Interior Rear View Mirror Mounting Question

[SCFFR]

In the process of mounting the rear view mirror on the cowl but not sure about the angle direction of the mounting stem. I checked a few reference books and some show the stem angled toward the rear of the car, i.e., matches the angle of the windshield but some show the stem facing forward. From first glance, it would appear that the stem angle show match the windshield but wanted to check first.

Also, should it be centered on the cowl? I looked at several pictures of original cars and it appears the mirror is mounted a little right of center.

Did you use the supplied self-tapping screws to attach the mount to the cowl or is there room to get nut under the cowl and use a machine screw. After years in the sailboat industry, we always tried to use a screw and nut for attaching any accessory instead of just a self-tapping screw.

Many thanks,
Ron

[DaleG]

Ron, for what it's worth, I attached mine with the stem facing to the rear of the car; used the self tapping screws (had to tighten them back down every 6 months or so, as they loosened....perhaps some loc-tite would help).

Page 401 of the FFR build manual shows how/where to install: find center of dash, locate front edge of mount ~ 1/4" from edge of cowl, mark holes, sit in car and make sure you are comfortable with the position, move to taste, drill 3/32" holes, install screws. Nuts/bolts may offer more stability, but would be inaccessible unless you epoxies the nuts. HTH.

[Mustang Man]

Originals were offset some, but remember, they were hand built and every car was a little different. I have ours facing rearward and it is centered with the stripes. If your body is not painted yet you might want to wait, just so it is visibly centered with the stripes (if you are going to run a stripe).

HTH...
Mark

[Dan Babb]

Not trying to spend your money, but I have mine mounted to the top of the windshield (and have one of those larger - race type - mirrors on top of the small FFR mirror).

Visibility is way better. It's not 'original', but it's way more 'functional'

You can get a top mirror mount from Dark Water Customs or Finish Line sells a windshield center support bar and mirror to mount to that.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c105/DanBabb/DansCars/IMG_7950_zpsaf142698.jpg


The wider mirror just clips to the top of the FFR mirror, so I can remove it if I'm at a car show.

[DaleG]

I've seen these; they are nice. I assume the top-mounted mirror is easily removed when installing a soft top?

[Gumball]

If you're going to be using a tonneau cover, check to see if that will impact the mounting location. The FFR tonneau that I have pretty much dictates where the mirror will go based on the center zipper.

[Dan Babb]

I've seen these; they are nice. I assume the top-mounted mirror is easily removed when installing a soft top?

I don't have a soft-top, but with the finish line one, I wouldn't need to remove my mirror to put one on. The finish line one also allows you to adjust the height of where the mirror sits.

[SCFFR]

Thanks again guys.

Looked at the sliding bar setup that ********** has and interested in that so might go that way. I'm all for not having to drill more holes in the body.

Chris - am interested in getting a tonneau but not necessarily a soft top. I like the idea of being able to cover/protect the interior without having to put up the soft top. I assume that you fitted your soft top and then used the same fasteners/buttons/snaps for your tonneau cover.

Ron

[Gumball]

Thanks again guys.

Looked at the sliding bar setup that ********** has and interested in that so might go that way. I'm all for not having to drill more holes in the body.

Chris - am interested in getting a tonneau but not necessarily a soft top. I like the idea of being able to cover/protect the interior without having to put up the soft top. I assume that you fitted your soft top and then used the same fasteners/buttons/snaps for your tonneau cover.


Ron

Correct - neither the top nor the tonneau were cut for the lift-a-dot snaps, so I pre-fit both, determined they'd be able to be identical, plotted for the posts on the body, then marked for the mirror based on where the split is in the tonneau. Like everything with this project, it requires us to think a few steps ahead of actual work.