Converting power windows to manual...

[DankTank]

Hey all! Haven't posted in a while.

So, I have my 1986 XLT Ranger, and recently the passenger window motor died. The motor clicks, but otherwise does nothing. If that was it, I would have just left it alone, except it died while the window was down. I don't like leaving my windows down, so I pulled the whole thing and went for the duct tape method.

Both power windows have been pretty sketchy for the entire time I've owned the truck, so I'm not sure I can entirely trust another electric motor. Which is why I'm considering replacing the motor with a manual crank.

My question is, would a crank from another first gen ranger bolt right in, or would there need to be some custom work? If it's too much work, I'll probably end up buying the electric motor brand new since I don't want any chance of it dying on me again.

Any help is appreciated!

 

[RonD]

Yes, if you got a manual window regulator from similar model('83-'92) it would bolt right in, you do need to drill out the rivets Ford uses and replace them with nuts and bolts unless you have a rivet gun

LMC truck shows the parts needed: http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fr/full.aspx?Page=17

You will notice the widow motors are different in '85/'86 and then changed to different model in 1987, I would assume there were problems.............but maybe not

You will need to add hole for window crank to door panel.

 

[DankTank]

Appreciated, RonD! I'll see if I can get one.

 

[Denisefwd93]

I'm not sure but you may actually need different door panels.

I'm in the same situation, I've been looking at the LMC pages also, my best guess, . All the effort is on the electric motor, the glass should balance on the center point as it is being lifted but clearly it doesn't happen.
Ron are you saying the newer trucks have better Motors?

 

[RonD]

Ford doesn't change part designs unless there is a reason too

It looks like power windows in Rangers were first offered in 1985 model year, I would image the same motors were used in other Ford models, then in 1987 a newer motor design was used in Rangers, can't say why, but Ford would have a reason to change it.

 

[Denisefwd93]

Thank you Ron, I'm trying to decide to get the whole regulator and motor or just the Motor they really are hokey the way they work,. I wonder if it's the clockspring inside the regulator that loses its tension over time?

 

[RonD]

I think it would be more likely that the window rails/tracks get out of alignment so window gets angled and sticks on its way up putting more stress on the motor.

Spring could wear out, just don't recall running into that issue before.
What I have run into in order of most common to less common:
Bad button, they just wear out on drivers side
Stripped gear on lower end of regulator
Bad motor
Bad wire

The stripped gear is usually from misalignment, the motor gear is hard steel, regulator's is softer steel so motor's gear can chew it up if window jambs a bit trying to get it started on the way up

I have a block of wood in the bottom of my 1994s drivers door right now, lol.
Thats so i don't forget NOT to roll the window down all the way because of stripped lower teeth on regulator.
Wood stops window from going down all the way, if it does then I have to pop door panel and lift window up enough so motor has good teeth to grip.
Local wrecking yard will call me when they have one

 

[Denisefwd93]

The tracks are almost impossible to adjust there's no movement the window basically balances on the pivot arm. My driver side motor runs if I lift window as it goes up otherwise it just bumps on & stops seems like it doesn't have the power to lift the window.

 

[Denisefwd93]

I'm going to go with the Dorman https://www.dormanproducts.com/p-9476-741-831.aspx?year=1994&make=Ford&model=Ranger&origin=&parttype=Window%2520Regulator%2520and%2520Lift%2520Motor%2520Assembly&position=Front%2520Left

 

[Denisefwd93]

Picked up one last night, obviously the "engineering improvements" Dorman made, are not showing, it looks identical to the existing one.

 

[Denisefwd93]

WOWSERS! The new window regulator and motor actually work!!! I didn't take pictures it's been well documented in many other threads and YouTube.

The window without the lifting arm attached is very difficult to move up and down in the tracks which I did grease, the motor lifts and drops the window there is no spring. I was under the impression there is a clock spring on the axle of the lifting arm, NOPE!

Anyhow, dorman's motor seems to have the power to overcome the friction & weight, but just only.

 

[Denisefwd93]

OMG! Could have saved myself $60-80!!!

https://youtu.be/-gRrprCCiqE
this is exactly what was wrong with my window motor I'm going to fix it and use it on the passenger side!

 

[Denisefwd93]

I had some aluminum dowel rod I cut three pieces for the old motor gear inserts. It's is now working just like the new motor on the right side of the truck! Didn't cost me anything except time and some blood LOL