3D Print Mirror Delete Covers (now printed in stainless steel)

[Jack27]

I’d love to do this but as I understand it, in CA at least, you need a driver side mirror and one other mirror. Cameras don’t count. It has to be an actual mirror. I wonder if anyone makes minimalist mirrors that could fit in those slots, not look terrible, yet give the truck a more minimalist look.

It’s true but also in Cali front window tint , loud exhaust, mud flaps for tires that stick to far out, painting your license plate are all also illegal but everyone does it still lol

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[TickTock]

It’s true but also not Cali front window tint , load exhaust, mud flaps for tires that stick to far out, painting your license plate are all also illegal but everyone does it still lol

Yeah, I was toying with an ambitious project of a "pop-up" compliance side mirror using the mirror-fold signal. Mirror lays flat facing upward, but when you see sparkly lights, you tap fold/unfold and a little pump inflates a blow-up arm to position it into a compliant position.

However, when I learned I was legal in AZ it became very low priority.

 

[Cyberbully]

I've thought about removing my side mirrors, but there are safety issues that have to be addressed.

Before removing the side mirrors, I'd have to ween myself off the instinctive/subconscious reliance on them. Gradually adjusting a mirror away from the optimum viewing angle until they become useless is one way to do so. One can activate a turn signal to get a side view display when making a lane change, but I often want to check my side view before activating the turn signal. I also need a quick way to check for a car in my blind spot before making an unanticipated lane change (e.g., to avoid a collision with another car). Relying on the red LED as a blind spot check is helpful but somehow not totally satisfying. I'd probably go back to looking over my shoulder for reassurance before making a sudden lane change. I'm also concerned about the safety of removing the side mirrors and letting others drive my truck. It all boils down to wondering if I should just leave them on.

Tesla could eliminate these problems if they provided the option to display the right and left side view cameras along with the rear camera display without taking up the entire screen. I suspect they are reluctant to do so.

What I'd really like is a dedicated display of the right and left side cameras above the steering wheel like this early Aptera prototype.

I completely agree. I think the apterra style screen is probably very close to an aftermarket reality. There’s been aftermarket “dash screens” for the X and Y for several years. I’m certain a CT model is only a matter of time. China is likely already beginning to pump these out.
Or…I’d prefer an iPad option if someone would make an aftermarket adapter to integrate with the factory computer and options

 

[Cybergirl]

I removed the driver side mirror from the Cybertruck today. It was easy to do. The damage done to the mirror is worse than I thought and it would mean purchasing a complete mirror at over $500 to undo the damage. I won’t be replacing it. Instead, I’m going to attempt to install side view cameras with a dedicated split screen display on the dash that will provide a continuous rear view of the road on both sides.

As I mentioned earlier, there are 9 states with statutes that require that my truck, registered in Arizona, have at least one side view mirror. Oklahoma is one we drive through on our journey to and from Arizona twice a year that requires two mirrors:

A. Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a mirror mounted on the left side of the vehicle and so positioned and located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway to the rear of the motor vehicle.

B. Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with an additional mirror mounted either inside the vehicle approximately in the center or outside the vehicle on the right side and so positioned and located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway to the rear of the vehicle.

Since the interior mirror is unusable when the tonneau is down, I’ll need a mirror on both sides of the truck when driving in Oklahoma. The states that require two mirrors are:

Alaska
California*
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana*
Maryland*
Michigan*
North Carolina*
Oklahoma
Rhode Island
Utah
Washington
Wisconsin
Wyoming

* Applies to in-state registered vehicles only

My plan to avoid being ticketed for not having side mirrors in the 9 states that require me to have them is to temporarily mount mirrors on the right and left sides when traveling in these states. I purchased two 3.8” diameter mirrors that will be held in place on the outside stainless steel doors of the truck with strong magnets (Cybertruck stainless steel is magnetic). The mirrors will be functional although I don’t expect to rely on them since the cameras will provide better views to the rear, and I will be adapted to using the cameras. I’ll remove the mirrors when not legally required to have them. The mirrors will, however, serve as back up should the cameras fail for some reason, or when another person drives the truck who is not accustomed to using side view cameras.

The mirrors are normally meant for motorcycles. The set of two mirrors and two magnetic brackets will cost about $80. I'll have to put the entire set up to the test, of course. I could run into problems that will have to be addressed.

 

[OldDirtyRobot]

I've been driving without side-view mirrors for a couple of months. The biggest downside was backing up into a parking spot, but the recent parking vision update resolved that. I get more than enough information from the cameras, blind spot sensor "red LED," and visualization while in traffic.

 

[TickTock]

I removed the driver side mirror from the Cybertruck today. It was easy to do. The damage done to the mirror is worse than I thought and it would mean purchasing a complete mirror at over $500 to undo the damage. I won’t be replacing it. Instead, I’m going to attempt to install side view cameras with a dedicated split screen display on the dash that will provide a continuous rear view of the road on both sides.

