lt truck mirror mounting question

droogvan · Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 6:52 pm Post subject: lt truck mirror mounting question

Just got my a shiny new pair of lt style mirrors from VanCafe today. Love em. I'm wondering though what you guys that have installed these used for hardware to mount the upper bracket. I'm assuming stainless sheet metal screws but what size? Any tips or suggestions?

By the way Van Cafe came through with free shipping for their promo for August. I was hesitant about placing an order but that sealed the deal for me.
_________________
89 Westy zetec
Some ol bullshit

ALIKA T3 · Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 7:39 pm Post subject:

I'd put some expandable nuts....I hate sheet metal screws....

BTW,how did you get free shipping?? Smile

syncrodoka · Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 7:56 pm Post subject:

It is the deal of the month-
http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/listitems_1318/#q1142

Vanderpooch

SSWesty · Posted: Sat May 21, 2011 10:55 am Post subject:

I also need to install a set of doka mirrors. If I understand the installation options for the upper mount it appears to be sheet metal screws or some type of expandable nut.

Where would one find a supplier of the appropriate expandable type nut on a Saturday in the Seattle area?

HeftySmurf · Posted: Sat May 21, 2011 11:01 am Post subject:

Pretty much any local hardware or marine store will have what you need
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-Lorenzo
90 GL w/ Bostig

SSWesty · Posted: Sat May 21, 2011 11:48 pm Post subject:

It took some driving but I found these McMaster-Carr nuts http://www.mcmaster.com/#threaded-inserts/=cesz8k at a Seattle area hardware store called McLendons. They seemed to be the only place around that had them or anything like them. I tried two FLAPs, Lowes and West Marine.

Next question, after closer examination the upper mount doesn't line up with the door frame so they give you a plasitic spacer to fill the gap. It appears as if the designer of the upper mount was off by 15 degrees. Rather than redoing the casting for the mount it seems the manufacture decided the throw in a plasitic wedge to make it work.

Are factory mirrors like this? It seems like you could twist/bend the mirror arm to make the upper mount will fit without the spacer. However I am unsure that will mess up how they fold. What have other folks done?

Steve

pnwkayaker · Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 6:57 am Post subject:

SSWesty · Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 12:36 pm Post subject:

I found them at the Renton McLendons listed as "Blind Nuts" in their speciality fastener section. The ones I got appear to be Nut Inserts and are listed in the Rivot Nut category from the http://www.mcmaster.com/#threaded-inserts/=cesz8k site. They only had aluminum so that's what I went with in the 10-24 thread size.

They sell a tool to insert them however they it's nothing more than a coupling nut, 1.25" long allen head screw and allen wrench. I just bought the coupling nut and allen head screw separately for half the price of the "kit".

r39o · Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 1:46 pm Post subject:

Auveco makes them too. I use their Nutserts. I have their install tool which is a lot like a pop rivet gun. I purchased a selection of metric inserts from them, too. Work good.

http://www.auveco.com/product/jack.html
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Mick Ord · Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2011 8:34 pm Post subject:

Any further updates/ pics- i have a set to fit and would't mind a better idea on how to fit these, thxs
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1991 Syncro Westy- 2.5 Suby
1989 Syncro Tristar ( sold)
1988 2wd Tristar- about to start resto/rebuild !!

RGS Paul · Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2011 6:35 am Post subject:

The factory used M5 sheet metal screws, there isn't enough room in the door frame for the rivet nuts. The LT's have beefier frames and were able to use the captive nuts in the frame for mounting. You might be able to squeeze captive nuts in there but I wouldn't want to test it on nice doors.

The ETKA page shows how it all got put together from the factory.

Paul
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'87 Syncro 7-Pass. Adventure Touring Vehicle
"Simplicate, then add lightness." Colin Chapman

Mick Ord · Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 5:56 pm Post subject:

trying to figure out how these truck style mirrors mount at the top ???????....any help, pic s etc, can't seem to "see" how there meant to fit with the plastic spacer etc ??????????

Thxs
_________________
1991 Syncro Westy- 2.5 Suby
1989 Syncro Tristar ( sold)
1988 2wd Tristar- about to start resto/rebuild !!

RGS Paul · Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 7:45 pm Post subject:

They just screw into the door frame, Dad said the holes were a little tricky to get lined up right but once the bottom was in you could see how it went together. You sure you have the right plastic spacer?

Paul
_________________
'87 Syncro 7-Pass. Adventure Touring Vehicle
"Simplicate, then add lightness." Colin Chapman

MarkWard · Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 7:33 am Post subject:

I ended up using stainless countersunk sheet metal screws from the hardware store. I remember looking at the grommet for a while before drilling any holes. I covered the window frame area with masking tape, marked my holes and then removed the mirror to drill. I have access to riv-nuts, but as mentioned they require a pretty good size hole. There has been no indication after a few years that the sheetmetal screws were a bad decision. Measure twice drill once. With sheetmetal screws, after you drill your hole, take a center punch and dimple the area "slightly" around the hole. From experience that seems to help. A little touchup paint or silicone to keep water from rusting the bare metal.

Mick Ord · Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 7:09 pm Post subject:

Got my mirrors mounted and all figured out...look great !!!, just need to find some suitable sheet metal screws to secure the top mount- any idea on what size etci shouls ask for at the fastener/hardware shop ??

Thxs
_________________
1991 Syncro Westy- 2.5 Suby
1989 Syncro Tristar ( sold)
1988 2wd Tristar- about to start resto/rebuild !!

ajdenette · Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 7:30 pm Post subject:

Though I have yet to get up to my van to try and install these mirrors Crying or Very sad

(they showed up Tuesday at my apartment and my van currently lives at my parents house still Rolling Eyes

) Van Cafe sent some extra hardware and I figured out how the seal goes which I think is part of the bewilderment.

The top Hardware:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Kind of screwed together

Me holding the upper gasket in place

And a picture of the mirror because they look so awesome Laughing

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1985 2wd Westy with 2000 Subaru 2.2 current driver
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=685635
1986 Syncro Doka Project next in line
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=732777
1990 Vanagon Syncro Base awaiting body work

Mick Ord · Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 7:37 pm Post subject:

thanks for the pics- what about the other 2 screw holes on the top mount ???....any idea what size screw to buy for them....
_________________
1991 Syncro Westy- 2.5 Suby
1989 Syncro Tristar ( sold)
1988 2wd Tristar- about to start resto/rebuild !!

ajdenette · Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 7:54 pm Post subject:

Well, Van Cafe sent 4 of those screws for the 2 parallel holes the perpendicular hole needs a slightly longer screw it just happened to hold the gasket in places I could get my fat fingers out of the pic Embarassed

and it gave a good idea of the length of the screws they sent. The other screw would need to e a little longer to go through the mirror through the gasket and have some real hold into the metal of the door. Sunday when I attempt to install the mirrors I will try to get the last screw and try to get more pictures of the actual install, unless, others report leaving that screw out without issues.
_________________
1985 2wd Westy with 2000 Subaru 2.2 current driver
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=685635
1986 Syncro Doka Project next in line
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=732777
1990 Vanagon Syncro Base awaiting body work

SSWesty · Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2011 12:33 pm Post subject:

Here is a pic of the upper mount installed.

I have more pictures in this thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=470055


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