1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Electric Windshield Wiper Conversion

Discussion in 'Jeep Truck and FC Tech' started by FinoCJ, Nov 13, 2019.

  1. FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Looking to swap out the vacuum wiper system for an electric system....This is the most common found from a number of the standard willys/jeep parts suppliers:
    Windshield Wiper Motor Conversion Kit in 12 volt Fits 46-64 Truck, Station Wagon, Jeepster

    Also found this one - which kind of looks like the same thing, but maybe a bit cleaner looking and more money:
    New Port Engineering | 1946-64 Willys Wiper Motor

    Anyone have experience with these, suggestions or better options? Also, it looks like these things pull close to 20A (on 12V system)....I don't want to overtax the generator and electrical system - seems like 30A or so is what an old generator can put out - and not necessarily for extended run times? Running with headlights in the rain might be too much, but Colo isn't that wet. Eventually I hope to swap things over to a higher output alternator. Thanks!
     
    FinoCJ, Nov 13, 2019
    #1
  2. PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I imagine the 20 amp fuse is to protect at full stall. Normal running probably would draw less power.
     
    PeteL, Nov 13, 2019
    #2
  3. Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    I've got that 2 speed setup. With the lights on and wipers on high I didn't notice it pulling enough amps to be of a concern when it used to be my DD. The more expensive one you posted has more wires than mine...I've got 2 wires and a ground. I wonder about the difference in the motor.
     
    Glenn, Nov 13, 2019
    #3
  4. Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Mine also came with a switch like the second one, only thing I don't like about it is the switch is hard to turn. I think it is because it seems to be a fairly sturdy switch.
     
    Glenn, Nov 13, 2019
    #4
  5. Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Before you invest in an electric replacement for the vacuum motor, make sure all your cables and pullys are not frayed and are in working order. Have you been up under the cowl to see the RubeGoldberg factory setup?
    I have used individual marine wiper motors in a past Wagon, and they worked fine. That Wagon had a tangled mess up under the cowl.
    -Donny
     
    Keys5a, Nov 14, 2019
    #5
  6. ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    ^This.

    I modified a wiper motor from a car to work in my old willys pickup, only to have the network of trapeze wires self destruct a week later. I’d probably come up with my own solid linkages (a la Bad Obsession) before I’d go individual motors, but I'm... neurotic. It bothers me when the wipers aren’t in sync.
     
    ITLKSEZ, Nov 14, 2019
    #6
    45es likes this.
  7. FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Yup...initial inspection shows the cables to be in good shape/not frayed, but I haven't checked to see if the tension is appropriate or if the pulleys are turning smoothly...the only thing more ridiculous than that cable and pulley set-up is the cable and pulley set-up from the PO to operate the clutch fork with the engine swap! (I'll get pics of that up soon, as these are the next two things on the list to work on).

    My wipers are perfectly in-sync! Both are at the bottom of the movement at the exact time...of course, they are never not at the bottom at the exact same time, or rather all the time....Out of sync wipers are bothersome, but non-functioning wipers is more bothersome....
     
    FinoCJ, Nov 14, 2019
    #7
  8. Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    There are places that rebuild the mechanisms.
     
    Glenn, Nov 14, 2019
    #8
  9. Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Any wipers work well with a fresh coat of Rain-Ex.
     
    Buildflycrash, Nov 14, 2019
    #9
  10. sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Fwiw I have a Newport set up on my fifty seven Chevy different than your set up but have had nothing but good luck with it or the company.
     
    sterlclan, Dec 10, 2019
    #10
  11. jeepermc

    jeepermc Active Member

    I have the Bosch type motors in my CJ-6, my M38, and another pair I have yet to install in my CJ-3A. They actually function unlike those cheap POS chinese electric motors. I wouldn't install anything else at this point in my life. I messed with those cheap chinese ones for far too long.
     
    jeepermc, Dec 27, 2019
    #11