Fitting MSA Towing Mirrors to Older 4x4s in Remote Areas

Many people residing in Australia’s remote areas love towing and own old 4x4s. With long hauls between towns, corrugated tracks, and limited workshop access, fitting towing mirrors to the old 4x4s is not as simple as in the cities. MSA Towing Mirrors are a great choice for many towers. 

However, there are many things to take into consideration apart from just bolting them on. Explore this blog for some vital tips and considerations for fitting the towing mirrors successfully to an old 4×4 in Australia’s remote areas. 

Reasons why MSA mirrors are favourites in older 4×4 builds

Here are some reasons why MSA mirrors are a favourite in the old 4×4 builds:

• Built for rugged conditions – The towing mirrors slide out while towing and retract back when not in use. This reduces damage from knocks and scratches while bush driving or driving on narrow tracks. The heavy-duty slides and extension mechanisms are targeted towards durability. 
• Vehicle-specific fitting kits for the classics – MSA manufactures electric towing mirror kits for popular old Land Cruiser 70-series models with options suitable for ‘old steel dash’ or ‘plastic dash’ variants. 

The MSA Towing Mirrors are the old 4x4s, which might otherwise struggle with non-folding standard mirrors or weak mirror bases. 

Things to look for while assessing mounting compatibility

If you are retrofitting in remote areas in Australia, keep the following things in mind:

• Dash type and wiring considerations – In the old Land Cruiser 70 series, there is an ‘old steel dash’ and ‘plastic dash’ version. The ‘old steel dash’ mirrors might need switch kit installations or special wiring. This might be coupled with mounting the switch sideways or custom routing. 
• Base strength and door mounting points – Old vehicle doors often have thin metal or weak internal brackets. In such cases, mounting a large, extendable towing mirror can cause mounting tears or vibrations. You might need reinforcement or use an MSA with a large base. 
• Regulation compliance – Even in remote Australian areas, it is mandatory to comply with Australian Design Rule 14/02 and state road rules. The mirror should provide clear visibility behind and down both sides of the trailer. Also, there should be provisions for folding or removing the mirror when not towing. 
• Mirror shape, folding, and clearance – It is best if the mirrors can be folded or retracted, protecting them in tight places or when not towing. The doors should open without hampering the mirror shells. 

Tips for long-term satisfaction while installing towing mirrors in old 4x4s

• Before buying, test-fit the towing mirror from Brixton4x4.com.au to the door and check visibility and interference. 
• Have some adjustment mechanism or carry a spare mirror glass in remote places so that you can make a temporary replacement rather than drive without a mirror. 
• Take care of the towing mirrors to make them survive the weather. 

On the road On a long road or in the country the side and rear view functions are not a luxury, they are a safety measure as they aid in avoiding danger when passing lanes and also ease reversing and calm the nerves when going around the winding bends or through a narrow camping ground. The field-friendly, practical list of how to select, fit and service towing mirrors to older 4x4s, when you are not in a fully equipped workshop, is below.

Select the appropriate mirror to the job

To start with, grab towing mirrors – these are typically provided with either a longer arm or a larger mirror glass, sometimes split in two (flat and convex) to see in the near and the distant. Choose between generic clamp-on mirrors, bolt-on door kits, or model-specific mirrors. Remote installs usually involve the clamp-on or clamp + strap, which is the most convenient type since it needs only a few tools and is also reversible. Most 4x4s have power mirrors or heated glass and want these features to be incorporated, then find direct-fit solutions or universal mirrors with wiring adapters – these will need additional wiring.

• Assemble small, necessary items and components.
• You do not require a room of equipment. For most remote fits, pack:
• Ratchet or spanners (metric set 817 mm)
• Screwdrivers (flat and Phillips)
• Drill with spare parts (assuming that you are drilling mount holes)
• Pop rivet gun and rivets (thin and fast to join sheets)
• Good clamp straps and hose-clamps.
• Threadlocker (average strength) and anti-seize.
• Wiring electrical connectors, tape, heatshrink and multi-meter.
• Rubber shims or thin neoprene of marine grade to eliminate vibration.
• A torch, safety glasses and gloves.
• Carry spare bolts/nuts and a reel of gaffer tape One thing or another in the field is a savior.

Mounting possibilities and fast-fit solutions

Clamp-on mirrors: Fastest and easiest. They are simply fitted to the mirror that is already in place and attached using adjustable straps/clamps. Make sure that any clamps getting into your hands are clamped on hard structure and not plastic. Apply rubber shims to avoid damage and tight on equal footing to avoid vibration. Also good on short excursions and short term towing.

Wiring in powered features

When your towing mirror has power-folding, indicators or heating, the wiring to the remote areas is time-consuming:

• Test the functions of the mirror and then install it permanently.
• Connect insulated connectors to the power wires of the vehicle mirror; a multimeter can be used to determine the appropriate circuits (12 V supply, ground and any signal wires).
• Apply heatshrink tubing and waterproof connectors – water and vibration and bad crimps = failure in the future.
• In case you are not sure how to wire it, install mirrors in the manual mode, until you get to town and a decent shop.

Coherence, stabilization and legal balance

When mounted, sit in driver seat and make the mirror in such a way that you can view beside the trailer wheel and a part of the back of your 4×4. The trailer edge must be indicated on the outer edge of the towing mirror; the glass of the interior mirror must indicate the lane adjacent to you. Test on brief drive and re-screw fasteners.

To reduce vibration:

• Mount Body neoprene or rubber pads.
• Insert nylon-insert nuts or lock washers.
• Ensure that the angle of the arms is in place; excessively extended arms raise vibration.

Never forget to obey the local vehicle width and mirror laws – in some places one needs to show a minimum field of view by mirrors, or must have a minimum width when towing. In case of interstate or cross-country towing, it is possible to pay the fine by making a quick check at the next service stop.

Repairs and maintenance of the field.

In distant places you will find it better to be independent:

• Bring extra clamps, a piece of a short length of braided stainless steel cable and hose clamps – these will jury-rig a broken mount.
• Have one small tube of marine adhesive and a few pop rivets.
• Tighten and check on the initial 50100 km, then frequently on rough trips.
• Wipe mirrors clean with some mild soap and a microfiber cloth; sticky resin or dust on the tracks can diminish visibility very fast.

Concluding practical issues.

Choose a clamp-on or temporary bolt-over fitting, in case you are unsure about how to drill or do complicated wiring in the bush; this is much easier to remove and will not cause much damage to the vehicle.

Summing it up

Fitting third-party towing mirrors to old cars in remote areas is tough. In some cases, it is necessary as well. Keep the above pointers in mind while installing the towing mirrors, and you will be good to go for long hauls safely, while maintaining compliance.