I need to convert to electric wipers as diesel engines don't create vaccuum. I saw a kit a while back but don't remember if it works on a fridge and cost is a concern too. I would rather find something out of the wrecking yard I could adapt. Does anyone know what I should be looking for? Thanks, GB

 

Sunshine!

 

I think Wally Theodore/teddy has the corner on that market........ Pouring here.

 

GB it was a beautiful sunny day here. However we could use a little of your rain.
I have seen a couple of after market wiper motor kits, but your right they are kinda spendy! Got to be one waiting for you at the doaner yard!

 

I can't help thinking I saw a post about one fron an 80's jeep cherokee or something like that and all you had to do was elongate a couple of mounting holes. That's easy for me... I do that even when I'm going for an exact center. Also, does the vaccuum motor turn in a circle like an electric motor with some kind of 'back and forth transmission' added or does the vaccuum motor work with a back and forth 'paddle motion' like a model A?

 

Electric one in junkyard in Showlow Az. Called Showlow auto salvage. They have 1960 F-100 4x4 in yard. I will be there next month if interested

 

For sure! My '65 toyota fj 45 pickup came from Show Low. Other than that I never heard of the place. I never drive it in the rain so I still don't have the wipers hooked up on it! This was sitting behind a guys place in Show Low for 26 years with no engine or tranny, I found it and updated it with later LC gear from a rusty hulk.Thanks for the heads up on the wipers and I'm definately interested. Will be out of touch a couple days, then I'll get the details.!

 

You will need more than just the electric wiper motor to convert from vacuum to electric wipers.

Vacuum wipers: The R & L wiper arm pivots and the arms that connect to the motor are one piece assemblies.

Electric wipers: The R/L pivots are separate from the R/L arms.

The switch is also different.

 

i used an electric motor and switch (and the intermittent wiper option) from a mid 70's truck. you have to buy the electric wiper motor link ***'y from someone like Dennis Caprenter of LMC (pretty cheap price)to make it work with the stock linkage arms, but it works pretty slick. had to make a new plate out of aluminum, but that is pretty easy to do also.

i also looked at using a mid to late 60's ford truck setup as it puts the motor inside the cab, but i decided to go the above route. not sure if it would work, but looked like it should with a bit of modification.

that is the route i took.

rgds
Mike

 

I found one on an F600 in a junkyard that had a double crank arm, the one closest to the motor worked one side, then the second crank arm attached to it and passed back over to the other side, the result was the wipers worked in opposition very nicely. I later added an intermittent governor and switch to it so I had intermittent two speed wipers on my '58.

If you find one, I think I still have the dash switch and plate for the '58 original two speed.

 

There is a thread on here somewhere about using a wiper motor from a late 80's Ford Ranger or Bronco II. It looked pretty easy to do I think he even added the delay feature. If I remember correctly he just fabbed up a mounting plate to mount the motor And had to play with the lenth of the arm on the motor to get the sweep of the arms right. I am sure with your fabrication skills you will find it quite easy to do. I have plans do this mod my self at some point. Good luck
Jack..

 

Just got back from an exausting trip and will digest this info. I really appreciate the help and info all of you have offered! My thing is the front clip is off for now and it's really accesible, so I want to nail this down before I re attach the front clip., At 59 years old, it's sooo much easier to work in the engine compartment when you can reach all this stuff standing next to it. BTW the trip was a mix of my looking at a job down in Seattle for me ( more work)and going with a chev truck buddy to look at a 55 short bed from the grandson of the original owner that was bought and always lived in the mohave desert. Even though it was GM , the truck part was way more fun than the work part. DUH.

 

I installed a ranger wiper motor in my truck, see my gallery for details.

 

Walston, I was unable to find any info about wipers or any truck info on your link. I enjoyed the pictures though. Maybe I don't know how to navigate it correctly.

 

I used a N.O.S. motor, wiring harnes, and switch from Job Lot Automotive (expensive, but worth it) along with the link from Dennis Carpenter to convert mine. It was all bolt-in, the wipers work great and the only thing I had to do was run a power wire. I took the opportunity to add an 18 fuse panel/distribution block under the dash and out of sight to handle any future additions.

Lou Manglass