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The Scion xB is a lot of car for the money, but it has its faults. For example, it has some horrible blind spots. The combination of a long roof overhang, high beltline, big side mirrors, rather thick A-pillars and especially the wide C-pillars all conspire together to limit vision, especially when backing up or changing lanes. I've been surprised more than once, despite adding convex spot mirrors to the side mirrors and careful second looks. So to try to improve things, I upgraded my rear view mirror.
(This mod took place in April 2014.)
In early July 2013 I bought this Broadway 270mm "flat" mirror (BW745). I say "flat" in quotes because the mirror actually has a convex reflecting surface which widens your view rearward. The 270mm size was perfect for fitting between the sun visors.
Unfortunately, since it is convex, it has the same effect as your convex right side mirror: "Objects in mirror are actually closer than they appear". It improved rear vision, but distorted the view. Instead I wanted something that provided an even wider view, without distortion.
I've had experience with Rally Wink Panoramic Mirrors before, and they provided great rear and side vision, but they have their drawbacks. For example, they sometimes interfere with sun visors, and they can block your view of overhead traffic signals. So I tried to live with the Broadway mirror for a few months, but ultimately, I decided to go with a Wink mirror.
Here's what comes in the box, including bolts and sheet metal screws. The directions (on the side of the box) say to line up the right hand edge of the leftmost mirror above your steering column, but that can be varied according to personal preference.
To ensure that I put the mounting screws into sheet metal, I wanted to first feel under the headliner. To do that I removed the sunvisors. This is the clip on the drivers side. To remove it, twist it as shown (passenger side is rotated in the opposite direction), then pull it straight out.
The base of the clip is exposed. It is held in place by two plastic tabs, just gently pry them inwards towards the center of the clip to release the clip from the roof.
The sunvisior mount is secured in a similar way. Simply pry the cover off, then the sunvisor mount can easily be removed from the roof.
After some deliberation I decided to mount the left hand bracket close to the left hand sunvisor mount. I drilled the first hole.
Note that I wound some tape on my drill bit to act as a drill stop. This is important to keep your drill from accidently bursting thru the inner layer of metal and then going on to dent the outer layer of metal (which is your roof!)
I temporarily bolted up the mirror and all the hardware to determine the location of the right hand bracket, first checking under the headliner to make sure that there was sheetmetal underneath to screw into.
After drilling a single hole, I again temporarily bolted up the mirror and all the hardware to determine the location of the second screw for each bracket, then drilled both second holes. I removed the mirror then secured the right hand bracket.
I went back to the left hand side and secured the left hand bracket. I used my own sheet metal screws.
(In hindsight, I should have put this bracket a bit more to the right, to better center the rearward view.)
I "popped" the OEM rear view mirror off of the ball and socket mount and kept the mirror neck to help brace the new Wink mirror in the middle, to help dampen vibration.
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I formed some aluminum sheet metal into a U shape in order to clamp around the ball of the OEM mirror neck. I placed a foam pad then screwed the bracket into the back of the Wink mirror using two self-tapping screws
I found that the metal mounting straps included with the Wink mirror interfered slightly with my sunvisiors, so I decided to make new ones that were about 1" longer out of 3/4" wide aluminum strap. Here are the aluminum straps (along with my own 1/4" diameter attachment hardware) ready to paint flat black.
Right: the right hand strap, installed
Below: mirror installed (pic taken from back seat)
This picture show my new view to the rear. Notice how much wider the coverage is, I can even see on the sides of the car.
Thanks to the longer straps, I have no problems using my sunvisors.
Next: Turn Switched DRLs
You can send your questions or comments to BrickPig2011xb@gmail.com
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