D29 and DG4 Mirrors

[CG]

Added another question on the second page of this thread


So Im getting super close to having everything I need for my 71 SWB K10. Just need to decide big or small block (I have both). And to me a really important decision is which side mirrors. D29 below eye line mirrors on the spid, but if these are the route I go Id rather have the same mirror in stainless, DG4.

You guys that have these what do you think? Good mirrors for actually seeing out without being too ginormous?

I like the look of the little "sport mirrors" but they seem just shy of useless, especially for the passenger side. And I imagine if you run any sort of canopy/topper they would be even worse.

[71blksuper4x4]

I vote DG4

[CG]

Do you have DG4's? Curious how they are working for people.

[71blksuper4x4]

I put the 72 DG4's on my project. Wanted a bigger tow mirror than the sports on my 71. Less prone to damaging my doors than the bigger ones.

[special-K]

DG4s are truck mirrors, so purpose built for function. They have the same head as camper mirrors. I don't know where the term "sport mirror" came from. Never heard it used until I came here. But I always referred to them as "car mirrors" since to me that's what they are. DG4s give the best rear view for a mirror designed to impede side and front view to a minimum.

[gmc684x4]

Hello 71blksuper4x4's did you build that 71 crew cab or is it from the texas shop that builds them ?

[71blksuper4x4]

Originally Posted by gmc684x4

Hello 71blksuper4x4's did you build that 71 crew cab or is it from the texas shop that builds them ?

Me, myself, and I

[71blksuper4x4]

I never had an issue though with my sport mirrors on my 71'.

[special-K]

Somebody took the camper mirrors off the '72 K/20 Cheyenne Super Custom Camper I had and put the car mirrors on. Worthless on the passenger side. Might as well not had one. The '85 Jimmy I had came with the car (standard) mirrors, same thing. Just start moving over and hope that if a car was there they'd honk the horn. My line of vision was over the top of anything next to me

[CG]

I’ll have search for a set of these starting in my own piles of junk.
I believe I may have an NOS set of mirror heads (could be aftermarket though).
Can someone tell me what size the heads are and let me know if there is a way
to tell OEM from aftermarket.

[Killer Bee]

agreed, sport mirrors are useless as a screen door on a submarine..

colloquially named so likely because they were standard in CST models..

as far as the below eye-level mirrors, catalog pictures and OEM p/n references are best for ensuring genuine parts..

please note, in 72 the arms for both D29 and DG4 shortened up a bit so they do appear different, although heads were the same..

I have both painted and stainless and it all depends on whether you like shiny or not..

I also have found NOS mirror heads on ebay fairly easily and not too unreasonably priced..

I think it kind of goes with the bumpers, wheel covers, etc. to determine what looks best..

stainless of course should be more corrosion resistant, depending on the alloy, and I was even considering painting a set..

here's a couple of pages from a 71 accessory catalog..

good luck!

[DANTIP]

I really like the DG4 mirrors on a 4x4!

[special-K]

Originally Posted by Killer Bee

agreed, sport mirrors are useless as a screen door on a submarine..

colloquially named so likely because they were standard in CST models..

Just to keep things accurate, my friend*, what they call sport mirrors are actually the standard no option mirror for 71/72 that replaced what I call stick mirrors, what came standard on 67-70. If no mirrors are listed on the SPID of a 71/72 they got what people call sport mirrors. All the real truck mirrors were options

* Friendly correction. Not being cocky

[Killer Bee]

Originally Posted by special-K

Just to keep things accurate, my friend*, what they call sport mirrors are actually the standard no option mirror for 71/72 that replaced what I call stick mirrors, what came standard on 67-70. If no mirrors are listed on the SPID of a 71/72 they got what people call sport mirrors. All the real truck mirrors were options

* Friendly correction. Not being cocky

touche, not that I mind being corrected where correction is due, but I'll just leave this here..

The definition of colloquial refers to words or expressions used in ordinary language by common people. An example of colloquial is casual conversation where some slang terms are used and where no attempt is made at being formal.

I also mentioned they were standard in CST [S standing for sport of course ] among other models but possibly deriving it's name from there because they were more often left on those models and more often replaced by optional mirrors on camper, towing, or other 'working' models..

but I'll gladly accept being corrected

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by CG

I’ll have search for a set of these starting in my own piles of junk.
I believe I may have an NOS set of mirror heads (could be aftermarket though).
Can someone tell me what size the heads are and let me know if there is a way
to tell OEM from aftermarket.

You probably noticed the dimensions (7.5" X 10'5") in Killer Bee's post 11.

