The inability of the wipers to flip up has bugged me for a while and I finally got around to addressing the issue.

There are several ways to accomplish this with varying degrees of success. I first modified the original arms and did get them to flip up however because of the spring's mounting points, they weren't able to park firmly in the up position. I abandoned this attempt and decided to use 1995-2002 Chevy truck/SUV arm hardware. Using Dorman 42580 I removed the spring, removed the rivet and did the same on the XJ arm. I used the XJ arm, Chevy spring and the Chevy slide latch mechanism (which allows it to flip up). A 6-32 SS machine screw with a SS nylock nut secures them in place of the rivet.

I still have a couple of items to address but nothing major. When the arm flips up the arm scrapes the paint on the slide latch mount. I'll use a dremel to rectify this.

The most difficult part of this mod is removing and reinstalling the spring. The springs are really strong.

http://www.dormanproducts.com/itemde...7&SEName=42580

I'm sure there are many other applications that can be used.

Time will tell how well the Dorman perform. I'm not a big fan of Dorman. If I had the time I would have gone to the pick n pull and tried other vehicles.

With the machine screw & nylock nut, it's hardly noticeable......

 

Nice job, man. It wouldn't be such a big deal if they didn't flip all the way up if the stupid blades were balanced or tensioned in a way that prevented them from touching the windshield when the arms are locked up. This solution works but I wonder if there are OTS wiper arms that flip up and would fit on the XJ posts? I guess that wouldn't be as fun as engineering your own.

 

OTS ?

 

Sorry, I've been hanging around CherokeeForum too long, causing me to use obscure abbreviations that no one understands. OTS = Off-the-Shelf, rather than custom or DIY.

 

Ahhhh....it makes sense now...
When I get to the pick n pull I will scout around for possible direct swap candidates......

 

Very nice, CH. I've been wondering if there were a way to do this. Not being able to park the arms up really bugs me.

Thanks!