I don't drive my GT in crappy weather if I don't have to. But lately the weather has been very dry up here, and I have been getting her out for some runs. Thing is, I never really use my wipers. Until recently, I probably popped them on a couple of times. It is like driving a Jeep. The wipers are 18", but the swept area is attrocious. Nothing like a newer car.
I took a look at our Audi, and noticed that the wipers were staggered? I did a little measuring on the Fiero, and figured that can be done here. So, after buying new wipers like 7 years ago, I went and grabbed a 19" for the passenger side, and a 22" for the driver side. The 19" is direct replacement. The 22" needs the plastic fastener off of the wiper before it. Just interchange the plastic fasteners, and installed the 22" wiper on the driver side.
What a difference in swept area. Like night and day. I needed to tweak the passenger side a bit, but only to stop it from hitting the hood. It did not need much. Even after a highway test, the wipers are just an interesting upgrade.
I don't drive my GT in crappy weather if I don't have to. But lately the weather has been very dry up here, and I have been getting her out for some runs. Thing is, I never really use my wipers. Until recently, I probably popped them on a couple of times. It is like driving a Jeep. The wipers are 18", but the swept area is attrocious. Nothing like a newer car.
I took a look at our Audi, and noticed that the wipers were staggered? I did a little measuring on the Fiero, and figured that can be done here. So, after buying new wipers like 7 years ago, I went and grabbed a 19" for the passenger side, and a 22" for the driver side. The 19" is direct replacement. The 22" needs the plastic fastener off of the wiper before it. Just interchange the plastic fasteners, and installed the 22" wiper on the driver side.
What a difference in swept area. Like night and day. I needed to tweak the passenger side a bit, but only to stop it from hitting the hood. It did not need much. Even after a highway test, the wipers are just an interesting upgrade.
Tony
Best thing I've ever seen you post on PFF. + for you.
Sweet! I haven't really noticed a lack of area with my wipers on my Fiero, but that looks like a much larger area. This is kind of a dumb question, but is the wiper motor doing OK with the extra resistance of larger wiper blades?
Actually, I did this several years ago to a couple of my Fieros but, didn't think to tell anyone. Just goes to show who's using their head. Kudos to you. Now, I'm searching for another wiper arm that will fit on our Fieros. I hate the old style pin arms and would like to move on to the newer U shaped designed. Much easier to change and a lot better wiper designs are available.
Again, nice post.
------------------ Ron The key thing is to wake up breathing! All the rest can be fixed. (Except Stupid - You can't fix that)
lol speeking of jeeps you should have seen me at pepboys with my buddy.... 13in blades are a joke.. they dont even have rainx laditudes for my jeep
lol i feel your pain pk have similar problems with mine. I will try that on the fiero, i don't drive mine in foul weather but rain happens. I wonder if there are any arms that use the hook type but will line up with the splines on the fiero's wiper studs.
This has never been posted?!? I have been doing this for years on all my cars and I could have contributed but didn't?!? At one point I even figured out how much extra area was cleared by the bigger wipers and it was impressive. IIRC it was over 100 sq inches. My only fear was extra load on the motor but pressed on anyway since I don't drive in the snow.
This brings up the question of why do automakers install the largest windshield that works with the design and then install wipers that will only clear ~50% of it?
Originally posted by Xyster: This brings up the question of why do automakers install the largest windshield that works with the design and then install wipers that will only clear ~50% of it?
I wondered that myself... My only guess is they have 18 million wiper blades sitting in there parts bin
My F150 has been down for a week or so. I have been driving my Fiero in the weather, and I am so very happy that I did this. What a difference in swept area.
I have straightened out the drivers side wiper since the pic.
I see no issue with extra strain on the wiper motor. My old wipers chattered (I never, ever used them. ), and the new ones are super smooth. I even wipe snow off of the windsheild yesterday.
Thanks for the compliments. Those that drive their Fieros in weather should definately do this. Literally night and day with the addition of a few inches. (At least that what Amy says. )
Snow? I was sitting in beautiful 63 degree, sunny weather here in this California winter. If you get tired of the snow, feel free to take the plunge into Cali
[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 02-09-2012).]
This thread inspired me to try a bigger windshield wiper on my Fiero. As it turns out, a 24" wiper blade just barely fits on the driver side. The difference in "swept area" is huge!
My Fiero doesn't have a passenger side wiper arm, so I'm not sure if there are any clearance issues. But I do know that the 24" wiper blade covers almost the entire driver's side of the windshield, plus some of the passenger side. I actually don't need a passenger side wiper arm now, which was the goal from the start.
Interesting idea...something I would never consider on my own, I must admit. Our '03 Grand Am has staggered wipers which is a pain except if you just buy one set of each side the wipers only seem to last 6 months anyway and it's hard to find refills so usually end up replacing the whole blade.
I was actually considering switching to the beam type blades that most of the newer cars use. They seem to be very smooth and less prone to streaking even thought they are expensive and dont last very long in my experience. I am pretty picky about squeeky, chatering wipers. Looking forward to more pics of non-stock wipers.
I've been refilling Bosch Icon wiper blades for years now, even though you "cant".. (ie: they don't want you to) I have yet to actually drive a Fiero in the past 4 or 5 years now, but I've had them on the Scion tC since new. If I ever get the Fiero back on the road I plan to do the same, with the largest blades I can get on there. I buy PIAA Super Silicone wiper refills (fairly cheap online, and work well), just remove the worn rubber from the Icon's and slide the PIAA's in. Helps to lube them up with a little dish soap as they're a tight fit (make sure to get the skinny refills!), and I think you need to nick the rubber in one place, it's fairly obvious when installing them. I like the flat Bosch design but can't see spending that much money on new blades every year when it's just the rubber that wears out.
Edit.. I think the Icon's only come in the "hook" type mounting style (could be wrong), so you'd need to do the wiper arm upgrade that's posted in another thread here somewhere. Another "to do" on the list...
[This message has been edited by Riceburner98 (edited 10-02-2012).]
I was about to get my flaming on until you said Windshield wipers. If I was still out in the midwest I would consider doing this to mine. But california RARELY gets rain.
I know it's an old thread but has anyone tried dual 19s to see how they work.
The general rule (not sure where it came from) is that automakers used to leave a 1 inch tolerance with wipers so anything with an 18 can safely use a 17 or 19 without issues. That doesn't always seem true though as I'm pretty sure the Grand Am drivers side wiper is as large as it can be without hitting the outside of the windshield. I know when I worked at a shop we would often upsize blades one inch and I think there was a formula for staggering them but I can't remember it for sure.
In Arizona, you use your wipers about 5 days out of the year... ... then you replace them the following year because of dry rot from the sun, because they've been sitting and break the first time you use 'em.
The wipers are 18", but the swept area is attrocious. Nothing like a newer car.
Like night and day. I needed to tweak the passenger side a bit, but only to stop it from hitting the hood. It did not need much. Even after a highway test, the wipers are just an interesting upgrade. .JPG)
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