Author Topic: Adding intermittent wipers to a truck without them  (Read 37041 times)

Offline Spool

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Re: Adding intermittent wipers to a truck without them
« Reply #15 on: January 10, 2021, 10:09:37 PM »
You're right. Thanks, SilverMiner.

It's a 73 C20. Everything is stock and needing to be replaced slowly but surely- specifically much of everything that is electric.
No modifications on the truck.

I'll attach some pictures as well.

(I've actually used this as an opportunity to test cleaning up the engine bay. Also shown in the photos.)

Offline Spool

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Re: Adding intermittent wipers to a truck without them
« Reply #16 on: January 12, 2021, 08:29:06 AM »
After further digging, this seems to be the best I can find at the moment. eBay and Amazon of all places.
Nothing on Classic, Summit, PartsGeek, etc...

This one from Premiere states it's built brand new:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C5ORK0G/ref=nav_timeline_asin?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Anyone ever hear of Premiere before?

This one is Cardone, but upon observation, it seems it doesn't come with grommets?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C455J0/ref=nav_timeline_asin?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Does anyone have any experience with this?

Online VileZambonie

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Re: Adding intermittent wipers to a truck without them
« Reply #17 on: January 12, 2021, 06:20:54 PM »
40-160 is the A1 part number but they're getting harder to find. I'm glad I have several in stock for my stash. You switch over your grommets or you can buy them on eBay. Other options is used, rebuild or retrofit to a different motor and system.
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline Spool

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Re: Adding intermittent wipers to a truck without them
« Reply #18 on: January 12, 2021, 07:11:54 PM »
Thanks Vile. The part number is super helpful.
I e-mailed Premiere to see if it would actually match as it looks identical, but Amazon clearly states it wouldn't fit my truck.

Earlier in this thread, CaptKaos mentioned GMpartsdirect, but they don't seem to service anything beyond 84.

I did see grommets available on Ebay for about $15- I bookmarked that for now.
Again, if anyone has any recommendations, I'd be very grateful. I tried  , but they don't stock either.

Also, I'm learning that the washer pump is actually the cover for the wiper motor... Kind of a poor design, no?
« Last Edit: January 13, 2021, 06:21:35 AM by Spool »

Online VileZambonie

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Re: Adding intermittent wipers to a truck without them
« Reply #19 on: January 13, 2021, 04:32:46 AM »
It was a bit wonky and noisy but it's up to you. Some people are purists and want to keep it all factory. You can adapt and make whatever you want work in its place. For my 74, I completely hid the wiper motor inside the cowl for example.
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Offline Spool

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Re: Adding intermittent wipers to a truck without them
« Reply #20 on: January 13, 2021, 06:20:58 AM »
Thanks again, Vile. I'll just proceed forward with good judgment and make a solution.
May I ask/confirm three questions though?

1. My wiper linkage is ugly and a little noisy, but operable and out of sight.
How may I quiet this? Will a bit of WD40 and some grease at the ball joints do the trick?

2. I'm still trying to confirm the power supply of the wiper motor. Is it receiving its power from the fuse panel?

3. Confirming that whichever motor I use, making them intermittent is nothing more than correctly patching in a delay and using a proper switch, correct?
« Last Edit: January 13, 2021, 08:40:01 PM by Spool »

Online VileZambonie

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Re: Adding intermittent wipers to a truck without them
« Reply #21 on: January 13, 2021, 06:20:37 PM »
clean everything up with scotchbrite and then use brake grease or white grease. Yes and the switch grounds low and high speed. Match the delay setup and switch for whichever application you decide to use.
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline Spool

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Re: Adding intermittent wipers to a truck without them
« Reply #22 on: January 13, 2021, 08:38:19 PM »
You're the best. Thanks for the help on this one, Vile.
I'll proceed with confidence and post pictures when completed.

Offline Spool

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Re: Adding intermittent wipers to a truck without them
« Reply #23 on: January 18, 2021, 08:20:43 PM »
Hey Guys.

I'm attaching a photo of the wiper motor I purchased.
What is this copper-colored metal flap coming off the grommet? Is it a ground that I am supposed to bend and fasten to the washer pump?

The wiper motor is a Cardone 40-160 that I found at PepBoys for $40.
Great price and seems alright, but this paint job is junk.
I removed the stickers very slowly, but the paint came right off- so, I'll be painting that tomorrow...


Offline Spool

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Re: Adding intermittent wipers to a truck without them
« Reply #24 on: January 19, 2021, 07:40:45 AM »
Found it online. What I was questioning is called a grounding strap.

So, I'll just gently roll that over and bolt it to the motor itself using the washer pump bolt.

Online VileZambonie

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Re: Adding intermittent wipers to a truck without them
« Reply #25 on: January 19, 2021, 04:09:59 PM »
Yes, ground strap and known to break. Glad you found one so cheap!
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              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline Spool

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Re: Adding intermittent wipers to a truck without them
« Reply #26 on: January 23, 2021, 09:49:08 PM »
Vile, thank you for your help. It's greatly appreciated.

I've replaced the new wiper motor. For anyone reading this in the future, I'll add a small tip that I learned while doing this.

-Mount the wiper motor to the firewall first, and then the washer pump to the wiper motor.
If you mount the washer pump to the wiper motor first, your grounding strap will be blocking one of your mounting holes.

I will say, I'm fairly certain I've mounted the wiper motor correctly, but the wiper motor isn't flush to the firewall- there's about a 1/4'' gap.
I feel like there should be a weather strip for this, no?
Did I install incorrectly?

I'll share pictures below of the job. (As mentioned, I took this as an opportunity to clean up the engine bay as well.)

Now, on to research which wiper switch and delay will be best for the truck.
Given that the original links to such products in this thread are kaputt, I would appreciate any leads anyone may have!

Thanks again, Vile!

Online VileZambonie

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Re: Adding intermittent wipers to a truck without them
« Reply #27 on: January 24, 2021, 09:16:15 AM »
Butyl tape (dumdum) is what you will generally find where the motor meets the firewall.
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline Spool

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Re: Adding intermittent wipers to a truck without them
« Reply #28 on: January 24, 2021, 09:38:36 AM »
Ha... at first I was like, who you calling a dum dum?

Thanks Vile.

Online VileZambonie

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Re: Adding intermittent wipers to a truck without them
« Reply #29 on: January 24, 2021, 01:44:25 PM »
lol, I'm not entirely sure but I think dum-dum was a brand of butyl tape. I really don't know why it's called dum-dum
,                           ___ 
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              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10