Quickie mirror mod

[regis101]

OK so don't laugh. Had to do something about the wonky mirrors on the NTM Weekender until I figure this out.
I did a search on here and read some stuff in the FAQ section.

This is with 1 1/2 angle and mirrors from a Dodge van. Bicycle inner tube for gasket material. I had to clip the mounting part for the screws. Bolts would have allowed me to not clip the corners.

I'm going to have to get longer 3/8 bolts. I had to cut the heads of the Dodge OE botls and lost some threads for the nut. This meant that the fiber washers could not be used. So I have them wrench tight for my setting.

If I had had 1 1/2 x 2 angle, the 3/8 bolt would have been able to come up from the bottom and all would have been well.

No worries. I looked online at Jeep mirrors and probably could have made something work. At the boneyard, today, these Dodge van units set me aback $35. The had the full triangular mounting bars but I was only interested in the mirror and the 90* bar. They are just a tad larger than stock.

I'll source the proper gaskets or trim the inner tube a bit better when I redo the mounting bolt(s).

And the band played on..

More pics

http://s187.photobucket.com/albums/x33/regis101/vanagon%20mirror%20mod/
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Peace, Regis

[Corwyn]

Inventive! Overkill, perhaps, but still brilliant.
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'90 White Westy ("The Longship")
FAS Gen V 2.0
The Annual Baja Rally
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604813&highlight=baja

"If anything's" gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there"
~ Captain Ron ~

[vandam]

looks like it matches up pretty well, nice
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84 GL, 2.1 rebuilt

[regis101]

I tried to work with the OE mirrors at first.

Did the rubber washer trick. Did a double washer trick. No avail.
Actually pulled out one of the studs. Added washers thinking the small spring was compressed. blah, blah.

Emailed one of our trusted vendors for info on repo replacements.

Dunno.. had to come up with something quick. This'll work for a while.
Heck, I could bend up a sheetmetal cap to cover the angle iron it'd look like a finished product.

I'll continue to research what other options are out there.
Necessity is the mother of invention.
Maybe I should have painted the piece of angle silver.
Doesn't matter. Just need to see out the mirrors.
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Peace, Regis

[seanjenn]

It's kick ass and a great option for replacing those crappy early mirrors.
Helluva lot cheaper than swapping to the late mirrors.
I'd say make a cap for the angle iron for sure.
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1987 GL Sunroof
2.1 4 spd

[geo_tonz]

Looks great! I think I would paint them black (satin or flat) to go with what I' doing with mine.

Btw: is that an 85? Seems like every van I meet that colour is an 85 (like mine!).
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"Ron Burgundy": 1991 Vanagon Multivan (Weekender) 2.1L Auto - Driver/Camper

[geo_tonz]

Looks great! I think I would paint them black (satin or flat) to go with what I' doing with mine.

Btw: is that an 85? Seems like every van I meet that colour is an 85 (like mine!).
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"Ron Burgundy": 1991 Vanagon Multivan (Weekender) 2.1L Auto - Driver/Camper

[rubbachicken]

nice job

_________________
lucy our westy

lucy's BIG adventure

meet 'burni'


markswagen {mobile mechanic} san diego area all early VW's cared for.

619 201 0310 or 617 935 4182

[zippyslug31]

I have a few DIY doo-dads hanging off of my van... all sealed with inner tube "gaskets". So far they've all worked really well!
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previous:
'80 westy
current:
'90 syncro westy 2.5L subi, triple knob, 16" wheels.
'84 sunroof van, 2.1L motor.

[MarkWard]

I'd call that a result. Bravo.
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☮️

[xoo00oox]

Vibration?

[regis101]

Not bad. If I didn't have to clip the corners of the angle it would be stronger

For a quick, coupla hour job, I'm back on the road, safely.

If there was a way to have the 3/8 bolt touch the bottom or tack a piece of metal to triangulate the bracket, things would be more steady.

It's all good for a while. Work in progress.
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Peace, Regis

[tristessa]

[regis101]

Yes. Thought about a longer stud cut at the angle to match the door angle. Then use a jam nut up against mirror. Would kinda lock itself in place. A four inch long piece compared to the three inch piece I used would have given me more opportunity to close in the ends.

Having to clip off the corners lost some strength. But It's not that bad.

Considering that I had the 1 1/2 angle, a hacksaw with missing teeth, a single jack, broken pencil, a battery drill with a dull bit, and a flat tire on one of the kids' bike, all came out well. Although I wouldn't know how to act with real tools anyway.

Peace
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Peace, Regis

[regis101]

Epic fail. Just noticed that the vent window will hit the chrome round bar.
Now worries since I had planned on a new bracket or new repop mirrors.
So close.
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Peace, Regis