front electric windows for au

[lostdude]

Hi guys, I've got a forte 98 august build which is one of the first au's i think and it doesn't have any electric windows. I'm wondering how much would it cost to covert it to electric windows, do i just need a electric motor and some wiring?
i've done a search and most people are converting the rears windows but i need to do the front.
i'm pretty handy with electronics and tools so i'll be doing it myself, but just wanted to know other peoples experiences and whether its possible and a approximate price.
thanks.

[private9]

Parts shouldn't be too expensive, but I don't know if you'll need wiring as well. For the front window regs and switches, I'd guess you're lucking at about $200-$300 from the wreckers, but you'll have to find out whether the standard Forte wiring loom already has the plugs to just plug everything straight in.

[au2sw]

your best off getting door cards from any model AU, including fairlane...yes, all door card are the same, i have researched this for something i want to do....as you will want switches. if you do the fronts, may as well do rears too, but thats up to you. there is a difference in the drivers door cards in that there is only 2 switches for front power windows, and 4 switches and lockout switch with full power window car. so you would want power window regulators and door cards to suit. you may be lucky in that the wiring is there for power windows, if not, be prepared to run all the wiring yourself...not a fun task i can assure you. good luck with it all. i priced regs from my locla wreckers, they were about $150 each. door card prices vary from model to model, but i would expect them to be about the same price as the regs. not 100% sure on that though as i havent got pricing on door cards as yet.

[private9]

Originally Posted by au2sw

your best off getting door cards from any model AU, including fairlane...yes, all door card are the same, i have researched this for something i want to do....as you will want switches. if you do the fronts, may as well do rears too, but thats up to you. there is a difference in the drivers door cards in that there is only 2 switches for front power windows, and 4 switches and lockout switch with full power window car. so you would want power window regulators and door cards to suit. you may be lucky in that the wiring is there for power windows, if not, be prepared to run all the wiring yourself...not a fun task i can assure you. good luck with it all. i priced regs from my locla wreckers, they were about $150 each. door card prices vary from model to model, but i would expect them to be about the same price as the regs. not 100% sure on that though as i havent got pricing on door cards as yet.

Good lord, are the window regs that much?! Can't you get new aftermarkets for less than that?

[au2sw]

Originally Posted by private9

Good lord, are the window regs that much?! Can't you get new aftermarkets for less than that?

yeah, tell me about it, thats why i havent done it yet. also, maybe thats just the rear prices. are the rear window regs different to the front? i havent even checked that.

[Stav]

I installed chiefs rear power windows and converted his switches at the front. Allow around 10 straight working hours for the conversion maybe more.With lunch & breakfast breaks it will go into night or next day . The price of the regulators costs around 170 to 220 dollars a door.Its not cheap because they simply cant be.Cheaper price more often than not means corners cut.

[private9]

Here's some aftermarket ones new - $115 each.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Ford-AU-Falco...QQcmdZViewItem


Some people do report problems with some aftermarket regs, so just keep that in mind.

[bodes-sh]

asked a wrecker about a front conversion recently, quoted somewhere between $400 and 500, he just started pricing everything seperately, that was door trims, switches, regs, and all wiring, apparently in a forte they just plug straight in and work, don't know for sure though

[lostdude]

sounds expensive , but is 400 to 500 for both doors or each ?
but theres a ford wreckers in narallen so i'll go there tomrrow and get some prices.
thanks for the headsup guys.

[bodes-sh]

Originally Posted by lostdude

sounds expensive , but is 400 to 500 for both doors or each ?
but theres a ford wreckers in narallen so i'll go there tomrrow and get some prices.
thanks for the headsup guys.

i meant to say complete front conversion, that's for both doors

[lostdude]

if anyone is interested i found this on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....link:middle:au

i decided to not do mine as i went to my local ford wreckers and its going to end up costing me 15% (around 600 in parts) of what my car is worth lol and i still have to do all the work myself.

[BLACKAUXR8]

Honestly on my wifes series 1 i have had nothing but problems with the electric windows they break every 3-4 months. and each one at ford for the new parts installed is about $240 so if i was you i would stick with the manual windows. Although on my series 3 xr8 i have had it 12 months and the only thing that has gone wrong with them is one little switch on the door that makes it go up and down and there only 30 bucks!! mind you ford charged me another 40 for them to walk out and clip it in. it took no more than 30 seconds

[au2sw]

and yet you still go back to ford to get it done: when will you learn. ebay and wreckers are 1/4 price and most of the stuff you can do yourself with a little guidance that can be found right here if needed!!

[private9]

Originally Posted by au2sw

and yet you still go back to ford to get it done: when will you learn. ebay and wreckers are 1/4 price and most of the stuff you can do yourself with a little guidance that can be found right here if needed!!

Too true! And if someone like me can get in and do some of these bits and pieces, then anyone can!