Replacing an older mirror

[WNJeffers]

I need to replace the driver-side mirror head on our 1997 Safari Sahara. (The original mirror head got clipped by a truck, which did not stop.) I've tried salvage yards around the country with no luck.


The 22-year-old mirror was made by Velvac and is what they called their Superstar mirror head. It’s 13 inches by 8+ inches, rectangular with rounded corners, not tapered at the top like all newer models. The mirror is out of production and I cannot find one in any of the major salvage yards. I therefore have in mind replacing both mirror heads and keeping the original bus mounting arms.

Speaking with Velvac technical assistance has been an exercise in frustration. All they seem to want to do is sell me two complete new mirrors. Never mind that they mounting holes in the new bases do not match the holes in the coach facing.

Has anyone replaced a 1990’s-era mirror head with a newer head on the original mirror arm? What problems did you need to overcome?

My mirror has 5 wires in the 6-wire plug, which looks the same as the newer plugs on 5-wire mirror heads. Can anyone tell me if the wiring pattern is the same, or will I have to puzzle out which new wire mates with which old wire?

Thanks!
Wayne

[dan-nickie]

Google found a number of them, But with the complete arm assembly for about 500 bucks.
Part no. 712719

[WNJeffers]

Originally Posted by dan-nickie

Google found a number of them, But with the complete arm assembly for about 500 bucks.
Part no. 712719

Thanks, but that part (712719) uses a different type of attachment for the head to the mounting arm compared to the bus style arm on my coach. (I’ve discussed this part number with Velvac tech support and with one of their bigger dealers.) My arm uses a shaft on the head which drops into a socket on the arm and is locked in place with a set screw. The mirror head on part 712719 is attached with a bolt.

I want to mount new mirror heads on my arms, without performing major surgery on the bodywork of my coach as Velvac would have me do. I’m looking for anyone who has mounted new heads on old arms. My biggest concern is with the electrical connections.

Wayne

[Migkiller]

I just went through somewhat the same experience with Velvac...!!! I thought it was a Velvac mirror as the manual was in the coach documents. Turns out it was made by RAMCO engineering. You might try contacting them...https://www.ramco-eng.com/.