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Old 05-23-2021, 09:10 AM #1
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Towing Mirrors: adding removable motorcycle mirrors near ends of T4R mirrors?

I searched the forum, and found a few threads on towing mirrors, and have decided to try my own solution.

Today I ordered these from Mr. Bezos.

Towing Mirrors: adding removable motorcycle mirrors near  ends of T4R mirrors?-4runner-towing-mirrors-jpg

My hope is to do the following:

1) drill a hole somewhere on or near the bottom outside corner of the existing mirrors.

2) Insert the rivet, nut.

3) Use the correct size screw to tighten down the rivet nut, thereby expanding the rivet, making it a permanent mount

4) Use a wrench to screw attach and adjust the convex mirrors that I purchased.


If all goes well, maybe I'll have some decent towing mirrors that I can quickly put on or take off with one wrench.

I'm probably going to put a backing plate on the inside of the plastic of my existing mirror, to reinforce and spread the load from the grommet.

I'll probably use a stainless steel fender washer. If I find a thin piece of some type of rubber, I might put that under the washer, to allow for some padding and to provide a little give and dampening effect to help make the mount more secure.

Lastly, If I seems a little weak, maybe I'd put some epoxy over the inside, or make a "cavasil" paste from epoxy and use it to reinforce the area.

Those are my plans. I'm not sure when i'll get to the project, but I'll post back on my results.

My hope is that by putting the nutwell on the bottom, it will be fairly innocuous when the mirror is removed, yet allow for a simple, secure and clean mounting when the mirror is installed.

I looked at some mirrors designed for jeeps that mount via a bracket with two holes per mirror. While that seemed like it could be more secure... to have a bracket and two screws holding on each mirror, this solution seems simpler, has a convex mirror and was less expensive, so I figured I'd give it a try.

:-)

---
P.S. -- My plans were inspired from looking at and extending other options.

For those interested in towing mirrors, I've seen the "dumbo" mirrors from a Tacoma that one member put on his 4Runner, with a little modification and help from a heat gun for the trim.

I've read that some of the Dodge mirrors can be fit on a 4th gen... with a little modification.

I've read that some have had luck putting tundra mirrors on their 4th gen again with some modification.

The consensus seems to be that strap on mirrors are less than satisfying.

Mirrors that slip over the factory ones don't fit the 4runner.

Some people like ones that mount on the door using hinges and straps. Some people don't. It seems that you need to be careful on installation so that you don't damage your paint or crack the plastic lower body cladding.

There is a mirror that mounts with a suction cup, and has a short leash in case it falls off.
Those have had mixed reviews. Some people like 'em. Some hate 'em. It seems that it can be OK if you don't overtighten the handle for the suction cup. There isn't a built in stop, so if you overtighten the suction cup, you will strip the gears and then you'll be unhappy.

Some people like these. Some have complained that the mirror fell off, and then the mirror banged up their door as it was hanging by the safety leash.

I liked the posting by one user who said he drilled hole in the upper corner of his mirror and used it to mount a 3 inch (i think) convex mirror.

Putting all of these ideas together, and having owned a motor cycle (sport bike) in the past, I started thinking, maybe I can add some type of insert that stays on the mirror and allows me to screw in a convex mirror.... preferably near the bottom outside of the mirror, so that it's less noticeable when the mirror is removed.

Thanks to all of the other forum members for sharing your work, experiences and ideas.

We'll see if my plans work out well or if they just seemed like a good idea.

Thoughts, ideas, suggestions and feedback are welcome... both before, during and after my work!


Oh! I just realized that have some dynamat copy cat material laying around. it is butyl rubber attached to thick aluminum foil and designed to be used as a sound dampener. Maybe I'll put a small piece inside the mirror where I plan to drill the hole, then put a fender washer over it... also on the inside to both reinforce and provide dampening for the well nut and to spread and relieve pressure from the mirror when it's mounted.

Thoughts and Improvements on the idea are welcome!

Last edited by pjbrownva; 05-23-2021 at 09:30 AM. Reason: Gave credit for my inspiration...
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Old 06-14-2021, 11:33 PM #2
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HERE I GO, TALKING TO MYSELF AGAIN!

