Changing wipers from air to electric?

[kysteve]

Hey Guys,

     I was talking to Dan at Silver Eagle the other day, and He told me of a good deal on a kit they have to change the wipers over to electric on my 5.  It seems as the kit has everything involved except the labor...lol... Have any of you changed your wiper motors over and whats involved???  This kit is less than $500.00.  Does that seem like a fair price for the arms. blades, motors, washer bottle, and controls?  I want to get your opinions before I jump into this. 


Thanks, ...Kentucky Steve .............

[Sojourner]

If you are a fabricator or DIY in metal working...you can get 2 used tandem wiper motor unit from each old large Thomas or Superior or Wayne school bus body in salvage yard. Bell-crank may need to drill to relocate the length of stroke hole. In Florida, many school bus being converted to orange picker's goat. So I have gotten 3 sets (pair) for free if you remove them yourself.

Keep in mind, all US cars that are equips with large wipers are single motor unit. So the motor units are powerful enough to power one bus's wiper but come without the tandem mounting bracket. You could mount car type motor in place of air if the tandem bearing are good.

About which is better for all-around performances of either air or vacuum or electric. I think if we have a vote on this....you will find electric is the number one choice.

And no more compound of the..hiss...hiss... hissss...hiss... hissss...hiss...noise.

FWIW

Sojourn for Christ, Jerry

[Eagle]

Steve I purchased mine from Prevost through IBP and just for the motors they were $599.00.  The arms alone are about $100.00 each.

[JackConrad]

Fred Hobe sells a kit for an MCI, don't know how difficult it would be to modify for an Eagle. I think he gets $350 for his kit.  Jack

[jjrbus]

 When I looked at the options on this I decided that being retired with no time schedual that I would just not drive in the rain   Works for me!!!

[garhawk]

hi ky steve

removed air wipers from my '89 gmc rts.  replaced with electric from 2002 chrysler van.  big wipers, individual motors and controls, two spray units, etc.

am very pleased with results.  work great and are almost hidden when not in use. 

the task was a tremendous amount of fabrication work and, even tho' the parts came from salvage yard, the dollar expense was considerable.  if you are interested in converting to automobile type electric wipers, give me a whistle and we'll go over everything in detail.

however, if you are satisfied with the 'hanging' bus type wipers and, only want to convert them to electric, then $500 is certainly a fair price for a dyi kit.

gary t'berry
'89 rts 102 40er

[Tom Y]

Steve, I have 20.00 in mine plus my time. 2 motors from a Gruman bread type truck.  Tom Y

[luvrbus]

Steve, if it is a bolt on kit go for it I paid $1500 for mine at AIM with the motors ,arms,delay switch and blades.Eagles are not easy to build a wiper setup for but if anyone can it's you

[prevost82]

Well ... I made my own elec wipers. I use a single motor with a bellcrank and draglink from one wiper to the other. The motor I used was out a OTR truck and haven't had any problem with them in over 20K miles. There seem to be very little load on the motor, even with the long wiper blades .... a lot less than you would think.
Ron

[Blacksheep]

I paid 68,000 for mine! They came on the bus!
BS

[larryh]

HISS HISS or 100 more gallons to go another 800 miles I think I'll travel and listen to the hiss hiss

[JackConrad]

Hey Guys,
    I was talking to Dan at Silver Eagle the other day, and He told me of a good deal on a kit they have to change the wipers over to electric on my 5.  It seems as the kit has everything involved except the labor...lol... Have any of you changed your wiper motors over and whats involved???  This kit is less than $500.00.  Does that seem like a fair price for the arms. blades, motors, washer bottle, and controls?  I want to get your opinions before I jump into this. 
Thanks, ...Kentucky Steve .............

Is that per side or for both sides?  Jack

[kysteve]

      Thanks for all the view points there guys,

     Jack I am not 100% that it is both sides but I will double check that tomorrow.  If I remember right, Dan said that included both motors so for now I'm saying that is for both sides.  After reading all the responses I have to say that the price is really reasonable.  That has got to be at least half what Eagle has in his.  I am not sure that they have intermitten on them all so.  Will update you tomorrow.

     Eagle, I think my dash has collected more dust in my garage than it did in yours...lol....  Deb an I will hopefully get back up to your side of the road soon.

[kysteve]

Jack,

     Just talked with Dan and yes that is Both motors, wiring harness, arms, blades. controls, and the washer bottle.   All for $454.95.  From what I see on this thread that's a deal and a half and that's the way I think I will convert mine.  I am not sure what the controls look like but, if I don't like the looks of them when I lay out my cockpit I will integrate a different style into the dash.  Hope this helps any of you guys that are doing the same as I.  I will post an update on my blog spot when I receive them and start to install them.

Thanks again all for your help here......
............Kentucky Steve..........

[luvrbus]

Steve, that is a great price I paid 3 times the amount 5 years ago.Dan does have some good prices compared to Jefferson I bought my Eagle smart wheel from him for less than half the price from others