55.2-59 West Coast mirrors 59 GMC

[dennislbrooks]

I am considering putting west coast junior door mirrors on my 59 fleet. I am not satisfied with the stock mirrors especially looking around the spare. I would paint them the same color as the cab top/hub caps as I think chrome looks out of place. Also I would try to use the oem mirror mount position on the door (custom made tab) but still reach the window top door frame.


Has anyone done this to their task force? Show pics please.


Also does anyone have a spotlight on their Task Force?

[mr48chev]

I've got them on two trucks, my 77 C 30 and my 77 F250 and along with being ugly they block one's vision because you have to train yourself to look around them rather than over them. If you are used to driving other trucks with them no problem but if you have never driven a truck with them it is a learning process as they do block a lot of vison at those angles. The C 30 has a 10 ft flatbed with hoist and the F 250 carried a 10 ft camper most of it's life so both needed those mirrors but it is always a game of what is hiding behind the mirror.

Im not a fan of sticking things like spotlights on old trucks just for looks. If you actually use the truck where you need the spotlight that is good but as decoraton beause it "looks more work truck" a big NO. because you may come to regret that hole drilled through that A piller.

[leegreen]

When west coast mirrors came into existence it was for narrow cab trucks hauling wide loads. The mirrors were spaced well out from the cab and back on the door, they did not block forward view except well to the side.

The junior mirrors for small trucks should be about 2/3 the height of the side window and installed low in the frame so you actually look over them at intersections.




spot lights are a cool accessory, if they are functional. I'm adverse to making new holes after welding up so many and a lot of installs have the handle in the driver's doorway in a way that looks awkward. but otherwise they are cool.
There used to be blind spot mirrors that were mirror on back and spotlight on front designed for mounting on exterior door frame within reach of driver, the ones I remember had a rubber toggle switch and handle on the bottom.

[dennislbrooks]

Thanks for items of considerations. I do have a Class A CDL with tanker but do not drive anymore. I will not renew it next renewal.

As you notice all my trucks have an original type look on the outside and adding a west coast mirror would only involve adding 2 holes to the top of the window frame. I would fabricate a bottom mount using the same existing 3 holes Probably would be small and the same color as the truck to be minimally noticeable. I would do both sides. Removing them and returning to the oem mirrors would take minimal effort.

After all fitting, I would lightly sandblast the chrome to prep for matching roof and hubcap paint which is an antique white - a tan. I think chrome is out of place on the forestry truck.

All my trucks are solid as I did all mig welding for panels, holes, and modifications. All good and bad are me - the 42 and 59 were throw aways.

As far as a spotlight, it would fit the look on the old forestry fleet truck, but I would need more pics and info before ever procuring and placing one in the truck.

I had inguinal hernia surgery 8 days ago so it will be about 4 more weeks before I should start to lift over 15 lbs. That incision screams at me later in the day, but I have been sleeping ok.

I do value you guys' input - thanks. It is time for a piece of pumpkin pie!!

Wonder what the chances for finding one of these. haha

[Rickysnickers]

"I had inguinal hernia surgery 8 days ago so it will be about 4 more weeks before I should start to lift over 15 lbs. That incision screams at me later in the day, but I have been sleeping ok. "


Hope all goes well with your recovery.

[Hcb3200]

as to your spotlight.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/4372161...?gpla=1&gao=1&

[dennislbrooks]

Thankyou, I have this one coming. ebay 317459942000


Also an S6. Mine plan is thru the cowl. There is a 57 wrecker on FB that has one thru the cowl with an angled outside mount.

This thread has some examples on 67-72. https://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vbo...d.php?t=861677

[dennislbrooks]

Just an update on the LH mirror test fit.

The mounts need to be unnoticeable and simple. On the bottom mount I think I can use the bottom hole for a support block for vertical stability.
I will remove the droop.

The top mount will not be in that location. It was just a good place to clamp. I have to figure that out yet and will give me another inch to adjust up if needed.

