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Xj side mirrors


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1 minute ago, Buffwolf96 said:

I can't figure out how to upload a picture from my phone but it's the stock side view mirrors not the frame style 

You'll have to use Tapatalk to upload from the phone.  Photo hosting by CC still doesn't work for me.  

 

As for the mirrors, you can put the XJ mirrors on but like said above, they are the exact same mirror with the exception of the 97+ like Minuit said.  I don't mind the rounded style of the newer ones but think the boxy ones look better. 

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Here is the "how to" on 97+ mirrors and door handles:

 

 

This really improves visibility.  When I used to tow a camping trailer, it was the difference between seeing around the trailer and having to use towing mirrors.   I got power mirrors and used the mirror control from a Honda Passport/Isuzu Rodeo.  Mounted the switch on an XJ blank switch plate just on the left side of the steering wheel (stock location).

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I've added late XJ mirrors to both my XJ and MJ, and I can see where some say it detracts from the classic looks.  My opinion is it makes up for it in improved visibility.  I had to modify my window trim on both and that's kind of a pain.  Mine are power but I didn't bother to wire them.  I just manually move the mirror glass around in its frame.  Might not be the best solution if more than one person drives it and they need a different adjustment.  Since I set mine, I've never needed to adjust them.

 

On a related note, am I the only one that hates the breakaway design of the original mirrors?  In my experience it's rare to find one in good shape in the junkyard.  Most of them have the breakaway clips cracked or broken.

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20 minutes ago, schardein said:

I've added late XJ mirrors to both my XJ and MJ, and I can see where some say it detracts from the classic looks.  My opinion is it makes up for it in improved visibility.  I had to modify my window trim on both and that's kind of a pain.  Mine are power but I didn't bother to wire them.  I just manually move the mirror glass around in its frame.  Might not be the best solution if more than one person drives it and they need a different adjustment.  Since I set mine, I've never needed to adjust them.

 

On a related note, am I the only one that hates the breakaway design of the original mirrors?  In my experience it's rare to find one in good shape in the junkyard.  Most of them have the breakaway clips cracked or broken.

Yes, we definitely agree on that. I don't think I've ever seen one in the JY that wasn't broken. I ran a set on my truck for a while with broken clips and they never rattled around as far as I remember. I replaced them with the fixed ones later on though, as the joystick controls were much smoother.

 

As far as visibility, the old school square mirrors were a HUGE improvement from the "flag" mirrors mounted on the door sheet metal itself. I've never felt that the old mirrors are lacking. I stuck one of the little rectangular blind spot mirrors on the corners of mine and I don't have any blind spots at all:

rLHOkbTl.jpg

 

Want to talk about useless mirrors? The ones on my '96 Thunderbird are just a little bit bigger than a computer mouse. If I put on one of the above blind spot mirrors it'd take up a third of the whole mirror!

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4 minutes ago, Minuit said:

 

 

Want to talk about useless mirrors? The ones on my '96 Thunderbird are about the size and shape of a computer mouse. If I put on one of the above blind spot mirrors it'd take up a third of the whole mirror!

Lol!  Living for a few years with the original, windshield hinge mounted 76-86 CJ mirrors have left me with a permanent fixation on mirror upgrades...

If I remember right, the first mod I ever did to my very original Comanche was replace the flag style mirrors...

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7 hours ago, schardein said:

On a related note, am I the only one that hates the breakaway design of the original mirrors?  In my experience it's rare to find one in good shape in the junkyard.  Most of them have the breakaway clips cracked or broken.

Breakaway clips? Like the mirror is supposed to break off if it hits something?  A deer directly hit my driver's side mirror on my old XJ and the mirror didn't break, it instead bent the sheet metal behind the mirror.   No damage to the 20+ year old plastic, much damage to the metal.... How!? 

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40 minutes ago, Dzimm said:

Breakaway clips? Like the mirror is supposed to break off if it hits something?  A deer directly hit my driver's side mirror on my old XJ and the mirror didn't break, it instead bent the sheet metal behind the mirror.   No damage to the 20+ year old plastic, much damage to the metal.... How!? 

There are two versions of the 85-96 style mirror that attaches at the jet in front of the door window, a breakaway and a fixed.  Sounds like you had the fixed version.  I don't know if the fixed versions are factory or aftermarket (money saving) versions.  I'm sure someone here knows and will chime in.

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9 hours ago, schardein said:

I've added late XJ mirrors to both my XJ and MJ, and I can see where some say it detracts from the classic looks.  My opinion is it makes up for it in improved visibility.  I had to modify my window trim on both and that's kind of a pain.  Mine are power but I didn't bother to wire them.  I just manually move the mirror glass around in its frame.  Might not be the best solution if more than one person drives it and they need a different adjustment.  Since I set mine, I've never needed to adjust them.

