who has windshield wipers on their coupe

[jamminj]

Just curious how well they work thinking of adding them to my kit

[edwardb]

I have wipers (and washers...) on my Coupe. But I didn't use the Factory Five ones. I used these: https://www.specialtypowerwindows.com/power-windshield-wiper-kits, part number WWK-2. ANCO Adjustable Wiper Arms 44-01, and ANCO 52-Series Clear-Flex Wiper Blades 5215. Very happy with the setup.

[jamminj]

thank you I knew when you got on you would respond

[cgundermann]

Besides the cost difference, why did you choose this over the FFR supplied unit Paul?

Chris

[edwardb]

Besides the cost difference, why did you choose this over the FFR supplied unit Paul?

Chris

Much more robust and highly adjustable, e.g. sweep directions, sweep angles, etc.

[cgundermann]

Thanks Paul. Not to hijack the thread, but what washer system did you use?

Chris

[Ltngdrvr]

I have wipers (and washers...) on my Coupe. But I didn't use the Factory Five ones. I used these: https://www.specialtypowerwindows.com/power-windshield-wiper-kits, part number WWK-2. ANCO Adjustable Wiper Arms 44-01, and ANCO 52-Series Clear-Flex Wiper Blades 5215. Very happy with the setup.

This is the setup to go with, the only other to consider is the same kit with an intermittent switch for a few bucks more, WWK-21 is the intermittent kit part number.

[cgundermann]

This is the setup to go with, the only other to consider is the same kit with an intermittent switch for a few bucks more, WWK-21 is the intermittent kit part number.

That’s what I went with…

Chris

[Jacob McCrea]

I have FFR's wiper kit on a Gen 2 coupe. It took a lot of time and effort to get the stainless tubes for the cables set up (cut to length, flared and bent to fit the curvature of the body) correctly. Very tedious work. I'm not unhappy with the FFR kit but would absolutely try the kit linked above.

[cgundermann]

I have FFR's wiper kit on a Gen 2 coupe. It took a lot of time and effort to get the stainless tubes for the cables set up (cut to length, flared and bent to fit the curvature of the body) correctly. Very tedious work. I'm not unhappy with the FFR kit but would absolutely try the kit linked above.

Thanks Jacob - good to know, since I canceled the FFR wipers and ordered above....

Chris

[edwardb]

Thanks Paul. Not to hijack the thread, but what washer system did you use?

Chris

I used a 060800-0550 Denso Heavy Duty Windshield Washer Kit. From Amazon and now says unavailable. Maybe available elsewhere. For my truck build, I used a Chase Bays Compact Windshield Washer Reservoir / Intercooler Sprayer. Type one bracket. https://www.chasebays.com/products/chase-bays-windshield-washer-reservoir-intercooler-sprayer. A little more expensive but more compact and very nice aluminum tank.

[cgundermann]

Thanks Paul.

Chris

[John Dol]

I used marine wipers and they work well. Ongaro if I’m remembering correctly.

John

[JohnMac]

It’s a good idea to test every part before installation. We got the FF5 WW kit which included a motor/trans from Lucas/India and after hooking up the wiring to the motor found we only 1 speed and it wouldn’t park or shut off using the supplied switch. I finally took the “can” off the motor and found one of the brushes wasn’t touching the armature. The gear boxes were also from India and after clamping the flaired tubes for that test found so much binding that we trashed those. We ended up ordering a set of English gear boxes which work fine. The routing and location of the motor is now at hand….

[cob427sc]

Just my 2 cents -- I've had the FFR wipers on my coupe and several roadsters. They are more for appearance and to get by the RMV. Best to rely on coating the windsheild with Rain-x and you won't need the wipers.

[RogerDM]

Much more robust and highly adjustable, e.g. sweep directions, sweep angles, etc.

I'll mention that difference to my uncle tomorrow when I help him install the suspension from 4Wheelonline onto his Jeep. We'll work on his Coupe next.

[rhk118]

Much more robust and highly adjustable, e.g. sweep directions, sweep angles, etc.


This is the setup to go with, the only other to consider is the same kit with an intermittent switch for a few bucks more, WWK-21 is the intermittent kit part number.

Thanks guys, good thread. Question - I'm going with the Russ Thompson steering column. That won't have anything to do with wiper controls correct? I believe my column will be flash/hi/lo and blinkers....That intermittent WWK-21 kit likely is what I'd go with unless you have these set up with your steering column somehow and it wouldn't work.

[edwardb]

Thanks guys, good thread. Question - I'm going with the Russ Thompson steering column. That won't have anything to do with wiper controls correct? I believe my column will be flash/hi/lo and blinkers....That intermittent WWK-21 kit likely is what I'd go with unless you have these set up with your steering column somehow and it wouldn't work.

No correlation between the RT steering column and whatever wiper system you install. I hadn't noticed that Specialty Power Windows offers an intermittent switch option. Based on a picture on their website, maybe looks like the Cole Hersee 75600-04 I used on my Coupe? If so, it's a nice added function. Although a little bulky so you have to find a place for it. The Cole Hersee has the washer function built in, including a push to wash with several automatic sweeps of the blades. Very DD like. Fortunately, in two plus seasons with the Coupe, the wipers have only been briefly used twice and never the washers other than to test. Have been lucky so far.

