Wiper motors

[MSeriesRebuild]

Why don't we just use proven facts instead of this, that, and the other, theory.

First off, I've installed many new vacuum motors and both new and rebuilt fuel pumps with excellent condition booster chambers. The simple bottom line is this, it isn't great, I don't care what you do. The installation of a vacuum tank will help somewhat in certain situations, but for a very short time span. I wouldn't install a vacuum boosted brake system without a vacuum tank, but in that situation the intent is to get 3-4 boosted brake applications to safely exit the road in the event of engine stall. With wipers, the motors just keep on needing vacuum unlike the brake system that only needs a couple of shots and it's over, the wipers need a full supply 100% of the time to perform decent. If you are a purist who just can't stand the thought of updating, like the recent M37 paint color preference thread discussed, that's your personal call.

My personal preference is having something capable of doing the job when duty calls. I mean whoever makes statements like I never intend to drive in the rain at 60MPH with my truck, well I can take a drive this afternoon and get caught in a downpour enexpectedly. My point is this, it can happen at any moment, one time of not seeing clearly can get one into a serious problem and so on, like most incidents that bring about undesirable issues, we never see it coming. I'm more on a well functioning dependable system than I am a purist or a chance taker that it will never happen because it isn't supposed to rain when I drive. Sounds a little foolish to me, just my opinion, you are certainly entitled to yours. We have developed our electrical wiper systems because our customers requested them on their updated trucks, they are used mainly on our projects, we have sold just a few to folks who wanted to self install the systems on their trucks, it really isn't something we push. It is simply an option we offer to our clients.

The Rain-X, I personally like, but also agree with Lifer, it does not do its job as well on a non slopping windshield. I have used it on my m37 with a good result, no streaking or film issues at all, I thought the biggest issue was having to retreat the glass often to keep the performance at its best.

If you want to stay with vacuum because that was the only option during the M37's military service, OK. Bear in mind that if the M37 would have seen longer service time as did the 2 1/2 and 5 ton trucks, wiper systems certainly would have been updated along the way. As was mentioned, the larger trucks had air operated wiper motors originally that were FAR superior to vacuum. Even these systems were updated to electric wiper systems on many trucks as time went on.

[m15256]

I kept the vacuum wipers on my M152 because I never had an extra $400 to throw at it. I've driven in the rain plenty of times and they work fine for me. Decent blades help with proper arm pressure. As far as driving 60 MPH in the rain the only way I'd get going that fast was if I drove off a cliff. If there is a Force 10 Gale with winds of 60 MPH I'll probably know it's coming and stay home. But, like Charles says, that's just my own opinion.

[vtdeucedriver]

When I put rain-x on my M52, I noticed some difference. The most apparent was the obvious recognition of how bad my window seals really are!!!

I have never had a smear issue with using rain-x. In my civies, I use windshield cleaner with Rain-x in it, maybe thats the difference.

[DAP]

I use Rain X on my van windows and never had a problem with the stuff smearing but you have to polish it with a cotton rag. If you don't then it smears. Smeared it is a mess but you can still polish it up, if you don't wreck first when you turn into the sun. Also apply the stuff in the shade not in the sun.
That said I used it on my M37 flat windows and the main advantage is that when I clean smashed dried bug bodies off (since the windows are like hitting bugs with a board) they come off a whole lot eaier with a Rain X treated windows. Since I am short anything that makes it easier to clean my M37 windows is good.
Another trick I have used with the van wipers when they get a little age and start the squeek squeek jerking sounds is to spray silcone spray on a cotton rag and wipe the rubber wiper blades. It quiets them down and doesn't cause any problems. Just don't hose the blade itself down and make sure to wipe all silicone spray excess off the rubber. The combo of Rain X and silicone allows my van wipers to move much smoother. I never had much success with the graphite stuff they make for wiper blades.
I need to treat my M37 wipers with silicone and see if this helps.
I expect that the combo will make them easier to move and if you have vacum wipers any little bit helps. As for me - I use the expensive electric wipers on my M37. With a herc diesel, 4.89 gears, 4 wheel disc brakes and 38 inch tires I can top out at 68 (54 is the sweet spot on the power curve) and I want to see if I get one of those sudden NC down pours

[cuz]

Why don't we just use proven facts instead of this, that, and the other, theory.

Because this is a free society. We can think and choose on our own based on our own needs and our own limits.

It's a proven fact that breathing impurities in the air can shorten your life. How many folks do you know took that proven fact to the bank and bought a pure air supply system and a long hose and now circle around in an area circle whose radius is the length of that hose?

[MSeriesRebuild]

Why don't we just use proven facts instead of this, that, and the other, theory.

Because this is a free society. We can think and choose on our own based on our own needs and our own limits.

It's a proven fact that breathing impurities in the air can shorten your life. How many folks do you know took that proven fact to the bank and bought a pure air supply system and a long hose and now circle around in an area circle whose radius is the length of that hose?

