Hey guys, I thought I'd go ahead and post this up along with some information I learned along the way about wiper Blade sizing. The stock wipers iirc correctly are 20" in size, but since the 80's on my F250 I began over sizing my wiper blades and adjusting the spring tensioner on the wiper blade as well. The modification I've done here is to increase the stock wiper blade size from the 20" blade size to a 22" wiper blade size to cover more of the windshield surface area.
And lastly, being that our trucks are 17+ years old I've also removed the wiper arms and adjusted the tensioner spring to apply more down pressure as well. It merely involves removing the wiper arm, flipping it over and with a pair of channel locks, and at the base of the wiper arm squeezing the tensioner spring clip together very gently. This in turn applies slightly more down pressure to the wiper arm and improves the wipers ability to do it's job. I don't recommend doing this modification unless you've installed new wipers to avoid scratching the windshield with any debris that might be embedded in the old wipers. I've done this modification for years and have never noticed any draws backs to this modification. Using Rain Ex on both the windshield as well as conditioning the wiper blades is also very helpful.
If anyone is interested let me know and I'll post up some pictures if anyone needs them.

 

Agreed I went to 22 inchers a while ago.

But what is this heresy about twisting springs from the Ford-given specs?! Dangit man if every tom fool mechanic and farmer tried to improve the truck they bought and owned to make it work better we'd loose all corporate warranty and the bean counters back at HQ would bad mouth us to the automotive media! How dare you think original thoughts! /s

 

Yep. I believe it's the Ford windstar van refills @ 22"

Another thing while you have the arms off is to paint them. Hit em with 120 grit then 200 to scuff up that old faded black paint. Looks a lot better with fresh dark black

 

Yup, this is also a good idea while they're off. Just don't let SkyskiJason get ahold of them, he'll paint them Pink, or Fuscia, maybe both..

 

Edit: putting in more characters so it will let me post the fact I thought that was hilarious.

 

Took some pictures of the spring clips and the sweep of the wipers on the windshield itself.
At the base of the Wiper Blade is the Spring Clip that I mentioned that can be Squeezed together to apply slightly more pressure to the Wiper Blade.

In this picture you can see the Sweep pattern of a 22" wiper blade. There is still plenty of room above and below the wiper blade travel area.

 

Nice pics and description of this modification. This goes on the list. Thanks Carlos!

And David...that was hilarious. Here's to original thoughts, making a great truck even better.

 

Great. Thank you sir.