Power windows to manual windows conversion?

[joesregalproject]

My car has power windows and neither of them work. I want to replace them with manual crank windows because they are simpler, and there's no wiring involved. My question is, is the swap simply disconnecting the old motor and drilling out the rivets and pulling it out, and riveting in the crank and then putting the handle on the outside?

 

[565bbchevy]

I would consider just fixing them. Sometimes they just have bad grounds or the contacts on the switches get corroded.
It's highly unlikely that both motors quit working, usually the drivers just goes first.
I would have to assume you checked for a blown fuse already.

 

[joesregalproject]

I would consider just fixing them. Sometimes they just have bad grounds or the contacts on the switches get corroded.
It's highly unlikely that both motors quit working, usually the drivers just goes first.
I would have to assume you checked for a blown fuse already.

Both motors were bad when I bought the car. the former owner was kind of a junkie, so he didn't really care. I already checked all the obviouses- fuse, switches, grounds, split wire, no dice. I want manual windows.

 

[TODoubleD]

ohh come on just replace the motors then.... no one likes manual windows

 

[joesregalproject]

I like manual windows... 😀

 

[84GP455]

It's usually the reversal of that swap manual to power which is not hard. But i've had both motors go before and replaced plus I have 2 more in stock but i've only had to replace them once. But one time the passengers stopped working so i checked the hot wire for voltage and found a break in the wire right where it goes through the rubber boot in the door jamb. They tend to break right there where the door opens check there first. More than one wire was broken on mine.

 

[joesregalproject]

Like I said before, I already checked for breaks. I wouldn't be asking if I wasn't sure the motors were shot. I like the old school feel of manual windows, I hate waiting for power windows, and manual windows don't break. My question is, will I need new regulators? Any other parts I will need to replace?

 

[565bbchevy]

I replaced my drivers window motor because it was working intermittently and I was amazed at how fast the new motor was so I replaced the passenger side also (even though it never had a problem) so they would match in speed.
The first situation I think of where manual windows are useless is when you are driving and someone pulls up next to you on your passenger side and you want to talk to them, do you just smile and wave or do you undo your seatbelt and attempt to cause an accident by reaching over and trying to hand crank your window down.
Replacing the motors is far less work than sourcing out all the manual parts needed to do the swap.
Most would consider power windows an upgrade or a selling feature.
I'm just not seeing any advantage to not properly fixing your power windows.

 

[307 Regal]

If I were you, I'd hit up the junk yards and pull all you can off of a manual window car (including upper door panels) and just make the swap. Take a few pictures so you remember how it all goes together.
I used to feel the same way. Just something else to break and then you can't get your windows up. Now, though, I've grown pretty fond of my power windows and I'm thinking about upgrading the motors. I know what you mean though about having to wait for them to go up. Seems like it takes forever when you're just sitting there holding the switch.

 

[joesregalproject]

I think I will do just that Brian. Come to think of it, there was a Monte at the pic-a-part with manual windows yesterday, and it was complete except for 1 crank, which I'm sure I can get out of another car. It had tan interior, so I may just have to buck up and dye the door panels. My uppers are pretty crappy anyways.