Which wiper setup is best, early or late? (top or bottom)

[msapers]

Going through my parts stash for my 72 build and I have an opportunity to run either the original 72 top wiper windshield frame or a later 75 ish one. Both windshield frames are complete and in good condition and I don't have a top yet, so I can go either way. I've had both in the past but I don't remember which was better as far as wiper performance. Which configuration do you prefer? We will be moving to Washington state next year, so rain will be a more significant part of our lives than it is here in Los Angeles.

 

[charliemeyer007]

Top wiper can load up with snow very quickly on my 72. I have run Rain-X for decades, above 35 mph you seldom need wipers.
I love the door on my 76 top.

 

[JohnnyC]

IMHO

early would be vacuum upper double motors... they suck

next that suck would be the early dual upper electric motors... they suck ... (new they were most likely fine.... old they have two speeds ... slow and slower) however are the coolest as they most times have a mind of their own and go different speeds and you look like an old tractor when they are going like that ~67

some had the dual upper electric for many more years (~77) with use of the split windshield (mostly military)

the upper single motor is fine .... works fine 68-74 these do not overly suck... just a little suck (been using mine for 30 years... it wipes)

the lower newer style is IMHO the best at clearing snow and rain... strongest and modern 75+
thge 75+ were actually two types as well a smaller then larger motor ... but function the same (Toyota heavy trucks (FA) used this setup for many years (67?-on)

LX model cruiser used the 3 wipers on the windshield (not middle east) arguably that would be the best

All these at one time were new and worked good as intended... nothing like a modern car these days.... but... the work

 

[diesellibrarian]

Nothing to do with functionality, but I personally prefer the cleaner (from the exterior, anyway) look of the '72 window frame.

 

[msapers]

IMHO

early would be vacuum upper double motors... they suck

next that suck would be the early dual upper electric motors... they suck ... (new they were most likely fine.... old they have two speeds ... slow and slower) however are the coolest as they most times have a mind of their own and go different speeds and you look like an old tractor when they are going like that ~67

some had the dual upper electric for many more years (~77) with use of the split windshield (mostly military)

the upper single motor is fine .... works fine 68-74 these do not overly suck... just a little suck (been using mine for 30 years... it wipes)

the lower newer style is IMHO the best at clearing snow and rain... strongest and modern 75+
thge 75+ were actually two types as well a smaller then larger motor ... but function the same (Toyota heavy trucks (FA) used this setup for many years (67?-on)

LX model cruiser used the 3 wipers on the windshield (not middle east) arguably that would be the best

All these at one time were new and worked good as intended... nothing like a modern car these days.... but... the work

Yep, My 72 frame is the single motor with a link to the other wiper. I once had an old MGB with triple wipers. Looked goofy but worked great, when it worked at all.

 

[msapers]

Nothing to do with functionality, but I personally prefer the cleaner (from the exterior, anyway) look of the '72 window frame.

Me too.

 

[msapers]

Top wiper can load up with snow very quickly on my 72. I have run Rain-X for decades, above 35 mph you seldom need wipers.
I love the door on my 76 top.

I have the sides, rear hatch, lower barn doors and side doors for my 72 top, just not the fiberglass cap, gutter, etc. As I recall ( I could be wrong) there is a difference in the front sheetmetal gutter depending on whether top or bottom wiper arms are used. I'm pretty sure the fiberglass piece is the same.

 

[Wasatch Jay]

My first FJ40 was a 1974 with the top wipers. I'm tall, and I absolutely hated them. Hated, and yes that's a strong word, but it's accurate.

I much, much prefer the later style lower wiper setup, and I also prefer the electric wiper motors. In my opinion, both are significant upgrades.

 

[pb4ugo]

Aesthetically, I like the look of the wipers on top. The wipers on the bottom probably work better, but neither work great. I'm pretty tall and never had an issue with vision either way. My seat location has been modified so I fit. Most folks can't drive it. The seat is not adjustable, so I guess it would be one of my theft deterrent devices.

