Side Mirror Reinforcement Piece

[IdahoMan]

Since the aftermarket "REPRO" mirrors didn't come with any inner-door reinforcement pieces (or proper "Jack-nut" pieces either I've learned), I have had to go to the salvage yard to gather up a few. And it seems like there are several different brand/version/styles of them as well.

Please help me understand what I am looking at here..

In PIC1 I have the REINF ASM pieces that are shorter up top and have a twist to the left when viewed from above. Appears to be two different "brands" in the photo.

In PIC2 the REINF ASM pieces are longer up top and have a twist to the right when viewed from above. Appears to be three different "brands" shown in the photo.

I originally thought that the REINF ASM pieces would be the same size but with a different twist depending on what side they go on, but I guess one is supposed to be longer up top than the other.  But which one goes on which side?


I figure once I get the REINF ASM pieces temporarily in place I can use them to find out where the bottom hole needs to be, and then marking the top two holes should be a simple matter. These REPRO mirrors aren't fitting well to the door body at all, so I got a couple other mirror covers from the salvage yard to bring home and compare. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it and post about it later on in this thread.

Reference notes:
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,22590.msg186773.html#msg186773
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,15584.msg121922.html#msg121922
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,18539.msg148078.html#msg148078
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,4735.0.html
http://www.gmsquarebody.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4410

[Blazin]

Its been a while, but if I remember correctly they are not mirror images of each other.  I also don't know by looking which side is for left, or right.
Pretty sure in the past I have wrestled with this same dilemma myself a few times. Always seemed to figure it out, and say i will remember, but never seem to do so!

[IdahoMan]

Update - Help needed.


First off, I discovered that the REINF ASM pieces with the longer ends came out the the passenger-side doors of the salvage vehicles. I'm going to assume that is the correct placement for now.


Here goes..

Using the pictures in the reference links posted above, I have been trying to get an idea of how the mirrors are supposed to look on the truck, if my original holes are in the right place and to spec for reference, get the template printed out, etc.. 

Well, my original holes seem to be roughly in the right place (give or take 1/16-1/8"). The template isn't working with the mirror set I have though. It just struck me that maybe the "REPRO" mirrors aren't to the same specs as the OEMs (maybe that would explain why they didn't come with any REINF ASM pieces?).    I have gone through a bit of trouble to get those pieces, and I don't really want to have the mirrors installed without them (I like the extra reinforcement). 

PIC1 - REPRO Standard mirror set (From you-know-where)
PIC2 - Template vs the mirror gasket

[Blazin]

Send them back, and get a used OEM set. If the holes are not pretty close they are going to fight you the whole way. If you don't run the reinforcement pieces the door skin will eventually crack from the vibrations.

[IdahoMan]

Send them back, and get a used OEM set. If the holes are not pretty close they are going to fight you the whole way. If you don't run the reinforcement pieces the door skin will eventually crack from the vibrations.

I have been trying to find some OEMs. No luck.

BTW, see PIC2 in post 3? Something just doesn't seem rights. If you have had experience with OEM mirrors, could you tell me if you think the template is accurate? (It came off of CaptKaos's thread (Ref. Link 3 above) and it seems like the genuine thing) Is the passenger side right-top hole of the mirror base supposed to be lower than the left-top hole?? Did the OEMs have a R and L gasket?

I assumed that the measurements for installing Standard "Dumbo" style mirrors on our trucks would be consistent, or are there a bunch of different versions of these style mirrors with completely different hole measurements? And if that's the case, what about the REINF ASM piece, are there different sizes of THAT as well?

Dang, I've got no solid ground to start from. I wish I could have just bought an OEM, with all the pieces and bolts included, and hopefully accompanied by a template sheet.

[Blazin]

I don't recall one being lower than the other. I know my middle finger is about the thickness that a Chevy mirror is supposed to be below the rounded top edge of the door window opening. The tube is supposed to be right about in line with the divider between the window, and the vent window.

[IdahoMan]

I decided to throw in the towel and place the old bipedal towing mirrors back on the truck. However, they needed to be refurbished because they are white and rusted. I went to take them apart and they are so locked tight it is proving impossible. (There really aught to be an emoticon for blinding white rage)

I'll just ask one more question before trying to figure out what to do next..

How do I figure out where the REINF ASM piece is located behind the Outer Door Panel so I can figure out where the bottom hole should be marked?  An electromagnet maybe? Is there a method or tool to use?

If I can do that, I may be able to figure out where the rest of the holes need to be put. Then I'll see if I can get the piece-of-crap REPRO mirror bases Dremeled to the right specs so there won't be any gaps between it and/or the gasket and the door.

Again, thanks for your help.

[Blazin]

Don't quote me, its been a while since i mounted a set of mirrors on a virgin door. I'm thinking the second picture is more correct. For some reason i recall the hole being behind the window guide.
I would find another truck at the junk yard, make a paper pattern from the front edge of the door, and the window opening. Just make sure its a factory set of doors / location. Take measurements too, you should be able to get them darn close.
Where are your old doors?

[PromiseKeeper]

X2 on Blazin's junk yard recommendation. Pull the interior panels off and take a good look. Take your camera along too.

[IdahoMan]

Where are your old doors?

I've never owned any other doors beside those that are on the truck. They are on the truck right now. When I had the truck painted, the bodyshop welded the two lower holes were the towing mirror legs were screwed in.

[PromiseKeeper]

Unless you're making a show truck.... I'd put them where I can see the best! You can always fab the reinforcements if need be. I had sport mirrors on mine and went to the "dumbo" mirrors like you are doing. I used one of the existing holes, made sure everything covered and bolted them on. I had to "customize" the reinforcement brackets a bit to allow for everything would clear, but its all good! My mirrors came off a donor truck at Pull-A-Part. I brought home the brackets that were on that truck as well.

[IdahoMan]

Thank you all very much.

I used a couple of old HDD Neodymium magnets on the back of the outer-door-panel and a thumb-tack with some tape on the end (for paint protection) on the outside to mark -roughly- where the bottom hole should be.  I'll look at my ref.-links measurements and pictures and adjust it to my liking.

I've read other threads here about Jack-Nuts and drilling.  I think the cheap plastic REPRO sockets will do for now though (Post3: PIC1). They should work, and would probably be easier to correct/replace if they do wear-out or something happens.

[Blazin]

Well nuts are similar to Jack nuts. They are rubber with a brass nut insert. When you tighten the bolt the brass expands the rubber out on the inside of the hole.

[werewolfx13]

Well nuts are similar to Jack nuts. They are rubber with a brass nut insert. When you tighten the bolt the brass expands the rubber out on the inside of the hole.

I used well nuts when I mounted the mirrors on my '83. Creates a water tight seal and doesn't seem to stress the metal like jack nuts do.

[JeffD]

I am changing from the elephant ear style mirrors to the smaller sport mirrors. I am trying to find a picture of what the inside brace for the elephant ear style mirrors are to see if I can just drill into them to mount the smaller sport mirrors so they will be reinforced to keep them sturdy