Get a convex mirror the same size as the door mirror glass and stick it on. You’ll get a better view, especially with a small back window.
 
Re: ‘42-48 outside rear view mirror install???

fortyonerag said:
I suggest a door mounted mirror. Get a convex mirror the same size as the door mirror glass and stick it on. You’ll get a better view, especially with a small back window.
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is there a trick to mount the door mounted ones? tried on on my 39 and the door wont close, binding on mirror.
 
Re: ‘42-48 outside rear view mirror install???

marko39 said:
is there a trick to mount the door mounted ones? tried on on my 39 and the door wont close, binding on mirror.
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A picture of the binding you have will help to get an answer.
 
Re: ‘42-48 outside rear view mirror install???

Either shorten the set screws you have or buy shorter ones. ACE and True Value carry many of them.
 
Re: ‘42-48 outside rear view mirror install???

glennpm said:
Either shorten the set screws you have or buy shorter ones. ACE and True Value carry many of them.
Click to expand...

That is doable, can shorten a 1/8” or more. Actually was thinking the same thing. Mark
 
Re: ‘42-48 outside rear view mirror install???

glennpm said:
Either shorten the set screws you have or buy shorter ones. ACE and True Value carry many of them.
Click to expand...

I thought I would share the results of the door mirror mods.. after much dickery grinding down the set screws without launching them into orbit and bending the bracket to close it up I got the driver side one installed and I’m happy with it. Next is pass. side . At least I can see left side for now.
 
Re: ‘42-48 outside rear view mirror install???

Original poster update…

Finally got it in and tightened. It was a REALLY difficult task. The front screw is visible from under the dash, but not easy to get at. I dropped about 6 nuts and a 3/8” socket down behind the kick panel trying to start a nut on the mounting screw, and had to leave them there to avoid damaging or tearing the cardboard. The issue on the driver side is the e-brake handle, the hood release cable, and the headlight switch wiring harness. I had to do the rear mirror stud by feel only; could never see it. I found that the Drake-supplied backing plate was too long, so I cut it in half. Got the plate and nut on totally blind, and couldn’t really get a nut driver or deep socket on squarely to get things as tight as I would like… just got things as tight as I could. And I had to make sure the mirror body on the cowl was as far forward as possible, using slop in the holes in the cowl vs. diameter of mounting screws. Otherwise, the edge of the door skin scraped on the trailing edge of the mirror. Lastly, I made a “bed” that allowed me to comfortably lay on my back with my head and shoulders under the dash, with my torso and legs supported at the level of the floorboard. Would have been miserable without it. Also found that all my messing under the dash had unplugged a connection at the light switch, and parking lights and taillights didn’t work. Re-established my “bed” and found the disconnected lead, and made the fix.

As mentioned by others, a pass side cowl mirror is useless so save the $100. But it would likely be more accessible… easy if the glove box cardboard is not yet installed.

Bottom line… install any cowl mirrors BEFORE you install the dash, wiring, e-brake, etc.
 
Re: ‘42-48 outside rear view mirror install???

Good summary Bruce.

I have a couple of old sofa cushions and small pillows to use as my "bed" As you know it helps elevate you too for better access and less arm reach.

Regarding dropping small screws and parts, MOST of the time :-) I'll strategically place a small towel or two to keep them out of the "beyond" :-)

I also at times, put a small piece of paper towel inside a socket and then a small piece of masking tape to keep the nut in. I've also wrapped a piece of masking tape, sticky side out with another to hold that piece in place, around my finger. The small nut goes on the sticky side and I've found it to be a good way to start those obscurely located connections.
 
Re: ‘42-48 outside rear view mirror install???

glennpm said:
Regarding dropping small screws and parts, MOST of the time :-) I'll strategically place a small towel or two to keep them out of the "beyond" :-)
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The other day, laying under my truck, I had a small cardboard tray with the required, nuts, bolts & washers for the task, it was close by my hip. After placing the first nut/bolt/washer I could not feel the box of parts anymore. After a few moments I noticed one nut about 20 ft away, then a couple of bolts 30-40 ft away. I followed the trail of parts and found my partly chewed box in the grass. My small puppy is pretty sneaky!
Terry
 
Re: ‘42-48 outside rear view mirror install???

Terry, that sounds like my Jack Russell. Good at stealing tools and playing "keep away".
 
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