 

[Bear]

As someone who has run with no wipers(on exotic cars with very sloped windshields), the dual upper wipers (that are not synchronized) with weak motors and thin wiper arms with simple squeegee blades, and the lower later wipers with the exterior mounted motor, I would ask if you plan on everyday driving in Northwest rainy weather or occasional sunny day jaunts. As has been said, the aesthetically period-correct look is one thing, but the annoyance of weak wimpy windshield wiping is another if it's a regular occurrence. Even in fog/low clouds/mist just having a working wiper of any sort can keep you from getting out with a handkerchief to wipe away the glass or the occasional bug that splashes into your view. Expecting modern-day performance from a 50-year old utility vehicle will leave something to be desired.

Just my 2 cents. YRMV

 

[charliemeyer007]

I was in bad snowmagettin in McCall Id, back in the 80's. Every 2 block I had to pull over and clear the windshield because there was no place up to push the snow - even the head lights on high beam and rain X would have like 2 inches of snow caked on the lenses. Only place worse was at the to of White Bird grade in a white out. I could not 10' and at time I couldn't my fingers at the end of my held out arm. Really loved my 2 heaters those days.

My best white out story was hill out side Abswind Germany, mid 70's. In my deuce and half idling in low range low with windshield open up. One guy holding on the end of the bumper on each feeling ahead for trees to keep us on the trail. Luckily it wasn't steep and mostly straight - a few hundred yards and it let up enough to do without the ground guides.

 

[Pitter Patter]

Going through my parts stash for my 72 build and I have an opportunity to run either the original 72 top wiper windshield frame or a later 75 ish one. Both windshield frames are complete and in good condition and I don't have a top yet, so I can go either way. I've had both in the past but I don't remember which was better as far as wiper performance. Which configuration do you prefer? We will be moving to Washington state next year, so rain will be a more significant part of our lives than it is here in Los Angeles.

An early welcome to Washington!

 

[igotta40]

I prefer the upper wipers. Only because they don’t look like the ones on a Jeep.

 

[bikersmurf]

I’ve only had the single wiper on top. After I’ve given it a little TLC… the speeds are fast and stupid fast. I’m near to Seattle so I’ve got an idea what to expect. They have been fine so long as the squirter… although I haven’t had them since’96, and we have managed just fine.

 

[Living in the Past]

Top wiper can load up with snow very quickly on my 72. I have run Rain-X for decades, above 35 mph you seldom need wipers.
I love the door on my 76 top.

I agree about snow getting packed up under the lip on the hard top cap. I've had to pull over and clear while driving in a wet heavy snow.

IMHO

early would be vacuum upper double motors... they suck

next that suck would be the early dual upper electric motors... they suck ... (new they were most likely fine.... old they have two speeds ... slow and slower) however are the coolest as they most times have a mind of their own and go different speeds and you look like an old tractor when they are going like that ~67

some had the dual upper electric for many more years (~77) with use of the split windshield (mostly military)

the upper single motor is fine .... works fine 68-74 these do not overly suck... just a little suck (been using mine for 30 years... it wipes)

the lower newer style is IMHO the best at clearing snow and rain... strongest and modern 75+
thge 75+ were actually two types as well a smaller then larger motor ... but function the same (Toyota heavy trucks (FA) used this setup for many years (67?-on)

LX model cruiser used the 3 wipers on the windshield (not middle east) arguably that would be the best

All these at one time were new and worked good as intended... nothing like a modern car these days.... but... the work

FJ25s had vacuum wipers in the US. The FJ40s up to 9/67 had dual electric motors but those were single speed. 9/67-1/75 had the single motor and two speed at the top of the windshield.

While not in the US there three speed wiper with a intermittent. Only RHD had the three wiper arms on LX models.

 

[msapers]

Thanks guys, it seems that bottom is the clear winner. I think I'll go ahead and paint both frames just because.

 

[jim land]

Don't forget to use the offset hinges from 75-84 so you can fold down the windshield

 

[msapers]

Don't forget to use the offset hinges from 75-84 so you can fold down the windshield

Good call!

 

[Shark56]

I run both. The top mount is ok in the rain, sucks in the snow. The lower mount is ok in the rain, and does a "little" better in the snow. At least the lower mount pushes it up where as the top mount pushes it down, where the wind blows it back up. Having the motor and linkage clean and lubed helps alot with the dual speeds.