[negreac]

First things first, I know I drive a Jeep and I know I'm talking about power windows. Some of us that use our wranglers daily actually want convenience items like power locks, windows, and cruise so try and keep the flaming to a minimum. Now I've been researching this topic all day and here's what I've come up with. There's a handful of kits out there to install power windows (about 5 or 6), but really it comes down to 2 different types. Thre's the SPAL (Standard or Deluxe, deluxe is quieter) universal power window kit and the A1 Electronics Jeep Wrangler power window kit. Here are the install write ups for each courtesy of DailyDrivenTJ.com and Harryworld:

Write-up for A1 Electronics Kit
Write-up for SPAL Kit

The primary difference between the two is the the SPAL universal kit retains the stock window regulator. Due to this, the SPAL kit is siginificantly cheaper, unfortunatley I'm not aware as to whether there is any advantage or disadvantage to retaining the stock regulator. If anyone knows from experience please chime in. Here are links to where both of the kits are available:

A1 kit from A1electronics.com (door mounted switches) - $239 + S/H
Deluxe SPAL (door mounted switches) on ebay.com - $150 shipped

Also, if you would rather have the switches in the center console (convenience, cheaper?) you can buy the SPAL kit without the switches from the same ebay store and buy a seperate switch kit. SPAL makes a number of different types of switch kits at different prices. You may be able to get them from the same guy that sells the window kits on eBay even though he doesn't have any listed. Here's the only site I could find with the switch kits in stock:

SPAL switch kits on slickcar.com

Beyond deciding between the two of these you just need to decide whether you want to run wires from your door with a quick disconnect of some sort or use the contact switches that are outlined in this thread:

Thread Discussing Use of Contact Switches for Power Windows and Locks

I think that pretty much covers it. If you have any input please post it. I hope to be doing this mod in the very near future.

[sparsons79]

I did this mod about 6 months ago and love it!!!
I bought the A1 Electronics Kit brand new off Ebay for $30 (plus shipping) from a guy who sold his TJ. It was a very easy install, except for wiring into the fuse box at night by myself...hahaha

It's nice since there are disconnects at the door jams, so you're still able to remove the doors.

Anyway, it is the best $30 mod I've done on the Jeep, and I would have paid full retail price for the kit.

[trekkindave]

I wish you had put this up last week... it would have saved me TONS of searching.. All parts in inbound from various EBAY places. Even got an alarm with central locking system and keyless entry to i caould add all this.. went with the SPAL method though since i didnt want the switches on the doors.

I am going to mount the switches just under stick, with a third switch for the power locks. (going to add the tail gate if the doors go well) Also think i am going to do the wire method with QD's and think about the contact switches later. Will get some pictures up when i can.

[sparsons79]

trekkindave......What are you going to cover the roll down mechanism with? I would have rather installed my switch on the console, since my knee always hits it.

[BlueFlame]

No problemo with the knees.

[BlueFlame]

Originally Posted by trekkindave

with a third switch for the power locks. (going to add the tail gate if the doors go well) Also think i am going to do the wire method with QD's and think about the contact switches later. Will get some pictures up when i can.

No need for a door lock switch. Mine lock/unlock both doors if you lock/unlock any lock, inside or out. Or with the remote...


I looked at the contacts, but I'm not willing to drill that many largish holes in my door posts, especially since that is such a critical structural area and it will be getting a sport cage soon which has to bolt there.

[trekkindave]

I'm pretty sure that the kit i orderd came with round plugs to cover the factory holes where hte crank came out.

As for the power lock switch.. Im going to have to see if the central locking unit has that option, because i would like to do that like blue flame has said. It would be better.. the Factory lock would then be the switch. :-)

[sparsons79]

BlueFlame....you're window switches are perfect. Where did you get your power window and lock kit from? thanks I may have to do the locks )

[negreac]

Originally Posted by sparsons79

I did this mod about 6 months ago and love it!!!
I bought the A1 Electronics Kit brand new off Ebay for $30 (plus shipping) from a guy who sold his TJ. It was a very easy install, except for wiring into the fuse box at night by myself...hahaha

It's nice since there are disconnects at the door jams, so you're still able to remove the doors.

