manual to power window conversion?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Katy The Republic of Texas
manual to power window conversion?
I have a '72 with manual windows, saw the 72-74 Power Window Conversion Kit on Zip. Does anyone have experience doing this conversion, advice, caveats, etc.? Any other conversion kits that are preferable? TIA!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
15 years ago, I added the parts needed to my '72 vert....the motor/geartrain parts were common green grass off any junkyard car of the era..GM that is.....the regulator gear set is totally different, so the large sector gear needs replaced I ordered a set of regulators from Yogi Behr IF I recall correctly.....
the window switches and bracket came from carlisle....I cut the holes in the then new console piece....
the wiring is easy, really....mine are run off the main/RED power wire..so they work with ignition off.....
the window switches and bracket came from carlisle....I cut the holes in the then new console piece....
the wiring is easy, really....mine are run off the main/RED power wire..so they work with ignition off.....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Katy The Republic of Texas
Thanks for the offer, Gene, but I'm keeping all the original parts "just in case". It was a well-maintained and documented car before I got it, and keeping the original DNA is important. Hope you find someone else to swap with! :-)
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
The ZIP kit looks pretty complete. Purchase the 72 assembly instruction manual (AIM) and take a look at the factory installation of the optional power windows. The AIM will list and show all the parts you need for the conversion.
Remember: your original interior door panels have holes for the window cranks. PW cars do not have the holes in the panels.
In all likelihood, the underside of your e-brake console will show two squares which you have to open to mount the window switches. Not difficult. The regular e-brake support hardware already has provision for mounting the switches.
Remember: your original interior door panels have holes for the window cranks. PW cars do not have the holes in the panels.
In all likelihood, the underside of your e-brake console will show two squares which you have to open to mount the window switches. Not difficult. The regular e-brake support hardware already has provision for mounting the switches.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Katy The Republic of Texas
Thanks, Mike! I have the '72 AIM, will do as suggested. I will replace the door panels if/when I do this, but I'm saving all the original stuff. It's contagious, you know!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
Crush2, if you do this conversion please lets us know how it goes. I know I am interested in hearing. I want to do this conversion when I get my 71 back on the road.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
The nice thing about PW on a C3 is that the whole thing was a complete afterthought by GM. So the entire wiring for the PW is a separate harness that just ties in at 3 spots, an existing ground on the bird cage, a hot feed from the horn relay, and a spade connector plugged into the ACC terminal in the fuse box.
I'm not familiar with the ZIP kit. I'm converting my '71 right now using original/repro products. I got a new PW harness, as well as switches, relay, etc. The regulators were originals from Ebay. I'm replacing the door panels anyway so I'll just not cut the holes for the cranks. My p-brake console does not have the holes for the switches, but they are marked on the backside so easy to cut.
Overall it's a somewhat involved project labor-vise, but not difficult.
I'm not familiar with the ZIP kit. I'm converting my '71 right now using original/repro products. I got a new PW harness, as well as switches, relay, etc. The regulators were originals from Ebay. I'm replacing the door panels anyway so I'll just not cut the holes for the cranks. My p-brake console does not have the holes for the switches, but they are marked on the backside so easy to cut.
Overall it's a somewhat involved project labor-vise, but not difficult.
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