Mirrors for a 2001 102 DL3..

[mqbus767]

Hello Nuts,

I'm trying to figure out how to upgrade my mirrors to something more modern, but I'm not sure what to search for. I've read online that any heavy duty vehicle mirrors can be used, but my mounts are on rounded "A" pillars. Does anyone have any advice on after market mirrors?

[RJ]

I'm trying to figure out how to upgrade my mirrors to something more modern, but my mounts are on rounded "A" pillars. Does anyone have any advice on after market mirrors?

MQ -

It appears that you've got what's known as "transit bus style" mirrors and mirror arms on your MCI - is the driver's side similar? It also looks like you've got the bi-fold front doors? It's definitely a style of mirror I've never really seen on an MCI highway coach. Can you close the door and take another photo from the opposite side?

My suggestion is to contact Sam Caylor at Caylor Supply in Rantoul, KS. He operates an MCI salvage yard, so will probably have what you need.  From the photo, to me it looks like you'll need the MCI mounting bracket, arm and mirror head, but it's kind of hard to tell. Sam's number is 785-878-3405. Be forewarned: Sam knows his inventory, and knows what it's worth, and thus does not take kindly towards customers who want to haggle over prices.

FWIW & HTH. . . 

RJ

[buswarrior]

That is some aftermarket rig on there?

The first question is why is this on here, instead of the proper arm and mirror head?

Has there been damage to the pillar, that the stock mount can't be re-established?

"Modern" mirrors are not "better"... never been so many baggage bays smashed into things since the "designers" squared off the bottom of the convex mirrors to suit their sensibilities, instead of what a driver needs for safe manouvering...

You may be able to put the stock arm back on there, and then you have the standard ball mount to work with, opening up lots of "proper" looking choices.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[Busted Knuckle]

Yeah I ain't never seen that set up before either!
  BK 

[mqbus767]

The driver's side is essentially the same but the round tube has a slightly different sweep to it. Putting it nicely, they are awful. There's no damage to the pillars and all the transit busses that I looked at in the Houston auction had the same mirrors. You can see a four bolt pattern for the pillar mount. I'm not sure if that's a stock pattern or not.

I suspect that the reason for these odd ball mirrors is the bi-fold doors. A straight arm would most likely interfere with the door opening. Drivers side:


lafcu lansing

[buswarrior]

Those must be a local option, MCI will put whatever the purchasing fleet wants.

The stock arms and mirrors are more robust and pleasant looking...

The bifold door mirror arm just has a big curve in it, vs the sedan door mirror arms.

Busnuts with this model, pictures please!

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[mqbus767]

Just found a set of driver/curb-side, powered, factory mirrors for sale from a wrecking yard on Ebay. They are off a bus with bi-fold doors, so they should work for me. This wrecking yard (https://fowlersautowrecking.com/) appears to have a bunch of 102s that they are scrapping,so you might check them out if you're in need of parts. Should have the mirrors next week. I'll post pics once I've got them installed.

Thanks again guys!

[Glennman]

Hey mq, I have the fancier style mirrors on my '02 even though the bus used to have the bi-fold doors. I should be able to take a picture and attach it when I get home tonight. The one on the passenger side is split at the swivel base from water getting in and freezing, so I will eventually be needing a new arm or entire assembly myself.

[mqbus767]

Got the replacement mirrors installed, and wires run, but not electrically connected. Our bus did not have the wiring harness for power mirrors, so I'll have to run all the wire myself. No problem. I'm in the process of shopping for the switch or possibly cobbling together one myself. Can anyone identify the make/model (Ramco?) of this mirror based on the following picture/description?

   * Manual, lower convex  mirror
   * Powered flat
   * Heated main mirror (red and white wires)
   * 6 pin connector, only 5 pins used (green, black, brown, red, white)
   * Plastic shell

I'm really looking for a wiring schematic and confirmation on power voltage (12 or 24v). If anyone (Glenn?) has the same mirrors and could tell me what the control stick looks like, I'd appreciate that too. I'm assuming that it has a single joystick with a L/R select switch, then a separate mirror heater switch.

Thanks nuts!

[mqbus767]

Sent some pictures to a Ramco rep today for ID. He said they look like Hadley/Safe Fleet mirrors. I tried to find a mirror switch for them, but it looks like the only ones available are in Australia or as a bezel combo. I'll probably order another switch that has simple blade connectors and then figure out the wiring. From what I can tell, most mirror switches operate in a similar manner; i.e. reverse polarity for lt/rt, up/dn.

[Marweav]

Talk to Fowlers Auto Wrecking in CT. They are scrap out a TON of busses and should have what your looking for. They are very helpful and don't mind shipping.
https://fowlersautowrecking.com/bus-parts/
(860) 267-7140

[Jim Blackwood]

You also might wander through an automotive pick-n-pull. Most of those mirror controls should be similar and you might even find something that can mount in the existing hole without much trouble.

Jim