Side view mirror UPGRADE?

[Ifirefight]

Huge blind spot on my Sons 01. I’m wondering if anyone has found a better mirror from another vehicle that will bolt up? My old F250 had a terrible blind spot as well...ended up putting those fisheye round mirrors in the bottom corner...would prefer not to go that route again..


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[shadow247]

Don't think there's much you can you do but add the little blind spot mirrors.

This is an interesting idea - You could mount these in the fenders just above the rocker panel. Honda has a new side mirror system where the mirror has a camera that comes on the main screen. You could add a mirror that has a backup camera input, use a splicer to hook up both cameras, and rig up a harness to have the correct side turn on when you activate the turn signal.

https://www.amazon.com/Drilling-Reverse-Mirrored-Parking-Assistance/dp/B01AAARUKM?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfSm8L1W1co

 

[Mighty Buffalo]

I think the surf fenders have the blind spot mirror.

I put the fisheye mirror in the top far corner and that seems to work pretty good.

 

[brillo_76]

I have the large blind spot mirrors [ I think the 2 inch ones] on all my vehicles top of mirror the furest out you can go.

This removes the blind spots and when they go bad I just replace them.

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[Ed_C]

I have one on my Tundra's driver mirror 2 in. Blind Spot Mirror

I recently found 2" mirrors at a local dollar store too, not sure if they swivel though.

 

[jgue467]

Huge blind spot on my Sons 01. ...

IMHO, the best thing, on Any vehicle, is to learn to turn one's head. Small mirrors = longer comprehension time.

Luck and enjoy those Toyotas. : ^ )))

 

[UnderFire]

Interesting. I've always loved the visibility out of 3rd gen runners, nice big side mirrors and easy to see out of windows with little to no blind spots. I've never felt the need to add blind spot mirrors, etc.

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[pluton]

I added convex mirrors on both sides. RTV'd them right onto the existing mirrors. I see everything, including my rear tires and how close they are to the curb. Also, the convex mirror cuts down on the brightness of the headlights from following vehicles, a property that I like a lot. I have no blind spot.
The mirror I used was similar to this item from Grainger: VELVAC Replacement Convex Glass - 2FAN5'|'702057 - Grainger Except that the actual units I ordered came from Amazon at the time---I can't find that link now.
Whoever drives the vehicle will have to re-learn the judgement of distances through the side mirror, which is easy if you use the car every day.

 

[tvpierce]

...would prefer not to go that route again..

Why?

A driver's side blind spot mirror is the first thing I add any any new vehicle. I also have one of these convex blindspot mirrors that I've used in my last 4 vehicles.

When I drive a vehicle without them, I feel like my visibility is severly restricted.

 

[brillo_76]

Interesting. I've always loved the visibility out of 3rd gen runners, nice big side mirrors and easy to see out of windows with little to no blind spots. I've never felt the need to add blind spot mirrors, etc.

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They do actually have very good visibility. I just got in the habit of having these little blind spot mirrors and come in handy in heavy traffic areas. Especially when towing my utility trailer.

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[Cree]

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[Brian.]

Drive a vehicle with NO windows and you quickly realize how important mirrors, good mirrors, really are. My "daily" is a 2018 Ford Transit cargo van, I don't even have windows in the back doors. I absolutely rely on the (huge) side mirrors there as there is no possible way to check my passenger side without them.

So I miss having a better view in other vehicles. I find them most useful for backing up though, knowing EXACTLY where your rear tires are is helpful. As a long time motorcyclist, I'm still doing frequent head checks because bike mirrors are worthless. No reason not to have both.

Shame that the best solution is still an add-on though.

 

[Ifirefight]

So I take it nobody has a better mirror recommendation from another vehicle that will bolt up. Most of us on here are experienced drivers, so we know to look over our shoulders, double check before switching lanes, etc. This is my Sons vehicle and he is a “new” driver. I have taught him all the above. However, there is a lot of benefits from having a mirror that actually works properly. I drive a semi type Firetruck for a living, so I know the value of good mirrors. You also have to “train” yourself to look at the second fisheye mirror if you install one. Also we live in South Florida with the world’s worst drivers.. guess we will go with the fisheye add on mirror for now. Thanks


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[pluton]

Slightly off topic, but those that have stated that they appreciate the good visibility out of a third generation 4Runner have never experienced the incredible visibility out of a Land Cruiser FJ 60. Simply amazing. I freely admit, however, that our third GEN 4R‘s have way better visibility than the average modern car.

