I haven't had any luck finding some better mirrors for my '97 F150 with manual mirrors until now. Ford unfortunately put those paddle style mirrors on the '97s and any time you go through a car wash or someone brushes your mirror in a crowded parking lot, you have to re-aim them. It's a real pain for the passenger's side, especially!

Finally found some replacement side mirrors for the cruddy folding XL mirrors that came stock on my 1997 F-150 at carmirror.com - check out the picture:



Here's the link to the search on their site:

Carr Mirror for a 4.6L 1997 F150

I have to say they were very helpful and prompt when I ordered it, and the parts showed up in excellent condition. Less than $100 with shipping for a set.

I am having the infamous door cracks fixed (second time on drivers' side) and it's no extra charge from the body shop to get these mirrors swapped out, so we'll see how it goes - I'll post pics.

 

I know it's not that exciting to many here, but I saw a couple threads about changing out these paddle mirrors when I was looking....and I am getting them done this week along with a couple other little nits. Hope to get pics up this weekend to compare to the old ones.

 

I've heard some of the aftermarket side mirrors don't mount too securely, hope that isn't the case with this particular one.

 

I got some aftermarket ebay mirrors for my XL ... while they looked good, they shook badly while driving, to the point of being almost worthless. After a few months, I got a couple used Ford power mirrors, PTM'd the caps, and put them on. I didn't bother wiring them as I'm the only one who drives my truck. Much, much better than the ebay mirrors (for about the same price).

stock XL mirrors ...




ebay mirrors ...




XLT mirrors ...

 

i hated the xl mirrors and for over 6 months was hounded to get xlt mirrors till i found some and got them on and powered up. major improvement imo

 

Fairlaner - what do you mean by "PTM'd the caps"?

 

Ptm means paint to match and if you look at his pics the caps went from black to tan body color. I did that to mine also. They were originally white

 

thjake - what did you go through to get your mirrors "powered up"? Where did you put the switches? I guess I will read your transformation thread first....

 

I'm still waiting for someone to make some Superduty styled tow mirrors for the 97 - 03 trucks.

 

me too man I ve done some research and dodge tow mirrors should mount up fine

 

? Just any ol' dodge tow mirror? What years? Maybe a link or something to an example that would work?

Thanks

 

I hope you dont mean the horrid stupid looking Dodge dumbo mirrors

 

mirrors were easy. you need a power and ground. i got the factory connectors that go to the wires coming out of the mirror from a junk yard then you run the wires from side to side and power and they work. very simple.

 

I would surely hope not...those look atrocious...absolutely horribe

 

The problem is that if you do a lot of towing with big long tall trailers, they do thier jobs very well! Buddy has a set that he swaps on and off for the summer since he tows his fifth wheel. I've never saw a mirror that worked that good, even the mirrors from chevy and ford that extend aren't quite wide enough IMO.