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Technical Windshield Wiper Kits for 36 Ford?

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by michaelvz51, Apr 11, 2025.

  1. michaelvz51
    Joined: May 24, 2011
    Posts: 872

    michaelvz51
    Member
    from So Cal
    1. HAMB Merc Club

    Hello everyone, I am building a 36' Ford 5 window coupe and am looking for electric windshield wipers where I will have 2 wiper blades and the motor or motors synched on one switch. With all the new technology out, I came across MANY dual windshield wiper kits for the popular off road "UTV's" and was wondering if anyone has tried these?
    My concern is that I still want to be able to fold the windshield out once in a while without breaking the shaft off the motor etc.
    These new "Kits" are everywhere and very affordable, some even come with windshield washer bottles.
    Ideas?
     
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  2. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 24,204

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

  3. Bandit Billy
    Joined: Sep 16, 2014
    Posts: 14,368

    Bandit Billy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I don't have an opening windscreen but I was very pleased with the Newport wipers I installed on my 41 Ford PU. Quiet, park feature, intermittent control, great install instructions (in English) and a cool drill guide that if you you return it when you are done, they will send you a free t-shirt.
     
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  4. chinarus
    Joined: Nov 9, 2010
    Posts: 528

    chinarus
    Member
    from Georgia

    Some of the British cars like MG used a "remote" mounted wiper motor to drive the windshield wipers. I think someone on this site mounted the wiper motor in the under the dash and ran a drive cable up the A post to the wiper posts. Some of the UTV stuff like heaters looks interesting.
     
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  5. Specialty has a cable driven set up. Motor on the right under dash. Windshield should fold out some. Maybe not as far as stock. Done them on tri 5 Chevy.
     
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  6. mgtstumpy
    Joined: Jul 20, 2006
    Posts: 9,247

    mgtstumpy
    Member

    Jaguars also used cable drives, many were adapted to cowl and overhead conversions as the motor could be located in a serviceable [Hidden] area.
     
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  7. Wiper arms hinge and won't interfere with the windshield opening.
     
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  8. brading
    Joined: Sep 9, 2019
    Posts: 795

    brading
    Member

    This is what the guys are talking about with reference to the under dash motor.

    Wipeout 1.jpg Wipeout 2.jpg
     
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  9. Specialty cable wipers work; put a set in a '33 Tudor and a '54 Bel Aire; another buddy put same set-up in his '60 Rambler wagon. The '33 wipers were over the windshield to permit opening & and the motor was inside the right cowl panel and the cable tube went up the A pillar.
     
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  10. SPEC
    Joined: Feb 1, 2021
    Posts: 888

    SPEC
    Member

    Newport makes the best wipers system!!!!
     
  11. michaelvz51
    Joined: May 24, 2011
    Posts: 872

    michaelvz51
    Member
    from So Cal
    1. HAMB Merc Club

    Hello people, thank you very much for all of the responses so far. I’m still curious to see if anyone has tried the UT wipers that route all over the market? These kits have small wiper arms and blades motors that will run both sets at the same time, etc. If nobody’s tried them that’s OK maybe there’s a reason? I checked the speedway single wiper motor motors where you can turn them on separately and I’ve also checked the Newport ones that you guys are talking about here.
    Any other ideas would be welcome. Thank you again.
     
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  12. finn
    Joined: Jan 25, 2006
    Posts: 1,414

    finn
    Member

    The Newport kit for a 36 Ford is $500.

    The kits he’s asking about are $38-$90.

    I’m sort of curious, too. Anyone tried them?
     
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  13. brading
    Joined: Sep 9, 2019
    Posts: 795

    brading
    Member

    Michael have you got a link for the UT wiper please. Curious what they are like.
     
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  14. gene-koning
    Joined: Oct 28, 2016
    Posts: 5,020

    gene-koning
    Member

    I don't know that I have seen the specific cheap wiper system that is being considered here, but I have seen several examples of what I suspect are the same basic system. offered at different times.