 

[FunBobby]

So I take it nobody has a better mirror recommendation from another vehicle that will bolt up. Most of us on here are experienced drivers, so we know to look over our shoulders, double check before switching lanes, etc. This is my Sons vehicle and he is a “new” driver. I have taught him all the above. However, there is a lot of benefits from having a mirror that actually works properly. I drive a semi type Firetruck for a living, so I know the value of good mirrors. You also have to “train” yourself to look at the second fisheye mirror if you install one. Also we live in South Florida with the world’s worst drivers.. guess we will go with the fisheye add on mirror for now. Thanks


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Dodge towing mirrors will bolt up, they're huge and they rotate.
I've seen it done, I'll try to find more info

Edit: 94-01 Dodge Ram tow mirrors are what you want, all the bolts and holes line up one just needs to be enlarged. I couldn't find a forum thread on it, but several people on 3rd Gen Mafia have posted about them.

 

[AntleredRuin]

I actually noticed the 'oversized' 3rd Gen 4Runner mirrors long before I even noticed the 4runner itself. I was driving my 96 Explorer with the POS weird tilted mirrors and saw the 'comparable' 4Runner and though "DAMN that'd be nice"

I believe they are oversized for their class of vehicle, and they are shaped well. No unnecessary curves, etc. Just a large square(ish) mirror. That and large windows and a small C pillar makes for excellent visibility. Driving smaller cars is hard for me now because the mirror is shrunk in proportion to the vehicle. The 4Runner keeps it's dumbo ears and I love it.

I haven't done an actual measurement comparison, but I think they are as large as most full-sized SUV/truck mirrors.
The 1st Gen Sequoia is touted for having nice large mirrors but I feel like my '05's mirrors are actually smaller than my 4Runner. They definitely aren't shaped as nice. Way too rounded for the size of the vehicle so I feel I'm never 'spot-on' where I need to be.

I do use the little stick on mirrors and flipping love them, though. I use the 90deg corner mirrors on both sides. Took a day to get used to them, but well worth it.

 

[Lyle Beach]

This! I started doing this a few years ago and it makes a huge difference!
It seems strange at first, but you quickly get used to it and then it seems wrong to not have the mirrors like this (i.e. you drive someone elses car)
It also makes it great at night so you don't have 3 mirrors blasting headlights into your eyes.

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[phattyduck]

This! I started doing this a few years ago and it makes a huge difference!
It seems strange at first, but you quickly get used to it and then it seems wrong to not have the mirrors like this (i.e. you drive someone elses car)
It also makes it great at night so you don't have 3 mirrors blasting headlights into your eyes.

Thirded. If the mirrors are adjusted correctly, there are no blinds spots in a 3rd gen 4Runner. As soon as a vehicle clears a mirror, they are visible in the driver or passenger windows directly at your side.

Honda is phasing out the Lanewatch camera system... Honda Is Phasing Out LaneWatch in Favor of Blind-Spot Monitoring (our van actually has the blind spot radar instead, I prefer it - and the mirrors are large enough to be set correctly and not have significant blind spots anyway...)

-Charlie

 

[Ifirefight]

@Cree.. I have to admit that when I saw you posted a video of how to adjust mirrors I thought to myself, I’ve been driving for 37 years, I KNOW how to adjust a mirror... but just to humor you, I watched the video and did exactly what he said. Guess what? No more blind spot! I’m Man enough to admit that I’m not always right. (Don’t tell the old lady) I even drive a truck for a living. Remember folks, you’re NEVER too old to learn something new. I will teach the kids and wife how to properly adjust the mirrors ASAP. Thank you kindly Sir for the information.


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[phattyduck]

I watched the video and did exactly what he said. Guess what? No more blind spot!

Glad to have another convert!

At 6'2" tall, I often run out or am close to running out of adjustment room on the mirrors due to this 'trick' - sadly, car manufacturers build cars for the incorrect settings that most people use for their mirrors.

-Charlie