73-88 Wiper Arm Upgrade Options

[76C10Stepside]

The affordable replacement wiper blades for the old bayonnet style wiper arms on my '76 C10 come with plastic adapters that don't stay on the end of the arm and/or twist sideways.

I want to replace my wiper arms with later style arms. Has anybody with a 73-88 full size Chevy/GMC truck upgraded to either of the later wiper arms below? Which one did you choose and why, and is it a perfect fit?

These are the two I am looking at:

1) #32 - 1st design Chevy GMC 88-94 ("L" end). These arms have a bend in them. My 89 S10 has this style arms. I like that the plastic end keeps the arm from destroying the windshield if the wiper blade falls off.

2) #33 - 2nd design Chevy GMC 94-99 ("U" end). These arms are straight like the old bayonnet arms. I've had good luck with wiper blades staying on the U-end wiper arms on lots of other cars, but if the blade ever falls off, it's going to destroy the windshield.

Which one is better for my truck? BTW, does anyone know why GM kept changing arm styles??? Thanks!

[76C10Stepside]

Here's a link to both arm style on LMC's site: http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cd/full.aspx?Page=143

[UKNOWME]

Interested as well!!!! Sub'd

[nsulacountry]

Why not just keep them and use refills? I still have the OEM wiper arms on my 1979 C20 Bonanza. I just use the refill inserts.

CT

[76C10Stepside]

Originally Posted by nsulacountry

Why not just keep them and use refills? I still have the OEM wiper arms on my 1979 C20 Bonanza. I just use the refill inserts.

CT

You're lucky! I don't HAVE the original metal ends to re-use with refills. The replacement blades come with cheapo plastic ones that don't work on the bayonnet arms. They keep falling off, and one of them broke. I want to get newer style arms that I can find replacement blades for anywhere and for a good price. I like the Valvoline Silver replacement blades best. BTW, I'm running longer blades than OEM (17", IIRC), because they clear more of the windshield.

I'd like to know if both of the two newer style arms I listed will fit my truck, and which one is the better choice it if matters at all.

[TexasJeff]

Originally Posted by nsulacountry

Why not just keep them and use refills? I still have the OEM wiper arms on my 1979 C20 Bonanza. I just use the refill inserts.

CT

I bought the black arms from LMC (number 17 top section) for my 1980 model, because I could never find just the refill blades, only the all black full blades, and thought that the silver arms with the black blades looked funny to me, so bought the black arms to match the black blades.

[76C10Stepside]

Originally Posted by TexasJeff

I bought the black arms from LMC (number 17 top section) for my 1980 model, because I could never find just the refill blades, only the all black full blades, and thought that the silver arms with the black blades looked funny to me, so bought the black arms to match the black blades.

I see that the new arms you bought to replace your original silver ones are the original bayonnet style arms, so I guess you have the correct wiper blades (#19) that have the connector that fits the bayonnet arm ends to go with them. I don't have those, and the auto parts stores in my area don't stock them. I want newer wiper arms where I can just buy either the refills (lowest cost), or the inexpensive replacement 17-inch blades. $20 plus tax and shipping to replace wiper blades seems like a lot to me, LOL!

[83GMCK2500]

I've observed that the later squares used the L end that the early GMT-400 platform received. I do not know if the squares adopted it in '88 with the -400s or if it was '90/'91.

My '83 still has the silver/stainless arms (assuming material, never taken a magnet to them) and the only reason I haven't swapped to the later arms is that they're all black I like the silver/stainless on mine.

I've had a wiper self destruct on one of the U-end arms and not only does the potential to scratch the window exist, mine rolled flat and then rotated around creating quite the distraction.

[76C10Stepside]

Originally Posted by 83GMCK2500

I've observed that the later squares used the L end that the early GMT-400 platform received. I do not know if the squares adopted it in '88 with the -400s or if it was '90/'91.

My '83 still has the silver/stainless arms (assuming material, never taken a magnet to them) and the only reason I haven't swapped to the later arms is that they're all black I like the silver/stainless on mine.

I've had a wiper self destruct on one of the U-end arms and not only does the potential to scratch the window exist, mine rolled flat and then rotated around creating quite the distraction.

