Windshield Wipers - Pin vs Hook Style

[Gary Lewis]

As some of you know I've ordered a pair of the hook-style windshield wiper arms to put on Big Blue.  And if you don't know the difference, I've included a picture of ends of the arms below.  But suffice to say that the Bullnose trucks use the older pin style arms and some time later Ford, and much of the rest of the industry, went to the hook style.

I don't know that one is better than the other but I'm told the selection of wiper blades is better for the hook-style arms, so that's the way I'm going.  But now I need to find out what size of blades to go with, which is mainly the subject of this thread.

The old blades on Big Blue measure 18" long, but the passenger's side is symmetrical while the driver's side has 10" above the pin and 8" below the pin.  I've measured and it looks to me like with the new arms, which may be 1/4" shorter, I could go with 20" symmetrical wipers.

So, for those who've done this change, what wiper size did you go with?  And do you have any tips?

[ArdWrknTrk]

I have 21" blades Gary.
But that might be pushing it.
They do not contact the windshield trim at any point and have much more overlap at the center (IMO)

If there is any downside it may be that the arm spring force is spread over more area, resulting in less squeegee pressure -if that makes any sense-

Try 20. They'll be fine.

[Gary Lewis]

Yes, it does make sense about the spring force.  Anyway, I'll try 20" blades.  Thanks.

[Nothing Special]

I haven't "done this change" since my '97 started with them.  But I'm using 18".  Not suggesting you stay that short, just sayin' that's what I happen to have,

[Gary Lewis]

Thanks, Bob.  I think I'll try the 20's.  That is what Blue has on it and I thought about pulling those to try them, but if Jim has 21's on I should be safe with the 20's.

[kramttocs]

I think when I ordrered my last set I just used what was recommended on the manufacturers site so no help there. As far as the blade selection goes though, don't all of them still come with the adapter?

[Gary Lewis]

I don't know about the adapter, but I wanted new arms as mine were getting in bad shape, so ordered the hook-style.  But you are saying that new blades come with an adapter to allow fitting to the pin-style arms?  I guess I've not bought wiper blades in a while.

Now I'm looking for good wiper blades.  Bill recommended the AutoZone Duralast.  My reading says that the Bosch Icon are highly rated.  Other ideas?

[ArdWrknTrk]

A lot of the beam style blades have no way to adapt them to pins, from what I've found.

That I wanted to try different blades, and my pins were just getting too sloppy is what caused me to switch.

ETA: Bosch icon, for one...

[Gary Lewis]

Jim - I was about ready to pull the trigger on the Bosch Icons, but I thought I'd wait maybe until after Christmas as I've spent a ton lately (this year?) on the truck.  So that gives me time to get other input.  

[kramttocs]

I guess I've just never ran across one that doesn't. Likely due to buying them off the shelf so more generic/multi-fit.
The last set I bought were Rain-X Latitudes and they state:

Pinch Tab, Large J-Hooks, Large Pin Arms, Narrow Pinch Tab Button, Pinch Tab Button, Small J-Hooks, Small Pin Arms

[Gary Lewis]

I guess they fit everything!  

I looked at both of our newer vehicles and they both have the J-hooks.  So when I wanted new arms that seemed like a good way to go.

[kramttocs]

Definitely not against upgrading - especially for consistency. Just didn't realize it limited the selection as I'd not ran into that before. Personally, I'd rather avoid the adapter as well.

[Angelo Voltura]

Interestingly enough I went backwards, I went from hook style to pin style, but that was mostly due to parts I had laying around after I stripped a few hook styles from heavy snow and me being lazy.

I actually went with a shorter passenger blade because my linkage bushings were very worn out and was bottoming out on the trim. I think I was down to a 16" at one point. Truck wasn't worth pulling the cowl off.

[Gary Lewis]

I was thinking of powder coating the arms I have.  But you shouldn't powder coat springs so that meant it wasn't going to be easy.  Someone, Jim I think, pointed out that the J-hook arms went right on our trucks and they come powder coated.  Problem solved.

But I haven't installed them as I haven't bothered to get blades.  The other day we had Big Blue out and got covered with road spray several times, only to discover that the washer didn't work well and the blades were bad.  So Janey said "You need to get new blades."  I'm just trying to follow my wife's orders.  

[Machspeed]

Funny, I was looking at my wipers just a little bit ago and wishing they were the type that could be placed  in an unwarranted position as some do when expecting freezing conditions. Was this type of wiper not available on our trucks or are my wipers the low budget ones?

[ArdWrknTrk]

To the best of my knowledge, the only way to park them off the glass is to pull out the retainer latch.

[kramttocs]

If you are going powdercoated then it has my vote
Didn't realize the newer ones were already.

[salans7]

My Ranger uses the same 18" blades recommended for the bullnose trucks (my Ranger has j-hooks) and there's always almost 5 different types of adapters in the package. Can't speak for pins though, but I wouldn't be surprised if the beam styles didn't come with adapters for pins.

[swampedout]

Im sorry I havent read the entire thread yet but I really prefer the hook style. They clip in and youre done. The pins always cause me problems.

[grumpin]

I like the NAPA Exact Fit, which are (I assume) Trico Exact Fit. Had real good results with them.

ETA: I switched my Bronco over to J hook and haven’t noticed anything. The blades I have bought would fit both pin and j hook.