Update:

The ordered parts came. The threads don't match. I have a tap and dye set that I haven't used yet. Maybe I can rethread the mirrors so that the fit the well nus that I bought.

I wanted to be able to "Really see"... so a bought a pair of super-duper, call me the MAC Daddy, pimp my ride Tundra mirrors, thinking I could adapt them and install them.

Wow! These things are HUGE! No way. They would look ABSURD!

I might look briefly to see if I can set it up so that by popping off a cover, and undoing 3 nuts per mirror, maybe I can put on these monstrosities before a big tow... not sure.... but they are heavy and HUGE so I think it's best to return them.

Too bad. They had blinkers on them, they were heated, they had a big adjustable mirror and a convex mirror too, and you could extend them a few more inches for towing.

unfortunately, I didn't appreciate how truly massive they were until they arrived. Oh well, C'est la Vie.

So... just a thought... this could be slick....

get two wireless back up cameras, mount them on the boat using inserts adapted to fit in the rod holders. Wire 'em up to the trailer, and view them from the comfort of the driver's seat. Not sure.. still more to do.
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Old 06-15-2021, 09:07 AM #3
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I don't have anything to add, but I'm very interested in this outcome! I tow a travel trailer, and the stock mirrors are worthless with the trailer on.

-Rob
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Old 06-15-2021, 09:28 AM #4
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Have same visibility issue pulling my travel trailer. Tried the Amazon Fit System K Source 3791. Didn't do much for me plus look like they could slip off at highway speeds. Ended up mounting a wireless license plate camera in the back window of my TT. Plugs into a USB plug right next to the window. Done! Camera is viewed on an old Ipad mini mounted on my console. Gives me full visibility of what is going on behind me. No more blind spots.
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Old 06-15-2021, 10:53 AM #5
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i dont tow a full size trailer just a small car dolly or utility trailer, but what i found to help add a little more visible area are those cheap little stick on round mirrors to add to the factory mirrors. they increase the view & let you see the sides of the trailer & down around the wheel area. not as good as real extended mirrors or added cameras but they do help some & are cheap & removable & dont intrude on the factory mirrors view.
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Old 06-15-2021, 01:39 PM #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MtnRover View Post
Ended up mounting a wireless license plate camera in the back window of my TT. Plugs into a USB plug right next to the window. Done! Camera is viewed on an old Ipad mini mounted on my console. Gives me full visibility of what is going on behind me. No more blind spots.
awesome! I like your solution.

I've decided that I'm going to *try* some Dodge Ram mirrors.

He's the scoop... it looks there as some models that are 18" long in normal mode, and 24" in towing mode. That's shorter than some of the alternatives, so maybe they'll look OK.

The ones that I'm ordering are heated, electrically adjustable and have turn signal indicator in them.


Here's an image where I added the dimensions... it's the non-blinker version.

The other photos are of the blinker version I'm ordering.

So we'll see how this goes.
Attached Images
Towing Mirrors: adding removable motorcycle mirrors near  ends of T4R mirrors?-4runner-ram-towing-mirrors-jpg  Towing Mirrors: adding removable motorcycle mirrors near  ends of T4R mirrors?-4ruuner-mirrors-2-jpg  Towing Mirrors: adding removable motorcycle mirrors near  ends of T4R mirrors?-mirrors-4-jpg  Towing Mirrors: adding removable motorcycle mirrors near  ends of T4R mirrors?-mirrors-6-jpg 
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Old 06-15-2021, 01:47 PM #7
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I've long had some round blind spot mirrors... they're better than nothing, but still don't meet my towing needs. Plus, last summer I got a bigger boat, so with that boat, I really can't see what I'm doing when I back up (not good!)... so I've gotta figure something out.

There are some type of extend-a-mirror ( I forgot the name)... the mount with a suction up to your regular mirrors. They have a metal rod that goes out to the side, and mirrors on the end.
They also come with a leash to tether mirror to your car in case they come off.

Some people seemed to love these little mirrors, while others hated them. The haters complained that they came off, swing by the tether and banging up the side of their 4Runner, or they said that the knob on the suction up broke. It seems that the design doesn't have a built-in stop point, so if you turn the knob too far or too hard, you end up breaking a plastic mechanism that makes the suction cup hold.

