Mirror Mod

[SanDiegoJohn]

I am 6'4" (definately the max for SmartCar) and the stock mirror was a huge blind spot for me.

Here is my mod.

I bought the replacement mirror at Kragen (I am sure you can find one at Pep Boys or at your local autoparts store). Also bought a Mirror Glue Kit (not pictured) which included a prep towelette and a small tube of glue. Some of the replacement mirrors came as a kit.



The stock mirror is removed from the windshield with a little upward force on the support stem.

The stem pops out of the mirror with a little bit of leverage.

Hacksaw (weekend warrior = lame tools) the stem just above the mounting area. The idea is we are creating a surface for the new mirror to mount to.



Using progressively finer sandpaper, sand the rough ridges where you cut until you have created a smooth flat surface. Then glue the mounting wedge to your newly created flat surface per the directions.



(sorry about the pic, small part poor detail but you can make out the lighter wedge from the darker surface that I created)

After allowing glue to set, per the directions, mount the new mirror to the wedge.

Then slide the assembly back onto stock wedge mounted to windshield.





Only driven with it for a few days and it makes all the difference. I can forsee eventually having to put a thin layer of foam tape on the top edge of mirror, but so far it doesn't move much and it's not hitting the overhead light area.

The angle out the back is a bit diminished (I can only see about 50-75 yards behind me with top up, with top down I can see as well as the stock (looking over the compressed top)) but I will trade lack of visibility out the front for a little less out the back.

Total Cost:
Mirror = $18.99
Glue Kit = $6.99
Under $30.00

About 1 hr of time for total install.

Hope this helps the tall Smarties

[SunDiego]

Great idea!

[Evilution]

Here's mine.
Evilution - Smart Car Encyclopaedia

[curtis]

WOW, NICE IDEA, I am only 5'10" and have had issues with the mirror, I'm surprised they produced the car with the mirror like it is.

[donnyonee]

id like to hear about a tall driver with a coupe and this mod. and hows the visors doing?
kanes mod is ok but im sure the 450 mirror and short mount arent free.

[SanDiegoJohn]

I removed the driver's side visor completely.

[gmasters]

ok I got a new mirror and after removing the old on, it looks like it will fit nice and high near the inside light,
now I cant figure out how to remove that damn metal plate glued to the window,,,without breaking the damn window...
the new mirrow has its own base...
damn

[SanDiegoJohn]

thats why I did the hacksaw/sanding combo to create a flat surface for the new mirror to mount on

[sato7]

I just made a new one from a replacement side mirror... mirror. , cut it in half, lengthwise. Bought the dual hinge arm for a standard rear view mirror and bonded it with epoxy to the back of the half mirror.

If I could figure how to post a pic here, you would understand.. for now, go to 451sdot com and look at my page, the pics are there.

[gryphon]

I'm in the process of modifying my smart mirror mount as per the preceding instructions and currently the old mount/new mirror have just been epoxied together. I'm letting the epoxy set up for 24 hours before I start with the mirror tweaking process, but just had an urgent requirement to run to the Post Office while the mirror was off. Wow!

The visibility without the mirror in place is soooo much better than with the stock smart mirror there. I had read on another post that someone had removed the mirror and left it off, and I can see why. While the 2 side mirrors will let you see what is behind, it didn't seem as if I'd like it that way permanently. YMMV.

In any case, I'd certainly suggest to anyone that they just try the mirror removal to see what the improved forward visibility looks like. The smart mirror lifts up quite easily when pushed near the mounting plate. Re-installation is just as easy. It's an eye opener.

Will try out the visibility on the new mirror install tomorrow. Thanks for the idea and the instructions.