Interior rearview mirror restricting forward visibility

[haze10]

I'm also thinking back to the 1960's when mirrors were mounted low on the dash.
Wonder is some suction type mount on the dash might work:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BHN7DGL...PUSOG3HL5&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

if not on the dash, then maybe to the windshield but to the right of the plastic housing.

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[dalola]

Being 6'-'5" tall, with a long torso and a senior citizen, I can see from these posts that most average size people just don't understand some of the difficulties we tall people must endure.

Electric drivers seat is already lowered to its lowest position. No, you can't just recline the seat way back, because you also have long legs and have the seat way back, so that if you recline - now your arms don't reach the steering wheel.

Don't think in terms of solutions unless you first realize that the height of our eyes is the same as the height of the mirror. Most average size people have their eyes below the mirrors, so they look under it. When we turn our heads all we see is a blind spot.

So three pages of posts, but not one real solution on how to raise the mirror higher. That's the only solution that will really help.

Sorry if I come across a bit forward. But this is a real problem without an easy solution.

See my post #39 above. If it really poses such a blind spot, remove it completely. It adds no driving benefit over the side mirrors, other than a better view of what you might be hauling.

 

[mav47]

Being 6'-'5" tall, with a long torso and a senior citizen, I can see from these posts that most average size people just don't understand some of the difficulties we tall people must endure.

Electric drivers seat is already lowered to its lowest position. No, you can't just recline the seat way back, because you also have long legs and have the seat way back, so that if you recline - now your arms don't reach the steering wheel.

Don't think in terms of solutions unless you first realize that the height of our eyes is the same as the height of the mirror. Most average size people have their eyes below the mirrors, so they look under it. When we turn our heads all we see is a blind spot.

So three pages of posts, but not one real solution on how to raise the mirror higher. That's the only solution that will really help.

Sorry if I come across a bit forward. But this is a real problem without an easy solution.

Original poster here:

Thanks @haze10 for your blunt recap of this discussion. You're absolutely right: no real solutions thus far, and I myself have been slacking on pursuing a solution too.

Been busy with other things, mostly house, family and work related, it is kind of how things go sometimes.

I intend to tackle this probably over the coming couple of weeks. The plan is to cut the OE Ford mirror stem halfway between the joints, and extend the stem an extra 3 inches with a carbon fiber tube that I'll epoxy join to the two metal stem sections. For clamping pressure on the ball joints there likely is a single spring in the center of the stem to which I'll add a suitable spacer, or I'll get a longer spring with a slightly higher overall spring preload. Epoxy adhesive on properly prepared surfaces should be sufficient to hold the spring tension without additional mechanical fastenings, screws or dowels are not an option here.

The OE Ford mirror stem is a tad over 3/4" in OD, I'm measuring .765" or so, which translates to 19.5mm. It turns out to be easy to find 20mm ID carbon fiber tubing with 1mm wall thickness so that's pretty much perfect. Just search on Amazon or Ebay.

I'll post on here when done, and if it worked ok or if it was a disaster!

 

[haze10]

Yes, I was a bit blunt and I apologize to all if I came across too strong. Just that ordinary people don't understand the problems we 'tall' people go through. I can't find a shoe store withing 50 miles that stock size 14W shoes. I can't buy shirts in Walmart. Most cars, I can't even get into comfortably...forget the Toyota Tacoma which I would have loved to buy.

In case, I looked last nite and took the mirror off its mounts. takes a T20 bit, remove screw and lift up. If you have the heads up electronics like I do, then I don't think that simply extending the connecting rod will work. You can buy the steel mount and glue one on the windshield to the side of the plastic housing.

I just ordered off Amazon a rearview mirror with a suction cup. Its designed to go on the windshield and I'll mount it to the side of the plastic housing. I'm also going to see if there is a place to mount to the dash....remember those cars in the 1960's?

Will post my results.

 

[mav47]

Yes, I was a bit blunt and I apologize to all if I came across too strong. Just that ordinary people don't understand the problems we 'tall' people go through. I can't find a shoe store withing 50 miles that stock size 14W shoes. I can't buy shirts in Walmart. Most cars, I can't even get into comfortably...forget the Toyota Tacoma which I would have loved to buy.

In case, I looked last nite and took the mirror off its mounts. takes a T20 bit, remove screw and lift up. If you have the heads up electronics like I do, then I don't think that simply extending the connecting rod will work. You can buy the steel mount and glue one on the windshield to the side of the plastic housing.

I just ordered off Amazon a rearview mirror with a suction cup. Its designed to go on the windshield and I'll mount it to the side of the plastic housing. I'm also going to see if there is a place to mount to the dash....remember those cars in the 1960's?

Will post my results.

@haze10 No need to apologize at all. And I much appreciate your feedback.

Question: what makes you think that extending the stem won't work?

I too have the driver assist electronics/camera in that console.

When I looked at mine I concluded that extending the stem 3 inches would result in a significant improvement as it would raise the mirror overall roughly 2 inches, but only with the stem "hugging" the plastic console. I may add a simple support between the plastic housing and the stem if it ends up vibrating too much due to the increased overhang. Have a look at the side view picture in my original post on page 1 of this thread.

It has been a while since my review though and I'm curious what made you conclude otherwise.

 

[haze10]

I wanted to get the mirror at a level to the bottom of the plastic. when I took mine off and played with the positions, the geometry didn't seem to get it where I wanted it. its only one screw and it pops off (up to take it off) so try for your self.

The other thing I tried that added a little, was to flip the mirror 180 degrees, so the nite/day flipper lever is on the top.

Right now, I just took mine off and its in the glove box.

 

[Jjlalla]

Yes, I was a bit blunt and I apologize to all if I came across too strong. Just that ordinary people don't understand the problems we 'tall' people go through. I can't find a shoe store withing 50 miles that stock size 14W shoes. I can't buy shirts in Walmart. Most cars, I can't even get into comfortably...forget the Toyota Tacoma which I would have loved to buy.

In case, I looked last nite and took the mirror off its mounts. takes a T20 bit, remove screw and lift up. If you have the heads up electronics like I do, then I don't think that simply extending the connecting rod will work. You can buy the steel mount and glue one on the windshield to the side of the plastic housing.

I just ordered off Amazon a rearview mirror with a suction cup. Its designed to go on the windshield and I'll mount it to the side of the plastic housing. I'm also going to see if there is a place to mount to the dash....remember those cars in the 1960's?

Will post my results.

Have you found a solution for this, anything that's better than the default?

 

[haze10]

No solution yet. I tried a dash mounted mirror but that didn't work, as the rear window is higher than the dash and the mirror had to be tilted up to see the rear window, then all you saw was sky, not the cars behind you. I'm still working on the concept. I got some mirror parts coming from Ali Express to see if I can make something work. Will report back if I find something.

 

[GotKT]

Thanks for any feedback!

Thanks for pointing out such a simple fix.
I’m 6’ tall and this adjustment significantly improved visibility, both, front and back

 

[Surly Old Bill]

Zombie thread;
Has anyone found a working arm extension or aftermarket mount to move the mirror up near the roof?
I've had my XL for about a month and the mirror blocking my view is really grating on me. I am constantly ducking down to see around it. I have it adjusted as high as it will go.

To be fair, I have a Transit250, and I have to look up to see rearview mirror, so I'm used to not having my view blocked. No, I don't want to lower my seat to the floor and stick my legs straight out in front of me like I'm in a low clearance sportscar.

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