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Manual Vs Electric Wiper?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Stano316, Jan 1, 2020.

  1. Jan 1, 2020
    Stano316

    Stano316 Member

    Long Island
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    Hello everyone,

    my cj5 came with a non working electric wiper, just drivers side, and I’m looking to replace it with either a manual or electric wiper.

    As a heads up, the Jeep will never have a top, or doors, so most likely not be driven in any sort of rain unless I get caught in it.

    I like the idea of a manual wiper because there are no wires, no motor to look at, and is just simple.

    but the electric is convenient, and probably more functional.

    What is everyone running? Opinions?

    Thanks!
     
  2. Jan 1, 2020
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    Is this a top mounted wiper?
     
  3. Jan 1, 2020
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
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    This is just an opinion so, take it for just that.........the manual wiper, to me, is more of a novelty item. It's kind of why they were usually found on the passenger side and a vacuum wiper (as insufficient as THEY can also be) was installed for the driver. You WILL get caught in the rain someday. You're not living in AZ. And trust me, steering, shifting, signaling and trying to operate a manual wiper arm in the rain, in traffic in a vehicle that, from the factory, has notoriously poor brakes,..........well, the fun goes away pretty quick.

    I like the simple look of a manual wiper also. Better yet, no wiper at all would be really clean, but I'd put something up there. You owe it to yourself and whoever else might be on the road that day when you get caught in a downpour. Just my .02
     
    colojeepguy likes this.
  4. Jan 1, 2020
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    it's been discussed over and over which vacuum / electric wiper to install .
    we put a set of the single speed electric wipers on my buddy's jeep
    very clean look . easy to install . and the jeep will probably never see any RAIN
    got them from walcks
    so he didn't spend a lot of money on them . show and go
     
  5. Jan 1, 2020
    Stano316

    Stano316 Member

    Long Island
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    It’s the top mounted style.

    I wouldn’t even bother with vacuum, but electric is easy enough to wire.

    I realize the manual is more of a novelty, just looking for ppl who have experience with them to see if they are as useless as they appear to be
     
  6. Jan 1, 2020
    PeteL

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

    Hills of NH
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    One thing I like about the manual wiper is the ability to clear heavy snow, etcetera.

    I really like that the military vacuum motor also has a manual assist handle.
     
    Last edited: Jan 1, 2020
  7. Jan 1, 2020
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    The aftermarket electric motors sold as Jeep replacement motors have a poor reputation for reliability. The best quality top-mounted wiper motors are sold for boats, and they are very much more expensive than the cheaper aftermarket motors sold specifically for Jeeps. A newer windshield with bottom-mounted electric wipers may be a better option.

    Just an example - https://www.westmarine.com/wiper-motors-kits
     
    ojgrsoi likes this.
  8. Jan 1, 2020
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

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    I'm not even sure where you would find a manual wiper, unless someone has recently started reproducing them they've been pretty much unobtanium. :shrug:
     
  9. Jan 1, 2020
    Stano316

    Stano316 Member

    Long Island
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    Yeah, I noticed those cheapo ones have bad reviews, and apparent from the broken one that came with my Jeep.
     
  10. Jan 1, 2020
    Stano316

    Stano316 Member

    Long Island
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    Amazon! Lol. People use them for golf carts and side by sides.
     
  11. Jan 1, 2020
    PeteL

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

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    Last edited: Jan 1, 2020
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  12. Jan 1, 2020
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

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    Yup but i believe the arms are the wrong length for a 5. :rolleyes:
     
  13. Jan 1, 2020
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

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    Hah- i guess everything old is new again o_O
     
  14. Jan 1, 2020
    Jrobz23

    Jrobz23 Member

    Northern, WI
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    Manual wiper and rainx. That stuff is surprisingly effective.

    I’d rather plan and deal with the 1% scenario than assume cheap chinese crap will work when I need it.
     
    Rick Whitson, ojgrsoi and Stano316 like this.
  15. Jan 1, 2020
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    If you decide to go with the original type top-mounted electric wipers that were first installed on the late '66 / early '67 CJ's, Willys Jeep Parts in Yuma, AZ has the closest I've been able to find to the OEM wiper motors, arms, blades, and spacers you'll need. These are NOS American Bosch motors, though they are the two-speed type (those on my '67 CJ-5 are one-speed, and are pretty slow). See kit number 977343-K:

    Electric Windshield Wipers

    BTW you can also get the wiper arms and blades from Walcks, though I'm not sure of the difference in price.

    Here's the correct two-speed switch: NOS COLE HERSEE 2 SPEED WIPER SWITCH AMERICAN BOSCH SCTA RAT ROD HOT ROD | eBay

    This switch will fit the original two-speed windshield wiring harness. This harness is a separate add-on from the main wiring harness on the CJ's, but Walcks can make one for you.

    I also found a source for the correct wiper knob (see Wiper motor question? ), which is hard to find, and is not the one that will come on that switch. This guy runs a parts house for Postal Jeep parts, which shared the same wiper knob. If you email him I think he will sell you one for around $8: Gary Pounds <gary.pounds@icloud.com>

    You can see how the motors are mounted in this thread I started on rebuilding my original wiper motors here:

    Rebuilding American Bosch Wwf Electric Wiper Motors

    Before installing them, you would want to open up the gearboxes on these motors and make sure the wipe angles are set correctly for the CJ-5 windshield (120 degrees). If it looks at all iffy, I'd also recommend cleaning out and replacing the original grease in the gearboxes while you're at it.
     
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2020
  16. Jan 1, 2020
    Stano316

    Stano316 Member

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    Whoa ton of info Maury, thanks!
     
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  17. Jan 1, 2020
    CHUGALUG

    CHUGALUG Member

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    I live in Western Oregon. I have adapted a two speed intermittent fully adjustable for sweep and park. Street Rod grade cable drivin system from Specialties Power Windows. It even has a Windshield washer option on the switch. I plan on driving my Willys any dam time I want including the middle of one of our weekly monsoons or snow and ice.
     
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  18. Jan 1, 2020
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I recently researched all that for a friend with a ‘66 CJ5 who wants to replace the original vacuum wipers. Hope maybe the info proves helpful!
     
    65CJ5 SRD likes this.
  19. Jan 1, 2020
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

    Republic of Texas
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    Using the original manuals also require the correct method, as I have found out sitting in the passenger side when misting. You actually have to pull the handle away from the windshield as you swipe back in forth to create slight pressure of the blade on the glass. Plus changing the blade requires you to drill out a rivited and of course do a new rivited for the new. I'm not a real fan or impressed with it. But as a passenger side, mine is still there, 'for now'.
     
  20. Jan 2, 2020
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    Ted, still has the manual passenger wiper, my farm cj5 still has it and parts cj5 still has it. Not hard to find if you know where to look.

    The manual wiper does work much better than the electric one fwiw.
     
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