Syncro mirrors - converting to LT type

[GreatCrestedNewt]

I was looking at door mirrors on the fine display of Syncros at VanFest and saw that some had the LT type fitted. I need to replace the mirrors on my '87 syncro and am wondering if a direct replacement with the more substantial LT type is worthwhile and fairly straightforward. The lower stay/bar mounting point appears to be in the same position but the upper fixing point is obviously not there on the standard door panel. If anyone could advise on this I would be glad to hear. Can the upper fixing go directly into the door panel with self-tapping fixings or are captive nuts or similar needed? Cheers.

[syncropaddy]

Here is a set of Tristar mirrors on German ebay

http://cgi.ebay.de/VW-T2-T3-Syncro-2-WD ... .m14.l1262" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Fitting is straightforward as the bottom mounts are the same and self tappers hold on the top although you can use rivinuts but there isnt a lot of room to hold them. Take your time with the installation though as you only get one shot at it!!
Are they worth it? Yup!

[Zebedee]

Is the only difference between the T3 mirrors and LT mirrors the angle of the top mounting arm?
They look the same apart from that.

[peasant]

Just to clarify, there are genuine T3 wide mirrors and then there are similar ones for the LT

The genuine T3 wide mirrors fit no problem, the LT mirrors don't.

LT ones have a different base plate (needs to be modified to fit T3) plus the arm also is at a different angle so that mirror isn't vertical but slightly crooked.

The genuine article is very expensive, as a result LT mirror prices have risen in its wake.

IMO LT mirrors are only worth fitting (and fettling with) if you get them cheap or for free


LT mirror left (fitted to a LT), genuine T3 right

[Gunslinger]

I am tending to disagree with the previous post as i've just fitted a set of later type LT mirrors. The top mount is a slightly different angle but pulls up straight when screwed in and the mirror is adjustable so does sit square.
The base plate either needs modifying or a new hole drilling in the door (i've done the latter) and they look good. Four holes need drilling in each door but fitting took a total of around 10 mons each mirror.
These are brand new units so there may have been some mods since the originals, there is also several different arms fitted to LT's and I made sure the ones I got had the shorter section going to the top bracket.
Van is away at the mo but will post pics when back.

[Gunslinger]

on second viewing of the pics shown I can see how the heated mirror wont sit square due to the channel running down the back. The mirrors I have are non-heated so the mirror can be adjusted in all directions

[peasant]

nothing to do with heated or non heated.

Look at the top of the actual bar and you will see that the T3 mirror has a bout 10 cm of horizontal bar there that the LT mirror hasn't.

This is due to the LT door frame being much more upright than the T3, which slopes futher in.

Fit an LT mirror to a T3 and the whole assembly is crooked. You might be able to set the mirror straight, tha bar still is crooked

[Gunslinger]

nothing to do with heated or non heated.

Look at the top of the actual bar and you will see that the T3 mirror has a bout 10 cm of horizontal bar there that the LT mirror hasn't.

This is due to the LT door frame being much more upright than the T3, which slopes futher in.

Fit an LT mirror to a T3 and the whole assembly is crooked. You might be able to set the mirror straight, tha bar still is crooked

Right, yep, I understand what you are saying. Its only my opinion but mine look fine to me and the fact you can square up the mirror makes a difference to the way it looks.
Pictures will explain better. I'll post some up when I get the van back.
But in response to the original post, in my opinion, they are a viable option and easy to fit

[ThorAlex]

the solution to using LT mirrors is to cut a bit of the lower part of the bar to get it closer, then it will sit right.

[peasant]

To avoid having to drill another hole into the door in order to fit LT mirrors, some people have sucessfully modified the the fixing plate of a standard mirror to take the LT mirror bar

[Gunslinger]

Another consideration might be the availability of syncro mirrors. Are they available from sources other than VW as they are obsolete from there and LT mirrors are still available new.
I searched for synchro mirrors and they seem as rare as rocking horse droppings and on the odd occasion they do pop up they are very expensive.
Just a thought

[peasant]

yes, they have gone terribly expensive. Every now and then a new batch shows up with the usual supsects (Busschmiede, Jaeger, Busman, etc) and every time they are more expensive.

I bought my set two years ago for 175 euro incl freight ...these days that's almost the price for one ...if you can get it at all.

[Gunslinger]

I can get LT sets for £150 if anyones interested inc p&p to UK

[markymarkson]

LT mirrors are great if they are cheap.
They don't fit correctly and your rear view is angled.

It has crossed my mind as to whether a 13mm piece of copper pipe could be easily bent to form the correct angle for the head to mount on???

In hind sight, if I had the cash I would certainly opt for the T3 syncro mirror opposed to the LT

[Gunslinger]

Pics of my new LT mirrors as promised. Sorry they were taken in the dark but you'll get the idea