2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Towing Mirrors bolted to doors

[CStansbury]

I am looking a 1999 3500 4x4 QC. I like everything about the truck except the sun visor and the big ol' towing mirrors bolted to the doors.



The sun visor I can fix by taking it off and using some body plugs with a bit of silicone to seal them.



What about the mirrors? I was thinking about using them as is at first, but would like to switch to flip-up towing mirrors. They look like they will clip every mailbox, drive-thru window, bush and pedestrian that I pass. There is no easy way to fold them in either. I found one thread where a guy just took them off and threaded the bolts back in. The truck is black so I guess I could use body plugs and silicone again. I don't want it to look ghetto, so I guess I may end up taking it to my body man and getting him to weld the holes up and repaint the doors.



Do you guys have any other suggestions for removing the elephant ears and making it look decent afterwards?



Thanks for any help!

Chris

 

[icman95]

I have the same mirrors. Ordered them to be installed at the dealer just before I took delivery of the truck. they are GREAT! There's nothing you can't see with them, especially if towing. It's not so bad regarding hitting stuff on the side of the road if you pay even the slightest bit of attention to the matter. I would seriously consider leaving them. They are even a good spot to mount a CB antenna.

 

[CStansbury]

Thanks for the feedback, Ken. I didn't even think about the CB antenna mount. That would a great place for a couple of Firesticks.

I'm hoping to get a toy hauler for me and my family so I will definitely give them a try before removing them. I was just a little apprehensive since I have never had a set. Of course if I can drive my 5-ton Army trucks without running over stuff, I should be able to handle the mirrors, right?

Do you have any pics of your truck, mirrors, or antenna mounts? What is the official Dodge name for the mirrors from your sticker?

 

[DonTX]

They are not a problem, they are a solution! I love mine, if anything you can use them as a guide to help in tight maneuvering. I never have felt they were ugly or would catch on anything.

 

[WDixon27]

you can flip them around backwards and upside down maybe shaving a foot off the width of the truck and get them closer to the body, i tried it with mine and with my wide flatbed i can't see anything but the bed out of the right side so i flipped back but i have seen other trucks with em flipped, id do it just to punch a smaller hole in the air but it looks goofy with just the driver side flipped on mine



just swivel it all of the way around and flip it over, done

 

[drag racer]

I agree - I used to have a set of those on my old Suburban and have to say they are very functional for towing, but I don't really like the way they look either. No way I was drilling holes in the doors of my Ram - I took the stock mirrors off for a set of retractable CIPAs that look great and are reasonably functional pulling a 28' trailer.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

you can use body plugs, just like the ones you'll use on the roof.



thsoe west coast mirrors are FUGLY lookin'!!!!!

 

[AABEN]

Plug the holes with lead or body putty . Then put on stick on bullets holes

 

[CStansbury]

Thanks for all of the replies fellas. I went and looked at the truck in person tonight and it was really nice. The only bummer is it is a 53 block. I am way too paranoid to buy it now. It looked to have been bomb'd before too. There was a set of DP gauges on it and there was a piece of velcro on the fuse box lid so I'm guessing a tuner box used to live there.

It sounded really tight. No smoke on start up. No coolant drooling down the block. I just can't tempt fate.

The search continues.

 

[JacobsD]

Another 99 with a 53..... Seems like they all have 'em.

 

[icman95]

CStan,



I know it's too late now, but to follow up, here's the pic you asked for. The red one's mine and the black one belongs to a buddy and fellow TDR member isb360. For comparision you can see he has the regular mirrors. Firesticks are exactly what I have on the mirror mounts. Love it that way. I ordered them for exactly the same reason you mentioned. I was planning to buy a toyhauler at some point in the future, and now I have one and am very thankful for the mirrors. If you drive 5 ton trucks for the Army, you'll be fine. I'm a truck driver and that's where I got the idea to ask for better mirrors from the dealer. I probably wouldn't have known to ask otherwise. The mirrors were a dealer installed accessory that was in the catalog, not on the factory sticker. If memory serves, they were officially called "Tripod Mirrors".



Now it's my turn to ask a question. What's a 53 block on a 99?

 

[JacobsD]

Now it's my turn to ask a question. What's a 53 block on a 99?

Something you might want to look into: 53 Block FAQ and Information

 

[icman95]

Thanks JacobsD. I've never been across that info before. Kinda sucks for me with an '01. I don't know what I have, but will check on it at first chance. I'm towing heavy Friday.

 

[Grizzly]

I had those tripod type mirrors on my 95, which are okay. However they are not near as nice as the new fold out type. The new ones are remote control and heated, a major plus. With my 95 if you were by yourself and you needed to adjust the passenger mirror or you needed to wipe the frost, you were S. O. L. With the new foldout you can always fold them all the way in when in tight conditions, such narrow garage door openings. Best solution, buy a newer truck with the foldout mirrors. Once you get used to the new mirrors, there's no going back.

 

[JacobsD]

Thanks JacobsD. I've never been across that info before. Kinda sucks for me with an '01. I don't know what I have, but will check on it at first chance. I'm towing heavy Friday.

No problem, nutmeg state brotah :-laf From what I've understood the 01's aren't as prone to having them as the 98. 5's and 99's.