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Wiper Blades
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DSVW
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 09, 2020 9:32 am    Post subject: Wiper Blades Reply with quote

Hi, I did a search and could not find anything on this.
I have original wiper blades on my '74 Thing.
Does anyone know what refill wiper blades that I can buy that will fit or that I can retrofit? Thanks.
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Rev. Scott
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 09, 2020 11:53 am    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades Reply with quote

Mike at thingparts has a good replacement. The Thing Shop does too. TTS also has a more "modern upgrade" available. Cheers!
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Wildthings
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PostPosted: Mon Feb 10, 2020 5:02 am    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades Reply with quote

I just converted my wipers arms to accept standard bayonet wipers. A little bit of filing to the end of the arm lets the arm slide into the bayonet blade and the hole drilled in the arm and tapped for a small screw will hold the blade in place. I Loctited the screw in place and then cut it off and filed the remaining shaft at an angle to make it so the blade will push on easily but not come off without the proper forces being applied.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Note that different brand blades have different effective lengths. I presently have a 12" blade in one brand running side by side with a 10" blade in another brand.
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mondshine
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PostPosted: Mon Feb 10, 2020 6:16 am    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades Reply with quote

As the reverend mentioned, the Mike's "Thingparts" replacement blades are a nice option.

The only problem I have noticed is that they are slightly taller than the originals, and the set screws can contact the cowl area when the windshield is folded down; causing two beauty marks from the screw heads.

I fixed it like this:
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


A well stocked hardware store would have these.
Good luck, Mondshine
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DSVW
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PostPosted: Mon Feb 10, 2020 7:19 am    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades Reply with quote

Excellent work, guys. Thanks for the info. I will try to use my original arms and retro fit blades. If that doesn't work, I will check out the Thing shop.
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Rev. Scott
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 11, 2020 10:12 am    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades Reply with quote

As I name drop...German Motor Works also has replacements. Just to keep options open and spread the love without prejudice. Honestly, you shouldn't need to modify the arms...I went with Mikes...affordable and maybe too good (a lot of drag is hard on the old pivots.). If you NEED 'em, start there...less than the cost of blades for my Chevy. Do some research come spring. Like a leaky roof...when it's raining, its too wet to fix it...when the suns out, its as good as any mans roof.
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[email protected] Premium Member
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PostPosted: Fri Feb 14, 2020 6:40 pm    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades Reply with quote

These are heavy duty and lifetime warranty
https://www.thingparts.com/lifetime-wiper-blades/
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Michael Basso
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Bryan67
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PostPosted: Sun May 02, 2021 12:37 pm    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades Reply with quote

So... I just got a set of blades from Thing Parts. Converted to the set screws as shown above. Which I don’t think was necessary. But when I lay the windshield down, the middle of both wiper arms hit the raised ribs on the trunk lid. Is that normal?
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PostPosted: Sun May 02, 2021 12:42 pm    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades Reply with quote

Are your rubber buffers on the hood fatigued?
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Bryan67
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PostPosted: Sun May 02, 2021 1:07 pm    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades Reply with quote

[email protected] wrote:
Are your rubber buffers on the hood fatigued?

They’re brand new
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74 Thing
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PostPosted: Sun May 02, 2021 2:05 pm    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades Reply with quote

Post a photo Bryan. Maybe the wiper arms are bowed or something else.
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Bryan67
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PostPosted: Sun May 02, 2021 9:25 pm    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades Reply with quote

74 Thing wrote:
Post a photo Bryan. Maybe the wiper arms are bowed or something else.

I will once the paint dries on my wiper arms, and I get them back on.
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PostPosted: Tue May 04, 2021 11:13 pm    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades Reply with quote

74 Thing wrote:
Post a photo Bryan. Maybe the wiper arms are bowed or something else.

Not the best photos, but it’s hard to get a good angle. They don’t hit real bad, but they still do. What’s the norm?
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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74 Thing
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PostPosted: Wed May 05, 2021 10:08 am    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades Reply with quote

Definitely the arm is hitting your hood and the highest point.

Can you do me a favor and post a photo of a ruler from the windshield to the mounting point of the wiper?

I will measure mine as well.

I am not sure if the wiper is taller on yours or not from a stock wiper. If you remove the wiper all together does the arm still hit your hood?
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74 Thing
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PostPosted: Wed May 05, 2021 2:18 pm    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades Reply with quote

Do both sides hit or only the driver's side?
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74 Thing
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PostPosted: Thu May 06, 2021 4:24 pm    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades Reply with quote

Standing on the drivers side I measured the distance from the lower female mounting area in the wiper to the windshield and it measured 27mm.

What do your hinges on the windshield/hood look like? If there is play there (there usually is) then this could be the reason for the lack of clearance. Maybe fitting for a new pin or look at The Thing Shop for their stainless bottom windshield frame with hinges.

Measure the windshield frame to hood distance when folded down across the bottom. It may show you where something is off.

I am wondering if you can shim back the wiper motor too since it just has a locating tang then a nut and washer sandwiching it to the bottom of the frame.
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Bryan67
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PostPosted: Fri May 07, 2021 1:25 pm    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades Reply with quote

74 Thing wrote:
Standing on the drivers side I measured the distance from the lower female mounting area in the wiper to the windshield and it measured 27mm.

What do your hinges on the windshield/hood look like? If there is play there (there usually is) then this could be the reason for the lack of clearance. Maybe fitting for a new pin or look at The Thing Shop for their stainless bottom windshield frame with hinges.

Measure the windshield frame to hood distance when folded down across the bottom. It may show you where something is off.

I am wondering if you can shim back the wiper motor too since it just has a locating tang then a nut and washer sandwiching it to the bottom of the frame.


Both arms are hitting. I posted a picture of each one. The hinges are tight. And here’s a couple more pictures for you.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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74 Thing
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PostPosted: Sun May 09, 2021 9:18 am    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades Reply with quote

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2306137

There are threads on the wiper side and shaft side as you can see in the classified photos. Is it possible to thread yours so that it goes more towards the rear of the car without any interference problems. You will need washers on the wiper side to space backwards.
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74 Thing
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PostPosted: Mon May 10, 2021 5:38 pm    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades Reply with quote

OK, I took some more measurements for you today with some photos.

The threads on the wiper motor and the passenger shaft lead me to believe you can move the wiper arms in or out. I did not see any mention of it on the Thing Shop manual though..https://riverdrivedesigns.com/VW/

My drivers side arm barely clears the rib in the hood when folded down but the passenger side has much more room. I tried to capture a photo of the passenger side. I measured the arm to windshield distance on both the drivers and passenger side and it was 1/8" less on the passenger side ( 3/8" passenger vs 1/2" drivers). This allowed for 1/8" more clearance. I have posted photos for you as well.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
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74 Thing
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PostPosted: Tue May 11, 2021 4:36 pm    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades Reply with quote

I looked at the exploded diagrams a little further (wipers are towards the back). Anyways there are 4 thick washers that sandwich the lower windshield frame. If you are missing these the wiper arms would be further towards the front.
https://www.thingparts.com/sealing-washer-for-wiper-shaft-4-required/
https://www.thingparts.com/rubber-washer-wiper-shaft-4-required/
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