When you''re tearing through the dunes or navigating a tight wooded trail in your air-cooled beast, visibility isn''t just a luxuryit''s a safety requirement. The EMPI Aluminum Mirror Mount is the professional solution for mounting high-visibility billet panel mirrors directly to your roll cage or tube chassis. Engineered with a precision radius specifically designed to cradle a 1-1/2 inch diameter tube, these mounts eliminate the need for clumsy universal clamps or permanent welding. By utilizing a high-grade aluminum construction, these mounts provide a rock-solid foundation that resists the high-frequency vibrations common in off-road environments, ensuring your rearview image remains steady even when the terrain gets rough. Whether you''re building a competition sand rail or a street-legal Manx-style buggy, these mounts offer the clean, "billet" look that defines a high-quality build.
Installation is straightforward and non-destructive, making these mounts ideal for enthusiasts who want to preserve the finish of their powder-coated or painted roll cages. The bolt-on design allows for infinite adjustability along the length of your upper cage bar, letting you dial in the perfect line of sight for your panoramic or multi-panel mirror. Because these are manufactured by EMPI, a name synonymous with the Volkswagen performance scene for decades, you can trust that the tolerances are tight and the finish is top-tier. These mounts are sold as a pair, providing everything you need to securely fasten your mirror assembly to the overhead structure of your vehicle. Don''t settle for plastic brackets that brittle under the desert sun; upgrade to a mounting solution that matches the rugged durability of your VW-powered machine.
This mirror mount is designed for universal application on any vehicle utilizing a 1-1/2 inch (1.50") OD round tube chassis or roll bar. Common fitments include:
1. Protect Your Powder Coat
While these aluminum mounts are precision-machined, metal-on-metal contact can sometimes mar the finish of a painted or powder-coated roll cage. I always recommend placing a single wrap of thin electrical tape or a small strip of clear 3M paint protection film around the tube before clamping the mount down. This creates a "gasket" effect that prevents the mount from spinning under heavy vibration and ensures that if you ever decide to move the mirror, your cage tubing remains scratch-free and pristine.
2. Prevent Galling with Anti-Seize
When assembling aluminum components with stainless steel or plated hardware, galling (cold welding) can occur, making it nearly impossible to remove the bolts later. Before you thread the mounting bolts into the aluminum body, apply a tiny dab of silver-grade anti-seize to the threads. This is especially critical for beach buggies or vehicles exposed to salt air, as it prevents electrolysis from locking the fasteners in place over time. It makes future adjustments much easier and saves you from the headache of a snapped bolt.
3. Perfect the Panoramic Alignment
To get the most out of a multi-panel panoramic mirror, alignment is key. Don''t fully torque the bolts until you are sitting in the driver''s seat in your standard driving position. Have a buddy slide the mounts along the radius of the tube until the mirror is perfectly centered to your eye level. Because these mounts use a radius cut, you can rotate them slightly around the circumference of the 1-1/2 inch tube to adjust the vertical tilt of the mirror, which is vital for getting the correct "horizon" view behind the vehicle regardless of your cage''s rake angle.