First thing I did was to check the law to see if a side mirror is required, nope.
Listing of state laws on side mirrors:
====LIST of STATE MIRROR LAWS==== - JeepForum.com
For me:
MICHIGAN VEHICLE CODE (EXCERPT)
Act 300 of 1949
257.708 Mirrors.
Sec. 708.
A person shall not drive a motor vehicle on a highway which is so constructed or loaded as to prevent the driver from obtaining a view of the highway to the rear by looking backward from the driver's position, unless the vehicle is equipped with a mirror located so as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway to the rear of the vehicle. In addition all motor vehicles shall be equipped with an outside rearview mirror on the driver's side which shall be positioned to give the driver a rearviewing angle from the driver's side of the vehicle, except a motor vehicle licensed as an historic vehicle if the vehicle was not originally equipped with an outside rearview mirror. Rearview mirrors may be positioned on the helmet or visor worn by the operator of a motorcycle if the helmet is securely attached to the head of the operator. Every commercial vehicle of 1/2 ton capacity or more, operating upon the public highways of this state, shall be equipped with 2 mirrors, 1 on each side, adjusted so that the operator shall have a clear view of the highway behind the commercial vehicle. The outside mirrors shall not be considered to be a part of the vehicle for the purpose of determining the maximum width under section 717.
History: 1949, Act 300, Eff. Sept. 23, 1949 ;-- Am. 1967, Act 90, Eff. Jan. 1, 1968 ;-- Am. 1970, Act 94, Imd. Eff. July 20, 1970 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 55, Imd. Eff. Mar. 10, 1978
© 2007 Legislative Council, State of Michigan
I decided to try just an inside convex mirror for my passenger side. After testing it out (by taping it on) I decided that the view was enough for me and my driving, you need to make your own choice if the risks are worth it.
Here is my before pictures:
From the look of things on the inside all I needed to do is pop off the plastic. I was right:
Under the plastic cover I found that three nuts held the mirror on. Once I took them off the mirror came right off.
Between the mirror and the door was a plastic seal. I used that for my template for the cover I made from sheet metal:
I marked the size I needed and then cut 3/8" to 1/2" larger all the way around:
then I bent the metal along the line I made. Once it was bent up I hammered it over (flattened it). Then it was time for a test fit:
The shape was just right but there was a gap on the side facing the back of the car. I made a wooden shim to fill the hole:
To attach this cover I wanted not to have to screw through from the out side (I wanted a smooth surface for looks and aerodynamics). To make this happen I decided to make a wooden block that would bolt through the rubber seal and use the same holes a the OEM mirror did. I would then Epoxy the metal cover to the wooden block. This allows the whole assembly to be removed from the car just like the OEM mirror was (all mods I do to my car are reversible).
I had to attach the wooden block to the car before I could epoxy the cover on, otherwise the shape would not be right (the rubber seal does not hold it's shape). I also painted the outside of the cover before I epoxied it on (anther coat will come after the epoxy is set up).
Once the epoxy is cured up I will re move the tape and test it out.
I will also likely need to apply a bead of caulk between the rubber seal and cover to keep water out (there are some gaps due to the design of the OEM mirror).
Once the painting is done I will re pop on the plastic cover on the inside and attach my replacement mirror (more pics then).