If you want to be able to drive safely without the worry of your windshield freezing over or being impaired due to the stubborn messes nature leaves behind, this heated windshield washer unit is for you. Available from LMC Truck (part number 36-4085, $99.95), it’s great for cold-weather climates to melt ice or frost and to keep rain, snow, or moisture from freezing your windshield.
Another great benefit is that during the summer, the heated fluid makes it easier on the wipers to remove bug splatter, bird droppings, and tree sap from your windshield. If your truck does not reside in the garage (or for those spring and summer evening drives), this heated windshield washer kit is a must.
Follow along as we install a heated windshield washer kit from LMC Truck on an ’02 Ford F-250.
Common handtools used for this installation include:
- Flathead screwdriver
- Wrench to fit battery terminals
- Drill
- ¼-inch socket
- 1⁄8-inch drill bit
- Side-cutter pliers
01. To begin the installation,...
01. To begin the installation, locate a spot in the engine compartment to install the unit. Removal of cowls or shrouds may be necessary to locate a mounting point.
02. The mounting location...
02. The mounting location must be as close to the nozzles and as far away from the hottest areas of the engine as possible.
03. Here, we disconnected...
03. Here, we disconnected the negative battery cable.
04. We used the bracket...
04. We used the bracket to select the mounting location. The unit can be mounted up to a 30-degree angle to the right and a 45-degree angle to the left and cannot be angled more than 30 degrees from vertical, front to back. Vertical tabs are located at the top of the bracket, while a horizontal bar is at the bottom. Some modifications to the bracket may be necessary to fit in the selected area, depending on the truck. The next step is to attach the bracket to the unit.
05. Once the bracket was...
05. Once the bracket was attached and the mounting point was known, we marked the spots for the holes to be drilled.
06. We used a 1⁄8-inch drill...
06. We used a 1⁄8-inch drill bit to make the holes.
07. If the lower part of...
07. If the lower part of the bracket is not accessible from the selected mounting point, the unit can be installed with only the top two screws. For off-road use or rough driving conditions, all four mounting locations should be used.
08. Next, we had to cut the...
08. Next, we had to cut the hose between the washer pump and the nozzles. Note: It may be necessary to splice the hoses to reach the ports (splices and hose are included in the kit).
09. Then we attached the...
09. Then we attached the hose coming from the washer pump to the unit’s input port.
10. It was time to attach...
10. It was time to attach the hose coming from the nozzles to the unit’s output port.
11. The unit must be primed...
11. The unit must be primed for use before being connected to the battery, or damage to the unit may occur. Turn the ignition key to “accessory” and activate the washer pump until washer fluid sprays out of the nozzles. Check connections for leaks.
12. . It’s necessary to disconnect...
12. . It’s necessary to disconnect the battery again at this point. We connected the ring terminal on one end of the red cable (from the unit) to the positive side of the battery. Then we connected the ring terminal on one end of the black cable (from the unit) to a paint-free body ground.
13. We secured all cables...
13. We secured all cables and wires with cable ties.
14. Here’s a look at the...
14. Here’s a look at the kit completely installed.
15. At this point, we reinstalled...
15. At this point, we reinstalled any cowls or shrouds that were previously removed.