I struggled with the issue of what to do about my side mirrors with my half doors or no doors about a year ago. My goal was to have functional mirrors on the cheap that looked original. The best way I could find to do this was to mount my OEM mirrors somewhere other than the door. The nearest suitable location was the windshield hinge. I saw a pic of a military 40 or 45 that had done this. So I made a bracket that used the two side facing lower windshield hinge screws. It worked great on the driver's side, but due to the cage, the passenger's side was blocked a little. My 40 is a 1977 with the door mounted mirrors.
I also bought a set of pre '77 mirror arms with door hinge mount hardware. I made another bracket that uses the same two windshield hinge locations for the pre '77 arms. I have not mounted the passenger's side yet, but I don't expect it to have the same slight cage blockage issue as the '77-83 mirrors. My goals were met: functional, cheap, original mirrors.
These brackets are fairly easy to make if you have an angle grinder, a drill, and some time. Realizing that not everyone has that combination, I am considering making and selling these brackets. I am meeting with a local fab shop with the right equipment to cut these out quick and cost effectively. Its just a flat piece with four or five holes, so it shouldn't cost much. The same design works on the right or left side, so that helps keep it simple too. I'm sure the fabricator will have some suggestions to keep it simple and cheap.
One question I have for MUD is: What thickness steel should I use? I want it thick enough to not move or shake in the wind, but thin enough to be the weak link. I would want the cheap bracket to bend before your expensive OEM mirror does.
Second question: Any interest?
Here are a few pics showing both brackets.
I also bought a set of pre '77 mirror arms with door hinge mount hardware. I made another bracket that uses the same two windshield hinge locations for the pre '77 arms. I have not mounted the passenger's side yet, but I don't expect it to have the same slight cage blockage issue as the '77-83 mirrors. My goals were met: functional, cheap, original mirrors.
These brackets are fairly easy to make if you have an angle grinder, a drill, and some time. Realizing that not everyone has that combination, I am considering making and selling these brackets. I am meeting with a local fab shop with the right equipment to cut these out quick and cost effectively. Its just a flat piece with four or five holes, so it shouldn't cost much. The same design works on the right or left side, so that helps keep it simple too. I'm sure the fabricator will have some suggestions to keep it simple and cheap.
One question I have for MUD is: What thickness steel should I use? I want it thick enough to not move or shake in the wind, but thin enough to be the weak link. I would want the cheap bracket to bend before your expensive OEM mirror does.
Second question: Any interest?
Here are a few pics showing both brackets.