Side Mirrors

[1991fordrangerKobe]

Hey guys,

Has anyone ever taken their side mirrors off of their Ranger and happen to replace them with the swing arm style before? I have a 1992 4x4 Ford Explorer and I want to replace the stock side mirrors to the swing arm style for a better look. Any suggestions on how to install or if the first-gen rangers that came stock with the swing arm mirrors have a bracket inside of the door that they mount to instead of drilling them into the door?

 

[Elutheros]

If you mean the big chrome mirrors, yes I did it to my 1987BII and my 1992 Ranger 4x4. The problem is I can't remember if I had to drill holes for the bottom mount. I also did it to my grandson's 1991, but the holes were already there.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

Hey guys,

Has anyone ever taken their side mirrors off of their Ranger and happen to replace them with the swing arm style before? I have a 1992 4x4 Ford Explorer and I want to replace the stock side mirrors to the swing arm style for a better look. Any suggestions on how to install or if the first-gen rangers that came stock with the swing arm mirrors have a bracket inside of the door that they mount to instead of drilling them into the door?

Both brackets are mounted to the outside of the door, as seen in this picture of my '90.

Here's my '85, just to confirm:

The bottom bracket is held to the door by two bolts under the mirror arm. The top bracket has two bolts above the mirror arm.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

Just to confirm, I found a picture online of the actual mirror (since neither of mine are really close up). NOTE: The bottom bracket on this mirror is installed UPSIDE DOWN. On my two trucks the bottom bracket is UNDER the swing arm.

That bottom bracket attaches to the outside of the door with two bolts. You might want to take it off, and reinstall it underneath the bracket, where it's supposed to be.

 

[sgtsandman]

Unless that bottom bracket is flipped, I can see it trapping snow and rain, which will lead to it rusting faster than if it's flipped.

 

[silverslug]

I would suggest some reinforcement inside the door if you do put this style mirror on your first gen explorer. The door skin is about as strong as a cereal box.
RBV's that are factory equipped with this style mirror have a bracket in the door.
Personally I feel the A-pillar mirror position is an improvement. But I say go for it, make it your truck.

 

[bobbywalter]

I like these mo-bedda

 

[Ben Baley]

I like these mo-bedda



View attachment 41930

Those look great, where did you get them, I just replaced my '03 Edge with a '92 XLT. She's beautifully free from rust which is really rare up here with all the road salt. My driver's side mirror doesn't hold position anymore and I'd love to replace it with chrome but I don't want to put any new holes in the door. I haven't been able to find any chrome mirrors that use the original holes.

 

[Curious Hound]

I need to do something about mirrors, too. Trees and rocks have been attacking mine. And then, recently, some idiot (i happen to know him intimately) was grinding steel nearby and now the glass is pitted and rusty.

 

[dvdswan]

I got mine from amazon. Cheaper ones are plastic covers and the more expensive ones are stainless.

I had to drill 2 holes for the lower mount but the top bolted right up. I also made a bracket for inside the door for strength.

 

[Uncle Gump]

The door panels are still off My Bronco II... and if I remember right... there is a brace that runs top to bottom inside the door that both the upper and lower mirror mounts bolt to. I can probably take a picture tomorrow. I only mention this because that brace will prevent the mirror skin from flexing.

 

[Curious Hound]

The door panels are still off My Bronco II... and if I remember right... there is a brace that runs top to bottom inside the door that both the upper and lower mirror mounts bolt to. I can probably take a picture tomorrow. I only mention this because that brace will prevent the mirror skin from flexing.

That brace is shown in Silverslug's picture above. Until now, I had always wondered what bracing might be inside the doors.

 

[Ben Baley]

Yeah I don't want to put the holes in for the lower bracket, I've found ones that fit the original holes online just not in chrome.

 

[Uncle Gump]

That brace is shown in Silverslug's picture above. Until now, I had always wondered what bracing might be inside the doors.

I missed that picture... but it looks just like mine.

 

[dvdswan]

I did look for the brackets, to which there was none, before I threw the ones I made together. My guess is only doors that had the option of the larger mirrors had the brackets.