Windshield Wiper upgrades?

Has anyone upgraded their windshield wipers (any thing to buy to make them wipe faster easily)?

 

I only use OEM blades. You can treat your windshield with Rain-X

 

I sprung for/purchased the refillable Toyota OEM blades that would have originally been on my (pre-owned) truck, that I learned about here) to replace the generic flat-blade types that were on it. They are quiet/chatter-free and they remove the water very well at any speed. They cost more than other brand-name or generic blades, but make up for this with a very reasonable price for the refills, and they had rave reviews in here. I have had Bosch Icon's on another vehicle and they are excellent, but have become really expensive over the last couple few years.

 

8521204031 Windshield Wiper Blade (Right, Front) - Right Hand Side
8522204030 Windshield Wiper Blade (Left, Front) - Left Hand Side
(2nd Generation part numbers)

 

Bosch makes a good windshield wiper blade.

 

Only OEM, I run Toyota blades on my Ram as well.

No idea why or how they work better than the expensive aftermarket blades.

 

I went back to OEM on my 2003. The truck had generic aftermarket blades when I got it six years ago, and I ran Bosch Icon for a few years. But OEM is the best. I'm set now.

In fact, I run OEM on my Gen 2 Tacoma and my Lexus RX too. Toyota and NWB (Nippon Wiper Blade, part of Denso) got these right.

 

I may have to try going back to OEM given a lot of the testimony I’ve read on TW.

But where I live wiper blades get consumed quickly as their performance degrades rapidly from the element. The winters are not friendly on them and the summer UV is worse.

I used to just buy the cheapest ones from Costco when they were Goodyears. They were perfectly fine at $7 ea. I’d just replace them every six months.

Then they moved to Michelins which are horrid.

So then I switched to Tricos Ice which are fine for 6 months. But they chattered a lot in higher speeds.

Just recently started buying the Trico Truck HD blades from autozone. Far more expensive than what I’d normally pay for wiper blades but they perform extremely well in winter. No chatter, super smooth sweeps and last over a year in these elements. I’m happy with them.

For 1st gens remember you can put a 19” blade on the driver side and 18” on the passenger. Obviously providing a bigger sweep than the 17” OEMs.

 

Curious as to why there are two part numbers if both sides are the same size?

 

@downtown0309, driver side is 22", passenger side is 20".

 

I thought we were talking about 1st gen. My 2004 are both 17inch

 

@downtown0309, Well, hell. Then why are you worried about 3rd Gen part numbers? All I did was tell you why they were different, maybe you should go off on that guy for posting 3rd Gen info in a 1st Gen forum.

 

I apologize if you thought I was being rude or going off. I wasn't. Sorry.

 

I am trying to slow the wipers down!!

You want to increase the rpm of the motor ? To make them wipe faster ??

Your really just looking for the best blades ?

i avoid driving in the rain so I just use the Snow blades all year.

 

I notice that in my 99 Subaru outback the wiper motor and full blast is heeps faster than my 98 Tacoma. Sounds like you want them to wipe faster. That would come down to the motor itself which at the age of these vehicles could be remedied with some modification.

 

yes increase RPM of wiper motor to wipe faster. I have been in numerous storms where the wipers can’t keep up. I have to drive in it, not an option. Although I am interested in everyone’s choices of wiper blades and going to try the OEM blades but not really what I was looking for.

 

i hope your being paid Huge Dollars to drive in that hard of rain . In that case a new truck paid cash every time should not be a problem. With delivery times one on hand sounds like a very good idea.

This might take some custom work .

You will always be limited by the mechanical linkage .

You could in theory boost the voltage to the motor how much real benefit and how long it might last are all a guess.

The amount of water needing moved might be overcome by even an increase in motor speed .

lots of math will figure into this .

I would hope your already using the longest blades possible.

Even able to increase your vision all the others will be the ones unable to see you.

best of Luck

 

I might have to go back to factory wipers. It's been so long that crappy wiper performance kind of became the norm.

 

Has anyone tried out the Toyota Sightline wipers from the dealer? I was at my local dealer and said they don't sell the refills anymore and only carry the Sightline blades.

 

That doesn't make sense.

I bought wiper refills at my local dealer four days ago...

(In the Toyota equivalent size for my Lexus RX, but I could have gotten anything, and I got Tacoma inserts for my Gen 1 and Gen 2 last month.)