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Old 11-25-2018, 09:05 PM #1
Rancho5 Rancho5 is offline
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Looking for better “blind spot” mirrors for my side mirrors

Does anyone have a lead on something better than the little circle mirrors? Is there one made that actually fits in the lower corner of the side mirror? I’d appreciate any help...and yes, looking over your shoulder is also a solution 😀
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Old 11-25-2018, 10:27 PM #2
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I don’t have blind spot mirrors on my 4Runner, but when I went looking Pep Boys had a large assortment available for my F150, many shapes other than basic round. I got a rectangular one that didn’t take up too much space, while giving me the view I wanted.
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Old 11-26-2018, 12:46 AM #3
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Standard small, flat mirrors are pathetic, useless, even dangerous.
I decided to make both of my side mirrors wide angle, full size.
I measured the dimensions of the stock 4Runner mirrors, then found glass wide angle mirrors on Amazon that came close in size and shape.
Attached them right on top of the existing power mirrors, using black RTV.
And yes---objects in both mirrors are closer than they appear.
Added benefit: Headlights of following vehicles are not as brightly reflected.
No pics handy, but can take tomorrow if it's of interest.
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Old 11-26-2018, 11:25 AM #4
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Interest! Interest! Thank you!
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Old 11-26-2018, 11:47 AM #5
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That's interesting, I actually find the mirrors on the 4Runenr to be incredibly good compared to my other cars. They are huge in comparison, and I can see a much wider range - I actually can see the curb when backing up into a parking spot, it's like having a free backup camera .

One thing I always do with my side mirrors is adjust them further out than what you are taught in driver's ed (i.e. place them so you can see your quarter panel). Instead, I adjust mine further out, so that the inner part of the reflection just barely overlaps the rear view mirror. That makes the outer part of the reflection so wide that it essentially overlaps your peripheral vision. So first you see an object in your rear view mirror, then it moves to the side mirror, then you can see it without the mirrors. Instant "blind spot" elimination. It takes some getting used to, but once you do that, you'll never go back.
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Old 11-26-2018, 02:08 PM #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 4Runner4Leon View Post
That's interesting, I actually find the mirrors on the 4Runenr to be incredibly good compared to my other cars. They are huge in comparison, and I can see a much wider range - I actually can see the curb when backing up into a parking spot, it's like having a free backup camera .

One thing I always do with my side mirrors is adjust them further out than what you are taught in driver's ed (i.e. place them so you can see your quarter panel). Instead, I adjust mine further out, so that the inner part of the reflection just barely overlaps the rear view mirror. That makes the outer part of the reflection so wide that it essentially overlaps your peripheral vision. So first you see an object in your rear view mirror, then it moves to the side mirror, then you can see it without the mirrors. Instant "blind spot" elimination. It takes some getting used to, but once you do that, you'll never go back.
So I normally adjust them so I just barely see the edge of my own car. Like in the mirror space... 20% my car, then 80% not. Maybe I should adjust them out further?
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Old 11-26-2018, 02:49 PM #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rancho5 View Post
So I normally adjust them so I just barely see the edge of my own car. Like in the mirror space... 20% my car, then 80% not. Maybe I should adjust them out further?
I align the inside edge of the mirror with the side, so I see nothing of the truck unless I move my head to one side or the other. You don't need to look at your rear quarter panels going down the road..... it takes getting used to, but after you've done it awhile you'll wonder why you ever did it any other way.
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Old 11-26-2018, 02:49 PM #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rancho5 View Post
So I normally adjust them so I just barely see the edge of my own car. Like in the mirror space... 20% my car, then 80% not. Maybe I should adjust them out further?
You should adjust them WAYYYY out from there. The 'correct' way is so they just overlap the rear view mirror, like Leon said.

I do it by leaning near to the door, then adjusting the driver's mirror to just see the car. Lean the same amount towards the center, and adjust the passenger mirror so you can just see the car. When sitting in the normal driving position, you will see the nose of the car right next to you when it finally disappears from the side mirrors. If you need to see straight behind you, that's what the rear view mirror is for. The side mirrors are for checking your sides - and why would you want to see any part of your own car? You know where it is already!

Always still check your blind spots before changing lanes, of course. There is no need for extra mirrors in a 3rd gen 4Runner - they are huge for the size of the vehicle!

-Charlie
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Old 11-26-2018, 03:03 PM #9
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I put these on both side mirrors, and they work great. Cheap alternative and they don’t look out of place if you mount them on the bottom outer corner. I gotta be honest, the 3rd gen 4Runners have very minimal blind spots, if at all. Out of all the cars I’ve driven (I rent cars all the time for work, so I’ve driven quite a few), these trucks have pretty clear line of sight. Worst has got to be the Camaro and the Challenger. I have self doubt whenever I change lanes in those cars.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Auto-Driv...SABEgLNlvD_BwE

Last edited by RunningForNow; 11-28-2018 at 01:18 AM.
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Old 11-26-2018, 03:19 PM #10
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I ordered some small glass HD mirrors last night, before all this great advice today. One thing I do like tho, because of my chronically sore neck, is that with the added mirrors you don't have to ever check your blind spot. If there isn't a car in that little mirror, it's not there. And if there is a car there, you better believe it's next to you in the blind spot. Absolutely no guessing about it.

I drive an 18 Camry as a company car and it's got those yellow warning blind spot lights in the side mirrors. They worked great for a while...no need to crane my neck to change lanes. Now they are malfunctioning and completely NOT trustworthy. Time to take it in.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Old 11-26-2018, 03:27 PM #11
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Here's a good overview of the adjustment method we're recommending above.

https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...id-blind-spots
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Old 11-28-2018, 12:04 AM #12
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Here are photos of the glued-on wide angle mirrors, shot from the drivers position. It takes a short while to learn to judge distances but I'm very happy with the greatly increased coverage. I love being able to see my rear tire (on both sides of the car) while backing up or parallel parking.
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-img_5466-jpg  -img_5467-jpg 
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Old 11-28-2018, 08:22 AM #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rancho5 View Post
I ordered some small glass HD mirrors last night, before all this great advice today. One thing I do like tho, because of my chronically sore neck, is that with the added mirrors you don't have to ever check your blind spot. If there isn't a car in that little mirror, it's not there. And if there is a car there, you better believe it's next to you in the blind spot. Absolutely no guessing about it.

I drive an 18 Camry as a company car and it's got those yellow warning blind spot lights in the side mirrors. They worked great for a while...no need to crane my neck to change lanes. Now they are malfunctioning and completely NOT trustworthy. Time to take it in.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

That's the exact same thing I bought a year ago. It's adjustable but they stay in position unless I go move it with my fingers Or go to the car wash.

I totally agree. It made my life easier. If it's not showing up in that little mirror, then there's no car and you can quickly merge (w/ turn signals on of course)
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Old 11-28-2018, 12:54 PM #14
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...D
and yes, looking over your shoulder is also a solution 😀
Nothing but nothing beats this idea for effectiveness! Regardless of mirrors, always turn your head.... :COWBOY:
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Old 11-28-2018, 02:57 PM #15
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After everything to improve car safty the rear view mirror has never changed, why? It would be easy to concave the mirrors to cover all blind spots but nothing
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