Side view mirror installation question
 

Just repainted my 70 GMC stepside and bought new 3 hole mirrors and gaskets for both the driver's and passenger's side doors. My question is how does one get the backing plate inside the door aligned so that the gasket and mirror can be screwed to it-- I'm guessing it has something to do with EXTRA long arms- and the help of another person... but if there are any secrets out there I'd sure like to hear them.

These are the type mirrors I'm talking about- second section down on the left side of the page.


http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cb/865w/0077.jpg

Re: Side view mirror installation question
 

Don't take the chance on scratching your paint, get an extra set of arms to hold that plate inside the door. Post some pics of your truck.

Re: Side view mirror installation question
 

I figured it was a two man job--

Here she is minus the bed--

Re: Side view mirror installation question
 

yep two arms would be better, nice looking truck...

Re: Side view mirror installation question
 

I had the wife help me.

Re: Side view mirror installation question
 

That's going to be a good lookin' truck.

Re: Side view mirror installation question
 

Yes Sir! It's a two person job - my son helped me.

Very nice looking truck!

Re: Side view mirror installation question
 

Phil,

I just did this last weekend. There is a hole (an opening anyway) in the inside skin of the door (below the wing window) that is just big enough to get a piece of 1 1/2 inch dowling into (a broom handle might work). I held the plate inside the door (by reaching up from the larger opening below) with one hand (positioned as close as I could on the holes) and pushed and twisted the dowl into the plate to hold it in place. I had to twist the wood so the edge of the door metal would catch into the dowl and hold the plate tight --- but it worked.

I had to adjust each one a few times and used pencils to do minor adjustment and align the threads on the plate to the holes in the door until I could start the screws through the mirror arm and into the plate.

It was tedious but I took my time and made sure it was solid because I had to drill my holes and they weren't exactly right so I wanted to make sure I didn't cross thread anything and ruin something.

Hope that helps--

Chris

Re: Side view mirror installation question
 

think i drilled my holes and used a piece of duct tape to hold the inner plate on while i got the mounting screws started.

Re: Side view mirror installation question
 

Thanks for all the info. (and compliments on my truck). I knew a few of you guys had run into the same problem and had some good ideas to solve it-- I'll try this weekend- but most likely I'll get my wife to try and help me out-- that should be a "great time"...lol

Re: Side view mirror installation question
 

I wish I'd thought of duct tape... smart thinking Jamie.

Phil, you have options. Is that color a stock Vermillion in 1970?

Chris

Re: Side view mirror installation question
 

maybe a good strong magnet an some tape ,but if there is somebody too help that would be best. good luck

Re: Side view mirror installation question
 

Thanks to all for the good ideas-- I talked my wife into helping me and we just finished getting them in... we normally are not the best work partners but it went better than I expected....we remain married...:lol:

Re: Side view mirror installation question
 

thats kool....now ya got a good helper....

Re: Side view mirror installation question
 

Im having the same problem. Is there a vendor that makes these backing plates to put inside the passenger door so I can bolt down the mirrors on the outside?

Or do I have to fabricate my own backing plate?

The driver side door already had 3 holes and a backing plate attached to the inside.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanx! :waah:

Re: Side view mirror installation question
 

You can get them from any parts vendor. They are reproduced.

LockDoc

Re: Side view mirror installation question
 

Lock Doc,

I got my round side mirrors from LMC and they do not carry the backing plate.

Do you have a link to any of those venders that you are talking about?

Re: Side view mirror installation question
 

go to the venders market place on the front page then click on the one you want to look at...

Re: Side view mirror installation question
 

#1. http://www.classicparts.com/1967-69-.../#.VOqcJrbVrTo


#2 http://www.manestruckparts.com/store...Category_ID=17

eighth item down....

LockDoc

Re: Side view mirror installation question
 

I believe Manes parts is only for 67s.....my truck is a 66.

Re: Side view mirror installation question
 

I guess I just presumed it was a later one since this is the '67-'72 Forum..... Sorry about that.

LockDoc

Re: Side view mirror installation question
 

I took a 2-3 foot long piece of bare solid copper wire I had laying around the garage and looped it through two of the holes in the backing plate. (in through one and back out through the other)

Then from inside the door, I fed the wires through the access opening and out through the same two corresponding holes in the door.

Then I went to the outside, fed the wires through the gasket and mirror and pulled the plate into place and held it with enough tension to get the remaining empty holes in both the plate, gasket, and door to line up so I could get a mounting screw started.

Snugged that screw enough so that now all I had to do was push one of the wires back into the door and align that now empty hole to put the second screw in and snug it down also.

A small Phillips screwdriver helps to align everything up from the outside to get the screws started.

I'm single and friendless. :waah:

I think the installation was easier than it was to try to figure out a way to describe it here. :o

http://i1017.photobucket.com/albums/...L10/th_040.jpg

Re: Side view mirror installation question
 

Where do you find a backing plate for a 66"........?

Re: Side view mirror installation question
 

Wish I could help but of course my plates are '69's...sorry.

ETA: I think if I got desperate and frustrated enough, I would trace the pattern onto a piece of steel plate and then tack weld on some nuts...who's going to see it?

Re: Side view mirror installation question
 

I cant find any leads on this problem anywhere on the internet............