I use STP Vision Blade on all my windshields. I like it better than Aquapel. The rain flies off so good you don't need the wipers if going around 45-50 MPH. It also makes ice and snow MUCH easier to remove. You can't buy it any more but as usual you can find almost anything on Ebay.

 

There were quite a few posts about this when the 04s came out, and removing the key and repositioning the arm was the most common fix. One other fix that was mentioned and I tried, was to swap the passenger and driver side arms. Apparently they were slightly different on the 04. It gained me about 3/4" to 1" of sweep. I don't know if this will still work on newer trucks.

 

Did this yesterday works great and so easy to bend I'm near the top of logo there is no ill effect to the wiper function even at highway speed

 

wow...haven't seen this thread in a long long time.


funny, but I never noticed an issue with snow when I lived in Seattle. Guess it's only a problem for you heavy snow drift guys.


@ 2004 XLT

how hard was it to remove that spline key? I run 26 & 24" blades on my Expy and it would be nice if there was more sweep to the thing. I ran 24" blades on my 2006 FX4 and they had a pretty good pattern, but I've found 26" is just a tiny bit better

 

During the first of 10 years in Germany I learned to lift the wiper arms up off of the windshield when I parked the vehicle when snow is expected. It takes only a few seconds. That is a lot less time than standing there trying to free the wipers from the ice the next morning. To get going the next time I would let the vehicle warm and defrost the windshield then flop the wipers back down after scrapping the glass clear.

 

Not hard when I pulled it off it was still in the L shape at the spring end I hit it by accident on table and spring snapped straight and the key fell out on its own.
I wanted the key I glued it back in.
Bent the arm instead and is great now comes to 1 1/2 " from top of pillar.
And no worry about stripping the fine splines.
As we tend to get lots of snow and drive in storms snow build at end of wiper stroke could stress the splines they look to be finer than the old ones that had no key ways.
So yes easy to get them out.

 

thank you. maybe I'll play with it

 

If it wasn't so streaky when you use the wipers, Rain-X did wonders to remove snow and ice. It took 1/3 of the effort to scrape ice off the windshield.
I earned this after putting some Rain-X on my windshield before we got into or rainy season only to get struck by a freak snow/ice storm. Below freezing temperatures and a foot of snow over night. Everything was covered..... except for my windshield.

But, as I stated before, if you use the wipers with the rain-x it leaves a blinding streak across the windshield which lasts for a few seconds.

 

I have found that nearly all will windows streak on all cars especialy after the windows gone through a winter on the hi way and gets some pitting
Have used Rain -X for 14 years and it has less smear for me than if not treated
wont go without
That's just me.