It may need a support for horizontal, but I do not want any additional holes except for what I need somewhere at the top.

Be nice if the whole thing was stainless.

[57tailgater]

Does this render your vent windows inoperable?

[dsraven]

for semi trucks there is a cross brace, from corner to corner, that helps stabilize and support the mirror from the lower mount. possibly better than using the upper mount as much because that part of the door can be bent or cause cracking near the area where it meets the main part of the door shell. i have a few of these doors and the ones that had this style of mirror also have cracks in the door shell.
dominion auto used to be the source, back in the day, but probably grote would be a good place to look nowadays. they sell clamps and struts etc for this style. you will need to know the tubing size. clamp kits for convex mirrors may also work. stainless usually. the cross brace would go from the outside upper corner down to the lower inside corner bracket on the door. that way the mirror weight transfers to that bracket instead of hanging off the upper bracket and stressing the door and fasteners that hold the upper bracket onto the door.

[dsraven]

correction:
for OLD semi trucks. lol

[dsraven]

hopefully this worked.
here is a shot of the cowl area without the outside upper cowl part installed. just so you know what it looks like under that skin

[dsraven]

and here it is from the inside with the dash removed. sorry, no driver's side pic. they are mirror images except for the heater air pick up holes
hope that helps you or somebody else lurking, lol.

[leegreen]

full size westcoast mirrors usually mounted with top and bottom A frames, total of 4 points of attachment to door, plus the diagonal.

Junior mirrors are often just what is shown above, but sometimes with a 3rd attachment on a diagonal from behind mirror to the door forward of lower mount.

With today's parking lots plus parking in a garage I think you want to preserve the ability to fold them in / have them fold rather than tear off when some idiot squeezes in beside you.

Make a beefier lower mount with plate inside door or a wider top mount if you need stronger.

[dennislbrooks]

dsraven and leegreen -- thanks

I will look to support the frame. I see how the supports attach to the frame and will watch on FB and at swap meets for frames. I do not mind painted since I may lightly sand blast the chrome anyway to prep and paint the same color as the roof and hubcaps or maybe even argent silver like the grill.

The driver door has the factory support inside, but the driver door has one I added. Both of the orig type mirrors vibrate on shutting which I usually lay a hand on them. I want to eliminate as much vibration as I can with the junior mirrors.

I have some pondering to do on the top mount.

I will post pics on any progress with the mirrors and the spotlight.

I am not too worried about parking at retail shops. 8-)

[dennislbrooks]

OK, I like where I mounted the top bracket. Wing and window work fine. Yes I made a gasket. And a pic where I plan on putting the brace. I think I have a piece of 1/16" stainless to finish the bottom screw triangle out.

[dennislbrooks]

Ok, if I get a 5/8" clamp, I will move the top of the brace out about 2.5 inches. The mirror is solid with near no vibration on shutting door. I still need to finish the bottom bolt trim. I will change out all bolts/metal screws to stainless and put lower profilemetal screws in the top bracket. Now the other side.

[dennislbrooks]

I moved the top of the brace outward.

[57tailgater]

That ought to keep things good and tight and minimize vibrations.

[dennislbrooks]

Final west coast jr mirrors, they function fine, doors close with near no mirror vibration, and I like the simple look.

[leegreen]

Both look good.

More blind spot behind the full length, but there is still a blind spot to be aware of with the half size ones.

[dsraven]

if you are towing go big, they can also have a light option for clearance and be heated as well if needed for the foggy days, if thats a thing for your climate. if it's for the look, go smaller. just my 2 cents

[dennislbrooks]

Here is the final look of the west coast junior mirrors and spotlight on my 59 Fleet. The mirrors really improve the rear views and are pretty solid closing doors.

[JDarby]

Dennis your truck looks really great there buddy!
Loving the mirrors too!!

What kind of light are you running in your spot?
Halogens shine bright!

[leegreen]

It all works nicely together. Good looking truck!