Exterior Mirror Swap Question

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Topic author
Santeh
Posts: 182
Joined: Mon Jun 26, 2017 9:11 pm

Exterior Mirror Swap Question

Post by Santeh »

Hello All,

I have been looking for a replacement passenger side exterior mirror for my 1978 Jeep Cherokee S for some time with no luck. However, and to be honest, I really do feel that the original mirrors are simply too small to see properly out of thus I am curious what kinds of larger exterior mirrors others have successfully added to their full-sized Jeeps that they are happy with? Are there any larger exterior mirrors that are readily available that are not too hard to mount to the original door holes?

Thanks all!
1978 Jeep Cherokee S; 5.9L/360 V8 automatic/FiTech fuel injection and Davis Unified Distributor systems.

FSJ Guy
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Re: Exterior Mirror Swap Question

Post by FSJ Guy »

There are threads about an FJ cruiser mirror swap. Bigger, for sure. But a different style as well.
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1979bettywhite
Posts: 547
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Re: Exterior Mirror Swap Question

Post by 1979bettywhite »

http://www.bjsoffroad.com/Billet-FSJ-Mi ... _1818.html

Can add mid-90s dodge mirrors with these. Or as stated above, you can buy them with the adapters and mount FJ mirrors.

Will depend really on your intentions for the jeep. How do you want it to look vs. how well do you want to see? I opted for the look of the original mirrors. Yes, they suck to see with, but we have nice big windows in the Cherokee, so we can see blind spots well. And my rear view gives me a pretty good look around.

I found some newer (albeit plastic) versions on Amazon that look identical to the OEM mirrors for cheap:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002 ... UTF8&psc=1

Topic author
Santeh
Posts: 182
Joined: Mon Jun 26, 2017 9:11 pm

Re: Exterior Mirror Swap Question

Post by Santeh »

Hello all,

Thank you for the information and thoughts!

I think I would default to seeing well as I am not the biggest guy around and I find that even with the SJ Cherokees having a lot of window I cannot see the shorter autos around me.

I took a look at the Toyota FJ mirrors as I am not familiar, thus are these more what you are speaking of:

https://www.metaltech4x4.com/metal-tech ... r-mirrors/

I have noticed a number of SJ Cherokee pictures with something like these mirrors:

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/k-s ... lsrc=aw.ds

Are these any good?

Thanks again, all!
Last edited by Santeh on Tue Apr 24, 2018 3:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1978 Jeep Cherokee S; 5.9L/360 V8 automatic/FiTech fuel injection and Davis Unified Distributor systems.

1979bettywhite
Posts: 547
Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2017 8:14 am

Re: Exterior Mirror Swap Question

Post by 1979bettywhite »

As to the FJ mirrors, yes you could go with those. But I would just pull some mirrors off an FJ at an auto salvage or junkyard lot. This is what you are looking for:

http://www.discountautomirrors.com/deta ... 4sQAvD_BwE

But you could get them much cheaper at a junkyard I'm sure.

For the other mirrors, you can of course use something similar to a California truck style mirror like the one you posted. But that will require some drilling and other minor metal modifications to your doors etc.

If you are in the stock bucket seats, I believe they seat you pretty low in the cab anyway. I am 6'1" and I felt pretty small in the original buckets. After adding some aftermarket seats (anything for a CJ or a YJ will work in our Cherokees) I found that boosted the seat position up to what I would consider more normal. As well as making things much more comfortable with a high back seat. Just food for thought.

Topic author
Santeh
Posts: 182
Joined: Mon Jun 26, 2017 9:11 pm

Re: Exterior Mirror Swap Question

Post by Santeh »

1979bettywhite wrote:As to the FJ mirrors, yes you could go with those. But I would just pull some mirrors off an FJ at an auto salvage or junkyard lot. This is what you are looking for:

http://www.discountautomirrors.com/deta ... 4sQAvD_BwE

But you could get them much cheaper at a junkyard I'm sure.

For the other mirrors, you can of course use something similar to a California truck style mirror like the one you posted. But that will require some drilling and other minor metal modifications to your doors etc.

If you are in the stock bucket seats, I believe they seat you pretty low in the cab anyway. I am 6'1" and I felt pretty small in the original buckets. After adding some aftermarket seats (anything for a CJ or a YJ will work in our Cherokees) I found that boosted the seat position up to what I would consider more normal. As well as making things much more comfortable with a high back seat. Just food for thought.
Nice! Thank you! I am not opposed to having a professional drill some holes to affix alternate mirrors, thus if there is a solid choice that offers both function and some style I am definitely interested.

I will have to look into the seats as my SJ does have the original set. I would not mind finding something that has the Native American (Southwest) motif as I really like the look, as such I will see if I can find anything in the CJ or YJ.

Thanks again!
Last edited by Santeh on Tue Apr 24, 2018 3:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1978 Jeep Cherokee S; 5.9L/360 V8 automatic/FiTech fuel injection and Davis Unified Distributor systems.

Topic author
Santeh
Posts: 182
Joined: Mon Jun 26, 2017 9:11 pm

Re: Exterior Mirror Swap Question

Post by Santeh »

Perhaps a cover on the CJ or YJ seats might work, such as this:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/134122895125493649/
1978 Jeep Cherokee S; 5.9L/360 V8 automatic/FiTech fuel injection and Davis Unified Distributor systems.

