Mounting Hardware for 3-post Camper Special Mirrors Question

[OldDanTrucker]

I have a set of nice 3-post Camper Special mirrors but don't have any of the mounting hardware.

What is the correct hardware to use?

Sheet metal screws? Bolts? Some of each? I notice the the top and bottom brackets have a square whole, while the forward post has round holes. But I don't think a carriage bolt will work in those square holes because the bracket wouldn't be flush with the door.

Any specs would be greatly appreciated!

[averagef250]

They are special t-bolts with stainless acorn nuts. Wish I had a picture to show you, but I don't. They are not just sheet metal screws though. The lower two holes are just 1/4-20 bolts, the factory used steel, I like stainless. They used squish nuts in holes drilled in the doors.

[OldDanTrucker]

Thanks!

So do both the top bracket and the front bracket use the t-bolts? Seems like that would make sense, since the both are right up against the door seal.

Are the t-bolts the same length as the 1/4-20 bolt?

What are squish nuts?

[averagef250]

The squish nuts (I'm probably using the wrong term) are nuts in a tube with a lip on one end. You push them in a hole in sheetmetal and use a special tool that threads into them to expand the tube so it can't pull out.

I've only actually owned the shorter style mirrors that don't have the extra strut so I'm not sure, but imagine that the strut uses the t-bolts as well.

[kaptnkaos]

Hey Dan,

The top ones are the only ones that have the "T" bolts.
The rest have either an acorn head bolt or a bolt and acorn nut.
I recently redid mine using stainless allen head bolts and acorn nuts... It looks really sharp.
I'm not sure if you can even get the "T" bolts any more.
If you can't find them, you can make a set pretty easy using the allen head bolts. Grind or file two parallel sides, then you'll need to file/grind the other two sides to match the retangular indention at the top of the door.
On the inside of the door, I used large flat washers with lock nuts. (the kind with the nylon centers). You don't want the bolts pulling the nut through the door skin.

good luck,
KaptnKAOS

[FORDification]

The bottom attaches to the door with nutserts and a spacer/gasket, using standard bolts:



Here's a view of the backside of the upper mounts, using the special T-bolts mentioned above:



Those T-bolts extend through the door and are attached on the outside with acorn nuts:



In the above picture, I was comparing the upper mounts from a 3-post Camper Special mirror with the 2-post SwingLoc mirror, with the SwingLoc being attached in the pic above.

The Camper Special support arm is just held on with standard bolts and nuts:



It's definitely advised to spend the few extra dollars and get stainless steel hardware for attaching these mirrors, to keep them looking great. As you can see above (and on virtually every other truck on the road), the steel factory hardware rusts and looks bad.

[jor]

Really good illustrative photos, Keith. I'm keeping these!
jor

[OldDanTrucker]

yeah! thanks a lot keith and dustin and KaptnKAOS. this is great. i'm getting those mirrors on this weekend! (provided i get lucky at the hardware store.)

[Tim P.]

the dealer wont have the t bolts but if you have a ford truck service center in your town they can get them Im talking big truck service dealer as they still use that kind of mirrors still on alot of trucks I dont have the ford pt# in front of me but can look for it if still needing them pm me of your intrest I'll see if I still have a package from the last set I got and will post here also for everybody elses use and info.