Can FFR windshield wipers be added later?

[Brian76]

I've read a lot of posts for and against windshield wipers. Seems the majority of owners don't care for them. My preference for my build is to keep the engine bay as clean (uncluttered) as possible. I am also planning to paint/powdercoat all chrome pieces black. I'm concerned the wipers may be difficult to paint and I'll end up leaving them chrome (which may not look right)

In a perfect world, I'd like to keep the wipers off and add them later if I change my mind. Is this possible?

Has anyone successfully painted/powder coated them?

Thanks!

[cv2065]

I’m going to have mine powder coated but I would imagine you could paint them with some etching primer then topcoat.

[Papa]

The difficult part of adding them after the car is done would be installing the motor and wiring. The rest is done with the body on already, so no difference there.

[slpro1207]

You might check and see if your home state requires them to get your car registered.

[AC Bill]

I agree with slpro1207, in making sure that not having them, won't be an issue at inspection time.

I installed them, had it inspected, then after I got the car back from paint, I never put them back on. The posts are there, just not the arms & blades.

[phileas_fogg]

The difficult part of adding them after the car is done would be installing the motor and wiring. The rest is done with the body on already, so no difference there.

Dave nailed it. Getting the wiper motor into place would be a real bear, especially if you've got a heater. The motor is tucked way up under the body, partway under the 3/4" frame tube.


John

IMG_4347 by jhsitton, on Flickr

[Brian76]

I live in ohio so wipers are necessary. I was going to use the temp ones to get past inspection. No heater is planned. Thanks for the pic p_fogg, the motor is definitely close to the frame rail. How is the wiper motor mounted to the firewall panel? I see one hex bolt.

[Papa]

I live in ohio so wipers are necessary. I was going to use the temp ones to get past inspection. No heater is planned. Thanks for the pic p_fogg, the motor is definitely close to the frame rail. How is the wiper motor mounted to the firewall panel? I see one hex bolt.

The clamp bolts to the firewall and holds the motor. There are two 3/8" or 1/2" bolts with large washers that go through the firewall. You could add additional thickness to the back of the firewall if you wanted, but I didn't see the need for it on mine.



Dave

[phileas_fogg]

Agree on all counts.


John

[rich grsc]

The clamp bolts to the firewall and holds the motor. There are two 3/8" or 1/2" bolts with large washers that go through the firewall. You could add additional thickness to the back of the firewall if you wanted, but I didn't see the need for it on mine.



Dave

Like that clamp, where did you find it?

[edwardb]

Like that clamp, where did you find it?

Hey Rich. That's the one Factory Five is supplying now with the wiper option. It's a nice upgrade from the previous one. Works well.

[GoDadGo]

You may want to consider adding a piece of 1/8" aluminum plate in the area where you intend to mount the wiper motor.
Keeping the motor as steady as possible is a plus.

[Brian76]

You may want to consider adding a piece of 1/8" aluminum plate in the area where you intend to mount the wiper motor.
Keeping the motor as steady as possible is a plus.

GoDadGo's comment raises another question. How solid is the motor mounted to the aluminum panel? I found a youtube video from breeze where they added square tubing between the motor and panel to make it more rigid and align the motor to the wheel boxes. What is everyone's experience? Does the torque of the wiper motor flex the aluminum panel?

[GoDadGo]

GoDadGo's comment raises another question. How solid is the motor mounted to the aluminum panel? I found a youtube video from breeze where they added square tubing between the motor and panel to make it more rigid and align the motor to the wheel boxes. What is everyone's experience? Does the torque of the wiper motor flex the aluminum panel?

I bolted the plate to the 2" square tube and the 3/4" vertical square tube so that the load was triangulated.
I used Rivet-Nuts since both were going in to blind holes which made the process easy.
You can sort of see what I did in the attached video about 10-to-30 seconds into the YOUTUBE link below:

https://youtu.be/_wnHDNgnNqs

Good Luck & Remember That Factory-5 Cars Are The Coolest Cars On The Planet; No Matter How Mild Or How Wild!

[phileas_fogg]

I have not seen my firewall flex when the wiper was running, but I have the 0.090” firewall forward from FFMetals.


John

[Fixit]

I literally just finished cutting & prepping my firewall for wipers and heater (with the supplied .040 panel)... Here's a few ideas and my take on the mounting:
Wiper Motor Prep

[brewha]

If your body is and painted be aware that drilling the holes for the wiper arms could chip the paint and the body. I thought my jig was pretty solid on the body with multiple clamps and vise grips, but the drill and the jig jumped and chipped the fiberglass. I’m not painted yet so it’s nothing for me to fill but if it was painted I’d be crying.....

[Brian76]

Fixit, I like your idea for the support bracket on the backside of the firewall.

Brewha, You bring up a valid concern about drilling after paint. Would applying tape over the fiberglass before drilling help any?

[Papa]

Fixit, I like your idea for the support bracket on the backside of the firewall.

Brewha, You bring up a valid concern about drilling after paint. Would applying tape over the fiberglass before drilling help any?

Running the drill backwards actually works well. The chips will come when the bit bites into the fiberglass.

[brewha]

I don’t think tape would have helped here. The jig and drill popped up at first contact. Running the drill backwards might be the best bet. I now remember reading someone suggested doing it that way but those brain cells must have been on vacation when I attempted drilling.

[CraigS]

You can also drill the hole way undersized to start. This will also allow you to drill straight down perpendicular to the body which is much easier to control. I don't remember the hole size spec anymore but get up to maybe 1/2 inch and then use a bit like this or similar to start making the hole oval and at an angle.
https://www.zoro.com/eazypower-round...E&gclsrc=aw.ds
This will also allow some fudging of hole location re; how far ahead of the windshield.