Wiper Motor Upgrade

[brooklyn]

For those of us who have or had in my case, the two independent wiper motors on their FJ40 - two speed wipers have always been on the wish list. Synchronized wiper blades were a desire beyond our reach.

So after much research on MUD and thanks to all who provide wiring diagrams and switch wiring - I have upgraded to the one wiper motor, dual speed system.

The trick to this install is that you have to lengthen the wire cable that runs between the two wiper pivots.

Time to install - 1 day.

1. Source a wiper motor ask for all the hardware you can get (switch, wiper blades, all connectors, and harness)
2. Dissemble the the cable from the motor - screws out.
3. Open the motor.

 

[brooklyn]

cleaned out the case

Cleaned out the case to put new grease in - the old was getting dried out.

 

[brooklyn]

Extension made to increase length

Made an extension to increase the length and thread it on both sides.

 

[brooklyn]

Threaded at both sides

Here is a picture of the extension and the piece it screws in to...

 

[brooklyn]

Make sure you have enough thread on the side that you screw in to the gear. It will allow you to make some fine adjustments when you fit the wipers to the windshield.

I used a piece of fuel line to make a small grommet for the extension to slide back and forth on (held in by the clamp)

 

[brooklyn]

Put the cover on and your done...

After you get the extension installed, close up the housing (I was still testing and hadn't re-greased in this photo) and you are ready to install on the frame.

Couple of things you need to know; you will have to drill out a bigger hole for the wiper pivots and new holes to mount the motor.

I will take a few pictures of the final install, so you can see how it looks.

 

[gisham]

subscribed-

 

[65swb45]

subscribed-

Me too!

 

[Shawn Russell]

Nice....

Shawn

 

[mrjay2u]

subscribed-

Yep, me too

 

[Funkytown 40]

Subscribed

Ditto. I need mine to work so it will pass inspection.

 

[gisham]

how did this unfold? I would actually buy one of these setups as i currently have no wipers on my 67

 

[dgangle]

necessity is the mother of invention!

Just when one thinks they have seen about every possible upgrade to these old trucks, I like to see this type of creativity...keep on keepin' on.

 

[brooklyn]

Finished Wiper Upgrade

Finished this project.

Here is the template I used for measuring.

In my first attempt I tried to extend the length of the existing cable that ran between wiper assembles. That didn't work as I couldn't get the two pieces to stay together.

So, I then bought a piece of rod from Home Depot and replaced the cable altogether. Not the original look, but I am thinking of spraying the rod black or wrapping in black electrical tape. Where the rod enter both housing, I cut a small piece of fuel hose to great a grommet for the hose to slide on. (will post a video to show it works).

 

[brooklyn]

Here is the die size that worked for me

When you do this make sure you tap the rod about an inch and a bit because that much screws into the gear boxes at each end

 

[brooklyn]

There is one of these at each end

There is one of these "gear boxes" at each end of the motor. Just unscrew the existing cable and replace with the metal rod.

Works and now I have two speed wipers.

 

[mruff]

Nice work..

 

[ColoradoCarlisle]

I have two spew wipers and have messing around with broken cables for a long time
I'm going to just switch to a rod

 

[brooklyn]

Been running this setup for a while now with no issues. Still contemplating trying to wire in a device to give me intermittent wipers for those days when it's just misting.

 

[ucmlamb]

@brooklyn I was wondering if you kept the old/original on/off switch or did you also upgrade the switch to a 70's model? Thanks and nice write-up.