Wiper System Upgrade To 2000

[tiptoptune2]

Someone asked if I had a write up on how I installed a 2000 Chev wiper motor in my 72 Commando. So here it is. When I did resto mod to my 72 Bullnose I used a large amount of items from my 2000 Chev Astro donor besides the 4.3L 4L60E trans and more. I cheap and love old jeeps but like modern luxury items. And a 2000 wiper motor with a true high speed and multiple intermittent speeds and powerful washer pump at a luxury in a 72 jeep used as a daily driver. This set up is hands down the best wipers I have ever had in any of the many jeeps I owned over 40 plus years.
I used the Astro wiper motor and installed it in the same location as the original Commando motor by fabbing a mount plate and a couple tabs to mount it to the steering/pedal bracket and inline with the wiper linkage. While the motor is from an Astro, an S10 and others may be similar and could be used. The 2000 vintage Chev wiper motor with the multifunction turn wiper switch is stand alone. Does not go through a BCM or other module. Intermittent speeds are accomplished by varying resistors in the multifunction stalk switch. While I used most of the Astro wiring harness and fuse box in my resto that provided fuses and kind of plug and play, I think one could "hot wire" the motor fairly easily with obtaining from a donor - the motor, switch, washer tank and pump and cut the connectors and wire it yourself. I can provide some FSM diagrams if want.

Motor and Mount Plate

 

[tiptoptune2]

I am planning to use a S10 wiper motor in my 2a resto mod that is in progress currently. Looks to be same set up as Astro.
Sorry I only have a few pics of the wiper install. If someone really interested in doing and could use more, let me know and I try to get more.
Linkage - first I mocked up motor location to figure out the linkage needs. Going off memory here as it was 10 plus years ago but i do know i had to modify the arm length on the Astro motor and i think the ball end or whatever the connection is to the jeep linkage. Made one arm from two using the end of each. The Astro end to go to motor and jeep end to go to the linkage) and playing with the OAL to get the wiper stroke proper. It was not that difficult.

Pic of mount plate on motor - bolts not installed.

 

[tiptoptune2]

Linkage Length - this was easy. Cut main arm, overlap approximately 2 inches and hose clamp for testing. Tack welded once finalized it was all good. I recall it taking a few tries between getting motor arm length and linkage length correct but it was not that bad and well worth the effort.
Pic of motor installed and hooked up to the linkage. Sorry not great pic but if you enlarge i think you will see the details. Before judging too much on my workmanship seeing the instrument panel hole cut up, the dash on my commando was butchered when i got it and using a 2000 4.3L the easiest gauge set up is to use dash form donor. So i cut it more. I have a second complete metal dash panel and oem black pad that i am planning to install and move out a couple inches for more room for all the goods behind the dash. I will cut the 2000 cluster down getting rid of warning lights and install behind the dash for a cleaner look. Will have a separate MIL light.

 

[tiptoptune2]

Switch - mounting on steering column is my goal someday. May try to use the turn signal portion of the switch too and dreaming a bit but try to get the cancel function to work. But that may all be a stretch. As is just fixing the cancel on the oem switch that has been broken for 10 years proves too much for me these days. The oem sucks, seem to break too easy, and are not common. For the last 10 years I just have the multifunction switch sticking out the other hacked up radio hole and turn the dial on end of switch for speeds and the thumb lever tab for washer. I thought about getting my own resistors and make a plain switch that could be mounted on the dash but that a lot of work and multifunction switches are easy to come by. I may do a permanent mount in the dash panel where just the inch or so of the end of stalk protrudes through the dash just enough to have the speeds and wash.

Wash - i used the chev tank and pump and changed cowl nozzle to nozzles that clip onto wiper arms. Drilled hole next to arm, used rubber grommet for hoses. Works very well.

Arms/Blades - used original arms and got creative mounting 12- 13 inch modern blades common on rear wiper systems for full height wiping. This mod alone is worth it!

If you want to see complete build of resto mod on my 72 it is on the Jeepster Forum. Copy paste below link if it does not work auto.
Jeepster Commando Club of America • View topic - 72 resto 4.3L 4L60E Half and Full Cab

or search the Jeepster forum for - 72 Resto 4.3L 4L60E Half and Full Cab
I am not a big poster so did not post on ecj5 site. I thinking updating the build with 10 year review. Not to get off topic too much but overall very happy with the build. If i did over i would consider widening frame starting behind front spring rear hanger all the way to the rear. I did this on my 2a i am currently doing and it makes fitting exhaust and t case and tank so much easier. And cause we all like pics. Pic of it towing my 2a.