    I suspect the $38 kit is one of the electric motors with the wiper post protruding through it. Those mount into the car body and are held in place by the nuts that are threaded onto the motor housing. The wiper arms bolt onto the motor shaft. A kit consisted of the motor, the nuts to attach it to the car body, the wiper arm (and its attaching hardware), and the short wiper blade that attaches to the arm.

    Back in the old days, the wiper power switch was on the motor, but the modern versions may be remote switch operated, which could turn on (and off) both motors at the same time (that doesn't mean both wipers will move exactly together). The early versions did not have a park function, the blades quit moving as soon as the switch was shut off. The park function may have been added to the modern versions too. But you may want to look into the concept of if the park position may be adjustable towards either side if you are running two wipers. If the wiper motors only park in one position, one side may be incorrect for your application.

    At that price, they are cheap enough to throw away and replace them when they don't work. As long as you have access behind the wiper motors to install them, and don't anticipate using them often, they may be worth the purchase price. I would probably buy 3 motors. Two to install, and one to put on the shelf in case you need it on a short notice.

    Originally, those wiper motors were designed to work on the old WW2 Jeeps and were 6 volt units. They were upgraded with the option go to either the 6 volt units, or to the 12 volt units when 12 volts became popular. The system has always been designed to be cheap wipers. These days, the world has taken "cheap" to a whole other level of cheap, but you will have wipers that move across the windshield for as long as they last. The arms and the blades may, or may not, be tied to the specific company you originally bought the system from. You may want to be sure the arms and blades are generic and are easily available for the system you are considering. If you have to buy the arms and blades from just one company, that could be a huge problem in 2 years when you need new blades.

    I suspect the Newport wiper system is a unit designed for this specific need. It likely comes with a mechanical connection between the two wiper posts, much higher quality components, and common replacement wiper arms and blades.
    Your money, your choice.
     
  15. I looked up dual UTV wiper kits and the dual kits that showed up all had two motors; so I don't believe they would be coordinated. Anyone have a link to something different?
     
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  16. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 21,952

    alchemy
    Member

    Again, the Newport kit is very nice. Should be a bolt-in, and not made with cheapo stuff. Many years ago I used them for my 39 Chevy.
     
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  17. Nothing wrong with a single wiper; although my wife complains that it is unfair she doesn't have one. But hey.

    2023-08-11 17.40.11 (Medium).jpg
     
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2025
  18. brading
    Joined: Sep 9, 2019
    Posts: 795

    brading
    Member

    Over here some of the cars had 30s cars had a single motor with a wiper, a second wiper just on a bearinged shaft the two connected with shaft on the wiper arms. So that when the powered wiper worked it pushed a and pulled the second wiper
     
  19. gene-koning
    Joined: Oct 28, 2016
    Posts: 5,020

    gene-koning
    Member

    That would work OK if the wiper posts are correctly located, other wise, one wiper may end up standing in the center of your vision field on the windshield when the wipers are off. Both wipers will be in the same position, in relation to each other, through the entire process.

    Wiper operation design has some unexpected occurrences that you are likely unaware of, if you have never done it before.
     
  20. michaelvz51
    Joined: May 24, 2011
    Posts: 872

    michaelvz51
    Member
    from So Cal
    1. HAMB Merc Club

    OK people, thank you again for all the responses. I’m gonna continue to investigate the UTV wiper set ups and see what I can come up with. I’ll update if that’s the route I go thank you.
     
