1962 Conversion to Power Windows

[Sergio]

Hi, I have a convertible 1962 Thunderbird that has the original manual windows and I would like to convert it to power windows.
Any hints and advices are welcome. In particular, where should I shop for wire harness?

Thank you,
Best regards,
Sergio Pedreiro

[stevegintn]

Hi, I have a convertible 1962 Thunderbird that has the original manual windows and I would like to convert it to power windows.
Any hints and advices are welcome. In particular, where should I shop for wire harness?

Man, why would you ever want to do that? Lol!

[stevegintn]

I had to replace BOTH motors on my power front windows for my 62 (and they are still 'dicey') and have not gotten rear windows to work, yet (low priority for me)

[GeoffInCarlsbad]

I had power windows all around on my '61, and I replaced the right rear motor. That was a teachable moment for sure. It was quite a trick pulling out the old motor and installing a new motor, especially since I did it solo. It really requires a second set of hands to hold the windows in place so that all the arms can be properly positioned, bolted, adjusted, then installing the motor, et cetera. it was fun, but i was sore for about 2 days afterwards from being hunched over in the rear. (

Taking out the back seat, and quarter panels, following all the wiring and diagrams. It was great fun, but painful.

converting to power windows? I'm not so sure about that. Not only are the harnesses needed, but installing the 15-amp fuse mounted on the floor pan, and runnining wiring all around, back to the fuse box and all....Is the frame/body panel in a manual version even plumbed to take on a motor? Does one need a different quarter panel to accommodate the electronic switches instead of the handle crank?

Is this something you really want to do?

If you are looking for free advice that is worth every penny, don't do it.

[ICON 1956]

Trying to convert from manual to power windows would be a big Pain In The #@* = PITA. my question is why ?

[stubbie]

Maybe you can get together with the guy on the 64 forum who wants manual windows and do a swap.

[Sergio]

Thank you for all that respondend.
I am probably understimating the amount of work required and should (and certainly will) rethink the project.
Cheers,

[63flip]

I know you heard this from everyone else but, "why"? In my opinion that would be nuts. Both of my '63's have power windows and I honestly wish they didn't. They've all required considerable time and money to keep working. Switches, harness' and motors are not cheap. I would fully agree with (and trust) everyone's opinion on this one. Stick with the cranks!

[Alan H. Tast]

Maybe you can get together with the guy on the 64 forum who wants manual windows and do a swap.

Won't work - mechanisms are completely different in design, especially mounting. Need to stay within the generation ('61-'63), and even then there are differences in wiring, especially '63 with console-mounted switches.

[Wklink]

I have an entire setup (somewhere in the shed) that I stripped out of a parts car to change my 62HT to power windows.

Then I started seriously looking at the work involved.

The convenience of putting the passenger side window down without reaching over and cranking is nice but I don't think it would be worth the hours of knuckle skinning agony that it would take to do the conversion.

If the interior is completely out and you are going from scratch it probably would be worth it otherwise I would pass.