I want to convert my manual windows on my 71 to power. I know Ecklers has a kit. Does anyone else make one? Has anyone done the conversion and if so how complicated was it. :hurray:

 

I know a guy doing it now for his 69 vert and it seems like it is costing around 600 bucks or so

 

I used parts from a 78 to do my conversion last weekend. I think I have another set of regulators if you're interested. It took me a SOLID day to do mine and would not suggest doing it if you are easily frustrated :cheers:
~Christian

 

why would you want to? :p:

 

What did you find the most difficult? Did you use the factory wiring harness and relays as well?

 

I cant believe more people have not done this conversion. It is really that difficult or is it one of those things people live with.......... :hurray:

 

I am doing it this winter, picking up parts at shows, and ordering a new center armrest for the 2 switches.

 

getting your arms all cut up and twisted was the most painful, running wires is kinda relaxing....

 

I have done this.

Get the AIM and factory parts, It just takes time. The doors are hard to work in. I would set aside a full weekend.

Why do it? Just for the hell of it.

George

 

I have done this to other old Chevs. Not to a Corvette tho, but why should this be any different? If the model you are working on could have been ordered from the factory with PW, then the doors have all the mounting holes in place. Look and see. Now all you need to do is find the motor and other mechanical parts for the window to ride on. Swap meets are good sources. The wiring harness can be ordered from various places, PAINLESS harness is one that I have used or you can "roll" your own which costs less. I have had my PW assembly out, cleaned it, and put it all back together in a couple of hours. The hardest part, of course, is getting the window realigned. I think this took the longest to fiddle with, but that's another lesson learned.



[Modified by KenSny, 4:20 PM 10/17/2003]

 

It's a decent amount of work and patience is what you need. You do need new regulator assemblies, motors. wiring harness, center console switches, etc. If you want to get new windows for your car this is a good time to do that.

Greg

 

I'm doing this with my '68. It's not that involved, but then my car is currently stripped to the shell. I got some window regulators, motors and switches from ebay, a wiring harness from a guy here on the forum, and since I'm buying new door panels and console anyway, I'm not even counting that as an expense in the conversion. The regulators are the only thing you have to change in the doors, the tracks from your manual windows will work. Look in your AIM and there's some pretty clear pictures of how everthing goes together. You'll also need a PW relay and circuit breaker which are readily available. I wouldn't consider this conversion much harder than a car stereo install.

 

My AIM manual does not really show a power window setup. Not sure if there are better manuals out there. I have been trying to see how everyghing goes and get a parts list together.

 

You may have done this already so forgive me if I am stating the obvious. Look in the back of the AIM where all of the instructions for assembling the optional equipment is. It should show the power window installation there. I don't have a copy of the '71 AIM so maybe it's not there any longer. If you need, I could scan the relavent pages from my '68 AIM and forward them to you. I don't think the PW systems will be significantly different.

 

OK, lets distill this thing down to a minimum.....NO you don't need a power window relay...all that does is stop the windows from working if the ignition is off....it's a Nader safety thing....kids and vettes don t mix anyway....

so the wiring does straight from switches to a 30 amp fuse then to an allways hot wire off the fuse panel feed.....this way they work all the time, which is a NICE convenience....especially with a convertible....

also, any p//w motor-gearbox assy from any other GM car of the ear will work fine in the vette, but the vette has a custom regulator assy...that is the bars/arms and sector gear....

when you grab the junkyard motors, make sure you get that connector also...
and cut nice long wire lengths, enough to splice/solder/insulate into the new heavy gauge cheapest MONSTER cable you get at radio shack...you only need about 10' of it.....to go from the switches to the motors....I didn't worry about door weather boots, and neither should you....

Mine have not missed a beat since '95.....OH...you also need to clean out all the dried monkey snot lubrication from any tracks/channels you do use...and then they work fine..dry as a bone...nylon rollers...

jGENE

 

I got a good deal on Ebay. Mine were power once - then switched to manual
doors. I got the entire door guts - regulators tracks and motors for about $50.
Luckily, the wiring and switches are still in place.

:seeya

 

Nitrocharger,
I may be interested in the regulators if you have them.
email me with the details. :hurray: