Substitute mirrors for tow mirrors?

[ORVietVet]

On the new to me 2004 Silverado K2500HD it has the extendable mirrors that look like has accordion pleats that extend with the mirror. The d/s mirror glass has a slight shake to it and is kind of a PITA while driving and checking that mirror. Never really gonna use the extended part of the mirror, so I was wondering if there is a substitute mirror assembly that will bolt in to place. It the electrical control connectors mate up, even better, but if have to adjust by hand after the swap, so be it.

Or is there a way to pop that glass out and fix for no more shakes?

And yes, I know the hood is popped. This pic was taken just before I opened the hood for engine bay pics.

 

[ORVietVet]

Can't get OE from GM and if they did have them, $600+. Used at ebay for $250 to $450 but I already have used. This truck will not ever be used to tow a big trailer, so the big extendable mirrors are not needed. I just want to get a new bolt on regular mirror that can be adjusted manually, if needed. If I can get a power adjust with t/s, I can use the wire in from the door connector.

 

[ORVietVet]

I figured that "hopefully" the 3 hole bolt on pattern is the same for whatever mirror I get and if is easy enough, I would get a mirror that has the t/s and power fold mirror and wire that all in.

If someone has done that before, let me know what mirror you used. I am not needing the double arm mirrors that extend way out and are sticking way out just from bolting them on. A simple close to the door mirror assembly that has t/s and power fold, works for me.

 

[4silverado]

3 hole pattern should be the same a normal truck like mine. I do have a set of snap on tow mirrors on the off chance I have to pull something wide. If I remember correctly, mine came from Jegs.

 

[4silverado]

I’m not a fan of the double arm tow mirrors. Every set I’ve seen the mirrors tilt up; they are never flat.

 

[ORVietVet]

I’m not a fan of the double arm tow mirrors. Every set I’ve seen the mirrors tilt up; they are never flat.

Yea, on one of the videos I watched, the owner complained about the mirror tilt and how he had to space it differently by adding some washers.
Not gonna need or want the double arm mirrors either. I want the standard mirror set up and then if need a wider tow mirror, snap them on like your example.

 

[ORVietVet]

I help seniors/veterans in retirement or assisted living sell their vehicles when they stop driving or lose their licenses. I go in and advertise their vehicles and sell the vehicles for them, so they can have the extra money. I helped a guy with a 2003 or 2004 K2500HD Duramax. Had the same mirrors as my truck. Had the same d/s mirror problem and I had to locate a used one and install, so I could sell it for him. PITA.

 

[ORVietVet]

3 hole pattern should be the same a normal truck like mine. I do have a set of snap on tow mirrors on the off chance I have to pull something wide. If I remember correctly, mine came from Jegs. View attachment 1390View attachment 1391

Yes, something like this would be perfect for what I am looking for. Thanks for the info and pics.

 

[4silverado]

I’ve got a pic somewhere of mine installed when I pulled a travel trailer. I sold the travel trailer but still have the mirrors. I liked the K Source better than any out there.

 

[ORVietVet]

I’ve got a pic somewhere of mine installed when I pulled a travel trailer. I sold the travel trailer but still have the mirrors. I liked the K Source better than any out there.

It looks like the perfect set up for me. When I drive it, I am very aware of the added width of the existing mirrors. I am also more aware than ever of the d/s mirror glass shake. But, when my girl drives it, I worry about her not allowing enough room for the extra width mirrors. She is used to driving her 1990 GMT400 truck and those mirrors are not near as wide as the ones on the new to us truck, 2004 K2500HD. Plus, we take a back way out of our neighborhood and it is not uncommon to have to drive between 2 pickup trucks, parked on curbs across from each other. I have been with her driving and she slows way down to get thru with the new truck, even though there is actually plenty of room. In her old truck, she did not do that.

 

[Cadillacmak]

I run the cheap two arm type mirrors on our daily (97 K2500 Suburban), because when you bump them pulling in the garage at -30, they explode and are cheap to replace. Some would say just don't hit the mirror, but both my wife, one of my sons, and me have. When its cold, dark, the windows are frosted, etc., you make mistakes. That being said, no one likes the mirrors I use, lol.

 

[ORVietVet]

I run the cheap two arm type mirrors on our daily (97 K2500 Suburban), because when you bump them pulling in the garage at -30, they explode and are cheap to replace. Some would say just don't hit the mirror, but both my wife, one of my sons, and me have. When its cold, dark, the windows are frosted, etc., you make mistakes. That being said, no one likes the mirrors I use, lol.

Instead of the explanation, all you had to say was, "Alaska".

 

[4silverado]

I think this is the only picture I could find with the towing mirrors installed.

 

[ORVietVet]

I think this is the only picture I could find with the towing mirrors installed.
View attachment 1413

I get the idea. The other pics helped too. I sent the pics to my girl. She likes the idea.

 

[4silverado]

And those just pop on when you need them and pop off and store in a bag when not needed.

 

[ORVietVet]

That is what i like about them.

 

[ORVietVet]

More Information for DORMAN 955675

Ok, so I think I have found the mirrors I plan to install after taking the wide tow mirrors off. They would be a manual fold and that is ok with me. They are a heated and t/s design mirror. They also are a 10 pin connector. The thing is, until I take the old ones off, or at least remove the inner door cover, I cannot see the existing pin count or configuration. The link does show a close up of the pins/connector. Does anyone here know the pin count and/or configuration of my existing tow/wide mirrors? Find and supply pics of mine?

 

[ORVietVet]

Sitting around with nothing to do can lead to investigation sometimes. I took a very bright Braun pen light out to truck and tilted the mirror glass all the way in at the inner portion of mirror glass. Then I could see what was happening when the mirror glass was shaking. In the pic above you can see the 3 round hollow holes. The back of the glass has 3 finger that set in those 3 holes. The play is where those fingers insert in the holes. I was able to just take a new wooden toothpick and shove it between the holes of the above actuator and the fingers of the glass. Went right in with needle nose pliers and if it falls out, it will not go anywhere but straight down and roll out of the gap at bottom of mirror. I rocked the mirror glass by hand in all directions and the toothpick is still tight. I will drive tomorrow to see if my PITA mirror glass shake is gone. Even if it is gone, I am going to change to smaller mirrors.

The glass portion is easy to remove and I think that if I wanted too, I could just "enlarge" the mirror glass fingers with some tape and shove them in there and drive it with no problems.

 

[DateNight]

Any thoughts on this style?

JZSUPER Towing Mirrors
https://a.co/d/clWqIKf

 

[ORVietVet]

Any thoughts on this style?

JZSUPER Towing Mirrors
https://a.co/d/clWqIKf

That is exactly the style I do not want. I am going to install the smaller stock style mirror. See post #4. That basic style and then a set of clip-ons if needed.

The style I am looking at: https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=2783622&cc=1424113&pt=1304&jsn=1263