:-O What happened? I missed how you damaged it.

I keep my mirrors handy in case I ever decide to let someone else drive it. As you said, they are very easy to remove and re-install (as Tesla intended).

 

[Cybergirl]

:-O What happened? I missed how you damaged it.

I keep my mirrors handy in case I ever decide to let someone else drive it. As you said, they are very easy to remove and re-install (as Tesla intended).

My garage is rather narrow. I was backing out of the garage (I was distracted and forgot to fold the mirrors). The driver side mirror hit the frame of the garage door, shattering the plastic cover.

 

[GnarlyDudeLive]

How about a tiny aero efficient mirror facing the rear of the vehicle with a camera facing the mirror all packaged into a small enough form factor to fit the empty mirror slot that feeds to a screen inside. State compliant "mirror" and usable as a digital replacement. Something around 1/10th or less the aero drag and size we current have in place yet "legal". Also could the upper rack location mount on the roof peak be outfitted with a sleek aero camera for a digital rear view mirror usage with WAY less wiring effort and access to a power port already in place?

 

[Jack27]

I’m already struggling to look at the center screen for the rear view. If i took off my side mirrors we all
Would be in trouble

 

[Ljhughes8]

I’d love to do this but as I understand it, in CA at least, you need a driver side mirror and one other mirror. Cameras don’t count. It has to be an actual mirror. I wonder if anyone makes minimalist mirrors that could fit in those slots, not look terrible, yet give the truck a more minimalist look.

There a guy who made some on you tube. I will see if I can find it

 

[Ljhughes8]

I’d love to do this but as I understand it, in CA at least, you need a driver side mirror and one other mirror. Cameras don’t count. It has to be an actual mirror. I wonder if anyone makes minimalist mirrors that could fit in those slots, not look terrible, yet give the truck a more minimalist look.

Found the video

 

[Cybergirl]

How about a tiny aero efficient mirror facing the rear of the vehicle with a camera facing the mirror all packaged into a small enough form factor to fit the empty mirror slot that feeds to a screen inside. State compliant "mirror" and usable as a digital replacement. Something around 1/10th or less the aero drag and size we current have in place yet "legal". Also could the upper rack location mount on the roof peak be outfitted with a sleek aero camera for a digital rear view mirror usage with WAY less wiring effort and access to a power port already in place?

Interesting idea. One possible issue is that in states that require a driver side mirror, any solution that looks like the mirror is missing could attract a traffic stop. Also, in at least one Canadian province (Saskatchewan?) the minimum size of the driver side mirror is 6000mm2.

 

[TickTock]

I’m already struggling to look at the center screen for the rear view. If i took off my side mirrors we all
Would be in trouble

You get used to it. Now I struggle to drive a normal car.

 

[Cybergirl]

I’m still working on my side camera design. I haven’t received a quote from IN3DTEC for the stainless steel printed covers that TickTock has designed. I sent an inquiry to them this morning to make sure they got it.

I had another idea that intrigues me. I found a set of 8 stainless steel card blanks on Amazon that just happen to match the length (85mm) of the opening in the door where the factory mirror is mounted. These cards are 0.85 mm thick. They look to have the same radius corners as the hole in the door (same as a standard credit card). It wouldn’t be too hard to use one of these blanks to cover the hole. I’d only have to cut or bend the card to match the width of the hole.

The blank could then be glued to a support piece fastened to the same bracket to which the factory mirror is bolted. The SS cover would be flush with the door panel for a nice clean appearance like this custom made cover at OCDetailing YouTube channel (I would remove the rubber piece).

The SS cover support piece can be designed and printed or made by hand since it won’t be visible when installed. I would use the factory 3-hole mirror mount as a template to fashion a wood support piece without much effort.

I haven't decided yet where to tap into Cybertruck’s 48V DC power for the cameras. A 48V source will require a 48V to 12V step down converter. They aren't very big, but need some space to be mounted. I think that tapping into the 48V pigtail under the frunk lining is the best place to mount the converter. Then run the 12V supply line into the cab to power the side view cameras and display.

 

[Cybergirl]

Found the video

Nice woodworking shop!

The video shows an innovative way to satisfy laws in states that require a driver side mirror should you decide to remove CT's factory mirrors for improved aerodynamics (better range). I'm not aware of any U.S. state that sets a minimum size for the mirror as long as it provides the necessary rear visibility. The video didn't demonstrate that.

Will it satisfy the police in a traffic stop? Maybe, maybe not. If not, in California: "A mechanical or equipment ticket points out a fault or discrepancy with your vehicle. The discrepancy must be corrected and verified by a law enforcement officer before being returned to the issuing station. The verified ticket MUST be returned to the issuing station within 30 days. If this is not completed within the 30 days, the matter will be referred to the local court for processing. The issuing station's address is stamped on the back of the ticket." -California Highway Patrol

I plan to hang on to my Tesla mirrors if I receive an equipment citation.

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