Keep vacuum wipers or replace with electric?

OK. So I finally got a vented windshield for a CJ6. It's on it way by Fed Ex. Yaaa. Yaaaa. It's got the orgional vacuum wipers. I've seen the write up on refurbishing them and I've seen them for sale. I assume the new one's are import crap. I've also seen the write up on the myths that say the old wipers need to be replaced with electric one's; they work fine. I also know the good replacment electric need to come from a boat store and cost about $100 bucks each side.

So, for those of you that still use the old vacuum wipers, do they work? Should I rebuild mine or get new one's? Do thay have a high and low speed or just on and off?

If I need to get new electric one's, what should I get? Any model or brand work well?


FWIW, I live in Florida. It rains here quite often.

 

Congratulations on the venting windshield! I bought one awhile back, and put the vacuum wipers on it to be original (I need to update my avatar). I had to fool with them quite a bit to make them work, and they are still not truly satisfactory; I doubt if they really would have been when new either. Anyway, with some patience and dedication, you could probably make some old ones useable again, if the rubber around the paddles is still intact. (The paddles are the little air-tight levers that make the wipers move.) I suspect you will at least need to disassemble them and re-lubricate. I recommend graphite, not grease. By the way, I think they only came as single-speed units; mine are. There was one brand that seemed to have a monopoly on manufacturing these, but I can't recall the name.

Anyway, if you aren't looking to have a period-correct JEEP, or just want the cool-factor of having them, go with good quality electrics. They are lots of trouble to work on, and will probably not clear the windshield very well. If you do use them, you will need a fuel pump that also has the vacuum assist; RPMs above engine idle will bring them to a halt. Those are my two cents; good luck whatever you decide.

 

Thanks for the info. I'm not restoring. I just think they are real high in the cool factor. Not worried about period correct. Heck, I'm using a CJ8 frame under a 'glass CJ6 body. I'm all about function. Just don't wnat to replace them unless I have to.

anyone know where I can get the rubber for the seals? What about brackets and such? Thanks..........

 

Vacuum wipers are two-speed - fast downhill and dead slow when going uphill.

I have them on all my jeeps, but they are not real effective when under load.

Peter Debella had the original rubber for my vent windshield. If you search this forum there has been a lot of discussion about seals for them.

Pete

 

Did you mean rubber seals for the vacuum wipers? Try wiperman.com.

Pete

 

{thinking out loud}
has anyone ever tried using a vac storage tank/cannister to store/amplify the vac supply for the vac wipers ?

 

thanks Howard
if I had vac wipers that's what I would try

 

I have 1 vacuum wiper on the drivers side of my CJ-5 a hand cranker on the right. The vacuum performs very poorly almost nonexistant when pulling. I tried an electric but didnt like because it wouldnt stay out of the line of vision when parked. The vacuum also has a helper handle so thats ok.

 

PO had installed an assist vacuum pump on mine (elect) and worked very well untill it wore out (many years ago) am in middle of resto and when I get to that point will go back to that elect assist pump and connect it to a gal. can as resevoir with one way valve between can and pump.