Anyone running wipers bigger than 16" oem?

AuroraGirl said:

The ones I put on my 1980 seem to sit okay, I didnt perfectly align them, but i dont see road and the wipers get over powered by leafs and stop, requiring me to wiggle the arm to resume function, so ive put proper alignment on the back burner. I did put them more paralel with the windshield at the park position because they actually would jump over the windshield seal and lay on the paint. not sure if thats malfunction, my grandpa if he had them off in the past and didnt realign properly, or if that is factory function(wouldnt think so), I think my driver has a slight incline while passenger is level at park. I might try that adapter to go from the little button to J hook and reuse the factory silver arms, just because i like the looks and gives me a J hook rather than the pin, also the arms i bought are cheap and would probably bend under wind on a highway, not impressed. Fit and function, but very weak, can easily bend it out of shape. ive only got 4 sets of original arms, I used one for the longest time to latch the door shut to my shed, it was long and fit lmao

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I think that's a cool door latch. I should add that my original arms were had quite a bit of slop at the joint / hinge area so they may have not rested properly. My new arms seem to be of good quality, I could get the part number and manufacture when I'm back to work on Monday if anyone is interested. As a side note I've decided to take care of the crack in the windshield so I'll be getting a replacement on Monday.

Got a good rain this afternoon, and I'm just going to say the difference is night and day. I honestly did not think 2" of additional blade length would make much of differance. If it weren't for this thread I would have put 16" back on, now I'll never go back to them. The new arms, with good proper springs, holding the blades on the windshield properly makes a huge difference.

I was going to post a video, but I can't seem to get it to upload. Anyone know what the allowed video extensions are?

SirRobyn0 said:

Got a good rain this afternoon, and I'm just going to say the difference is night and day. I honestly did not think 2" of additional blade length would make much of differance. If it weren't for this thread I would have put 16" back on, now I'll never go back to them. The new arms, with good proper springs, holding the blades on the windshield properly makes a huge difference.

I was going to post a video, but I can't seem to get it to upload. Anyone know what the allowed video extensions are?

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cant you upload to youtube then click the + icon to add a url. or upload to the media page and link to it from the image icon

SirRobyn0 said:

I think that's a cool door latch. I should add that my original arms were had quite a bit of slop at the joint / hinge area so they may have not rested properly. My new arms seem to be of good quality, I could get the part number and manufacture when I'm back to work on Monday if anyone is interested. As a side note I've decided to take care of the crack in the windshield so I'll be getting a replacement on Monday.

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I would definitely be interested in PN#s. I HATE my original arms with the pin. They work halfway decent but I’m used to modern mono-blades on my other trucks so these old style suck lol


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I used Dorman PN#42580, my local Autozone had them in stock. Then I order Bosch clear advantage wiper blades from a wholesale place part #18CA Not to sure if the wiper blade part number will carry over to retail or not. The difference is huge. It's like a total modernization of the blades you'll love it.

SirRobyn0 said:

I used Dorman PN#42580, my local Autozone had them in stock. Then I order Bosch clear advantage wiper blades from a wholesale place part #18CA Not to sure if the wiper blade part number will carry over to retail or not. The difference is huge. It's like a total modernization of the blades you'll love it.

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Thanks! Will definitely be getting some of those ASAP


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Got the new windshield installed the other day. Thought I'd mention it here for anyone interested that didn't see it in the other thread. It's post #9999

https://www.gmsquarebody.com/threads/what-have-you-done-to-your-square-lately.3435/page-2000

SirRobyn0 said:

I used Dorman PN#42580, my local Autozone had them in stock. Then I order Bosch clear advantage wiper blades from a wholesale place part #18CA Not to sure if the wiper blade part number will carry over to retail or not. The difference is huge. It's like a total modernization of the blades you'll love it.

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Did you use 42580 for both sides? I think the years those were for had a right and left (42579? also). THANKS!

Doppleganger said:

Did you use 42580 for both sides? I think the years those were for had a right and left (42579? also). THANKS!

