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Mark Rosenbaum Member 
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I'm 6'2" tall and the rear view mirror in my JH blocks much of my view to the front of the car. I was resigned to living with this annoyance until recently, when I thought up a simple, inexpensive method of raising the mirror so that it sits at the height of the padded crash roll at the top of the windshield. This does not involve any permanent alterations to either car or mirror. I fabricated two brackets from 0.025" thick aluminum sheet. Though the brackets themselves are simple, I found it hard to accurately visualize the angles involved, and it took me three tries using paper patterns and two tries in metal before I was satisfied. The upper bracket is a straight strip about 1" wide and about 3+1/2" long, with a 3/16" hole near the forward end and a 5/16" hole near the rear end. After removing the crash roll, this bracket is secured to the rear face of the windshield frame by an existing screw that sits directly above the two original mirror mounting screws. When reinstalled, the crash roll holds the bracket firmly in place. The lower bracket is about the same size as the first but has a 2+1/4" wide tee at the forward end and two 3/16" holes to suit the mounting holes for the mirror. The rear end of this bracket also has a 5/16" hole. The two brackets are bent so that they follow the curvature of the crash roll and the two 5/16" holes line up. The screw that originally secured the mirror to its mounting arm is inserted through these holes from the front, along with a few 5/16" ID washers for proper spacing. The rear view mirror is then secured in place, and, finally, the lower bracket is attached to the crash roll using the original mirror mounting screws and, if desired, a couple of cupped washers, or even the mirror's original plastic plinth (base). I've been driving around town with the mirror like this for several days, and so far have had no problems. The mirror stays put, the view forward is improved tremendously, the view to the rear is unaffected (at least when there's no top in the way), and it even looks good. I may eventually make new brackets using slightly thicker sheet metal for a bit more strength and vibration damping, and may also taper them for improved esthetics. Attachment: Mirror Relocation.jpg (Downloaded 76 times) |
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Dan Collier Member 
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What replacement side mirrors are most JH owners using these days? I'm going through a second set of Vitaloni Baby Tornado mirrors. After opening and closing the doors multiple times, the mirrors become weak and droop while driving at freeway speeds. I see Ciba makes a narrow mirror with a light built into it as a turn signal. I'm not sure I like this Ciba style but, I do like the light to keep SUV's away from me. Baby Tornado  Ciba amber lens avail. Dan Collier JH74 14381 2.2L Jensen-Healey Preservation Photo Gallery Last edited on 08-26-2005 05:04 am by Dan Collier |
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Mark Rosenbaum Member
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I've still got the stock metal shell mirrors on my car. I've taken them apart, cleaned them up, and adjusted the internal screw so that the spring tension is just right. Now the mirror stays in place on the road yet moves easily whenever I need to adjust it, or bump into it while the car's parked. As far as looks go, I'm not thrilled by the factory look but I guess I've grown used to them. I keep thinking that I'd like to try something in the classic Raydyot bullet style, but don't seem to be sure enough of that to actually spend any money on an experiment. Interesting to hear that the Baby Tornado mirrors don't hold up. Any ideas why this is so? |
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jcdean Member
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I need some sugestions on replacement mirrors. The PO had installed the Baby Tornado mirrors and they are not holding up well. They vibrate so badly it is difficult to make out what is actually behind you. I realize that taste differ, but I am quite open just now to suggestions. Joey |
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