2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 2nd / 3rd Gen Power Towing Mirror Swap

[mjendrejcak]

I need help!



I can not get the mirrors back tpogether. I cant compress the springs enough in the vise to clear the retainer clip groove. I tried the j bolt method, just as I near the groove the jbolts let go. Any ideas?

 

[cap-n-cray]

I made a wood saddle cut out of a 2x4 and lined it with shop towels. Then I used a big C clamp and socket. Work almost two good as it was set before I knew it. It feels like it is going to come apart again, but it doesn't. When you loosen the C clamp check to make sure the retainer is in place with all tabs down. Make sure to adjust the retainer's tabs before re-installing.



I have used my mirrors for a lot of towing and they work great. Oo.



Cary

 

[Tiger Rag]

I used the bench vise to compress the spring. I used masons twine to tie it on bottom and on top and a third with the best spacing I could get. I slipped it back in and put the clip in place. I used a big socket to tap it in to seat it properly. I then cut the twine and pulled it out.

 

[TRCM]

I bought a big deep reach c-clamp with nylon tips on it. it almost looks like a pipe clamp.



it worked awesome, and you can't even tell from looking at the mirrors that it was clamped.



You will need a sliding clamp with at least 2" of screw for tightening once the slide arm is tight.



i got mine at lowes, it was 8 bucks.



I also used a hole saw that just fit inside the lip of the lock ring. the socekt kept letting it get off center, but the hole saw (minus pilot bit) worked great.



the 1st one took about 15 minutes, and in 35 minutes total, I had reassembled 4 mirrors.

 

[mjendrejcak]

I tired using my woodworkings clamps with a 2 inch wide face, I just cracked the outer shell of the mirrors and did not come close to seating the retainer. What am I doing wrong here.

 

[TRCM]

Only thing I can say is the retainer wasn't going on the post. I didn't even scratch any of the 4 I did using this method, but you MUST make sure the retainer is going on the post, and not against it.



You must keep the retainer centered in the hole.

 

[DLausche]

I tired using my woodworkings clamps with a 2 inch wide face, I just cracked the outer shell of the mirrors and did not come close to seating the retainer. What am I doing wrong here.

Are you trying to compress the spring into the mirror pivot? Or are you trying to compress the springs by themselves in a vise? You need to compress and tie off the springs in a vise before putting them back into the mirror pivot.

 

[mjendrejcak]

I have tried both methods.



Spring in a vise and tie off. But I can not compress them enough to clear everything during reassembly. I then tried the J-bolt method with the springs in the pivot and then the bolts let go. Going to buy a bigger vise tomorrow and see what happens trying to compress the spring itself.

 

[DLausche]

I think you are on the right track with a bigger vise. Look for one with a large surface jaw area. This will help to keep the spring straight and in place when you are compressing it.



Are you using twine or wire to tie them off? I used wire and had to very carefully twist the ends together and clip short enough to make it hold and be able to get it to fit into the mirror assembly. Try to get the twisted wire end to line up with the space in the spring and then CAREFULLY bend the twisted end in between the spring coils. This makes it easier to get the compressed spring+wire into the mirror pivot.



Also make sure you have proper eye protection when working with these springs! Sorry if that is obvious - better safe than sorry here, IMO.



-Deon

 

[TRCM]

Are you using a socket or something to put between the retainer and the clamp ?? if not, you are probably trying to compress the clamp on the pivot post, and that WILL break things.



the socket or hole saw cup HAS to be bigger than the pivot, but smaler than the retainer.



Sorry, but I had no problem this way... too 35 minutes to do 4 of them.

 

[mjendrejcak]

Bought a big C-Clamp and big vise. Mirrors are done.



Thanks for the tips.

 

[cyborg]

Though the looking glass

I might have missed it somewhere.

I have the third Gen P/H tow mirrors.



I was going to use the bases I have on my Factory Power/Heated NON-flip-up mirrors.



or do I have to buy a pair of the 2nd gen flip-up tow mirrors for the bases.



Thanx in advance

 

[TRCM]

the manual non flip up mirror bases won't work.



i suggest using wyatt arp dodge to get the ones you need. they are by far the cheapest I have seen.

 

[cyborg]

bummer.

I didn't want to hear that.

Looks like set of manual flip up mirror for a 3rd gen about to hit ebay...

 

[MamthTorq]

Ok did I miss somthing, or am I the first one to have a problem with the mirror swap. I bought a set of 2nd gen tow mirrors, and a set of 3rd gen power tow mirrors from wyatt arp dodge, got the retainer clips out on both passenger sides, only to find that the "arms" (the part that the mirror folds into) don't match. and also the bases where the arms connect don't match. Is there something I am missing, or did I buy a set of 07 mirrors that they changed just a little. Any info would be great!

 

[claykelly]

I guess you need to find out what mirrors you bought first. I would say you got something wrong as far as year models or something. I've done a couple of these and never had a problem.

 

[DLausche]

I had to grind the circular cone ring on my new power/tow heads to make them fit the older bases. The 2nd gen mirrors & bases were tapered a little bit here. Also had to remove the stop tabs that were part of the casting. Is this possibly the difference you are seeing or is there more to it than this? Could you post some pics of them showing the difference?



Here are some pics, thanks to ntillm01, showing the same mods that I had to perform on mine to get them to fit together. https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/displayalbum.php?&userid=16710&albumid=16271



-Deon

 

[Claw231]

Ok did I miss somthing, or am I the first one to have a problem with the mirror swap. I bought a set of 2nd gen tow mirrors, and a set of 3rd gen power tow mirrors from wyatt arp dodge, got the retainer clips out on both passenger sides, only to find that the "arms" (the part that the mirror folds into) don't match. and also the bases where the arms connect don't match. Is there something I am missing, or did I buy a set of 07 mirrors that they changed just a little. Any info would be great!

I had that problem too. I bought the right side after the left, and it appears they have changed the style of the mirror. The arm on the 03 mirror goes straight into the mount and doesn't get reduced down like the 01 mirror. I ended up buying the correct one off ebay, you can tell which version the mirror is in most pictures by looking at the arm.

 

[MamthTorq]

well I am still learning how to post pics on here, so I will have them up as soon as I can.

 

[BHanson]

I'm having the same problem with the newer mirrors being different. Dang I know this was going to happen,$497. 00 in 2 sets of mirrors,would have been cheaper and easier to ahve bought a new truck. Can I still get the 05 power mirror?