I want to replace the orphan windshield wipers I currently
have on my 68 f250 4x4 flatbed beater with some nice
functional wipers that I can easily find blades for.

At NAPA they want to sell me the NAPA specific wipers.
They have something else, I think, but this is what they pushed
to me at the counter.

At Kragen all I see that's completely in stock seems
to be the Trico 15-1 ExactFit. Their stock seems under
very spotty control...

I guess I don't have to be exactly stock so I have
heard that I could go a bit longer, anyone have
experience or can confirm that, and how much longer
should/can I go?

Cosmetics: I am developing a liking for non-reflective
black everything. The body itself is a non-commital
red, white and blue custom tri-tone, with plenty
of bondo where it's not rusted through. But she's
beautiful in my eyes and that's what counts...

 

you might be able to go an inch longer, check your old ones at straight up position and measure. Turn ignition to "on", turn wiper switch on, then turn key off when wiper blade goes straight up.


Edited in By admin:

More blade info.

some of the aftermarket companies offer new wiper arm assemblys. haven't had any probs finding blades for my '72, but dont know about 68's.

 

So do you want originals or not ?
I found a set of orginals last year and bought 2 sets.

*Tip of the day*
If you are storing your truck for any length of time, place something like a small block of wood under the wiper arm to keep the rubber from touching anything (windshield),

This will preserve your wipers.

 

My summers are long and hot. Usually 2 sets of blades per yr. After washing truck and using Armorall on tires, i wipe the blades with it too. Keeps them a little softer in the sun.

 

I had always heard that Armoral would make things look pretty in the short run but would accelerate the cracking of vinyl seats and plastic dashes. If true could shorten the life of windshield blades also.
Joe

 

I don't know if they are still around but the best wipers I ever used had a wing shape formed right into the wiper. The wind forced them onto the windshield harder and the worked sweet. I'm not talking about the ones with those gaudy fins tacked on either, these were a good name brand

 

The problem appears to be that the most common parts stores in my area (eg Kragen) do not stock 15 inch rubber wipers. They only stock complete 15 inch assemblies.

I looked at the pattern on the windshield when I turned on the
wipers. If I do have clearance to use 16 inch wipers, it is very
close, and probably too close for my comfort.

So it looks like I will just use 15 inch Trico exact fit, and suffer
having to go to some possibly more distant and less convenient
store whenever I need the rubber wiper replacements.

Someone rescue me quick if I am going down the wrong path
here :-).

 

I mentioned you can get the refills for the original.

It is called the trico classic series 33.
ready to install in wiper arm.

Would you like the stock number ?

Here is some info.

http://www.tricoproducts.com/index.c..._id=65&retry=1

Scroll down to : Classic & click

 

I fiddled a bit with Trico ExactFit but it did not fit the arms.
I could not figure out how to get the arms off (duh).

So I ended up with the Trico Classic 33-150 15" blade,
list (acc. to store) $15.89 ea., my cost $8.45 ea. + tax.

The store I found these at did not have refill rubber wiper
thingies so I got a spare pair to put in the toolbox.

The end result probably resembles stock a lot. But I originally
was set out for something black and non-reflective (not stock...
my truck is a beater, so I'll reserve my sense of snobbiness
for my broncos :-). So long term, I am still open to any
suggestions. If I can figure out how to get the original arms
replaced, I might still try 16" wipers down the road some,
even though technically they seem to be about 1/16"
oversized...

I wondered...

Do they make rubber wiper refills for these? I could not
tell from the website. I wonder if the ExactFit rubber refills
would fit, if not.

I have one leftover "ANCO" with the aerodynamic wing thingie
on it, rubber not it good shape (do they make these
anymore? anyone want it? :-)

 

Having used Armorall on tires, seats, dash parts, etc for yrs, I have never had anything crack or split. My long, hot summers are especially hard on tires that sit in the sun. Tires that have been treated have never had bead or sidewall cracks. You have to start when they are new, once they are cracked, it's too late. If you are headed for the mud bogs, spray your tires, fender wells etc with Armorall. The mud will hose off much easier.