Interior rearview mirror restricting forward visibility

[mav47]

I have been dabbling with how to fix the interior rearview mirror on my truck, which I feel is located far too low and restricts forward visibility. The issue is that there is a fairly large plastic "module" mounted to the inside of the glass that contains the 360 camera, and the rearview mirror is mounted below it.

I am kind of surprised that the Maverick with all its great interior features comes with such a poorly executed interior rearview mirror setup!

Looking at the design, it appears that if I were to extend the distance between the two ball joints in the mirror stem by about 3 inches to a total of about 5 inches, the mirror would be able to move aft and since that plastic camera module is sloped this means that the mirror would also be raised by about 2 inches or so.

Raising the interior rearview mirror 2 inches would VERY significantly improve forward visibility, and I can see no downside to it as long as the extended stem between the ball joints is stiff enough and no vibration is introduced. Since that mirror is quite lightweight and the ball joints are quite stiff, I think it would be ok.

I have been looking at various standard Ford rearview mirrors to see if any Ford models have longer stems that could be a direct fit, but I've been unsuccessful so far in identifying one.

If I cannot find anything I'll probably modify my existing mirror.

Wondering if others have noticed the same issue and if anyone may have an idea on a mirror solution that does not require modifications.

Thanks for any feedback!

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[testa422]

this has never crossed my mind. LOL. seems pretty normal to me

 

[Swami37]

Lower the seat.

 

[BoboysTruck]

LOL. I don't have that problem. I'm 5'4"

 

[mav47]

Being a bit taller than average, I probably have the seat set a bit higher, and then my viewing height exacerbates this issue of course.

And I certainly don't want to lower the seat.

That center plastic console with the mirror below it, from my perspective, blocks roughly HALF the windshield height. My previous cars didn't have anywhere near that, and our current Highlander also is much better in this regard. So no: I don't consider it normal.

And short of Ford simply using a parts bin mirror in the Maverick, there's no technical reason for the current low placement: the mirror could happily sit 2 inches higher, pretty much right behind that plastic console which nobody needs to see anyway.

I'm planning on modifying a mirror by either machining a lengthened stem from aluminum or (more likely) 3D printing two mirror stem halves with a couple of clamping screws onto the two mirror ball joints.

I'm still curious if more people noticed this issue?

 

[Hammer]

Being a bit taller than average, I probably have the seat set a bit higher, and then my viewing height exacerbates this issue of course.

And I certainly don't want to lower the seat.

That center plastic console with the mirror below it, from my perspective, blocks roughly HALF the windshield height. My previous cars didn't have anywhere near that, and our current Highlander also is much better in this regard. So no: I don't consider it normal.

And short of Ford simply using a parts bin mirror in the Maverick, there's no technical reason for the current low placement: the mirror could happily sit 2 inches higher, pretty much right behind that plastic console which nobody needs to see anyway.

I'm planning on modifying a mirror by either machining a lengthened stem from aluminum or (more likely) 3D printing two mirror stem halves with a couple of clamping screws onto the two mirror ball joints.

I'm still curious if more people noticed this issue?

I’m 100% with you on this issue. It was the very first thing I noticed when I picked up my Mav in November and it annoyed me but I’ve mostly gotten used to the view. I’m 6’1” so on the tall side and I also like the seat height at high setting so this factors into my dislike of the standard setup. I had the same idea about finding a longer stem arm but have not found a solution. Hoping someone comes up with a workable option.

 

[DryHeat]

Like @Hammer, this was the first thing I noticed when I test-drove a Maverick last fall.

But... I've had my truck for a couple of months now and I have to say I don't even notice it anymore. In a way it's like all the pillars in the car. When I drive a strange car, it seems like they are always in the way. But when I get used to my own car they seem to disappear.

Your height may make it more of a problem for you. I'm average height, but I sit taller than average. (Funny... people always think I'm taller when I'm sitting down.) So it was kind of a problem for me initially but, as I said, it just disappeared over time.

 

[LeersMav]

I have been dabbling with how to fix the interior rearview mirror on my truck, which I feel is located far too low and restricts forward visibility. The issue is that there is a fairly large plastic "module" mounted to the inside of the glass that contains the 360 camera, and the rearview mirror is mounted below it.

