1959 Chevy Truck Windshield Wiper Help

[AZ59apacheguy]

Hi. I'm wanting to install a windshield wiper assy in my '59. My truck had the electric motor assy installed but no wiper transmission arms were attached to it; there was also NO electric wiper switch. My first question is: Is there a suitable new style replacement switch that will work with this assembly?

Second question ( see photos ): I was able to find wiper transmission arms, is there supposed to be some sort of bushing where the transmission arm mounts to the wiper motor? There seems to be a lot of space and slop between transmission arm and motor assy ( see pics )

[Bobb]

Hy, my experience is with the 57 not the 59, one cable type "switch" was used for both the vacuum and electric wiper motors. The electric wipers were wired into the input terminal of the ballast resistor on the firewall, the cable "switch" operated a sliding control on the wiper motor which controlled the speeds and parking of the wipers, hope that helps.

[Clarance J]

I hope this picture helps you. I'm not sure where you could get these parts so you'll have to search around at the different vendors. Good luck.

[AZ59apacheguy]

Thanks for the reply's, that photo really helps. Now that I know something IS supposed to be there, the search is on to find them. Thanks

[Russell Ashley]

From your pics I don't see anything that looks like an original electric wiper motor for a TF truck. Is that something that someone adapted?

[AZ59apacheguy]

Ummmm I don't know, it was installed in the truck when I bought it. The brackets that the motor mounts to look original. It says " DELCO " on it, so I assume it is original. I'm also finding out that the wipers systmes in '58-'59 are not the same as '55-'57.

[paulspickupparts]

You do have the correct wiper motor for 58-59 Chevy Pickups. It was the same motor used in 58 Chevy Cars but with extra brackets for the pickup which you should have . I hope that you bought the correct wiper linkage as the vacuum and earlier electrics used a different linkage. I am enclosing a link for bushings for the motor you have. I have never bought them but should work providing the outside diameter or the rubber is correct for your truck linkage. If they have good customer service they can give you a measurement. Thanks , good luck.

http://www.lategreatchevy.com/full-s...eals-1958.html

[OrrieG]

Here is mine, it came out of a 59 GMC, mounted to stock Chevy brackets, same rubber sleeve on the ends, just slip over and spring clips hold them in place. Switch is cable that slides a switch on the motor. Power from wire, grounded thru housing. Can't remember if it is one or two speed, if two must have an internal resistor.

[AZ59apacheguy]

Excellent, thanks for that!! I know I have the correct transmission arms because they came with another complete wiper assy for a '59 truck. The only thing I was missing were the bushing and electric switch. Now I have a source for the bushings, now on to the switch. Anyone have a source for those????

[paulspickupparts]

As of today I do not know of anyone making the 58-59 Chevy Wiper 2 speed switch. But I slept last night and have not had a chance to check the boat from China . As of a month or two ago it was a used only deal.

[dwcsr]

look for D6352 1959-1963 2 Speed Wiper Switch

or GM 1993543

[_Ogre]

the electric wipers in my 58 are oem to the best of my knowledge and had the rotary cable like orrieg posted
when i shaved my dash i lost the spot for the switch, i used a vent cable to operate the wipers


orrieg's pic of the rotary cable switch



and my straight cable actuator to the left of my speedo
out is off, a little in is low, in is high; high and low are relative... even high is a little slow by todays standards

[OrrieG]

Good point, cold use the under dash air vent, manual throttle or even aftermarket choke type too with a little adaptation.

[AZ59apacheguy]

Hi, thanks for the replies. My wiper motor is not the same as Orge's or OrrieG and the one I have is correct according to " paulspickupparts ". I found this switch on eBay, it's paid for and on it's way to me ( Note, I did NOT pay $200 for it LOL )





I also found another online and it's the exact same switch




It's description read:

" Product Description
New Old Stock From G.M.
This new old stock windshield wiper switch was manufactured by General Motors for use on the following models:
Chevrolet 1958 – 1959 Passenger with single speed electric wiper.
Chevrolet Truck 1958 – 1959 All.
*This item may be re-packaged to protect it from shelf wear. "

Once again thanks for ALL the help from EVERYONE, but does anyone have a picture of an " electric " switch for a 1959 Chevy Truck?

