Mirror Project is a go!

[fitz]

Have just bought my rover 200 mirrors today to fit to my '87 SE with the non existant rubber covers (which have perished).

now I just need to...

1) wire a feed to both doors from the rear screen relay to feed the heated backing plate
2) fabricate a mounting plate.
3) Test motors with current wiring / if fail replace motors with BMW E36 type.
4) wire in multi plugs for removal.

will update this to let you know how i get on, chosen these mirrors because they are about the best more available fit in keeping with the cars looks (i think will only tell when on the car)!

[chrisw2811]

Great - I'd like to see how they turn out as mine may need to be done.

[Ozzy_UK]

watching this with great interest as my wing mirrors really let the car down!
Lots of pics please!

[Ozzy_UK]

these look quite similar too:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LAND-ROVER-DISCOV ... 230dc47efb

[RRHANS]

I had the same on my first Range Rover 300tdi and they are twice the size compared to our standard mirrors.
I think they will look like "dumbo's ears" on the Excel.

[fitz]

Update:

recieved my test mirror today, its too cold / late to have a play with the electrics, but I have offered it up and it looks like a good size / fit, actually fractionally smaller than current mirror.

It looks like it would mount ok on the existing plinth with a little modification, I have a spare on its way to fiddle with. you will loose the ability to fold the mirrors in however. I'm going to have a play with this method as as much as I'd like to think i'd be engineer a plinth up myself, I think it would be a last resort!

will try electrics and try and take some pics tomorrow!

[chrisw2811]

My mirrors don't seem to want to fold in anyway!

[fitz]

A little update on this.

The wiring is not directly compatible, due the single motor design of the lotus units, the later rover units use a more conventional double motor arrangement.

It is easy to ammend the wiring, so I procured the two kinds of rover door adjustment switch that operate these era mirrors, neither fit will in the original location, they are both slightly too wide, they may squeeze in, but it wouldn't look right, and it is not practical to trim the switches.

I am tempted to mount either on the under column shroud, it would look fairly smart there, but i'm not sure if im confident in my skills to do this correctly, its not like i can do down the local dealer and pick another one up for £20, plus it creates an irreversable modification, which i'm trying not to do.

The switch on my corsa is small enough and of the double motor variety, so that is an option i may take.

I'm probably going to update to the 91-93 mirror switches as well, my drivers ones don't illuminate and the drivers window switch catches on occasion.

I'm also looking into the possibility of adding radio remote control options for << >> and volume to the door switch panel, if there is room.

I've got next week off so will probably go hunting down the local scrappy for a second rover 200 mirror and an appropraite control switch.

I also have my 3rd brake light to fit!

[chrisw2811]

That's what holidays are for

[fitz]

Whilst looking at Sj's parts list today i noticed that they have the correct mirrors for sale at £80, I don't know if this is limited old stock etc.

but in the words of Jeremy Paxman, 'i've started so i'll finish' plus the rover 200 mirrors are a little smaller = smaller frontal area / increased speed / increased economy / added lightness..

Colin would be proud..

[RRHANS]

Don't forget to take pics.
I am looking forward to see the result.

[fitz]

Right, I think I just about have everything i need either here or on order.

Current Parts List:
- 2 x 1995-2000 rover 200 mirrors heated electric in black.
- 1 x Ford Mondeo MK3 mirror switch + plug for cables. (See explanation below).
- 1 x 2.5" exhaust repair pipe (this is makes up part of the base plate)
- 2 x M24 bolts (will need cutting down and a hole drilled through the middle)
- 2 x M24 nuts (welded to the flat metal of the base plate to secure through window)
- 1 x 1.2mm thick mild steel sheet.

The hollow bolt through the door has a non standard thread, which 'bites' into the plastic of the mirror base where it attaches. the M24 bolt and nut are to replace this. I'll basically fabricate a triangle out of the steel sheet to sit snugly at the leeding edge of the door frame, this will likely be backed by foam / rubber to protect the glass. This will have a round cutout to match the hole in the glass. the hollowed and shortened bolt will go through this, with a rubber/plastic washer to protect glass from inside. The nut will likely need to be cut in half to save space, and will be welded over this. Next the exhaust pipe will be cut at the correct angle to be flush with the door glass, but result in a vertical opposing end for the mirror to be attached to. This will then need a small metal plate welded inside, vertical, with two small holes to allow the mirror to be attached. This will then be trimmed at an appropriate size, and then the mirror mountings trimmed to suit. The mirror can then be attached to the mounting, which can then be attached to the car.

Switch Location, where the current switch is located on the door, does not give us a lot of width to play with. Both the rover switches, square and joystick type, will 'just' fit, but IMHO would look pushed / squashed into place, if you are handy, the later joystick one probably as enough facia to be 'trimmed' to fit neater. If you wish to keep this location, the only suitable switch for dual motor mirrors I have seen, is the small vauxhall one, I have one on my Corsa 'c'. This is small enough to be located in the original location with a new switch plate made up.

I intend to located the Ford switch in place of the cigar lighter, I don't smoke and anything I try to attach results in either a) me being unable to use 3rd gear b) the transformer for said item (and my hand) being crushed. I plan to relocate this to the glovebox. The extra space in the switch plate, I may use to locate radio controls normally found on modern steering wheels (just volume and track change).

I'll take pictures during the build in the event I don't crash and burn and that it looks good!

[fitz]

A little update on this.

Wiring is completed and installed, complete with multi plugs. I settled on the ford mirror switch from the mk1 focus, mk3 mondeo and probably some others, fitted in lieu of the cigar lighter. It looks very smart and unobtrusive.

The wiring has been tested working, its a custom loom but wasn't that difficult to do with the help of an auto electrician!

Just working on the mounting now..

[fitz]

With a lot of help from a couple of other lotus owners...i'm almost finished...a couple of pics for you to enjoy...




let me know what you think..

[MattDebbage]

One on the driver's side looks great. Dont like the manky old thing on the other side though