Date: Tue, 6 Jun 2000 02:09:53 EDT
Reply-To: Oxroad@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jeffrey R <Oxroad@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: 84 westy mirror
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
In a message dated 6/5/2000 3:06:14 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
roch333@HOTMAIL.COM writes:
<< I haven't had to navigate with mirrors before so I
still feel uneasy not being able to see. >>
There are Vanagon passenger side mirrors that are convex. I.E. the ones that
say "objects in the mirror are closer than they appear" They were standard
issue on later vanagons I believe and are on many if not all late model cars
and mini-vans. My sister has a van called Quest with the convex "objects..are
closer..." mirror and I have to say I like it. Really reduces the blind spot
IMHO. I keep thinking of getting one for my Vanagon but the price keeps me
away. West Coast Metric has them for $112.70 and they are identical (give or
take) to the existing black non-electric vanagon mirror except for the mirror
itself which of course is convex. If Ron has them at www.busdepot.com I'll
bet they are a little cheaper--but it's sort of a select item so hard to find
real cheap. The part number in West Coast Metric is: 251-8512G.
Having said that I use the square reflectors on both outside mirrors on the
inside lower corner. I stuck em on then used shims out of toothpicks or
whatever to slightly adjust them so they work best. But the convex reflectors
are small and in my opinion to use them you really have to be on top of your
game. I mean they work great and definately show objects in the blind spots,
but that's a small mirror across the width of the cab.
Another option is the after market full convex mirror add-ons that attach to
the top or the bottom of your outside mirror. They do not block any of the
existing outside mirror. These are probably three or four inches across and
are oval sort of. They bolt to the top or bottom of the outside mirror. And
they are adjustable once bolted just like your existing outside mirror but
adjust independent of it. I have seen them at Pep Boys Auto Parts and in the
AAA catalogue for about $15 each. I have not used them on my vanagon but have
seen them on a chevy caprice and they increase your view of the blind spot
quite a bit. The drawback IMHO is they are about 1" total wider than the
Vanagon mirror (which would amount to a 1/2 inch on each side) so would stick
out and ruin the rakish factory lines of the bus. I'd like to hear from
anyone who has used this set up if such an animal exists.
And while we're on the topic of mirrors I have added an additional inside
mirror that is glued to the windshield about 3 or 4 inches above the dash. As
long as no one is in the back seat it gives me a good view behind the bus
since the factory inside mirror is obstructed by the Air Conditiong unit
mounted to the ceiling by the rear window. I think it cost about $10 at
FLAPS and has day/night adjustment and looks factory enough if some clever
devil doesn't count to two and ask, "Why do you have two mirrors?" My
response, "Just look at me!"
Sorry about the length here but mirrors are kind of a hobby.
Hope at least some of this helps.
Jeff
83.5 Westy
NYC