[tmoble]

AFAIK the electric switch is the same or nearly the same as the vacuum switch. It uses a cable to operate a slider on the motor, a different cable setup could be used as noted. My truck is a 57, so not quite the same as yours. I haven't seen that switch with the electrical terminals on it before. My 57 has factory electric wipres, but the switch has no electrical function, no wires to it.

[AZ59apacheguy]

Originally Posted by tmoble

AFAIK the electric switch is the same or nearly the same as the vacuum switch. It uses a cable to operate a slider on the motor, a different cable setup could be used as noted. My truck is a 57, so not quite the same as yours. I haven't seen that switch with the electrical terminals on it before. My 57 has factory electric wipres, but the switch has no electrical function, no wires to it.

Hello fellow AZ member! I think it's a different setup in the '58-'59. I now have pulled the exact same windshield wiper setup out two '59 cabs, just no electric switches included. Both had electrical connections and NOT a cable system.

[dwcsr]

55-57 have a different wiper than 58-59. the firewall/cowl in the wiper area is also different in 58-59. This is the reason Dynacorn doesn't produce a 58-59 cab only 55-57. there are 3 switches you can get for 58-59. one cable for vacuum , one electric no washer button and one electric with a washer button

w/washer button part number is Delco D6352 GM 1993543
fits 60-61 olds f85
61-63 Chevy truck
59 buick
64 chev
60-63 corvette
chevy GMC truck 58-60

[_Ogre]

i've never seen electric wipers with an actual switch, only the type orrieg and i have with the same rotary cable switch. granted i've only had one 58 and one 59 with electric wipers, the rest were vacuum wipers. it is also my understanding that 58 was the first year for electric wipers in trucks.

you can see the switch in this pic from orrieg

[paulspickupparts]

58 and 59 Chevy Trucks (not GMC) came with electric switches and the setup shown by AZ59apacheguy . 58 and 59 Chevy truck electric wiper switches were the same. As pictured by AZ59apacheguy and the other switch options described by dwcsr . If you look at OrrieG photos you can the cab is truly a 58 or 59 Chevy cab as it has the V recess in cowl to make room for the bigger wiper motor used in 58 and 59 . 55-57 Chevy cabs would not have had the V. You can retrofit the 55-57 electrics into the later trucks and they will work just fine. You cannot retrofit a 58-59 electric into a 55-57 cab. You cannot mix and match the wiper linkage from 55-57 electric to 58-59 electric (dogleg style).

Not to open up a can of worms but if you want to see something really rare find a 58-59 Chevy Truck with electric wipers and the factory washer setup. Possibly someone has an installation sheet from a NOS setup somewhere . Would be great info.

[OrrieG]

Good info paul, I never new they were two sizes, was just glad it fit when I installed it. It came out of a GMC, as did the linkage and end transmissions.

[Russell Ashley]

I wonder if that was a running change that was made during the model run, possibly even at different times at different assembly plants.

[Softpatch]

lot of good info in this post and wanted to share
this is my 1959 chevy Viking and I'm renewing the wiper system
here some pictures of the original wiper set up
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In truck
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removed wiper The mount
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I couldn't find a date on the wiper but on the heater box there is a date 9-58
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I must be special because the wiper has two switches.? .. for more power? must be
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[AZ59apacheguy]

Awesome reply SoftPatch! Looks exactly like mine, you've even got the same electric switch I have now. I am however confused with that other switch you mentioned, the larger one " more power ". Was this system working before you removed it from the truck?

[Softpatch]

Originally Posted by AZ59apacheguy

Awesome reply SoftPatch! Looks exactly like mine, you've even got the same electric switch I have now. I am however confused with that other switch you mentioned, the larger one " more power ". Was this system working before you removed it from the truck?

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Non-working do to rust
my father said one switch was (on-off) the other was for two speed
i asked if he was sure after 37yrs he said best he remember
but I'm skeptical about he's answer
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any body hear of a task force truck with two speed wiper set up.?
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Sp
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[AZ59apacheguy]

Your fathers right, It looks to me like the on/off switch connected to the orange cloth wire is to shut on/off power to the wiper motor. Your system is a two speed setup. Loose the power switch to the wiper motor and fuse it.