What did you do with your truck today, Part 3

[dsraven]

I have wondered if a motor head could be taken apart, like the motor removed, then the gear head mounted in place and a remote mounted motor could be used with a small driveshaft up to the gear head. I know, there are some of these already built but they have a cable driven unit and, for me, I sometimes will drive when there is snow. eventually, when I get the project done....
my dash is far from stock since I am using a GMC envoy for a donor floor and firewall. I would like to use (will use somehow) the envoy wiper motor since it will have multiple speeds and pause etc. where I live the weather changes quickly so you just never know when it will downpour (or snow) so reliable wipers are a must.

[dsraven]

I have wondered if a motor head could be taken apart, like the motor removed, then the gear head mounted in place and a remote mounted motor could be used with a small driveshaft up to the gear head. I know, there are some of these already built but they have a cable driven unit and, for me, I sometimes will drive when there is snow. eventually, when I get the project done....
my dash is far from stock since I am using a GMC envoy for a donor floor and firewall. I would like to use (will use somehow) the envoy wiper motor since it will have multiple speeds and pause etc. where I live the weather changes quickly so you just never know when it will downpour (or snow) so reliable wipers are a must.

[nvrdone]

Jweb: I have the raingear setup with that switch. Unfortunatly with that switch in the stock location the electrical plugs rub on the motor.
I dont plan on driving the truck if there is any chance of rain or snow, but if I get caught in a summer down pour, wipers would be nice. The other thing is our county sheriff department will stop older vehicles and if they dont have working equipment they will issue a ticket. I got stopped for only having one tail light. Fortunatly I had a wiring diagram that proved the truck only cane with one light so I got off with a warning.

[jweb]

Originally Posted by nvrdone

Jweb: I have the raingear setup with that switch. Unfortunatly with that switch in the stock location the electrical plugs rub on the motor.
I dont plan on driving the truck if there is any chance of rain or snow, but if I get caught in a summer down pour, wipers would be nice. The other thing is our county sheriff department will stop older vehicles and if they dont have working equipment they will issue a ticket. I got stopped for only having one tail light. Fortunatly I had a wiring diagram that proved the truck only cane with one light so I got off with a warning.

That's interesting. I don't remember any wires rubbing. I'll take another look.

I put this setup in for the same reason, getting caught in a down pour. I drove back from Bend,OR in a rain/ lighting storm back in 2022. I wasn't impressed by this setup but I got home.

Hoping to be up in your area in May, https://www.eastwenatcheewa.gov/185/...arade-Car-Show
Depends on weather.

[leegreen]

I have a very similar home brew wiper setup, but I used the original vacuum motor mount points and designed it to work with the original links and pivots.

I studied the raingear install, it puts the motor in a different location under the dash than I used, but there is a note about 'correct orientation points down'. That implies it might be possible to install it wrong?
Raingears sells a small switch and an intermittent version that is much larger - with no notes about fit problems with either.

Tempest67 - do you have the 2 speed raingear system with only one speed hooked up? raingear notes that you cannot use a GM column with their system
my experience is similar, I used a 2 speed 5 wire motor from a 2000s dodge RAM as it was small - it appears very similar to the raingear motor. a Toyota motor I had worked identical: you put power to L, H or park and that is how the aftermarket rotary switches work. my 80s GM column switch would not park this style of wiper without adding some relays -or wiring it as a single speed system. That column provides power to Park when the switch is in Low

[unclebrad]

Got the automatic transmission column shift indicator pointer, that I modeled in 3D, back from my friend who has a 3D printer. (Sometimes I get so excited about the smallest things...)

My friend had yellow filament in his printer that day but no problem - I will paint the neck and head red. Gotta paint the other parts too, and reassemble everything. Its still a bit cold for painting, so that will have to wait for now.

BTW, I’d be happy to share the 3D file with anyone who needs that little pointer. These days, it is likely that everyone knows someone with a 3D printer, and this is a good alternative to buying one, if you can even find one for a reasonable price. (The last OEM one I saw on ebay, the guy wanted $85!) Just message me or email me with your email address.

[leegreen]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/wZgwPui6drxohaoNA

short video of it running a couple years ago when it was partially built. it is on the road and working now. With the near vertical windsield, all I usually need in summer rain is the lowest speed on the intermittent wipe control. Low speed for hard rain. high speed on the motor.....honestly if it was raining that hard I'd probably pull over

it looks a lot simpler than it is. This is after several iterations on the original design. When i started I thought it would be relatively easy, little measuring, little math-ing, cut weld and done. Wrong, I'm not as smart as I thought! The timing and lengths of each component are critical. I'm also not convinced that the OEM vacuum setup gave a full wipe on both sides.