    RICH B likes this.
  21. Most British cars from the 1950's to 1980's at least used cable driven wipers, the wiper motor is 12 volts and can be mounted anywhere as long as the cable is long enough.....also the wiper "transmission" that pokes thru the body or windscreen frame can be mounted in the original fashion with the cable thru the bottom or upside down with the cable thru the top so the wipers can be "wave your hands" or "clap your hands" ........I have had a cable wiper mounted beside the glove box on my 1940 Dodge for over 40years as shown.......my wipers are "clap your hands".....andyd
     

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  22. nobby
    Joined: Jan 8, 2006
    Posts: 1,351

    nobby
    Member

    Screenshot 2025-04-25 092611.png
    available drive wheel sweep
    Screenshot 2025-04-25 092308.png
    not the hockey stick angle on the end that receives the blade turns left or right to angle the blade in the park position

    Screenshot 2025-04-25 091716.png
    you need to mould these escutcheons into the body
    Screenshot 2025-04-25 091832.png

    make these in heavy wall aluminium tube - -TIP cut a bit off your bicycle seat post!! remember to cut the angle through for both sides before the second straight cut - off!!

    Screenshot 2025-04-25 091305.png
    Screenshot 2025-04-25 091434.png


    make sure you locate LONG wheel boxes as the short ones will not work, the plane or angle of your flat glass in comparison to the angle of the body above the screen is such as the wiper spindles / wheel box need to be the same - -note you can only fit the wheel boxes to receive the drive cable to clear the screen hinge pocket thing

    LUCAS 743251 LRW110 14W WIPER MOTOR RACK DRIVE CABLE 1.5M 60" CUT TO FIT | eBay

    this needs to stick oy on full send by 2 inches

    CLASSIC MINI STAINLESS STEEL WINDSCREEN WIPER ARMS BLADES TRIM KIT 10" Y11PGJ | eBay

    the bars or thickness of these is 7mm or a smidge fatter than 6.35mm 1/4''
    theye are stainless steel and really difficult to redrill - -but when you bo you can put 3mm or even maybe 3.125mm 1/16'' stainless button heads through them to shorten them - -i.e. you drill out those two little rivets and slide the arm in and redril and rivet again or bolt them.









    Classic Mini , Wiper Wheel-box Bush Kit | eBay

    Classic Austin Mini Universal 12v Windscreen Washer Bottle Motor Pump Jets Kit | eBay


    so - when you say KIT - -there isnt one, BUT utilising the trico / /lucas system you can dial the wipers in so you can .


    when you fit the bundy tube
    Windscreen Wiper Motor Bundy Tube 1050mm | eBay
    it will be very difficult x20
    i forget what 8mm is on the brake flaring imperial is, but use that one and then you need to drill backwards into it to allow free movement of the drive cable.

    you have to firstly do the wheel boxes and bolt them in tight - -make the bundy tube between them FIRST
    measure between them add 2 inch for the poke out
    make the initial drive bundy what ever is left.
    put the nut on befor doing the flare


    you may need to switch the location of the motor left or right, as you do not have the option of either or input direction at the wheel boxes in a 36 ford

    Screenshot 2025-04-25 093450.png
    it gets really tight when you mount the motor too at the a-pillar - -getting your new tail/ loom plug on can be a chore if you didnt plan it very well and the motor is in backwards

    Screenshot 2025-04-25 093641.png
    dont skimp on the mounting, when you mount the motor down on the a pillar - -it will protrude a smidge into the cabin area - -this gives you the chance to really lessen the whirr- whirr of the motor though, especially on a long journey, you wont get hypnmotised with the dreaded whirr - -like when they are above your head on the header



    so to recap - -a bolt in kit = =NO
    is it really difficult to do = YES
    variables accounted for
    1. wiper blade length
    2. flat or curved glass
    3. arm length
    4. spindle fitment - -i.e. pin or spline.
    5 spindle/ wheel box length
    6. drive cable max length - -you actually need 5 foot
    7. cable input to wheel box
    8. drive wheel sweep angle 90 to 1235 in 5 degree increments
    9. 2 speed wipers - -whirr whirr -r fast whirr whirr
    10. moment two speed wiper switch with built in motio9n squirter
    11. remotely located motor on rubber mount to dampen noise.
    12. 8mm aluminium tube .50mm wall
     
    Last edited: Today at 3:45 AM
    RICH B and beater32 like this.
  23. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 21,952

    alchemy
    Member

    Makes the Newport wipers sound even better.
     

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