Windshield Wipers

[Capt911]

I am looking at probably buying a used Roadster maybe building after retirement another and have two questions.

I am an old biker and ridden in a lot of rain in my 50+ years of riding. 1. How hard is it to retrofit windshield wipers if the Roadster I buy does not already have them? .
2 I see there are a soft to option someone installs on these Roadsters. Not all that attractive but considering it for a long cross country trip. I know people have done it just trying to get opinions or first hand experience how well the tops work for water intrusion and so forth. my toys have never been garage queens and get used. Weather gets to bad and time to stop like riding a bike but there are times you want to solder on. Any thoughts or experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance all from this noob.

[GTBradley]

Welcome to the forum.

I installed my wipers after the body was installed and painted, though the holes were predrilled in the body, but that can be done afterwards too. I’m like you and want to use the car as much as possible, so I’ve spent a lot of time sealing out heat from the engine bay and water from rain. I installed an original style soft top with good side windows and it does a nice job, but the car is just not designed to keep water out, so there’s only so much you can do there. I was successful on the heat issue.

[Papa]

Beauty is certainly in the eye of the beholder, but I think the premium top looks pretty good on these cars:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=120440&d=1578777652

As for keeping water out -- can't say as I've only driven once in the rain and that was without the top. I will say it is nice to have something to keep the sun from cooking you, which is why I bought the top to begin with.

[glastron351]

I installed my wipers and motor after I had the body on (I wanted to see exactly how everything laid out). It's doable but kind of a pita. The actually functionality of the wipers are marginal at best btw. As far as a soft top, have not done that but a few guys on the forums have.....may consider it in the future as the car is definitely warm in the sun.

Good luck with your searches ...lots of great info here and on the 'other' forum with great member support.

[Al_C]

The only real challenge in my mind is installing the motor with the body on. You typically will mount the motor on the firewall at the far end of the passenger side. if you have good access under the hood, it is do-able. It might actually be easier to put the wiper wheel boxes in place with the body on, but I did mine with it off. There is a tool template that provides a guide hole for the proper size drill bit.

I have no experience with a top, but I can report that in my experience the wipers do actually work. Of course, if you drive fast enough, the wind will do it for you :)

Hope this helped!

[jrcuz]

You can download the wiper install instructions from FFR parts. Might help answer some questions.
JR

[Capt911]

Beauty is certainly in the eye of the beholder, but I think the premium top looks pretty good on these cars:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=120440&d=1578777652

As for keeping water out -- can't say as I've only driven once in the rain and that was without the top. I will say it is nice to have something to keep the sun from cooking you, which is why I bought the top to begin with.

First of all Thanks to everyone who answered my 2 questions. I feel much better about buying a car without wipers yet if that is what happens. Secondly Papa that Premium top looks pretty good. I see they get a premium price as well but makes the car way more functional in the hot sun or rain I like very much. Great bunch of people here appreciate the info. Cap

[AC Bill]

For the top to fit properly, you must have the windshield set at the proper angle. Be prepared to do some fooling around if it's not. The WS post bolts are not always the easiest to reach..

[swwebb]

Don't have wipers and have not really needed them in 4 years and 12k miles. Just used Rain-x on my windshield, and it works fine. Been in downpours and no real issue with the windshield. I don't have a top and the only real issue in rain is when you slow down!! As well as some leaks from the windshield post of the driver's side that dripped near the fuse box!! Luckily, no blown fuses!!

[mburger]

While the premium top has a premium price, it also has premium quality. I was very impressed with everything about the top. Here in SW Florida, it actually keeps me much cooler without the sun beating on you. The side windows work well and I bought the rear zip down window option. I haven’t driven in the rain with it yet. I am having wipers installed while my body is off for a rebuild. I’m using Specialty Power Windows wipers which are half the cost of FF and look to be twice the quality.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=133725&d=1597663445