Thread: West Coast Mirrors convex spotter at the bottom

From the pictures, it appears to me that the bottom section is convex but is fixed in the overall frame. However the shape may still show down to the road surface.

After blind spots I use spotter mirrors for this purpose.
There are stick on units available in a couple of sizes and shapes from the usual car accessories outlets. I use these on the Defender and wife's car.
I got ...
VERSUS MIRROR HEAD BLACK PLASTIC LEFT — Hy Way
for a larger vehicle we use for towing. The lower spotter mirror is adjustable with in the head that is fixed. I can just see the RHrear tyre location while the left is just out of view, parking lines are easy to see.
There are also bolt on units to fit mirror arms in both round and rectangle shapes.
The round units are better for a downward view from experience however placement is also to be considered so the main mirror is functional.

Lionel, presumably you are referring to a Defender. If you have mini west coaster mirrors on it, you could do as I used to do. Convex, stick on, round mirrors are available from the likes of Maxi-parts, Truckline or most truck parts suppliers. Using a piece of scrap sheet metal (a purlin is ideal as it already has the fold) as wide as the mirror diameter bent to 90⁰. Trim the bottom to suit the mirror profile. Drill the folded top piece to suit the main mirror "axle".
The convex mirrors cover well, only needing to be aimed in the general direction.

Originally Posted by V8Ian

Lionel, presumably you are referring to a Defender. If you have mini west coaster mirrors on it, you could do as I used to do. Convex, stick on, round mirrors are available from the likes of Maxi-parts, Truckline or most truck parts suppliers. Using a piece of scrap sheet metal (a purlin is ideal as it already has the fold) as wide as the mirror diameter bent to 90⁰. Trim the bottom to suit the mirror profile. Drill the folded top piece to suit the main mirror "axle".
The convex mirrors cover well, only needing to be aimed in the general direction.

Hello Ian,

No coconut for you today, Ian.

I did mention the word "van". Someone might have just towed a blue 1210 D Line International van to my place from somewhere in Brisbane. Well - for Telstra International put the D-Line 1210 van body on the 1310 four wheel drive rolling chassis under contract.

Thank you for the tips and tricks for fitting the convex mirror.

As far as non-standard mirrors go - one of my Series 3 tray back 109 that had a trayback camper fitted to it when I bought the car. The previous owner had fitted a set of Nissan Patrol MQ mirrors onto the doors. Compared to my other Series vehicles this former camper had the best mirrors by far for visibility. While they are not west coast style they could be fitted with the blind spot mirror. Thank you for your detailed description - Ian.

I included a link to the MQ mirrors accessed 8th November 2025 from, https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/326571011173. It took me quite a while to identify the original source of the mirrors. Then one day I was watching Land Line on ABC TV and they showed the back of the mirrors of an old paddock basher being driven on a farm. I went, "hang-on, those mirrors look very familiar!" I played the footage a couple of times to make sure. Then armed with this piece of footage I was able to identify the vehicle and who supplies them.

Kind regards
Lionel

Originally Posted by Lionelgee

Hello Ian,

No coconut for you today, Ian.

I did mention the word "van". Someone might have just towed a blue 1210 D Line International van to my place from somewhere in Brisbane. Well - for Telstra International put the D-Line 1210 van body on the 1310 four wheel drive rolling chassis under contract.

Thank you for the tips and tricks for fitting the convex mirror.

Kind regards
Lionel

Willl apply to any vehicle, fitted with west coasters of any size.

Originally Posted by Lionelgee

.....

I have seen similar truck mirrors where the same area as the convex spotter is located in the photograph has a separate mirror located on its own mounting points within the main frame that can be adjusted independently. I do not know what these 'split' mirrors are called though - can someone enlighten me to their proper name?


Kind regards
Lionel

Back in the day, truck mirrors used to be two piece types, where the main mirror was separate from the spotter.
But most, if not all, modern trucks nowadays usually use the integrated main and spotter in one housing type design.

Not that it helps on some trucks, when the window design is completely stupid! I haven't specifically mentioned DAF CF have I?

But the switch to the two mirrors in one housing is usually because electrification is also added.
Maybe there are late model Kenworths still out there using the two mirror setups, but most modern trucks(ie. Euro/Asian) all pretty much use the one housing style.

I wouldn't use the stick on type, takes away too much main mirror realestate.

Does the truck have mirrors, or are you looking for?

"truck mirrors" search on ebay will bring up a half a million hits on the "Isuzu" type you're referring too, main mirror and spotter on the one body separately adjustable. They will probably fit onto the West Coast style bracket(but don't know).
If you already have mirrors and just want the additional convex mirror, easy to find this on ebay to suit ... Cheap convex mirror on ebay ... with the arm bracket should attach to the current bracket and have flexibility in adjusting to suit your view.

And yes, you will see the guide lines along parking places, but (in my view) not ideal with small VERY convexed mirrors. The view will be too distorted and extended for a clear view.
On the old Kenworths(westcoast style mirrors), just the length of the main mirror was long enough to see the guide lines. The convex mirrors were more for lateral view .. to see something beside you .. ie. lane changing type situations.