I only have about $50 invested but probably a month of spare time. if I did it again I'd maybe use a single speed rear wiper or just spend the bucks and buy the after market stuff.

[nvrdone]

my system works great after a little adjustment. Had the truck sitting outside in the snow (don't shoot me for that) and the wipers cleared the windshield just fine in both speeds. I didnt drive it because I live on a hill and was afraid of getting back home.

[nvrdone]

jweb: I'd like to meet up with you, but at that time we will be into about a month long road trip - not in the truck.
Going from Yakima to New Orleans with many stops in between. Should be fun.

[R&B51]

Thanks, jweb that is a relief!
Does the stock knob just fit right on the post coming out of that switch? Did you have to modify it?
That might be useful to me, but also to nvrdone if could help him to swap for this switch?

[nvrdone]

I'm using the knob that came with the kit. I'm going to try to drill & tap a factory knob. But that's for later

[jweb]

Originally Posted by R&B51

Thanks, jweb that is a relief!
Does the stock knob just fit right on the post coming out of that switch? Did you have to modify it?
That might be useful to me, but also to nvrdone if could help him to swap for this switch?

I don't recall having to modify the knob. It's been about 5 years but it seems like it went right on.

I'll take a look when I can get to my truck, my garage is a mess right now.

[nvrdone]

So I continued working on the wiper install. I found that the bottom of the knob hit the top of the wiper motor which caused me to think about a possible short or fire. So I made a 1/4" spacer out of some scrap ABS. It fits between the mounting bracket on the cab and the motor giving enough room that the motor doesn't touch the switch. after testing the operation I find the arms to the wipers rub on the windshield defrost vents. So tomorrow I can tweek them and hopefully this project will be done.

[MARTINSR]

Hey guys, back on my 5 minute a day plan in 2024! Tack welded these pieces on the hood last night.




Brian

[crossfire84]

does going out to the pole barn count?��

[dsraven]

it does if you thought about your truck, if there are truck parts out there, if there used to be truck parts out there, or if you went out there by mistake cuz you were thinking about your truck. haha.

[dsraven]

sitting on my balcony in Puerto Vallarta and thinking about how i will build something on my truck, that counts right?
nice work Brian. glad to see you posting again. missed your pics and comments

[crossfire84]

Originally Posted by dsraven

it does if you thought about your truck, if there are truck parts out there, if there used to be truck parts out there, or if you went out there by mistake cuz you were thinking about your truck. haha.

yes to all the above!

[MARTINSR]

I know this isn't exciting for you all, but it is for me. I have built a few cars with my "Five minute a day plan" it's wild how much you get done just touching the darn thing! Go out and put one bolt in, something. I have touched it almost every day since Jan 1st after not touching it but a few times in the last 4 years! And now something is happening! WOW!!!
I went out after working all day long to just get these second pieces clamped in and ready to weld. After I got moving a bit, went ahead and got them tacked in place.
Man does this feel good!

Brian

[nvrdone]

Nice work, but I've always admired your work. I understand that 5 min a day thing. my problem is it always turns into 3 - 4 hrs!! Then maybe another hour or 2 for a "test run" which usually turns into dinner out.
But that's what happens when you retire. And I'm loving it.

[nvrdone]

Today I finished tweekng the new wiper motor. Its in and works good, but doesnt have the sweep I wanted. Oh well, at least I have wipers.
Also have had a miss on acceleration for the last few days. Found the plug wire on # 6 cylinder had come loose. Plugged it back in & problem solved.
Now its time to watch the 49ers walk all over KC. LOL

[nvrdone]

Today I finished tweekng the new wiper motor. Its in and works good, but doesnt have the sweep I wanted. Oh well, at least I have wipers.
Also have had a miss on acceleration for the last few days. Found the plug wire on # 6 cylinder had come loose. Plugged it back in & problem solved.
Now its time to watch the 49ers walk all over KC. LOL

[MARTINSR]

Well, the 49's didn't make it happen, but what a heck of a game that was! It does suck that one extra point missed by them made the difference!

And the "5 minutes" I got in yesterday before leaving for my son's house to watch the SuperBowl. Got the rear upper strip tack welded in.



Brian

[nvrdone]

It was a great game. I was rooting for the Niners because I grew up in the Bay Area. But there is always next year.

[vintovka]

Originally Posted by nvrdone

It was a great game. I was rooting for the Niners because I grew up in the Bay Area. But there is always next year.

What no kneeling?