I want to start off by saying that, in general, I'm not an idiot...which is why this whole windshield wiper thing really has me frustrated...

I've got a '60 F100 Custom Cab with electric wipers. The ones that came with the truck attached sturdily but the rubber was gone. I called up one of the parts houses- not sure which but they all have the same stuff, and had them send me a new pair. They showed up and just wouldn't secure correctly to the arm. I read a thread on another site singing the praises of Trico Classic blades, that those really were the best for old vehicles. I had my local parts store order me a pair of those, and they're just as bad- they don't even snap onto the arm, and when you flip the switch they wobble and flop around. If I were to actually need them I would have no confidence in their ability to stay on, and before I now it, I'll have that crescent shaped scrape across my 53 year old windshield because one of the wipers fell off....

Anyway, does anyone have any advice (besides Rain X) for wiper blades, or even new arms that will fit these splines, that will work so I can stop fighting this issue?

Thanks.

 

I just ordered some from MAC's last month. I got the wrong ones the first time, my fault, then got the right ones. You have to look really closely at the design of where it attaches to the arm, there seems to be two designs..

 

Is there much play in the arms themselves. I bought a new set of arms and blades both for about $50. I know that Gary would never do that, as he could probably carve some out of willow or something like that but I had had it with trying to make the old stuff work. I had lots of old arms and blade holders and even tried replacing just the rubber itself. Finally, just bought the whole shooting match off ebay and trouble gone. Not saying you should do the same but that fix really made one small area of my life easier!

 

It's obviously tight on the splines. On the other end, the piece that inserts into the blade assembly sort of curves down toward the windshield and then straightens out again. There's a tiny protrusion that is supposed to catch something on the wiper blade, but it doesn't work very well at all. I'll do some more research but damn.

There are only 2 facets of new cars that I prefer to old...headlight and windshield wiper replacement.

 

1953-1960 Ford Pickup Truck Windshield Wiper Blade - Metal Frame - 12" Long - For Wrist Type Arms - MAC's Antique Auto Parts These were the blades I used on mine.

 

These are what I ended up with, only $40 for everthing, end of headache. They are surprisingly nice quality. 1956 57 1958 59 60 Ford Truck Wiper Blades Arms | eBay


Take my advice, I'm not using it!

 

Thanks Spurredon...I'll give them a shot. By the time I'm done these wipers will have cost me at least $100- for a truck that's seen rain twice in 5 years. For now, I've bent the rod and used tie wire as an added safety. Thanks to all.

 

1957/59 F100/1100:

B7C-17526-A .. Right Wiper Arm-11.09" long / Obsolete

MILLER OBSOLETE PARTS in Binghamton NY has 1 = 607-722-5371.

DICKERSON MOTOR CO. in York SC has 1 = 803-684-4225.

CARPENTER NOS OBSOLETE PARTS in Concord NC has 1 = 800-543-4959.
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B7C-17527-A .. Left Wiper Arm-11.09" long / Obsolete

No Ford Dealer or obsolete parts vendor has any.
=====================================
1948/56 F100/950 & 1960 F100/1100:

A8TZ-17526-A .. Right & Left Wiper Arms ~ Adjustable from 7.95" to 11.47" / Obsolete

KING FORD in Valley AL has 2 = 334-756-7111.

NOS PARTS LTD in Waxahachie TX has 5 = 972-937-2201.

GREEN SALES CO. in Cincinnati OH has 8 = 800-543-4959.

KINSEL L/M in Beaumont TX has 8 = 800-816-2894.
======================================
1948/56 F100/950 & 1957/60 F100/1100:

A8TZ-17528-A .. Wiper Blade-11.82" long / Obsolete

GRIESEL MOTOR CO. in Okarche OK has 2 = 405-263-7242.

FREESE MOTORS in Monticello IA has 5 = 319-465-3541.

NOS PARTS LTD has 5 = 972-937-2201.
=============================
1952/58 Ford/Merc Passenger Cars / 1955/57 Thunderbird / 1960 F100/1100:

B8AB-17528-A .. Wiper Blade-12" / Includes universal adapter / Obsolete

LINCOLN-MERCURY OLD PARTS STORE in Clearwater FL has 1 = 727-445-7551.