reflections on power window install....

[juma]

There are several overviews and pics available by search on installing power windows in a XE. I got the A1 electric kit and fooled around with it for several months taking it a step at a time. Finally put the last motor in today and buttoned it up. Here is my list of tips:

1. get a good quality pry tool for taking off the door by popping the plastic buttons out. wrap black electrical tape around where the fulcrum is when priying and this will save scratching up the door paint. You do not have to drill holes in the door panels for the cover used to cover the old crank knob so you can ignore the first part of the instructions on that. They provide cover that fits with a little electrical tape doubled over at the contact point to hold it in.

2. A four stage approach worked best for me. First, remove the driver's door panel, cut the plastic and install the wiring harness and feed around the rail at the truck end of the door and through the hole for the rubber tube between door and truck. This is so you don't have the window glass hitting the wiring as it goes up and down. take the rubber connector tube loose at both ends and use a short fish made from clothes hanger wire to run the wires through to get them into the cab. Then reinstall the rubber tube, put the door panel on and call it a day.

3. Next stage, run the wire across the cab next to the firewall. Again, I used a long fish to tape the wire too and then pull through to the other side. Then, I installed plastic loom over all the wire. After removing the passenger door panel and again using a fish tool and taking completely loose the tube from truck to door, I pulled wires through to the door and built the switch plug. reinstall the panel and stop.

4. This time, using the pictures from one of the previous installers websites, I installed the motor. I then hooked up power and ground and ran the window up and down to check for blocks or rubbing. reinstall panel and install switch in the stock position by holing the take out panel using one of the templates provided.

5. Last day, installed motor in driver's door and hooked up to the switch.

It works great! I took my time and studied that install manual like I was gonna have to take a test on it. the motors are easy to mount with some 24 guage strapping pieces (used to hang ductwork in a house) used to mount the motors on, I got the strapping at at Home Depot. Its not like you have to be real precise in where you put themotors and strapping. Just pick a point by eyeballing it. this is a somewhat complicated mod and it helps to know how auto electric works but they built the kit so any fool can do it.

Power? I ran a 10 guage wire from the battery to a new aux fuseblock. I like that better than tapping into other circuits.

questions? catch me quick before I forget how the hell I did it.

juma

[rjspitz]

Good tips. If I may add one. When running the wires through the door boot, remove both ends, squeeze the boot together like a spring, spray a bit of WD-40 in the hole and then the wire threads in real easy. No need for a fish line.

My motors came with the strapping already, did yours not?

[tnbowhunter]

Sounds as if you did a good job juma.
But it also sounds like it's a little too complicated for this ole country boy.
You have way more patience than I do.

[juma]

Originally Posted by rjspitz

Good tips. If I may add one. When running the wires through the door boot, remove both ends, squeeze the boot together like a spring, spray a bit of WD-40 in the hole and then the wire threads in real easy. No need for a fish line.

My motors came with the strapping already, did yours not?

no, did not come with strapping. It did have hose triangular pieces like those use on the part that fits the crank.

juma

[WazzuCoug]

That a boy! I knew you could do it. Good writeup, hopefully this will help others in the future.