6mil928

I guess if I pulled it and had the holes filled by the body shop I could just redrill them out in the future if I want to put the wiper back.

Jadz928

I have all the parts for a spoilerless, rear wiperless hatch. To include the different interior trim bits, tool cover etc. This was off my old '80, which seems to be one of the few MY that were sans rear wiper.
I saved the parts thinking one day I would use them on Chewy when he got repainted. Since then the spoiler has grown and me as well as the wiper. IMO, the wiper is a must have for a DD.

Ispeed

Mine is forever gone, don't miss it.

Chuck Schreiber

Take it off and throw it in the trash!!
Just kidding about the trash thing. I save just about every usable part (original part) on the 79 just in case.

I was not kidding about get rid of it though!! Looks like a friggin SUV!!!

Gtaebr

I say if it was on the build sheet it should be on the car......
Or at least be available to future generations to put back on.

6mil928

If I pulled it it would not be trashed or sold. It would be kept just in case reinstallation is needed down the road when our cars are actually appreciated.

6mil928

Chuck that's a perfect picture for comparison. Here's a rear shot of mine. Opinions?

Chuck Schreiber

I say pull it.
Use the plug method we are all using if you are having second thoughts about ever wanting to go back and replace the wiper. I used the plug method on the 79 and the GTS. (Both don't see rain) If they ever do, I allready put rain x on the rear window and water sheens right off!

As for the plugs: Got the idea from Tony H, Jim Mayzurk, and Andrew O.
Bend to shape, sand slightly, clean, prime, paint, clear. Done.

Joe Dyer

Mine is in the workshop drawer. It used to slap the rear window at speed on the track.

Droplink

Too bad this mod looks crappy on the S cars. Oh well.

6mil928

Ok here's what I decided today. I dropped the hatch off at the body shop and told them to fill the holes. I decided I could always drill out the holes in the future to put it back if need be. Thanks to all for the great discussion and info. Special thanks to Chuck for the car that looks like mine with no wiper. Jason

Chuck Schreiber

Jas,

Before and after Pics when you're done man!!

6mil928

Well here's another part to the story. Took it in to the paint shop. They were supposed to call me with an estimate for paint and filling the holes. A week later I called them and they gave me an estimate of 819.00. I said are you crazy? So then he called me back with a 519.00 esimate. I said screw you and pulled the hatch out of the scam artist's shop. So now the hatch is at another shop and he's going to paint it and leave the holes alone for 180.00. He said if he welded up the holes there's really no going back since the holes would be hard to put back if I changed my mind. So the wiper is staying for now.

Alan

Humm... I really do like the wiper. Its functional (better than most) it looks interesting and is a unique design point on the car - who else (besides big motorcoaches & trucks) has a pantographic wiper...!

Yes some can be noisy - esp if the rubber parts are missing or the linkage is loose. I would strip it (along with just about everything else) for a full track car - but for a road car (esp. DD) - I think its part of the story of this car... and occasionally useful too. I have modifed mine though - just a little - seems a little quieter and covers more glass area too. Since you are now keeping it you could do the same...

Alan

AdeMan

Alan - I'm interested in the mods you made to your wiper, other may be too.... care to share? Maybe start a new thread?