I decided to pass on that solution. I'll add some photos later this week.
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Old 06-16-2021, 08:43 AM #8
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Originally Posted by pjbrownva View Post
awesome! I like your solution.

I've decided that I'm going to *try* some Dodge Ram mirrors.

He's the scoop... it looks there as some models that are 18" long in normal mode, and 24" in towing mode. That's shorter than some of the alternatives, so maybe they'll look OK.

The ones that I'm ordering are heated, electrically adjustable and have turn signal indicator in them.


Here's an image where I added the dimensions... it's the non-blinker version.

The other photos are of the blinker version I'm ordering.

So we'll see how this goes.

First I flipped, then I flopped...

I've decided that I'm going to take the motorcycle mirrors to a "fasten all" store, and see if they have any any stainless steel rivet nuts that will fit the mirrors that I bought. I think I was on a good path with the approach, and I shouldn't let the thread mis-match derail me so easily.

I can also go to a home depot or other store... maybe even fastenall to confirm the size and thread pitch that the mirrors have, that way I can be sure to get the correct rivet nut based on the specs.

Oh... one last idea... for the mirrors I purchased, I'll post a question asking for the size and threads for the studs that come with the mirror.... maybe I'll get a responsive answer.

That's the update for today... because I like the idea of the easily removable extended mirror... I think I was headed in the right direction.


Those Ram pickup truck mirrors seem awesome, but they'll also permanently change the look of my 4Runner, and I think I'd prefer a stock look.
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Old 06-09-2022, 09:32 AM #9
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Originally Posted by pjbrownva View Post
First I flipped, then I flopped...

I've decided that I'm going to take the motorcycle mirrors to a "fasten all" store, and see if they have any any stainless steel rivet nuts that will fit the mirrors that I bought. I think I was on a good path with the approach, and I shouldn't let the thread mis-match derail me so easily.

I can also go to a home depot or other store... maybe even fastenall to confirm the size and thread pitch that the mirrors have, that way I can be sure to get the correct rivet nut based on the specs.

Oh... one last idea... for the mirrors I purchased, I'll post a question asking for the size and threads for the studs that come with the mirror.... maybe I'll get a responsive answer.

That's the update for today... because I like the idea of the easily removable extended mirror... I think I was headed in the right direction.


Those Ram pickup truck mirrors seem awesome, but they'll also permanently change the look of my 4Runner, and I think I'd prefer a stock look.

Here's an update... I went with the motorcycle mirrors.

Towing Mirrors: adding removable motorcycle mirrors near  ends of T4R mirrors?-towing-mirror-jpg

I bought a rubber bushing at home depot. you put a bolt in the bushing and as you screw in the bolt, the bushing expands.

I drilled a hole on the outside of my mirror housing (being careful not to break the mirror's glass, and to choose a spot where I have clearance to adjust the mirror.

I then took apart the motorcycle mirror mounting hardware and it easily adapted to accept these bushings.

I'm mostly happy with the result. The mirrors usually need adjustment before I tow, but I don't mind the look, so I've left them on full time.

i manually fold the mirror in when parked on the street or going through a drive through.

If I did it again, I don't think I'd get convex mirrors. Flat ones would work better. But... the extension provided by these mirrors makes a night-and day difference, so overall I'm happy.

The small blind spot mirror on the extended mirror fell off (see photo showing it)... and I like the view better without it, so I left it off.

-Philip

Last edited by pjbrownva; 06-09-2022 at 09:36 AM.
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Old 12-02-2023, 06:25 PM #10
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Found a solution that works!!!

For anyone who's interested, I got rid of the factory mirrors and put on some after market ones made for a Tundra. They look just like the Dodge ram ones I posted about earlier. The install wasn't too bad... I had to make a template to drill three new holes where the mirror mounts, and once they were mounted, cut off the extra length on the studs.

I will do a new post on the write up when I get a chance.

I really like these tow mirrors... THEY WORK!!!! :-)

Oh... here's a link to a photo. https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3803621-post36898.html

Last edited by pjbrownva; 12-02-2023 at 06:32 PM.
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