Modding the Rear View Mirror

[The Rigger]

So a while ago I posted about getting another rearview mirror to try hacking the stalk to raise the mirror slightly out of my line-of-sight... Results are in.

I got a mirror assembly from SmartCenter Buckhead while the tour was in Atlanta, and took some tools to the stalk, as directed in Kane's Evilution site (Evilution - Smart Car Encyclopaedia). I used some CRC 2-part epoxy putty to adhere the mirror ball to the mounting baseplate, sanded it down once it had set to smooth and contour it, and painted it black to match... Or I would have, if my pot of black paint hadn't dried up. I wound up touching it up with a black Sharpie marker, figuring if it was too glaringly ugly I would go back and repaint it...

When I got home (FINALLY!!), I popped the OEM mirror off and popped my modded mirror on. I was a bit apprehensive about the mod, since I drive a Cabrio with a substantially smaller rear window than the coupé. Would the modded stalk raise the mirror up too high to be safe and useful?

The answer, thankfully, is no. I still have plenty of long-range vision out the backglass. The mod does raise the mirror up, but not by as much as you might think; it's very subtle, but it does get the mirror up enough out of my forward line-of-sight to increase my comfort level. I'll post photos of the "before" and "after" effect later.

Since it's a rainy day here, I haven't had a chance to try peering out the back through the modded mirror with the top rolled all the way down yet. Stay tuned for that. So far I'll count this one as a win.

[sato7]

interesting approach but I went with making my own custom sized mirror and then put a double knuckle arm on it to raise and lower it as I please. I can put it to the roof or drop it to the original height as needed by me or my wife.. when I let her drive MY smarty.....

[The Rigger]

Originally Posted by sato7

I can put it to the roof or drop it to the original height as needed by me or my wife.. when I let her drive MY smarty.....

I don't have that problem; my wife lives 1,300 miles away from here.

[rolly]

[QUOTE=The Rigger;223025]So a while ago I posted about getting another rearview mirror to try hacking the stalk to raise the mirror slightly out of my line-of-sight... Results are in.

I got a mirror assembly from SmartCenter Buckhead while the tour was in Atlanta, and took some tools to the stalk, as directed in Kane's Evilution site (Evilution - Smart Car Encyclopaedia). I used some CRC 2-part epoxy putty to adhere the mirror ball to the mounting baseplate, sanded it down once it had set to smooth and contour it, and painted it black to match...

Thanks for the idea...I'm going to try a similar mod but still try to get the mirror as high as possible.
Will post before and after pics ASAP.

[The Rigger]

So the rain stopped (finally), and after finishing the cruise control installation and while taking the test-drive to check that system out, I decided to crank up the heater, brave the 40° air, and drop the top...

No problems. The modded mirror stalk still lets me peek right out between the roll bar and the top of the folded cabrio top. Call it a WIN all around.

I'm not sure I'd advocate this mod for people of different statures (especially tall drivers), but for me and my particular line-of-sight issues, it's the perfect mod.

[kwajman]

Originally Posted by sato7

I can put it to the roof or drop it to the original height as needed by me or my wife.. when I let her drive MY smarty.....

AS IF........

[The Rigger]

I've attached a couple of "before & after" photos to show how far the modded stalk moves the rear view mirror out of your line of sight. It's a subtle move, but it does aid you to see out the front windshield a touch easier.

YMMV...