 

On a related note, am I the only one that hates the breakaway design of the original mirrors?  In my experience it's rare to find one in good shape in the junkyard.  Most of them have the breakaway clips cracked or broken.

I'll go ahead and throw my two cents in, FWIW.  My 89 had the sheet metal-mounted "flag" mirrors on it when I bought this truck last Month.  I did not like them.  Maybe someone else really likes them so they're available if anyone wants them.  Just send me a message.  They're in great condition.

 

One of my first mods last Month was the mirror upgrade that I did from a 98 model XJ.  I think the 1998 XJ (as well as other 97+ models) looked fine with its mirrors and don't believe that the overall cab design is much different from my 89 MJ cab design.  I therefore, think that my 98XJ mirrors look normal on my MJ and are not atrocious as others have expressed.  To each his own but I ain't seeing it as looking terrible, man.  I'm happy with the looks.  But I am even more happy with the performance.  I now have usable mirrors that greatly enhance my overall driving experience.    

 

I once saw here where a guy promptly removed his 97+ upgraded mirrors because of the window channel of the older style windows blocked a bit of his view.  He claimed that he just couldn't get over the partial blockage of this window channel.  Again, I didn't have this experience and quickly got used to it within minutes behind the wheel.  I can understand some people not being able to deal with this, but in my experience it was easily overcome and overshadowed by my new ability to see around me better.  

 

I didn't wire my 98 mirrors either.  This is my truck and I drive it 98% of the time and I've made only one initial adjustment simply by using my booger jabber.  

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2 hours ago, coolwind57 said:

 I didn't wire my 98 mirrors either.  This is my truck and I drive it 98% of the time and I've made only one initial adjustment simply by using my booger jabber.  

 

That's another thing that would bug the crap out of me. If I have power mirrors installed (and I do), they have to be functional. And this applies to everything else. If it's installed it should work. Maybe I have a problem?    :shhh:

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Yes, HOrnbrod, different strokes for different folks.  We have a guy in my rock band who is an engineer and he's OCD on many things.  Little things like stage setup that we find not an issue absolutely drives him crazy.  Everything HAS to have its place.  We have fun with it, including him. 

 

I suppose one could criticize a mirror-upgraded MJ by saying "it ain't suppose to have power mirrors, that's not stock!"   In the end, I say do what makes you happy to your Jeep. 

 

Mine's not a show truck.  It is my handy, utility workhorse.  I dig seeing rock crawlers, mudders and show MJs.  I'm thrilled to now own one and because there's not many around these days, I like every one I see.

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Have to say my truck had the huge mirror mounted on the door as OEM.  I hated the way they worked loose after 16 years in the wind.

Then I swapped doors with power everything and the stock xj mirrors.  Even the 1 inch convex mirrors did not help when towing.  But with the 97+ mirrors, I am fine towing.

 

Also kind of agree the vent window bugs my mirror view.    My plan for the diesel Comanche includes one piece power windows at some point.

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3 hours ago, HOrnbrod said:

 

 

That's another thing that would bug the crap out of me. If I have power mirrors installed (and I do), they have to be functional. And this applies to everything else. If it's installed it should work. Maybe I have a problem?    :shhh:

I have to admit I feel much the same way.  To the extent, when I found out I have the wire for a w/s washer "low level" indicator, I had to install one to make it work. But here's the worse part:  My late XJ mirrors are also heated!  So that would need to work too... future project waaaay in the future...

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To me its the conundrum of Form vs Function.  I prefer the form of the renix/OBD1 side Mirrors.  However I am of the philosophy that I only need to see where my velocity/momentum is taking me; not where I've just come from....that's their problem i.e. no rearview taking up space on my windshield. Plus i only use the side Mirror's to see if my tailgate/brake lenses have clearance for the lane change. My neck can swivel so I can still check lanes farther than the first. So the function of side mirrors is kinda moot for how I operate my personal conveyance.

Although, never done any towing so I may yet change my tune.

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27 minutes ago, schardein said:

I have to admit I feel much the same way.  To the extent, when I found out I have the wire for a w/s washer "low level" indicator, I had to install one to make it work. But here's the worse part:  My late XJ mirrors are also heated!  So that would need to work too... future project waaaay in the future...

 

Same here. When I installed the windshield washer tank inside the fender, it came with the low level indicator, so naturally I had to wire it up. Of course, it's kind of necessary when you can't see the tank.  :brows:

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