That is all very useful information. Thanks! This helped me decide on the "L" style arms if they work. The main concern is whether or not they will park properly on the C10 windshield, which unlike the more modern S10, starts a couple of inches higher up and has a rubber grommet/seal that sticks out. I will test fit one of the arms from my 89 S10 on the 76 C10 to make sure it fits before buying a pair of them for the C10.

[v30crewcab]

my 88 has the L style.

[Axle]

1985+ truck wiper arms have the side pin (which I prefer) I bought a set of these to replace the flat style on my '83. (Got them at the dealer for around $25 a piece. They come in black only, but at least the blades stay put.

I changed them out for the same reason, the adaptors to fit blades to the flat style where garbage. No positive retention whatsoever. For the pin styles, I just look for blades that use a spring and they won't be escaping.

Alex.

[76C10Stepside]

Originally Posted by Axle

1985+ truck wiper arms have the side pin (which I prefer) I bought a set of these to replace the flat style on my '83. (Got them at the dealer for around $25 a piece. They come in black only, but at least the blades stay put.

I changed them out for the same reason, the adaptors to fit blades to the flat style where garbage. No positive retention whatsoever. For the pin styles, I just look for blades that use a spring and they won't be escaping.

Alex.

UPDATE: I put one of the wiper arms from my '89 S10 on the C10 passenger side, and the end of the wiper blade hits the rubber seal at the top of the windshield when it reaches the top. This despite the fact that the S10 wiper arms only have 16-inch blades, and I am running 18 inch blades on the C10 with the original (shorter) bayonnet style wiper arms. I positioned the S10 wiper arm as far down as possible (in the park position of course), so cannot adjust it down any farther to gain the needed clearance at top. Guess I will have to locate some good original stainless steel ends for my old bayonnet arms instead.

[Axle]

Try a 14" wiper blade.

Alex.

[rich weyand]

I have the straight bayonet arms with the pin on the top side. I got some Accu-Fit 60-016 from NAPA and they just slid on and clicked in place no problem. They're tight on there with no wiggle at all. So I guess I don't see the issue.

[76C10Stepside]

Originally Posted by rich weyand

I have the straight bayonet arms with the pin on the top side. I got some Accu-Fit 60-016 from NAPA and they just slid on and clicked in place no problem. They're tight on there with no wiggle at all. So I guess I don't see the issue.

Alex, I don't run 14s because prefer to get 4 more inches of clear windshield.

My neighborhood NAPA closed down a few years ago. That's why I didn't see these. Will make the drive to the nearest NAPA and take a look at the Accu-Fits. Thanks!

[rich weyand]

Yeah, I just took them out of the package and slid them on to the bare metal arms until they clicked over the pin. Done. The number I gave you was for 16" blades, which is the stock size. You can run longer, but it puts more load on the wiper motor and all it gives you is a better view of the top of the hood. Mine had 18s on it when I got it and guess what -- the wiper motor was dead/dying.

[76C10Stepside]

Originally Posted by rich weyand

Yeah, I just took them out of the package and slid them on to the bare metal arms until they clicked over the pin. Done. The number I gave you was for 16" blades, which is the stock size. You can run longer, but it puts more load on the wiper motor and all it gives you is a better view of the top of the hood. Mine had 18s on it when I got it and guess what -- the wiper motor was dead/dying.

Good point. I may go back to 16s, but never 14s.

[ElGracho]

I'm not sure what you are trying to accomplish. I think you are saying the original silver colored arms only allow you to get blades that fall off. Rich says there are some better blades at NAPA.

I haven't messed with my 75 since the wipers work fine on it and I just use refills. Everything else has these:

http://www.classicparts.com/1985-91-.../#.VhyE-2vZOUl

[76C10Stepside]

As I explained in the first post, the original pieces that connect the bayonnet wiper arms to the blades were missing, so I've had to use the crummy plastic connectors that come with the brand of replacements blades I like. The plastic pieces don't work. Blades twist sideways and keep falling off. None of the auto parts stores I went to had anything, and the wrecking yards are all picked out, so I figured I'd go with later model wiper arms that don't need those adapters.

I'll either get the NAPA hybrid blades that work with the bayonnet arms or switch to the later "L" end wiper arms with 16-inch blades.

[Axle]

They are not missing, those adaptors come with the blades as everybody makes their own style.

Just bite the bullet, convert to the black pin style arms and have blades that stay put.

As for 14" blades, that is in response to your Astro wiper arms that are too long...

Alex.