My '75 280 didn't have wiper arms when I picked it up, but got a set off ebay. Now I want to get some new blades, but I notice that there are 70-76 and 77-78 and I don't know the difference or which I have. Is there an easy way to figure this? I do see that unlike most newer vehicles these arms don't terminate in a flat or u-shaped blade. Instead there is a perpendicular hole at the end of the arm, and a post in middle of the blade slides and locks in that hole.

Will the 70-76 blades work for me?

thanks,

Geof

Thats what you'll need alright 70 and 76. The 77 and 78 arms and blades or black that much I know, but differently shaped not sure.

Thats what you'll need alright 70 and 76. The 77 and 78 arms and blades or black that much I know, but differently shaped not sure.

thanks--just trying to get all the little problems sorted out.

Geof

The only difference in the arms is the color. 1970-76 were bare aluminum, 1977-78 were black.

The only difference in the arms is the color. 1970-76 were bare aluminum, 1977-78 were black.

I have a 78...were the wiper arms flat black or glossy black? They look flat to me, but the screws that hold them in look glossy.

Starting in '77 or '78, the US DOT mandated that henceforth wiper blades and arms must be black in color, and have a flat or matte finish. That was why Nissan changed them.

OK, I really don't understand that logic.

Were they worried about glare to an oncoming car?

Dunno. It's the same logic that required the shift pattern to be visible from the driver's seat, and banned glass-covered headlights and non-sealed beam lights. :stupid:

Yup, can understand the shift pattern.

There are a lot of stupid drivers out there (Drive the car, don't just steer while doing something else.......texting, talking on the phone, makeup, etc))!

Googled the DOT reference and it appears they were worried about the glare. European spec apparently conformed to US eventually.

Still looking for the answer to my question. Were the wiper arms on the 78 flat or gloss black from the factory? I want to repaint them to correct finish.

Thanks.

Still looking for the answer to my question. Were the wiper arms on the 78 flat or gloss black from the factory? I want to repaint them to correct finish.

Thanks.

Starting in '77 or '78, the US DOT mandated that henceforth wiper blades and arms must be black in color, and have a flat or matte finish. That was why Nissan changed them.

I think I see the answer there That was really interesting info Arne. I'd always thought the change was for aesthetic reasons. I like SEM satin black for trim.