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I used the 42580 on both sides, that is what I did, whether or not the passenger side should be 42579 I don't know. But I can say the 42580 will work on both sides and gives pretty close to the same sweep the originals did.

Mine are AM-AutoParts, here is there ebay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-Wind...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

I would like to mention, I am NOT satisfied with the arms. THey are flimsy and bend way easier than the 40 year old arms they replaced. If you are completely gentle, im sure they would work, but mild pressure the wrong way(to put an arm on) shouldnt bend it. Other than that, works as advertised.

AuroraGirl said:

Mine are AM-AutoParts, here is there ebay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-Windshield-Wiper-Arm-Pair-Set-for-S10-Blazer-GMC-Jimmy-Truck-Suburban/310705076588?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

I would like to mention, I am NOT satisfied with the arms. THey are flimsy and bend way easier than the 40 year old arms they replaced. If you are completely gentle, im sure they would work, but mild pressure the wrong way(to put an arm on) shouldnt bend it. Other than that, works as advertised.

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That ad is for the old style with pins - that what you wanted? The PN SirRobyn listed shows to be used on 94-02 vehicles. Wonder if just finding an original pair in the yard would be better?

WAIT. IS the paair he listed a J hook???

Any of you 18'ers driving in winter? I'm not sure if my wiper motor is getting weak or if slush/snow is just barely enough for a properly running motor with 16" blades. So I'm wondering if 18" blades will be too much with that in mind.

Also, anyone swapped in any arms that have a tilt feature? So the blades can be tilted off of the windshield to prevent them freezing in place.
E: D'oh, I just watched some "how to replace wiper blades" videos on youtube from 94+ trucks. They have that feature, so I'm gonna assume those replacement Dorman 42580 have that as well. Going to order a set of those, thanks for the tip @SirRobyn0 !

Catrik said:

Any of you 18'ers driving in winter? I'm not sure if my wiper motor is getting weak or if slush/snow is just barely enough for a properly running motor with 16" blades. So I'm wondering if 18" blades will be too much with that in mind.

Also, anyone swapped in any arms that have a tilt feature? So the blades can be tilted off of the windshield to prevent them freezing in place.
E: D'oh, I just watched some "how to replace wiper blades" videos on youtube from 94+ trucks. They have that feature, so I'm gonna assume those replacement Dorman 42580 have that as well. Going to order a set of those, thanks for the tip @SirRobyn0 !

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42580 dorman is not a "tip up" wiper per se. it has a small metal tab that you can lock them lifted away from the windshield(usually keeps them from freezing to it,allows you to clear glass without hitting them, doesnt promote an ice chunk as bad, etc.

your 86 will have the best wiper motor of the two of us, but you really dont want to push them they arent that strong. my 1990 olds 88 is able to be slowed by heavy rain with stock wipers, its a car even lol.There are a couple concerns with 18s. 1) your wiper motor is not made to move snow accumulation its made to wipe. newer cars spoil us./
18s will present the wipers a LOT of extra blade on the glass.... but do you see through a 1 inch larger both ways wipe area? a defroster on high will take care of the outside not wipe
You need to get a wiper of the best construction to be efficient and glide. You want a hybrid or aero because the shape of the cover usually allows wind + air rushing over the windshield to plant the blade and also skoot it along. But this means returns may be unasssisted but it wouldnt be super bad. You dont want the beam that have the strong curl, nope, not that. You want like the PIAA quiet/aero frame
ive also used the michellin silicone high end aero ones
they are OK. Thats all I can say. in 18 or 16 they will be better than 26 like my gma jeep



see the profile of the wiper?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JA390RW/ i would get the 16, maybe tittrate one of them to 17 see what happens. you, if anything, would want to increase your driver to 17 and leave the 16 on pass or no more than 18 for sure. 18 is the longest i think and it may start to ride on the gasket molding etc if you go more.
these are worth the price, You clean em once a year with denatured alcohol and you have 4+ year wipers.

mine are FOUR years old with daily use across multiple cars and the blades are only just showing age. BUT you can refill the blade too

NERDS

the j hook works tho on squares?