First Gen swan neck mirror arm dimensions

Like the post title states, I am looking to get the dimensions of the First Gen swan neck mirror arms that everyone is trying so hard to find. I am going to be attempting to create my own from scratch. I have the correct rubber gasket for the base, so I can get the base's dimensions from that. All I need is as follows:

- Thickness of the arm.
- Length of the arm. This can be measure by tracing a string the along length of the arm and straightening the string out to measure it.
- How far out does the end of the arm sit from the face of the door.
- Any other measurement that you think I might need.

If one of the lucky guys who own these mirrors could help me out with these measurements that would be much appreciated. If I end up with a good finished product and a method for creating them, I will probably try and sell them to fellow vanners who can't find used ones (like me).

If any of you are wondering which mirrors I am talking about. Check out the link below:
https://servimg.com/view/13103795/212

Also, feel free to post any photos you have of your swan neck mirrors.

Thanks a lot.

Welcome to the site!!!! I don't have them, but sure maybe someone can help. Sure others would be interested in buying also

Oh man, thanks a bunch! These measurements are exactly what I was looking for. I definitely wasn't expecting the detailed photos, a major plus.

Now the stock mirror is a 4" right? I was thinking for my own set, to play around with a 5" or 6" to increase the usability when driving. Visibility is the one thing I like about the west coast style mirrors, I just can't get past the truck look. I really like how the round mirrors mimic the look of the round headlights. It completes the package.

Hopefully I will be able to complete a set and get them up for you guys to take a look. If anyone else has pics of their mirrors, post 'em up. Thanks again Donivan65!

Dons the man when it come to helpful pictures eh!

That link is my van, like Don says . the mirrors look cool but you can't see s&!t out of them. good thing I have a window van.

M1D

I know what you mean M1D! That was a thought, when I purchased this:

I really wanted a "Panel" version, but with the traffic in this area, the windows are definitely worth the safety as a Daily driver!

So it might make sense to make a set that had the same look, but extended up a little higher to be more visible. I have a panel van, so I don't have the luxury of the side windows for checking blindspots. Looks like if the bottom of the mirror head was about even with the bottom of the window, it would help out a lot with visibility(at least according to Donivan's homemade mirror). Throw on a 6" mirror head and I think it might be a winning combination.

Just an Observation=?? The 1st gen mirror arms are both the same lenght, i believe and had only roung mirror heads on them. The 2nd gen ones had rectangular mirror heads and the pass side arm was longer. drivers side was still the same short one . Maybe a running nmod from gm between the two?? I will agree with doni = the 3rd gen really look good anf work very well.

I finally got the mirror arms done and chromed! They work great. With the 6" convex mirror, there is no such thing as a blindspot, even on a panel van. I couldn't be happier. Can anyone tell how I made them?

cculella,
Swanies that look great and function too!! Nice!

Mirrors look GREAT !!!!!!! The whole van looks great, sorry I missed seeing it.

Were the seats still on the porch when you got home?

Thanks guys.

Mike - The seats were fine on the porch since you bagged them up. We have started working on some designs for the upholstery. I will definitely post those up when we are finished.

Nice job on the mirrors

Please tell us how you made the mirrors, best looking mirroes for a 1st gen Bob

nice job

M1D

After many failed/kinked attempts at bending pipe to fit the complex "S" curve of the original swan neck mirrors, I was about to give up. That's when I noticed the tubing on the original West Coast style truck mirrors that originally came with my van.



When I had the van painted, I had the WC mirror bracket holes welded over. So I knew I wasn't going to use those mirrors again, and no one would buy them from me.

So I used the factory bent 45 degree section near the base as the starting point for the arm. In the photo, it shows where I made the cuts in red. The white highlighted boxes are the sections I ended up using. After I had the 45 bend and straight section, I used a conduit bender and slowly worked the rest of the bend into the neck. Once I got it to the right curve, I welded the top section that was already nicely formed from the factory. The hardest part was making the arms perfectly symmetrical.

The pickup trucks use the set of three holes for their mirrors, so I bought the rubber gaskets that hold them tight to the door and made a template. I used the template to cut out two matching 1/4 thick steel plates. Drilled the holes, welded on the tubing and ground down the welds to be smooth. Had them chrome plated with the rest of the hardware from the van.

Overall I am very pleased with the outcome and I am glad you guys like them as well. Makes me feel like I did right by my van.

WOW I'm even more impressed now. Finally a use for west cost mirrors To bad they take some much to build, you sell a bunch to all of us. Bob

Yeah, those look Great! pretty creative thinking there to !

pan58head, they really don't take that long to create, it just seems that way. There was a lot of trial and error in the first run. The next set would take nearly as long.

After I get a few other projects behind me, I could probably start knocking some of these out for fellow vanners.

READY TO BUILD ANOTHER SET ?
DANNY

I could be tempted. Message me if you want to discuss further.

Now I see what your calling long beach mirrors Nice job. I "think" the ones you used to make yous ,were JR west coast mirrors??? or at least thats what I call them (In IN. (LOL) Really nice Van too.