79 series side mirrors on a 60 attempt

[darwink1]

My ps mirror on the 60 has been held on with super glue since the first day I owned the van. I had been looking for a replacement without much luck when a buddy dropped off a brand new set of 79 mirrors. They look to be a lot sturdier and fold a lot smoother than the ones I have on there now so Im thinking of trying to make them fit.

The problem. All of the mounting holes line up which got me super excited but there is a hitch. The body lines do not match up.. They are close but the 79 mirrors have a more pronounced "curve" at the top of the mount than the 60 doors. I am considering either cutting the mounts to match up with the 60 door or making a spacer that sits behind the mount. I dont really want to start cutting the new mounts so Im thinking of trying to make the spacer first since I already picked up longer mounting screws.

My explanation is probably as clear as mud so Ill post a couple pics later on. Just wondering if anybody else has done this swap and how they went about it.

D

 

[Godwin]

I've been using 70 series mirrors on my FJ60s for several years now. Huge improvement over the stock FJ60 mirrors. I no longer notice the small gap under the mirror base, but if you want a truly clean installation I think a spacer would be the way to go.

 

[Sixty's Guy]

Some pics here: https://forum.ih8mud.com/diesel-jdm-parts/91661-7x-series-side-mirrors-sale.html

 

[darwink1]

I dont have that gasket/plastic looking plate that goes between the mirror and door, that my be the thing to cut..

Took some pics of my mirrors.

Template

If I manage to cut the plastic right I should be able to get the lines to match up pretty good. Id paint the spacer black and I have some rubber I can make gaskets out of. Gonna give it a go.

D

 

[darwink1]

I cut out the spacers from my stash of uhmw plastic. They turned out decent and I threw a couple coats of black plasticoat on them. The mirrors fit pretty good now.

D

 

[darwink1]

After having the mirror bolted to the door with the new spacer I noticed theres a little flex in the sheet metal that the mirror screws to. Im guessing that oe plastic spacer makes things a little more rigid, may have to make extended versions to stiffen things up a little.

D

 

[landcruiserjunky]

Nice solution!

 

[woytovich]

After having the mirror bolted to the door with the new spacer I noticed theres a little flex in the sheet metal that the mirror screws to. Im guessing that oe plastic spacer makes things a little more rigid, may have to make extended versions to stiffen things up a little.

D

Or maybe add a plate to the inside to stiffen the door steel some how or other....

 

[doug720]

Keep in mind I've never seen these mirrors in person...But it looks like the mirror head arm on the 70 mirrors may be able to be swapped over to the 60 door mount??? Just an idea as the mounting point/pivot looks similar???

Doug

 

[darwink1]

Yeah, thats the first thing I thought of... The 79 has a pin cast into the mount while the 60 mirrors use a bolt/spring. Would have neen easy for sure if it had worked.

D

 

[swamprunner]

Can your buddy come up with another set of 79 series mirrors? I need a set for my 79 but haven't had much luck finding them. I also have a nice set of the non power 62 mirror if you'd like to trade for the 79's. The look almost the same except they are chrome.

 

[darwink1]

Ill ask about the mirrors, theres a pile of 79 stuff floating around but its hard to get ppl to let it go...

I bolted the mirrors on with the spacers I made and didnt like they way they fit. The mirrors were angled and looked all goofy so I made another set of spacers. The version 2.0 spacers are a wedge shape and have a rubber gasket between them and the door. The mirrors now fit perfect, arent angled, and dont vibrate as much.

D

 

[Eldorado556]

D

Those look perfect.

I need to replace my useless stock mirrors soon.

 

[swamprunner]

yeah no one wants to let go of 79 stuff...most feel its worth its weight in gold. I guess I could always shim my 62 mirrors to fit the 79...but after I bolted them on i was discouraged b/c it way gonna take alot of work to make it look good.

 

[darwink1]

Ill call a local mine lc place and see what they have and maybe hook you up w the contact info..

For the spacers I used 1/2" thick uhmw plastic and cut it with a skill/jig saw/chisel.

Its freaking nice to have functional mirrors man.

D

 

[swamprunner]

That would be great...appreciate the help.

I won't need the spacers b/c they are going on a 79 series

thanks for the help