1979bettywhite
Posts: 547
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Re: Exterior Mirror Swap Question

Post by 1979bettywhite »

That would be totally up to you. Bestop has a sale going on right now for their seats. The "spice" color is very close to my interior color (doeskin).

The issue I found with the bestop seats is that only the top models offer you a handle operated recline feature. All the others either don't recline or have a dial recline feature. So if you are one that makes use of the backseat a lot, a dial operated recline takes forever to get the front seat to a to a point where you can climb in behind it to the rear seat. The handle operated recline feature gives you quick and easy access.

The problem with bestop is this is only an option with their top of the line model (Trailmax II Pro Recliner). Which means top $$$. This is why I went with the Corbeau Moab seats. I also think they are a little higher quality than bestop as I have bestop in my CJ and don't like the vinyl quality.

Don't ask me why a handle operated mechanism is more expensive to use than a dial operated mechanism. I would figure the opposite as the dial would give you a more precise fitment, hence paying more for it. But I digress....

SJTD
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Re: Exterior Mirror Swap Question

Post by SJTD »

1979bettywhite wrote:As to the FJ mirrors, yes you could go with those. But I would just pull some mirrors off an FJ at an auto salvage or junkyard lot. This is what you are looking for:

http://www.discountautomirrors.com/deta ... 4sQAvD_BwE
I'm having trouble seeing how these would mount. Or do they mount on the jeep base?
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'84 GW with Nissan SD33T, early Chev NV4500, 300, narrowed Ford reverse 44, narrowed Ford 60, SOA/reversed shackle in fornt, lowered mount/flipped shackle in rear.
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dodgerammit
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Re: Exterior Mirror Swap Question

Post by dodgerammit »

SJTD wrote:
1979bettywhite wrote:As to the FJ mirrors, yes you could go with those. But I would just pull some mirrors off an FJ at an auto salvage or junkyard lot. This is what you are looking for:

http://www.discountautomirrors.com/deta ... 4sQAvD_BwE
I'm having trouble seeing how these would mount. Or do they mount on the jeep base?
With these:http://www.bjsoffroad.com/Billet-Toyota ... _1819.html
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Topic author
Santeh
Posts: 182
Joined: Mon Jun 26, 2017 9:11 pm

Re: Exterior Mirror Swap Question

Post by Santeh »

dodgerammit wrote:
SJTD wrote:
1979bettywhite wrote:As to the FJ mirrors, yes you could go with those. But I would just pull some mirrors off an FJ at an auto salvage or junkyard lot. This is what you are looking for:

http://www.discountautomirrors.com/deta ... 4sQAvD_BwE
I'm having trouble seeing how these would mount. Or do they mount on the jeep base?
With these:http://www.bjsoffroad.com/Billet-Toyota ... _1819.html
Looks very cool! Does anyone have any pictures with these mirrors on an SJ Cherokee?

Ta!
1978 Jeep Cherokee S; 5.9L/360 V8 automatic/FiTech fuel injection and Davis Unified Distributor systems.

SJTD
Posts: 1924
Joined: Tue May 21, 2013 12:02 pm
Location: Lompoc, Sunland or somewhere between

Re: Exterior Mirror Swap Question

Post by SJTD »

The problem I see with that setup is lack of detents on the mirror swivel.
Sic friatur crustulum

'84 GW with Nissan SD33T, early Chev NV4500, 300, narrowed Ford reverse 44, narrowed Ford 60, SOA/reversed shackle in fornt, lowered mount/flipped shackle in rear.

1979bettywhite
Posts: 547
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Re: Exterior Mirror Swap Question

Post by 1979bettywhite »

1.jpg
Here you go. Although IMO, they just don't look right.
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Topic author
Santeh
Posts: 182
Joined: Mon Jun 26, 2017 9:11 pm

Re: Exterior Mirror Swap Question

Post by Santeh »

1979bettywhite wrote:1.jpgHere you go. Although IMO, they just don't look right.
Hello!

Busy few days... Thank you for the picture! I am not sure that the look is quite for me, thus I am thinking of this as I see a lot of people use them:

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/ca ... 78130.html

Thoughts?
1978 Jeep Cherokee S; 5.9L/360 V8 automatic/FiTech fuel injection and Davis Unified Distributor systems.

1979bettywhite
Posts: 547
Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2017 8:14 am

Re: Exterior Mirror Swap Question

Post by 1979bettywhite »

Same as the other one you mentioned as well. Will require some drilling etc.

Almost any mirror can be used if you are fine with making the modifications/drilling sheet metal etc. Really it's just deciding what look you want as well as how good you want your visibility to be.

If you don't want to drill, BJs mounts are the best option for you. But if you don't care, you could really pick most mirrors and make them work.

Topic author
Santeh
Posts: 182
Joined: Mon Jun 26, 2017 9:11 pm

Re: Exterior Mirror Swap Question

Post by Santeh »

:roll:
1979bettywhite wrote:Same as the other one you mentioned as well. Will require some drilling etc.

Almost any mirror can be used if you are fine with making the modifications/drilling sheet metal etc. Really it's just deciding what look you want as well as how good you want your visibility to be.

If you don't want to drill, BJs mounts are the best option for you. But if you don't care, you could really pick most mirrors and make them work.
Nice! Thank you! I am leaning towards using the BJ mounts.

Ta, everyone!
1978 Jeep Cherokee S; 5.9L/360 V8 automatic/FiTech fuel injection and Davis Unified Distributor systems.
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