Can you check your blind spot in a truck the same way you do in a car, by looking over your shoulder? Assuming you don't have a shell? Sorry if this sounds dumb but I've only driven a Pickup once, on a test drive, I didn't notice a problem but there wasn't much traffic either & I was driving mostly on 1 lane roads.

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quzax@at-dot.com

 

quzax,

You can, but the LR door pillar can still sometimes obscure your field of vision. I would HIGHLY recommend purchasing one of those $1.89 blind spot mirrors. Attach it to your driver's mirror and use it to check for traffic in the "blind spot". This little inexpensive device has saved me countless times from wrecking my truck due to traffic in my "blind spot".

-kindest regards

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1999 F150 4x4, wedgewood blue, 5.4l auto, Manick brush guard, Duraliner, KC Hilites, surf rod holders, tinted windows, K&N air filter without airbox, Velocity air intake tube, Midas Performance muffler with dual pipes, toolbox, Uniden CB with whip and now, enjoying a new reprieve on life with a 2000 series 5.4L (swapped engine due to Piston Slap).

 

a guy on a motercycle can be completely hidden in those blind spots. Get the cheapy blind spot mirrors and attach them to both sides of your truck. $3 is a whole lot cheaper than the anguish you'll feel if you hit someone.

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2000 F250 Crew Cab 4x2 6 speed Diesel XLT Super Duty, Woodland Green
Power Mirrors, 3.73 LS, Captains Chairs, ARE tonneau top, mud flaps
Trailer tow Pkg, Class IV hitch, sliding rear window, running boards
rear privacy glass, 265/75/16 AS OWL tires, am/fm/cassette/cd
Clarion APA 5240 amp, Memphis speakers:Components front, 5x7 rear, 10"sub
SuperChip, Stepshields, Ventshields on windows, rubber bed mat
rugged liner bedliner on tailgate

 

You can..but be *very* careful!! Like Tina said..it is easy for a cycle or even a small car to be completely hidden if you simple give a quick glance.

Good idea wjt and Tina about those blind spot mirrors. I think I will get one for myself.

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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55, class III towing package with heavy duty cooling package, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, Pendaliner bedliner, K&N air filter, rubberized undercoating, cabin filtration system, Bugflector II, 5W-30 Mobil 1, engine build 10/4/99

 

Hey quzax, I haven't had any problems yet, with the blind spot. I think Wjt,Tina and Jimb have the right idea! I do use a "Panoramic" mirror that clips over the factory one. It gives me about 2 1/2 more feet of visability on either sides of the truck, which is a big help. The factory mirrior, in my opinion is very limiting. Especially with such a full size roomy back window. All-in-all, the key is to be safe and I'm sure if you follow these helpful tips everyone has posted, you'll have no problem with the blind spot!

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2000 F-150 Lariat 4x2 SB,SC,Styleside,Amazon Green/Clearcoat Metallic,5.4 Liter V8, Class III Tow-Package,3.55 Limited Slip Rear,Bug Deflector,Duraliner Bedliner,Superchip,K&N Filter.



[This message has been edited by Lariat Ryder (edited 02-21-2000).]

 

I first installed the 3" round convex mirrors. I hated them. Removed them and installed 3.25" corner wedge mirrors. IMO they work MUCH better. Mine are made by ****, #49403.

[This message has been edited by Jimb (edited 02-21-2000).]

 

I haven't had no problems with the blind spot yet maybe its the way I have my mirrors set up.

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2000 F150 XLT Reg. cab
4.6 Triton Engine
4x2 3.55 rear end gear
sliding rear window
automatic keyless entry
white styleside short box

 

Quzax
Since this is your first truck I think the idea of putting on some of those small blind spot mirrors will realy help.
I would stay away from looking over your shoulder to see if anyone is there,any time you look over your shoulder you are taking your eyes off the road in front of you.
You may want to adjust your mirrors a little lower,and in a little more.These mirrors are big enough to do that. Also after a while you will get used to using the mirrors.
Also practice backing up with just the mirrors, after you get used to doing that you will find it easier than turning your head around when backing up.It will take you a little while to get used to using your mirrors once you do you will be all set.

Good luck, and welcome to F150online.com

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1999 F150 4x4 4.6V8 regcab/shortbed
Oxford White with Wedgewood Blue two tone, with Blue Captains chairs
Bassani Cat Back, Superchip,Modified intake with modified K&N filter.

 

speaking of backing up with mirrors: My driveway has a curve in it and trees on both sides. I have no problems backing up, even if I've got a load in the bed sticking out the back. Gotta use those mirrors!! But I've had two of my friends (female) try to back up in little cars and they've managed to hit my trees. One did over $1500 damage to her car. Both of them were turned around looking over their shoulder to back up. Always Use BOTH mirrors when backing!!! I was beginning to think that females just cant back up when one of my husbands friends (male) slammed into another of my trees. Are young people just not being tought how to back up these days????

 

I do have a problem with my regular cab at a couple of intersections. No problem at normal 'T' intersections but, when approaching at an angle 'Y' where you are coming down from the top right and angling left to go down the Y, the pilar area from the rear most part of the right window to the right side of the rear window is about a 12" blind spot. This will hide a vehicle approaching from your right. I must lean forward to look out the side then lean back to look out the rear to make sure this area is clear. A slow moving vehicle can 'hang' in this spot if you just glance right when it's very close.

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99 Lariat Normal Cab 2WD 120"WB 5.4 3.55LS, Tow,
Dark Toreador/Gold, Line-X
raoul_oba@hotmail.com
F150's of Virginia
Just cause we're from Virginia don't mean we're(well, you know)

 

This is how I was taught to adjust my mirrors to avoid blind spots.

Sit normally in the driver's seat and adjust the rearview mirror to get a view down the center of the truck. Then, adjust the side mirrors until you can just see the sides of the truck and down a bit, but not so far down that you can't see several car lengths behind you.

While driving, if you need to see further over to one side, then just move your head/body forward or to the side a bit. That expands your viewing area to the sides.

If you adjust the mirrors in this fashion, there shouldn't be any problem with blind spots. However, when changing lanes or making turns, it's always prudent to take a quick glance towards the side that you are turning to see if anybody is ahead of your mirrors' fields of vision.

Remember, your eyes should be forward, but you also need to take regular glances at all your mirrors. You gotta be aware of what's going on all around you. Not just in front.

Tina, even old farts don't know how to backup with mirrors! Just go down to a boat ramp and watch. Don't laugh too hard!

 

To help avoid the blind spots to the rear, spend that $3 and get a pair of 3" or 3 3/4" 'fish eye' mirrors. I've been using them since 1984 and have a hard time driving without them on other vehicles.
My problem with the blind spot is in front of me where the interior rear view mirror is, I have to duck down to see beyond it at stop streets.

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Y2K F150 XLT SC SB 4.6 V8 standard, 3.55 LS,RED!

• K&N FIPK
• Superchip
• Jeraco Deluxe High-Rise Cap
• Fumoto Oil Drain Plug
• F150Online sticker on rear window
• Super White head lights
• Clear headlight lenses

Previous Ford Trucks '84 F150, '87 Ranger
New Jersey, the Garden State