Windshield wipers hanging from the roof

[richpd7]

I come from the era when windshield wipers used to hang from above and would sweep downward to clean the windshield. There are times when I wish that era came back. That is because windshield wipers hanging from above puts the clean part right exactly where you are trying to see. If it's sunny outside, the wiper blades are out of your way. I think it would be cool if there would be a mod that would help in a way restore the old style.

[toto3002]

that would be nice

[Ryu]

Wonder if it's an economics-of-scale issue? With motors along the bottom of the windscreen, you need less wiring to get from your electrical system to those motors, multiplied by however-many thousands/millions of trucks produced. ;)

[richpd7]

Originally posted by ~{DCMT}~ Ryu:

Wonder if it's an economics-of-scale issue? With motors along the bottom of the windscreen, you need less wiring to get from your electrical system to those motors, multiplied by however-many thousands/millions of trucks produced. ;)

Many years ago, the motor was also mounted from the top of the windscreen as well. Although there were some wires that were threaded through one of the side pillars down to the motor. That was quite a challenge on the International 4070B. Thie wiring seemed to be more like a mile long to run from the top of the truck down to the motor.

[jwc123]

Two cents worth from amnesia alley from days back at the factory.

Wiper motor placement was a big debate/marketing issue during the 70's and early 80's. Both styles proclaimed themselves as better and rattled off bullet points as to why/why not.

Regardless which side of the fence, IH seemed to love hanging them and building a headliner pod around them on their class 8's which made for a nice storage and radio area. With (most) others, there no way they could've been upper mounted even if desired without becoming a permanent interior sun visor or requiring a box to cover exterior mounting.

Ford gave the wake up call (in the OTR truck split windshield days) with the pantograph style on the CL9000. Side to side and cleaning almost double the area without rain water "falling down/blowing up" into the just wiped area and clearing the corners. Revolutionary at the time for semi's.

With regards to wiring, back then wiper motors were 100% air operated. Given there was already power in the roof/ceiling for lighting (if converted to electric) and air for horns, it's doubtful that cost was a major deciding factor. Space, mounting strength, ease of assembly on the line, and serviceability (air wiper motors were and still are high maintenance) were likely bigger factors.

If I recall correctly (aka take it for what it's worth), Western Star during the mid 80's (when they were independent) offered air or electric wiper motors. And if you wanted them lower mounted or hung, they'd build it that way (though I never saw a hung one and suspect it had a hefty price tag).

Worthless trivia now but this thread took me back a few decades and us old farts love to ramble about the "good" old days..