The appearance of original heads differs significantly from all aftermarket heads I've seen. The first picture below is of an original head from a '72. I've seen heads like this on trucks made through at least the early 90s by the big 3 manufacturers. They were almost identical with only 3 very subtle differences I've detected. If interested, I will look at my collection of heads in several days and try to get some pictures that show these differences. The second picture is of a head currently on my truck which I believe to be post 1972. You will notice the embossed emblem, the most obvious difference, at the bottom which I don't think appeared on mirrors before 1973. On this mirror, I'm also using a stainless elbow that has a horizontal leg about 1-1/4" shorter than one used on these trucks.

Incidentally, as long as the stainless is not dented, they'll buff to look better than new. No need for NOS in my opinion.

[jfnar]

I originally had sport mirrors on my 68 but they are useless; especially after you get used to the late model trucks. I now have DG4's and I like them.

[Ganty101]

What are these mirrors are they the 994144 ones? And anyone know where to get them that will deliver to uk?

[Killer Bee]

Originally Posted by Ganty101

What are these mirrors are they the 994144 ones? And anyone know where to get them that will deliver to uk?

yes, in that column of six part numbers, the top two are the style pictured on the left, the bottom two are camper style pictured on the right and two in the middle are van style not pictured on that page..

there are several forum members abroad, they may be able to assist with shipping issues.. not sure if there's a sub forum strictly for them but possibly some 'call-out' threads where folks have rounded up other members from their country.. maybe worth a search..

and as I mentioned above, you may not find them by part number per se but using pictures or other references to the OEM part numbers, names, and descriptions may give you enough clues to find them by searching.. a lot of ebay ads, even some here, for take-off or good used items may not have the OEM part number listed, you have to scour the listings of titles by colloquial or slang terms to compare their description and pictures to what references you have..

for instance, if you were looking for these below eye-level mirrors, whether you agree with the term or not, searching for them by that name and truck model, year, etc. should reveal listings that you can compare to your references.. it also helps to search all the variations of the terms that you know of, for instance these mirrors are more commonly referred to as below eyeline but this catalog refers to them as below eye level.. and of course use the part numbers you know to search listings that include them..

there are lots of mirror threads in this forum, and they are often listed for sale here as well..

good luck!

[Ganty101]

Originally Posted by Killer Bee

yes, in that column of six part numbers, the top two are the style pictured on the left, the bottom two are camper style pictured on the right and two in the middle are van style not pictured on that page..

there are several forum members abroad, they may be able to assist with shipping issues.. not sure if there's a sub forum strictly for them but possibly some 'call-out' threads where folks have rounded up other members from their country.. maybe worth a search..

and as I mentioned above, you may not find them by part number per se but using pictures or other references to the OEM part numbers, names, and descriptions may give you enough clues to find them by searching.. a lot of ebay ads, even some here, for take-off or good used items may not have the OEM part number listed, you have to scour the listings of titles by colloquial or slang terms to compare their description and pictures to what references you have..

for instance, if you were looking for these below eye-level mirrors, whether you agree with the term or not, searching for them by that name and truck model, year, etc. should reveal listings that you can compare to your references.. it also helps to search all the variations of the terms that you know of, for instance these mirrors are more commonly referred to as below eyeline but this catalog refers to them as below eye level.. and of course use the part numbers you know to search listings that include them..

there are lots of mirror threads in this forum, and they are often listed for sale here as well..

good luck!

Thank you for all the info. It’s neigh on impossible to find those mirrors (or similar) here. Now I have a few more terms to try I’ll keep looking. It would probably be easier to find another truck with them on! Ha

[jfnar]

My first car when I was 16 was a 67 chevelle malibu. Like a stupid kid I replaced the stock mirrors with something cheap and racy looking from JC Whitney. I still have those chevelle mirrors and they're identical to the sport mirrors that were on my truck when I got it. I don't remember them being so hard to use back then but I had other things on my mind.

[CG]

I found my mirror heads. Aftermarket, but new. The mounting point isn't quite centered. I believe all the OEMs are centered.

[samkost]

Yep, you're right Mark.
The originals are centered pivoted/adjustable.
I remember asking about originality on my 72 a while back.
They are beautiful after markets though!

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by CG

I found my mirror heads. Aftermarket, but new. The mounting point isn't quite centered. I believe all the OEMs are centered.

Not quite true. The originals on my '69 were not centered. However, I've only seen several others that weren't. Ignore the extension on the elbow/arm. I added that to see around the camper better, but then I hit a sign along a curb which accounts for the pop rivets..

[CG]

Those are nice looking for sure. Very useable and still a good looking mirror. I feel like I have a set of the arms somewhere in a box. If I cant find them Ill start my board begathon lol

[Ganty101]

http://www.lmctruck.com/features/cc/CCCL2.htm
Found these online, thinking either the 38-5820 or 38-5824. I know they aren’t correct for my truck (69 c10 fleet) but the mirrors on it are awful. Think the smaller bracketed ones may look better. Any thoughts guys?