I am kind of surprised that the Maverick with all its great interior features comes with such a poorly executed interior rearview mirror setup!

Looking at the design, it appears that if I were to extend the distance between the two ball joints in the mirror stem by about 3 inches to a total of about 5 inches, the mirror would be able to move aft and since that plastic camera module is sloped this means that the mirror would also be raised by about 2 inches or so.

Raising the interior rearview mirror 2 inches would VERY significantly improve forward visibility, and I can see no downside to it as long as the extended stem between the ball joints is stiff enough and no vibration is introduced. Since that mirror is quite lightweight and the ball joints are quite stiff, I think it would be ok.

I have been looking at various standard Ford rearview mirrors to see if any Ford models have longer stems that could be a direct fit, but I've been unsuccessful so far in identifying one.

If I cannot find anything I'll probably modify my existing mirror.

Wondering if others have noticed the same issue and if anyone may have an idea on a mirror solution that does not require modifications.

Thanks for any feedback!

First thing I noticed when I drove it.

I set it as high as possible. I needed to set the seat slightly lower in order to see under the mirror. I added a 11.4" Concave mirror so I could see more on the right side because I have a large dog to likes to stand on the back seat.

I've finally positioned the seat where I can safely see under the mirror without having to duck. Not sure how tall you are, but at 6' the seat up/down position made up the difference.

 

[JanTheSexyVektan]

A couple of years ago I rented a Tacoma while on a trip and positively hated the mirror being right in my vision, and I was worried the Mav mirror would be the same. But it never bothered me one bit. It doesn't seem to be in the way like that Tacoma. These sort of issues are such first world problems, eh?

 

[mav47]

Thank you all for your feedback.

And yes: it is a first-world problem, and yes: you do get used to the view, I already did somewhat.

But it is not great, and I'd be more comfortable with the mirror out of the way. And as I keep vehicles long-term I'm going to tweak it.

I'm looking at various (clean looking!) solutions. The current stem is 1-1/2" long (ball to ball center), and it seems if we have a 6" long stem it should work quite nicely with the mirror tucked all the way up close to the ceiling liner. I'm hoping the longer overhang of the mirror doesn't create a vibration or sagging issue. but I guess we'll see, and that can be dealt with as well.

I'll work on it and will post an update once I have a good solution, which may take a few weeks.

 

[Shakesbear]

Thank you all for your feedback.

And yes: it is a first-world problem, and yes: you do get used to the view, I already did somewhat.

But it is not great, and I'd be more comfortable with the mirror out of the way. And as I keep vehicles long-term I'm going to tweak it.

I'm looking at various (clean looking!) solutions. The current stem is 1-1/2" long (ball to ball center), and it seems if we have a 6" long stem it should work quite nicely with the mirror tucked all the way up close to the ceiling liner. I'm hoping the longer overhang of the mirror doesn't create a vibration or sagging issue. but I guess we'll see, and that can be dealt with as well.

I'll work on it and will post an update once I have a good solution, which may take a few weeks.

What's the issue with just lowering the seat?

 

[Dallas Maverick]

Take this approach and mount it to the roof.
https://fafauto.com/products/faf-automotive-wink-mirror

Or something like they use for mules.

 

[mav47]

What's the issue with just lowering the seat?

I guess my legs are too long: I won't comfortably fit if I lower the seat much.

It also appears rather silly to have to lower the seat just to deal with an excessively low rearview mirror. I'd rather spend a little time coming up with a mirror tweak and be happier driving the thing over the coming decade or so!

 

[ThisWas]

I drove 120 miles into The Big City and back today, thinking about Mav47's post which was well-illustrated with photos.

Yes, after 2,000 miles I am used to the mirror position, and yes, I'd be interested in the proposed fix.

It would improve forward visibility and I think it would also give me a wider field of view out the back window, too, since the mirror would be closer to me.

 

[Scott Asheville]

Visibility in cars is just getting worse each year. The pillars are getting wider and blocking more areas. The glass is getting shorter, and more raked. It's a mix of styling and aerodynamics and fitting in airbags and stuff, and visibility just plain sucks across most manufacturers.

The one automaker that really sticks out with great visibility? Subaru, especially the Forester.

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