Anyone running wipers bigger than 16" oem?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

82sbshortbed

Fuckemall!!
Joined
Mar 1, 2018
Posts
14,860
Reaction score
49,237
Location
SE Texas
First Name
Doug
Truck Year
1982, 1984
Truck Model
1500 shortbed, 1500 longbed
Engine Size
454, 305
I just bought a new pair of 16" wipers and wondered how big of ones would fit. I saw 18" ones. Seems like that might fit.

Just curious about it. 16" seems small but, I know that's what GM put on so.....
 

TubeTruck

I'm from Boston. Deal with it.
Joined
Sep 4, 2019
Posts
1,417
Reaction score
2,161
Location
East TN
First Name
Denis
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
Suburban K10
Engine Size
LQ9
I'm running 16" because I bought them before I saw someone post that they were running 18". Pretty sure 18" will fit and I plan on getting a pair next time around.
 

Charlie

Mopar by Birth. Chevy by Choice.
Joined
Aug 2, 2017
Posts
1,837
Reaction score
910
Location
Euless, Texas
First Name
Don
Truck Year
1974
Truck Model
Cheyenne 10 LWB
Engine Size
350/TH350/AC/4 BBL Quadrajet
18" on mine.
 

Goldie Driver

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2018
Posts
3,934
Reaction score
6,386
Location
Houston, Texas
First Name
Britt
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
GMC K1500 Suburban
Engine Size
350
I just bought a new pair of 16" wipers and wondered how big of ones would fit. I saw 18" ones. Seems like that might fit.

Just curious about it. 16" seems small but, I know that's what GM put on so.....

@78C10BigTen runs 18's - I think he said it may put additional strain on your wiper motor, though.


I will go 17" next go round.
 

78C10BigTen

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2017
Posts
15,586
Reaction score
23,999
Location
pennsylvannia
First Name
Ted
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10 BIG TEN
Engine Size
350
@78C10BigTen runs 18's - I think he said it may put additional strain on your wiper motor, though.


I will go 17" next go round.
Ive got 18s yes. Michellin beam blades. Very good blades. My motor seems lazy with them but its 40 years old so
 

Turbo4whl

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2019
Posts
2,884
Reaction score
6,485
Location
Downingtown, PA
First Name
Wayne
Truck Year
1974
Truck Model
Jimmy
Engine Size
350
Using larger blades there can be another issue besides more strain on the motor. The arm spring tension is matched to the 16" blade. When you use a larger blades now you have less down pressure per inch. If the spring is old, like a 40 year old square, the blades may lift at speed or wind.
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
29,101
Reaction score
23,965
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
I've ran 18" blades on every last square I've ever owned, it's always worked well. I guess I've been lucky, my wiper motors have always been healthy.
 

Kim Burke

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2017
Posts
647
Reaction score
833
Location
Northern IN
First Name
Kim
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
C1500
Engine Size
454
I put 18”ers on mine. 16’s just looked like a waste.
 

SirRobyn0

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2019
Posts
6,742
Reaction score
11,318
Location
In the woods in Western Washington
First Name
Rob
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
C20
Engine Size
305
Beam blade a big yes from me. It took me a long time to try a pair, now most of my vehicles have them, they are just leaps and bounds ahead of regular blades both in terms of function and live span. I will say I prefer the look of standard blades. I've got 16" on mine that I need to replace and I'll try 18", my motor is new but my arms are old probably OE, so I'll let you all know how it goes for me, it's suppose to rain tomorrow and I've got to do almost 150 miles in the old truck.
 

Dysco

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2019
Posts
393
Reaction score
174
Location
Wisconsin
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
400
18" . Much better.
 

TPISly-C10

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2019
Posts
615
Reaction score
878
Location
Boucherville QC Canada
First Name
Sly
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
C-10 shortbox
Engine Size
LQ4 6.0L
Running 18" Anco wipers. Haven't had any issues. I don't worry about extra strain as I have 3 extra wiper motors for backup. Having a contigency plan is always a good thing!:cheers:
same here they fit perfect! :)

You must be registered for see images attach
 

ballencd

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 30, 2013
Posts
108
Reaction score
49
Location
Columbus, NC
First Name
Charlie
Truck Year
1988/1991/1983/1984
Truck Model
V10 Suburban/V1500 Suburban/M35 bobbed w/dump/M1010
Engine Size
5.7/5.7/LDT 465-1c/6.2 diesel
My wipers run slow already so I don't think 18" would work well for me. Any hints on updating the wipers on the square? Both my '88 and '91 Suburbans are slow. I replaced one of the motors thinking that would fix it but it did not run any better.
 

oldretiredafguy

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2020
Posts
1,412
Reaction score
3,205
Location
N. Texas
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
1988, 1988, 1991, 1983
Truck Model
GMC V-Jimmy, GMC Suburban 4WD, GMC Suburban 4WD, GMC-2500 CrewCab
Engine Size
350, 350, 350, 350
18's for years. I just installed some Bosch blades-look like Anco's. Where did you find Anco's? I haven't seen them for years here in TX. Maybe a regional thing?
 

Forum statistics

Threads
42,124
Posts
909,593
Members
33,614
Latest member
BryantRiverRat
Top