73-79 Wiper swith

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jan 10, 2001 | 04:50 AM

karljay

Thread Starter

Cargo Master

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 2,281

Likes: 18

From: Northern California

73-79 Wiper swith

I know that the 73-79 have two different wiper switches (delay / non-delay) I have the non-delay and have been looking high and low at the junk yards for the delay type. I saw the tech article about this conversion, but I can't seem to find any of those boxes!

My question is this, the delay type switch in the tech article picture has a switch and then a few inches of wire then a box about fist size and then a few more inches of wire. Is this what the delay switch looks like? Does this mount on that support bar from the dash down to the steering shaft? Are they so rare that I'd check 100 trucks and not find ONE!

Jan 10, 2001 | 10:12 AM

etobolski

Junior User

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 66

Likes: 0

73-79 Wiper swith

I too had a hard time finding one on a 73-79 truck. I was finding plenty of them in the 80's trucks though. The one from the 80's has the same plug design, and wires in the same places. The only difference is that on the 80's style you don't need a separate hot wire for the washer fluid pump. I can tell you where it is located on the 80's trucks, and I'd assume it is in the same place as the earler ones. There is the plug that connects to the switch, and then a few inches of wire. Then there is the box, which is bolted to a support piece for the dash, and then there is just the plug with a few more inches of wire coming out of here. Good luck.
Eric Tobolski

Jan 10, 2001 | 10:34 AM

Post Fiend

Joined: Feb 2000

Posts: 5,130

Likes: 8

From: Brea CA

73-79 Wiper swith

Karl, the late ‘70s vans also have the same delay switch. That box contains the delay timing circuit. When you find one, shake the box to see if it rattles. If it does, it means the timing capacitor has ruptured. Ford underrated the voltage on the cap. and they sometimes blow. Not a problem, just get a replacement cap. with the same capacity but a higher voltage rating (at least 25V) at Radio Shack and solder it in.

Barry

Jan 10, 2001 | 03:36 PM

73Custom

Postmaster

Joined: Apr 2000

Posts: 2,838

Likes: 6

From: SD

73-79 Wiper swith

[font color=red size=3]I was told that the switch and delay box are identical for '73-'91. That makes it a little easier to find.;-)

Marty[/font]

Jan 10, 2001 | 09:39 PM

solidaxle

New User

Joined: Feb 2000

Posts: 24

Likes: 0

73-79 Wiper swith

Hey Karl,

One last thing too mention Make SURE You mount that small box and ground it Things go up in smoke if you don't, and yes 73 to 91's, are the same if you can't find one let me know I think I have a few laying around

Solidaxle

Jan 11, 2001 | 04:34 AM

karljay

Thread Starter

Cargo Master

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 2,281

Likes: 18

From: Northern California

73-79 Wiper swith

Jan 11, 2001 | 04:40 AM

karljay

Thread Starter

Cargo Master

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 2,281

Likes: 18

From: Northern California

73-79 Wiper swith

Thanks guys, next time out, I'm going to look at some of the 'newer' trucks. Are all these boxes the same color? I've seen light blue boxes in a lot of the Ford trucks, just about where you would expect the wiper box to go, but I never figured out what they were. they didn't connect to the wiper, they just went out to the engine compartment.