On the DS-generation Ram 1500 this is about as simple as truck maintenance gets. Both arms are conventional J-hook style, so the blade slides off a hook after you press one plastic tab - no side pins, no bayonet adapters, and no rear wiper to deal with on any cab configuration. Factory lengths are 22 inches on the driver side and 21 inches on the passenger side, and that holds across 4.7, 5.7 Hemi, 3.6 Pentastar and 3.0 EcoDiesel trucks.
The mistake people make is buying blades with the big stacked universal adapter already clipped on. That adapter can hold the blade slightly off the hook, and it lifts or flutters above 60 mph. Pull the extra adapters off and use the bare J-hook fitting. The other one: never let a bare arm snap back onto the glass - put a towel down first, because a windshield costs far more than a set of blades.
| Item | Type | |
|---|---|---|
| Tape measure Standard, inch markings Confirms blade lengths (22 in driver / 21 in passenger) before buying. | Recommended | shop |
| Microfiber cloth Clean, lint-free Wipes the glass and old blade grit before fitting new blades. | Consumables | shop |
| Glass cleaner Ammonia-free automotive Cleans the windshield so new blades don't chatter. | Consumables | shop |
| Small flat-blade screwdriver 3-4 mm tip Depresses a stubborn J-hook release tab if it won't move by hand. | Recommended | shop |
| Folded towel or foam pad Shop towel Lay it on the glass so a bare wiper arm can't snap down and crack the windshield. | Safety | shop |
| Socket and ratchet 13 mm 6-point socket, 3/8 in drive (verify on your truck; some are 15 mm) Only needed if you also remove or reposition a wiper arm. | Recommended | shop |
| Wiper arm puller Small two-jaw battery terminal / wiper arm puller Pulls a corroded arm off the splined post without bending it. | Recommended | shop |
| Wiper blades 22 in driver side, 21 in passenger side, J-hook mount The replacement blades themselves. | Parts | shop |
| Nitrile gloves Disposable Keeps blade rubber grease and road grime off your hands and the new rubber. | Safety | shop |
Blade sizes and the J-hook mount are the same for the 4.7 V8, 5.7 Hemi, 3.6 Pentastar and 3.0 EcoDiesel - engine choice makes no difference to this job.
| Wiper arm retaining nut (if arm removed) | verify in the service manual (commonly around 20 ft-lb / 27 Nm) |
| Wiper blade to arm | No torque - snap-fit J-hook latch |
The 22 in / 21 in J-hook setup is correct for essentially all 2009-2018 Ram 1500 DS trucks, but measure your existing blades before buying since a few replacement arms and aftermarket setups run 22/22.
22 inches on the driver side and 21 inches on the passenger side, both with a standard J-hook (hook slot) arm connection. Measure your current blades to confirm if the truck has had arms or blades swapped before.
No. No cab or bed configuration of the 2009-2018 Ram 1500 came with a rear wiper, so you only need the two front blades.
Yes, beam blades in 22 and 21 inch with a J-hook adapter fit fine and generally clear snow better. Just make sure only the hook adapter is installed, not the stacked multi-fit adapter.
You don't need one - the DS arms lift and lock upright on their own with the hood closed. If you need the arms off entirely, pop the plastic cap, remove the retaining nut (typically 13 mm, verify on your truck) and use a wiper arm puller.