Anyway, it is the best $30 mod I've done on the Jeep, and I would have paid full retail price for the kit.

Damn, nice find. Wish I was looking back then, guaranteed you would have been paying more than $30.

Originally Posted by trekkindave

I wish you had put this up last week... it would have saved me TONS of searching.. All parts in inbound from various EBAY places. Even got an alarm with central locking system and keyless entry to i caould add all this.. went with the SPAL method though since i didnt want the switches on the doors.

I am going to mount the switches just under stick, with a third switch for the power locks. (going to add the tail gate if the doors go well) Also think i am going to do the wire method with QD's and think about the contact switches later. Will get some pictures up when i can.

Actually you don't have to put the switches on the door. You would just have to get new switches and have a pretty minor understanding of how the wiring works. The switch kit from SPAL should work just fine. Beyond that you would just need a plug to cover the old crank hole. Personally I think this would be the best/most attractive way to go. I don't like the idea of having the switches mounted where the onld handle was but i don't want a big plastic knob covering the old crank. If you replace the regulator you can just fill the hole with a body type plug, would look much cleaner. IMO the switches also look more factory in teh center console than anything you put on the door, that and there's less wires going to teh driver's side door that way.

Originally Posted by sparsons79

BlueFlame....you're window switches are perfect. Where did you get your power window and lock kit from? thanks I may have to do the locks )

I'm pretty sure he just has a different universal kit. Almost identical to teh SPAL kit with different switches. I think you can find it on eBay.

So does anyone know if there's any difference in operation between the SPAL type and the A1 type? Just wondering if there's any benefit to replacing the regulator.

[BlueFlame]

It's all a yes and no thing. Spal, A1 - doesn't matter. Two types - replacement of the regulator (factory style) or add on motor, those are the options. Just like anything, there are some better motors - quieter and/or more powerful etc than others, and price does not guarantee quality. The kit I put in the jeep was EXACTLY the same as kit I put in another rig a few years ago - for many times more money....

They are so cheap even if something fails in a year or 3 I can afford to replace it.
I don't really remember now (info isn't on this computer) but I think I paid around $69 for the windows and $50 for the locks with keyless entry and alarm. Ebay, really cheap.

I did a bit of custom work to get my switches done that way. The kit had round covers for the shaft setup. I didn't want that, plus the switch box needs to go right in the middle of that dished in recess in the door panel to look right. So I pushed the pins out of the plugs for the switches, and put the individual pins on the swithes one by one with no plug body, then I could push the wires around and get enough room in the switch box for the shafts. (Remember the shafts are about an inch in diameter after the gear drive goes on.) Worked like a charm, although it is tight. It took much longer to get the switch panels installed that way than to simply install the motors, which is easy. Many many test fittings of the door panels, and no margin for error. Wasn't more than 1/8" fudge factor to get it to work.

Inside of the door showing motors and lokcs - http://www.jeepforum.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=8569&c=4&userid=71619

[Grewe02]

How the eff do the stock window cranks come off???? Gahhhhh!!!!

[Rocky529]

Originally Posted by Grewe02

How the eff do the stock window cranks come off???? Gahhhhh!!!!

Push in on the plastic panels and you'll see a c-clip holding the crank on. Pry it out with a small flat head screw driver.

[Plate]

Originally Posted by Rocky529

Push in on the plastic panels and you'll see a c-clip holding the crank on. Pry it out with a small flat head screw driver.

One of my favorite home-made tools was just for this purpose. I took an old choke cable, cut it down and bent a hook on it and it is the best for removing regulator handles. So much easier than a screwdriver.

[fieldchaser]

Dragged up from death but this is what happens when you search for something and don't find it.
Seeing that this is the Official Power Window Thread
I cannot determine which fuse to check for my power windows.
Is there a diagram somewhere?

[Jason]

You have power windows already, or you're trying to install?