No offense intended, the air we breath was not my topic of discussion here. I'm not shooting toward you or anyone else that has taken part in this thread. I simply stated some facts that we have proven to be facts because of wiper systems we have tried and installed right here in house. If someone wants to take advantage of the info we have researched, they can. If they choose to do their own trial and error research, they can also do that. Nothing wrong with the purist view, especially in vehicles that will be shown and judged on correctness, we still install original systems on this type vehicle. That view may not be the best when applied to driver vehicles where advanced safety issues are much more of a consideration. I repeat, it is each individuals call, you can feel free to put on your truck the system of your choice. If I offended you by sharing my views, please accept my apology. Views shared from different prospectives may help some who are searching make a final decision that will better suit their personal conditions, whatever their individual situation is. I've talked with many folks who were looking for alternatives to the inferior functioning vacuum wipers that never knew better systems had been built. These folks we can help.

Since I'm not here looking for an arguement, I'll leave it at that.

[Master Yota]

The nice thing about the M37 windshield, is that its a split unit. 400 bucks is an awful chunk of change to swallow in one shot. But there is nothing saying that one electric motor at a time can't be puchased and installed separately. My personal choice would be to start with the driver's side. I find it easier to absorb a 200 dollar cha-ching and get a better view.

I was in the RV and Boat store the other day, and they where offering complete induvidual electric motors, with wiper arms and blades for about $120 per unit (so total investment would be around $250 or so).
There is probably a reason why they are cheaper than other brands, but as its been pointed out, anything is better than vacume.

I've also had good luck with RainX - using both the wipe on sheets in my previous M37, and the windshield washer variety in my daily driver. I never had any issues with it clouding or obscuring my vision, but we don't get the heat and humidy that ya'll get... Worst part is the washer fluid kind of looks like dog pee being sprayed on the window...

[MSeriesRebuild]

The nice thing about the M37 windshield, is that its a split unit. 400 bucks is an awful chunk of change to swallow in one shot. But there is nothing saying that one electric motor at a time can't be puchased and installed separately. My personal choice would be to start with the driver's side. I find it easier to absorb a 200 dollar cha-ching and get a better view.

I was in the RV and Boat store the other day, and they where offering complete induvidual electric motors, with wiper arms and blades for about $120 per unit (so total investment would be around $250 or so).
There is probably a reason why they are cheaper than other brands, but as its been pointed out, anything is better than vacume.

I've also had good luck with RainX - using both the wipe on sheets in my previous M37, and the windshield washer variety in my daily driver. I never had any issues with it clouding or obscuring my vision, but we don't get the heat and humidy that ya'll get... Worst part is the washer fluid kind of looks like dog pee being sprayed on the window...

Let me clear this up, the reason our set up is in the $400 price range is this. It is a dual motor system that is operated from a single dash mounted switch. The motors are heavy duty to perform in snow as well as rain. We use heavy duty adjustable arms and heavy blades that are of the flexible type, (work on flat or curved glass) and are refillable. The motors offer an automatic return to park feature, so the arms park at the same preset location each time the switch is turned off. The system also offers the option of installing a washer system that is operated by the same switch. Ours is top of the line to correspond with the vehicles we most often build, thus the higher price tag. We just can't offer a premium system at bargain prices, the stuff cost us more than some prices quoted here. I totally understand some wouldn't want to invest this much in a system, that's exactly why I don't push our system for sale, I was simply passing on information about what a really good system will cost.

One other thing I can add, I've had a couple of electrics that were actually worse than the vacuum, they are out there still. I threw a pair of electrics out years ago and changed back to vacuum. I've tried it all over the years, this is why I'm so opinionated on certain issues today.

[Master Yota]

Sorry Charles, I didn't mean any knocks toward your system (I wasn't even refering to it actually, as I haven't investigated your setup setup yet). I was simply refering to the overall cost of most electric conversions - be they cable drives, induvidual motors, or whatever else.

Sorry for the implied slight, no offense was intended...

[Lifer]

Why don't we just use proven facts instead of this, that, and the other, theory.

No slight intended, but I think that it's safe to assume that every proven fact was once just another theory. It is precisely through repetitive trial and evaluation that "this, that, and the other" theory becomes "proven fact."

[MSeriesRebuild]

Why don't we just use proven facts instead of this, that, and the other, theory.

No slight intended, but I think that it's safe to assume that every proven fact was once just another theory. It is precisely through repetitive trial and evaluation that "this, that, and the other" theory becomes "proven fact."

This is true, in fact it is how we arrived at where we are today.

[MSeriesRebuild]

Sorry Charles, I didn't mean any knocks toward your system (I wasn't even refering to it actually, as I haven't investigated your setup setup yet). I was simply refering to the overall cost of most electric conversions - be they cable drives, induvidual motors, or whatever else.

Sorry for the implied slight, no offense was intended...

Not a problem, no offense taken at all. it just seems everybody can't believe the increase in the cost of things recently, myself included. I just wanted to make myself clear on what we had done and its cost.

I still get calls inquiring about the cost of various things, sometimes the reply is "that's more than I paid for the truck." Truth is just because one bought a truck for $500 twenty years ago, repairs can't be made for a lesser cost in most cases. Those days are GONE, but some still think it should hold true.