Help: Winter > windshield wiper arms

[Diesel Pilot]

Is it possible to bolt on wiper arms that actually fold out like any normal vehicle should have. This has to be the biggest design flaw on the entire truck. It must be because it is the only part of the truck that religiously pisses me off.

I am F-ing sick of having to pry the wipers off the windshield then have them constantly in the way while I'm trying to scrape ice. My ice tool barely fits under them when they are extended the full 2 inches off the windshield.

Parking inside is not an option, it doesn't fit in my tiny garage and it has to sit out while I'm at work for 2-3 days at a time.

Anybody know of any models/years that will fit. I'll get some at a junk yard ASAP.

 

[duramax3388]

i have thought about this as well i will have to do some looking around and see what i can find

 

[TheBac]

Get a 2001-02 Tahoe VIN and order a set of their wiper arms,
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41261&highlight=wiper+arms

OR

file the little nub off your existing ones to make them fold:
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=264355&highlight=wiper+arms
(I think BlueOx was the first to figure this out, but I couldnt find his DIY thread)

 

[CancerPipe]

Cut and Paste from DP

tools needed are...
13mm wrench or socket
flat file
tiny file for the clip pocket (i used a rat tail and the one on my leatherman)
vise
something to remove the spring clip (i used a thin pair of channellocks)
and a windshield wiper arm puller (i used a battery post puller)


1st thing you do is raise the hood. pull the washer hose off and the piece over the nut. comes right off. take the nut off and use your puller to pop off the arm. remember what position the arm was in for reinstallation. remove the wiper blade from the wiper arm. put the arm in a vise or other suitable device to hold in place so you can access the back side of the arm. now remove the curved spring clip from the spring. watch your fingers. now the arm can pivot freely and you can see what material needs to be removed on the front side. see pic.


once you have full range of motion put the arm back in the vise so you can access the backside again. now you need to file out the bridge that the clip will sit in to allow more range of motion. first remove the little nub that sticks up. then take your file and start filing out under where the spring clip sits. its clear what needs to be removed where. but how much is the trial and error. you have plenty of material to work with so file away. make a nice round seat for the clip to fit in. again it will be clear as to what you need to remove. the clip will sit below those towers when the wiper is in the cleaning position. once you have enough for it to sit in, reinstall the clip and check to make sure the wiper stays in the cleaning position. this can be done off the vehicle. repeat this process untill you have the desired results. once you do, reinstall the wiper arm in the reverse of removal. the second wiper arm will be much easier. i think it took me about an hour to do both arms.

oh yeah, the arms are alluminum. you will need to paint the spots where you removed material. really only on the front side where its exposed, but some will want to do both sides.

 

[CancerPipe]

I was just looking at it earlier. I learned that if i see something interesting i'm better off saving the webpage(offline) than trying to find it again.

 

[Big Jack]

2002 Chevy Tahoe will fit.

 

[Noreaster]

Mine fold out, is it on the 03 & newer have?

 

[Whitetail Addict]

Is it possible to bolt on wiper arms that actually fold out like any normal vehicle should have. This has to be the biggest design flaw on the entire truck. It must be because it is the only part of the truck that religiously pisses me off.

I am F-ing sick of having to pry the wipers off the windshield then have them constantly in the way while I'm trying to scrape ice. My ice tool barely fits under them when they are extended the full 2 inches off the windshield.

Parking inside is not an option, it doesn't fit in my tiny garage and it has to sit out while I'm at work for 2-3 days at a time.

Anybody know of any models/years that will fit. I'll get some at a junk yard ASAP.

I agree 100%. Really a pita in an ice storm. I saw the diy threads but I did some looking on my truck and the wiper doesn't clear the rise on the hood. I don't know how the GMCs are, they may be different.

 

[TheBac]

I remember that the Chevy's had an issue with hood clearance. You have to run the wipers into the middle of the windshield first before folding them. Just dont forget to fold them down before starting your truck.

Also, I think I got the years wrong on the Tahoe arms.....IIRC its 01-02, not 03-06. Sorry.

 

[Diesel Pilot]

Thanks guys, I will look at maybe doing the mod and also do some calling around to see how much for the retro fit.

 

[duramax3388]

Mine fold out, is it on the 03 & newer have?

must be my 01 GMC would fold out and the 03 Chevy doesn't maybe a set of wiper arms off of a 01 or 02 gmc would work i will check my buddies 02 Chevy and see if they fold out there shouldn't be much difference in the arms just the fact that they fold out all the way or not