Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - adding power windows to a car w/ manual ones

billege · 05-15-2003, 05:51 AM

I'm going to warn you, this will be a pain in the ass. Have you ever worked inside a door? If not, you have no idea what you're up to.

They have no space to work, you can't see what exactly you're doing all the time, the tool you want to use won't quite fit, ever.

We're talking a major pain in the ass.

I know this because I have replaced window motors, and power door lock motors in: an 81 Chrysler Imperial, 92 Lincoln Mark VII, 90 Ford Crown Vic, 87 Buick SkylarK(I think it was a skylark).

First thing you need to know is what parts will be required, and what you have already. Best way to do that is to get the manufacturer's shop manual for the car. That'll run you $50, at least. I've paid $85 foe one, so don't think it's going to be cheap. Maybe the parts counter at a local dealer will let you borrow one, or help make you a parts list.

After you've got your parts list, you need the parts. So now you go to a junkyard and pay a lot more than you'll think for the parts. Hopefully, you have the choice of them pulling the parts, which isn't usually free, or you do it. If you do it, it sure as hell will be your LABOR saving you time. The brackets for the motors are usually riveted to the door, bring a drill.

Now that you've got all the parts, you get to spend (for this job) 4 or 5 hours inside the fricken doors. That's assuming you're not a good mechanic. I figure since you had to ask this question, you don't know all that much. Maybe I'm wrong, and I don't mean it to insult you, we all knew shit when we started. That goes for everything in life.

So, after you've put in about $200 bucks, and a shit load of time, plus skinned knuckles (which you WILL get in a door) then you've got your power windows.

OHHHH yeah, we didn't talk about wiring.

If the car is prewired, and I mean wired already into the door with power for the motor, and the interior console has the other end of those wires for the switches, then you're okay. If the car is NOT already wired, you are in for some fun. Ever take a dash apart? You don't want to.

I could be seriously overstating. Maybe you just need motors, brackets, and switches. That might be okay. Either way, start at a dealership that will help you get the parts list.

Good luck. Remember, sometimes there is a reason it's $200/window.

05-15-2003, 05:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
billege Watcher Location: Ohio	I'm going to warn you, this will be a pain in the ass. Have you ever worked inside a door? If not, you have no idea what you're up to. They have no space to work, you can't see what exactly you're doing all the time, the tool you want to use won't quite fit, ever. We're talking a major pain in the ass. I know this because I have replaced window motors, and power door lock motors in: an 81 Chrysler Imperial, 92 Lincoln Mark VII, 90 Ford Crown Vic, 87 Buick SkylarK(I think it was a skylark). First thing you need to know is what parts will be required, and what you have already. Best way to do that is to get the manufacturer's shop manual for the car. That'll run you $50, at least. I've paid $85 foe one, so don't think it's going to be cheap. Maybe the parts counter at a local dealer will let you borrow one, or help make you a parts list. After you've got your parts list, you need the parts. So now you go to a junkyard and pay a lot more than you'll think for the parts. Hopefully, you have the choice of them pulling the parts, which isn't usually free, or you do it. If you do it, it sure as hell will be your LABOR saving you time. The brackets for the motors are usually riveted to the door, bring a drill. Now that you've got all the parts, you get to spend (for this job) 4 or 5 hours inside the fricken doors. That's assuming you're not a good mechanic. I figure since you had to ask this question, you don't know all that much. Maybe I'm wrong, and I don't mean it to insult you, we all knew shit when we started. That goes for everything in life. So, after you've put in about $200 bucks, and a shit load of time, plus skinned knuckles (which you WILL get in a door) then you've got your power windows. OHHHH yeah, we didn't talk about wiring. If the car is prewired, and I mean wired already into the door with power for the motor, and the interior console has the other end of those wires for the switches, then you're okay. If the car is NOT already wired, you are in for some fun. Ever take a dash apart? You don't want to. I could be seriously overstating. Maybe you just need motors, brackets, and switches. That might be okay. Either way, start at a dealership that will help you get the parts list. Good luck. Remember, sometimes there is a reason it's $200/window. __________________ I can sum up the clash of religion in one sentence: "My Invisible Friend is better than your Invisible Friend."