[flight_83]

I'm just going to use rain-x and check the weather before taking it out. One less item to purchase and install.

[Ltngdrvr]

I'm just going to use rain-x and check the weather before taking it out. One less item to purchase and install.

Most places require windshield wipers to pass inspection and get registered.

[Tooth]

I have wipers (and washers...) on my Coupe. But I didn't use the Factory Five ones. I used these: https://www.specialtypowerwindows.com/power-windshield-wiper-kits, part number WWK-2. ANCO Adjustable Wiper Arms 44-01, and ANCO 52-Series Clear-Flex Wiper Blades 5215. Very happy with the setup.

Did you use the same ones on the roadster?

[edwardb]

Did you use the same ones on the roadster?

No, I haven't tried the Specialty Power Windows wipers on a Roadster. I've only done the Lucas style. I recall at least one other builder who has. The components are slightly larger, so unless space is really tight, seems it would work. But can't give any personal experience or recommendation. For sure the wiper arms and blades listed for the Coupe would not fit a Roadster. Those would need to be downsized appropriately.

[JohnK]

I'm in the process of installing the Specialty Power Windows kit in my roadster. As Edwardb said, the wiper motor is quite a bit larger than the FFR-provided unit. It's not an issue in my case since I didn't install a heater, but it would be challenging to fit it in the usual spot if also wanting to install a heater. The gear boxes themselves are a "universal" size and the stems will need to be trimmed to length during final install but otherwise go in pretty similarly to the FFR units with the only other exception being that the hole in the body is 3/8" vs a 5/8" hole for the FFR gear boxes.

[Erik W. Treves]

I have quite few miles in the rain in my coupe - I even had one in a severe thunderstorm and drove about 1 hour through it... I never used my wipers once when on the highway at speed. I posted a write up in this some time ago when it happened to me cause I thought it was an interesting "coupe thing"... in town I have rainX which pretty much works like on any other car... as the car reaches around 40+ and comes into full effect around 50+ .... The hot radiator air get directed into the middle of the windshield and creates a "circle" impact in the center of the windshield about 6-10 inches in diameter - it does grow with speed... at about 80 in heavy heavy rain the impact point of the hot air is taller than it is wider.... as the hot air hits the windshield it blows outward like when you go through the air driers in the the car wash. It effectively blows the water off the sides and "cleans" off any other rain it happen to encounter... once it hits the A-pillar the side flow picks it up and it blows down the side of the car....and it doesn't come in the quarter windows either - this confirmed my thought that air is pretty static when running with the summer and why I was always reaching for air to cool off the interior - I pretty much run with the windows in all the time and the AC on... if I open the windows the cold air immediate exits the car and no air comes in through the quarter windows. Anyway it was pretty cool to be able to see the air flow at speed. The rain doesn't lie.... All to say - I have wipers - and never actually turned them on except to make sure they worked correctly on installation... I think they could be useful to clear debris or a wipe when first moving out of parking - but once you get some speed up - your mobile air drier will kick in! I will add this is with the GEN 3 Body - I cannot confirm that the flow is the same with the older bodies..... anyway - just my thoughts on the whole wiper deal

[Ltngdrvr]

I have quite few miles in the rain in my coupe - I even had one in a severe thunderstorm and drove about 1 hour through it... I never used my wipers once when on the highway at speed. I posted a write up in this some time ago when it happened to me cause I thought it was an interesting "coupe thing"... in town I have rainX which pretty much works like on any other car... as the car reaches around 40+ and comes into full effect around 50+ .... The hot radiator air get directed into the middle of the windshield and creates a "circle" impact in the center of the windshield about 6-10 inches in diameter - it does grow with speed... at about 80 in heavy heavy rain the impact point of the hot air is taller than it is wider.... as the hot air hits the windshield it blows outward like when you go through the air driers in the the car wash. It effectively blows the water off the sides and "cleans" off any other rain it happen to encounter... once it hits the A-pillar the side flow picks it up and it blows down the side of the car....and it doesn't come in the quarter windows either - this confirmed my thought that air is pretty static when running with the summer and why I was always reaching for air to cool off the interior - I pretty much run with the windows in all the time and the AC on... if I open the windows the cold air immediate exits the car and no air comes in through the quarter windows. Anyway it was pretty cool to be able to see the air flow at speed. The rain doesn't lie.... All to say - I have wipers - and never actually turned them on except to make sure they worked correctly on installation... I think they could be useful to clear debris or a wipe when first moving out of parking - but once you get some speed up - your mobile air drier will kick in! I will add this is with the GEN 3 Body - I cannot confirm that the flow is the same with the older bodies..... anyway - just my thoughts on the whole wiper deal

Well, on the original cars they had to install baffles on the windshield posts on each side to direct airflow down the sides of the body so the rear quarter scoops, which fed brake cooling ducts, actually had air flowing into them.

[jamminj]

I didn't know those scoops were for rear brake cooling

[Ltngdrvr]

I didn't know those scoops were for rear brake cooling

Yeah, as far as the Type 65, they are on there just for looks.
You'd have to do some work to make them functional for anything other than interior ventilation.