Aftermarket windshield wipers

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fnny6770

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The factory windshield wipers on a 1980 GMC or 16 inches, that seems very small for that big window, will longer wipers work on this truck? Or maybe a combination of two different lengths like you see nowadays?
 

bucket

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18" works very well. The type that you choose and hookup style is all personal preference. Some people hate the bayonet style, but personally, I hate that many manufacturers have made really crappy bayonet style hookups or they have abandoned it altogether.
 

ali_c20

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I run 18" wipers since I own the K5.
 

fnny6770

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By bayonet style are you referring to the snow and ice blades?
 

bucket

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By bayonet style are you referring to the snow and ice blades?

The wiper arm attachment type. Later years were the peg style. Some people don't like those either.
 

Rudy Mienert

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I remember someone mentioning that Fox body Mustang wiper arms pop right on, but now, i cant find the article, anyone try this??
 

Bronze Knight

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Yes I think it’s a 1992 ford Bronco wiper arm that has a J-hook end that will just pop right on the factory spindles. I did the same to mine and I am also running 18’’ blades.
 

TotalyHucked

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Just as a side note for anyone doing this swap, the Ford arms are a more round hole vs the oblong of the original GM arm. I was a little concerned at first when I just test fit them without putting them all the way on cuz they seemed loose, but the measurement difference was miniscule and once locked in, they're nice and solid.

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AuroraGirl

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Yes I think it’s a 1992 ford Bronco wiper arm that has a J-hook end that will just pop right on the factory spindles. I did the same to mine and I am also running 18’’ blades.
1994-1996 iirc
The early 90s had a pin arm like the late squares

Just as a side note for anyone doing this swap, the Ford arms are a more round hole vs the oblong of the original GM arm. I was a little concerned at first when I just test fit them without putting them all the way on cuz they seemed loose, but the measurement difference was miniscule and once locked in, they're nice and solid.

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A little bit of loctite (yes , seriouslly) is wise if you want to prevent stripping the post
It can be removed if you use a miniscule amount of heat, just use a leather glove or something to lay on the area around it to prevent burning anything

I have an OBS ford arm that has a bit of aluminum stripped from the truck in the splines and extra GM wipers. The angle is not correct for the wipe, but try using wipers at highway speeds if you have a satisfactory wipe you should be fine.

If you look at the wiper when parked and the blade is angled up or down and not square to the glass, it probably will not perform well in heavier rain , as the blade will drag over water rather than push/scrape it

But if you clean windshield perfect and use Rainx that may be something you can mitigate with just keeping it clean

Iirc the wiper arm is a little long so you may not be getting the best place on the driver wiper, but i could be wrong
 

TotalyHucked

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I've not had any of those issues with mine. I adjusted where they park so they're level and they wipe perfectly, even with the modern Rain-X blades. I use 18" blades for a little more coverage
 

AuroraGirl

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I've not had any of those issues with mine. I adjusted where they park so they're level and they wipe perfectly, even with the modern Rain-X blades. I use 18" blades for a little more coverage
at full sweep does it touch the trim/edge if windshield?
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Heres more pics to compare, the first is on OBS ford and a gm wiper is to the right
Second is a 1980 with a 1986+ wiper arm with a pin connection
The third is the wiper you see in 2nd photo from iun the cab, i didnt install the retaining clip over the pin here (because this wiper didnt come with it) but its a good example of the "sqaure to the glass" of the blade
 
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