'81 F100: Wiper arms are of the side-pin variety for the blades and I can't stand them. Are there any options of the bayonet or j-hook style for these trucks or am I stuck with the side-pin type?

 

I do remember reading about the J hook but I cant remember if it was for our trucks or the older ones? There was something about using the later truck arms as the posts are the same size.

What dont you like about them?
I dont think the pin type are all that bad. I have only needed to change the blades 2 maybe 3 times in 5 years and 1 of the times was when I put them on after the 4 year cab off frame rebuild.
I dont buy the cheap or high end blades just middle of the road ones and been happy so far.

Heck I have had more issues with the delay box than the blades. Hope the new to me box I just installed works longer than the last one.
Dave ----

 

What is wrong with them?
The side pin is great. Low profile and if the spring is still good does a good job of cleaning the windshield. Same here as far as blades. Don’t buy $3 blades and no reason to spend big money on them either.

 

I'd be interested in the J-hook version myself. I'm very partial to Rain-X wiper blades but they recently changed something in the side-pin model that supposedly fits our trucks. The lock does not grab the pin very well.

I did a bit of poking around. I do NOT know if these will fit 80-86, but these are J-hook arms for 91-97 trucks, sold as a pair:

https://www.am-autoparts.com/product...-18868577.html

That outfit also sells on eBay with free shipping:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/373384882273


The note at the bottom of that page says it replaces Dorman 42631, sold individually:

https://www.dormanproducts.com/p-19846-42631.aspx


Another brand/number is TRQ WWA67357. I've never heard of them before and couldn't find a manufacturer's website. They are probably rebranded Dormans but that is just a guess.

If anybody wants to try one of these options, please let us know how it worked out.

 

I did not check out the links but as long as the post is the same size and from post to hook is the same and can get blades in the size to clean the glass then they may work.
I wonder if Gary has anything over on his site on this swap as I know I have seen it somewhere?
Dave ----

 

I'm pretty sure I found the reason I didn't like the side pins. As others have mentioned, don't use cheapy blades. I would usually buy the cheapest I could find being I'm in the desert & the truck is usually used just for runs to the dump or gravel type pick ups. I can't recall ever driving it in rain in the 16 years of having this truck. Those $8 TotalPro blades just don't make it. The pin lock never seems to hold up securely. I had a Michelin laying around from a while back that I forgot about and it gives me a nice secure 'click' when locking.

I'm going with the "don't use cheap blades" as the cure for my dislike but will bookmark this thread in case. Thanks for the suggestions & responses!

 

I have been getting my wiper blades that fit the OEM arms on my 86 since new. Really the first replacement was approximately 10 years or more. I was so impressed with the quality and longevity that I have only gone to my Ford dealer for replacements. It's been more than a decade on the current wiper blades and they are still excellent. When I do need a new set you can bet my first stop will be the dealer parts department. Fingers crossed that these remarkable wiper blades will be available. I live in the Pacific Northwest where it rains all the time as well. They get used!

 

BigBlue2 - I work with a guy who swears by Rain-X. 11 years or so and they still work well in our occasional monsoon rains. He parks outside in the desert sun. They're too rich for my blood and my minimal - if ever - usage.

 

How does MotorCraft compare to OEM? Is that basically the same thing? The reason I ask is I tried some MotorCraft wiper blades and surprisingly, they were worst of all. After a couple of weeks, they chattered like crazy.

 

It's been so long since I last replaced my blades that I can't remember the branding. I buy them at the local Ford dealer. The ones on there have been working great for more than a decade. I think the package had a blue oval on them? The wiper arms are OEM. There's no red button on them.

 

I bought Dorman 42631 and put them on my 1980 Bronco. Amazon says they don’t fit but that’s where I bought them from and they’ve been on a year. These are J-hook arms.

 

With the Dorman arms can you flip them up to stand up on their own? I don’t mind the pin style but my complaint has always been that I can’t stand them up when replacing blades, cleaning the glass, removing snow, etc…

 

Just tested - will not flip up and stand on their own. May be able to pull them 8-12” off windshield measured from end of arm.

 

I ordered a pair of J hook wiper arms via the eBay link above. They fit very nicely.

The label (TRQ brand #WWA09542) on the package for an individual arm:



Don't bother with the QR code. It linked to some gibberish search results.

Here's a video showing how to remove and install the arms. This is for a later model, but the process is the same for '80-'86:


The only thing I'd do differently is to place a pile or rags or a block of wood under the end of the arm. To slide the locking tab loose, you have to first pivot the arm away from the glass, against spring tension. The use of some kind of spacer under the arm will free up one of your hands to fiddle with the locking tab.

My only gripe with the new arms is the locking tab did not slide smoothly, and had a bit more friction than needed. When the tab is in the locked position, and the arm is lowered against the glass, the side of the arm actually traps the tab so it can't migrate loose. There's no need for much friction at all. I had to gently tap the locking tab to get it into the locked position. This picture shows where to tap:



Upper arm = locked. Lower arm = unlocked

Don't tap on the little release tab, as it will bend. Nor should you tap next to the oval cutout, as that will also bend. Tap in between the oval cutout and release tab.

Here are the Rain-X blades I installed, part #5079275-2:

https://www.rainx.com/product/rain-x...-wiper-blades/

Supposedly this same part number has an adapter to fit the original pin style arms on our trucks, but it does not seem to fit securely. They do attach nicely to J hook arms.