Educate me on side mirrors

[LCA078]

On both HMMWVs I've purchased, each one has had a goobered up side mirror from what I can tell are the yard monkeys playing rough with their forklifts during load/unload. I bought each knowing I had to replace a side mirror so it wasn't like it was a surprise when I picked them up. One bad left mirror (pictured) on one truck and one bad right mirror on the other truck.

But to the point, I'm sure there are a few ideas on what's the good, better, best mirror set up for a M1097. I'm sure the current mirrors are original but figured someone here has either a better option to gain more visibility because the 'good' ones I have kinda suck in the way I'm using them at least.

Thoughts?

 

[FlameRed]

I am NOT one of the resident experts, but the one you have pictured looks like it could be straighten out with some metal work, a vise with a BFH and long metal pipes for leverage bending followed by a repaint. Or is the mirrors cracked too?

NOS ones were super pricey when I replaced mine. I can only image what they would cost now. There are lots of Chinesium ones out there if you care for that.

I replaced mine, because my X-Doors kept banging into them every time the doors were opened. So now they are mounted to the door hinges themselves.

 

[KKroger]

Just depends on YOU, if you want the original military style or the civilian style... Simple as that.
I like the original style with all its shortcomings... I don't like the H1 Mirrors I like the truck for what it is.

 

[TOBASH]

Eric Hummer H1 repurposed amazing custom mirrors. PM him and ask how.

 

[LCA078]

Awesome- these are cool options. I really like the mod of mounting the mirror to the door hinge as it is a PITA trying to get in/out of the truck without pushing the mirrors out of alignment.

Like KKroger, I also like a 'military' looking HMMWV so was hoping there was some options that improved visibility while using military versions. Does this mean that HMMWVs are limited to HMWWV side mirrors?

Also, I can't remember if there were any TTPs for setting up the mirrors so they work best. Like can you adjust the mirrors so you can use them by looking through the windshield? I think some of the LMTV/FMTV folks set their mirrors to be seen through the windshield but of course that's for a cab-over design...

 

[KKroger]

Awesome- these are cool options. I really like the mod of mounting the mirror to the door hinge as it is a PITA trying to get in/out of the truck without pushing the mirrors out of alignment.

Like KKroger, I also like a 'military' looking HMMWV so was hoping there was some options that improved visibility while using military versions. Does this mean that HMMWVs are limited to HMWWV side mirrors?

Also, I can't remember if there were any TTPs for setting up the mirrors so they work best. Like can you adjust the mirrors so you can use them by looking through the windshield? I think some of the LMTV/FMTV folks set their mirrors to be seen through the windshield but of course that's for a cab-over design...

There is a measurement for the mirrors, like 9 1/2" from the hood to the outside of the bracket on the drivers side and 7 1/2 from hood to same point on passenger side but your mileage may vary based on what doors or truck configuration you are running.

 

[DREDnot]

If you set the mirrors per the TM instructions the doors dont hit them.
They will also fold forward or backward for tight clearances.
I got mine new complete from AM General for a little more than the chinese knockoffs.
The chinese kits have a solid disc instead of the detented folding bearing and dont fold.

 

[KKroger]

If you set the mirrors per the TM instructions the doors dont hit them.
They will also fold forward or backward for tight clearances.
I got mine new complete from AM General for a little more than the chinese knockoffs.
The chinese kits have a solid disc instead of the detented folding bearing and dont fold.

View attachment 961441

I note your drivers mirror is very low....

 

[frauhansen]

If you set the mirrors per the TM instructions the doors dont hit them.
They will also fold forward or backward for tight clearances.
I got mine new complete from AM General for a little more than the chinese knockoffs.
The chinese kits have a solid disc instead of the detented folding bearing and dont fold.

View attachment 961441

what have you done with your driver side mirror?! Looks like a AI glitch

 

[LCA078]

If you set the mirrors per the TM instructions the doors dont hit them.

Thanks- I didn't realize the -10 actually stated how to set them. Thanks to you and KKroger for pointing out the correct method. It seems like the -10 says to look at the driver's mirror through the door window whereas the passenger mirror is seen through the windshield. I'll post the page here for everyone's reference.

Note that the TM also says some models had the driver's side mirror lowered by 5" for visibility. Is that why yours is lower? My M1097A2 has both mirrors at same height which is not per the -10. Odd. I'll have to inspect more in the morning when I have daylight.

 

[jimmr]

good points all but if they don't show in the mirrors I just squish'em!!!!!!

 

[LCA078]

Well, this is interesting. I found what I think are a second set of mirror mounting holes for the driver's side mirror. They're spaced the same 10" apart but about 6" lower . The TM says 5" but these are definitely 6" lower. The passenger side doesn't have them. See my pics.

So maybe it's an option for the operator to choose if they want a traditional height or lower mirror on their side.

Driver's side with my boogered up mirror:



Passenger side:

 

[jimmr]

It may be that door was for a export, or made on a monday, or a special application, these anomalies show up time to time.

 

[LCA078]

HMMWV mirrors mount on the windshield frame...and apparently part of the body cowling on the left hand side. Not on any part of the doors.

 

[Coug]

Hard top trucks can have the mirrors mounted either way.

Soft top trucks, which have the fold down windshield, should have them mounted onto the windshield only (upper location) for if the windshield gets folded down.

At least, that is why I would assume they don't just mount them all lower

 

[DREDnot]

Yeah the drivers mirror used to be up on the windshield frame where it blocks visibility to the 10-11 o'clock direction horribly. Mine was upgraded to a MAK and had the lowering holes already present. It looks goofy like that but i can see pedestrians when turning left now.

I think the door hinge mounting is an H1 thing and for mounting jeep mirrors for better rear viewing

 

[KKroger]

Yeah the drivers mirror used to be up on the windshield frame where it blocks visibility to the 10-11 o'clock direction horribly. Mine was upgraded to a MAK and had the lowering holes already present. It looks goofy like that but i can see pedestrians when turning left now.

I think the door hinge mounting is an H1 thing and for mounting jeep mirrors for better rear viewing

If I can't see them are they really there?



XM998 ca1982

 

[LCA078]

Nice pics. I wish our windshields would flip up individually like a deuce or 5-ton. It was common to see the larger trucks driving around with the windshields up but I never remember seeing a HMMWV driving around with the windshield down.

 

[LCA078]

The other crazy part about mirrors on a military vehicle is that no matter when I get in a MV and put it in reverse, I instinctively do two short honks on the horn before looking in any mirror. And then I only use the mirrors to look for the ground guide...not anything around me. With my civilian MVs, I have always mentally remind myself I don't need to honk or wait for a ground guide.

Old habits die hard.

 

[KKroger]

I've seen them driving around on a FOB without the windshield, at all and on Chinooks with the windshield down but not typically... Here is another XM998 pic