Need newer style Volvo help

SIBERNUT · September 22, 2016

I took the plunge and bought the newer style VNL hood mirrors. I have driven them both, and like them much better than the erector set. What I need is a tracing from somebody that has them, so I mount them in the right spot. Anybody able to help?

13speed · September 22, 2016

I took the plunge and bought the newer style VNL hood mirrors. I have driven them both, and like them much better than the erector set. What I need is a tracing from somebody that has them, so I mount them in the right spot. Anybody able to help?

I cant help with a tracing but the truck I am buying comes with the "erector set" ones. I want to do the same thing you are doing. Can I ask if you got the black or chrome ones and how much they were? I will have to have a body shop fill and touch up the holes in the hood anyways so I might just have them mount the new ones if it is a PITA.

Nuke-E · September 22, 2016

It's not too difficult. There's a little bit of a ridge in the plate that goes on the inside of the hood, and there's some flexibility in how far forward you mount it (though further forward is better for getting a good view). Mine is the Depo version, in black, which can be had on Amazon for $120 here. There's also a $20 mounting bracket you'll need, which you'll see a little further down on that page. Note that the left and right brackets are different, and you'll need to buy the 4 nuts needed to hold them on (M6 if I remember right).

Then, head over to the resource guide to add a camera to the mirror while you're at it. The one on the passenger mirror is more valuable than the mirror itself. I'd recommend a different camera now though--the manufacturer I used originally can't seem to figure out the difference between mirror and normal images. Here's what I've used since then: http://amzn.to/2cZEmaa

MrSeas · September 22, 2016

deleted

jeffw · September 22, 2016

http://www.advantagetruckparts.com/blog/tag/Hood+Mirrors has directions

There is also a youtube video showing the install but i'm not able to find it right now.

Nuke-E · September 22, 2016

This might get you started........

http://www.advantagetruckparts.com/content/0610_001.pdf

Yep. And they're the place to go to for the Depo ones. I deal with them quite a bit on headlights, and they've always been very easy to work with.

As far as the instructions, I can't see the need to disconnect the battery or put it in neutral with the wheels chocked--you're not doing anything electrical. I also didn't remove the grille--just hopped up on the frame rail to mark and pilot drill the holes from the inside out. That was before they had the instructions posted though, so I was winging it based on a YouTube video.

jeffw · September 22, 2016

youtube video is

Jeff.Sloan · September 22, 2016

I have a question about this that I have been pondering. If one were to install side cameras, like this 4 camera kit from leviathan_holdings for example:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/272319443648?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Would the hood mirrors still be needed? I'm inclined to think not, but HDTs are new to me so I could be completely wrong in my assumptions.

Also, If/when I go the camera route - where is the best spot on the truck to install the two side cameras?

Thanks, Jeff

SIBERNUT · September 22, 2016

Thanks, guys! I feel very comfortable with just the mirrors, no camera. (I do have one on the dash looking fwd, CYA)

On filling the holes, couple comments. Having done extensive work on almost every body panel, the hood is not "REAL" fiberglass. An adhesive like SEM or 3M Duramix will stick them together. But for holes, they tend to break loose and leave a ring in the paint. I have ground out a dish shape on the inside, and used FG cloth with Epoxy Resin (NOT polyester resin) to fill it. Then do the same on the outside, so the material has a wide surface to attach to, not just the hole. I got the mirrors as a trade for driving from my boss, but I think they're around $210 chrome w/ the plates off ebay.

Nuke-E · September 22, 2016

I have a question about this that I have been pondering. If one were to install side cameras, like this 4 camera kit from leviathan_holdings for example:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/272319443648?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Would the hood mirrors still be needed? I'm inclined to think not, but HDTs are new to me so I could be completely wrong in my assumptions.

Also, If/when I go the camera route - where is the best spot on the truck to install the two side cameras?

Thanks, Jeff

At least for me, my biggest blind spot is at the front of the truck. As soon as something is rear of the cab, I can see it easily in my regular side mirrors. The mirror over the passenger door (if I can ever figure out what I'm looking at) lets me see what's next to me, but nothing shows from about the A-pillar forward, particularly on the passenger side. From the hood mirror, I can see from roughly just above the top edge of the headlight housing back along the side of the hood, with a field of view that includes the next lane over. But I was disappointed that it wasn't convex enough to let me see the front corner of the truck, like some of the more spherical mirrors do (and that's why I added the camera).

What it turns out I use the hood mirror for most is for seeing who's at the door when I'm sitting at my desk. Milo gets irritated if he stands at the door for very long without it opening for him.

RickW · September 22, 2016

Would the hood mirrors still be needed? I'm inclined to think not, but HDTs are new to me so I could be completely wrong in my assumptions.

Also, If/when I go the camera route - where is the best spot on the truck to install the two side cameras?

Thanks, Jeff

Personally, I find the hood mirrors very handy. I am still more comfortable with the use of mirrors over the cameras except for the hitch/pin camera. I do have side view cameras. I only added them because my camera system does record video. So it does provide 270* (no rear road camera, it is pointed at hitch) view around me. Both of my side view cameras are mounted on the A pillar. I am very happy with the view I get from them.

Where I have found the side cameras most useful is in the rain. As the rain water collects on my mirrors they are more difficult to see anything in. The side cameras may accumulate water/mist but it tends to fall off the lens quickly and the water gets too heavy to stay on the vertical surface of the lens.