Manual -> Powered Windows Conversion On A Loyale

[the_bard]

I figure it's possible (anything's possible, given enough time, money, and determination), but I was wondering if anybody had done it before.

 

I've become addicted to power windows... most of the time, I'm driving alone, and it's so nice to be able to roll down that front passenger side door window without leaning over. Bad safety hazard, right here. Sometimes I want to feel the wind on both sides of my face (natural A/C is so much better than artificial), and sometimes I just want to blare my music (get sick and tired of listening to someone blare their rap music... it's nice to roll down that window and blast some Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Charlie Daniels, Hank Jr.,... you get the point).

 

I imagine all I would have to do is dismantle my current Loyale, piece by piece, preferably documenting and taking pictures of each wire and part I remove, then replicating the assembly in the new Loyale.

 

Probably not easy, since I'll probably have to run wiring (doubt Subaru was nice enough to install the wiring for me), or at the very worst, drill mounting holes (or find some way to mount brackets, that sort of thing) for the motors and what not. I'm gonna have to find new door panels, too... the ones out of my current Loyale will work, but they're grey... the new one is blue. 'Course, if I can swap out the bottom cushions on the front seats (might be possible, may not, haven't looked in detail yet), I could take the door panels off my current one, and have a two tone interior.

 

If I do end up doing this, I'll take the documentation and pictures and write up a USRM article.

[viceversa]

FWIW, I stronly disagree. Manual is so much simpler and more reliable. Power windows usually fail for me. In fact, always. Either the electrical, or the gear.

[the_bard]

Gives me something to play with .

 

Actually, I haven't had too many problems with the set in my current Loyale... 'course, I've only had it for a year. I've got a tendency to baby them, too... no bringing them down if they have snow/ice on them, that sort of thing. I've seen and cooked electrical motors before, and try to avoid the practices that create them.

 

That said... yeah, anything that's more complex is more prone to breaking down. But I don't mind 'em.

[WagonsOnly]

Pull the wiring harness out of the one you have now and put it in the new one...you'll be better off. And run the wires for mirrors/doorlocks while you have it apart--makes it much easier if you decide to install them later.

[thealleyboy]

Hey Noel:

 

I "can-take-or-leave" options like PW, but I will say that the Subaru system is among the better power window setups I've encountered. Nice and solid, and the electricals seem to hold up pretty well considering the wear and tear.

 

Conversions from maual to power are generally a pain, but I understand that Subes aren't too bad. Pretty much a bolt up - if the wiring is in place.

 

If your car was prepped to recieve "dealer add-ons", your wiring should already be in place. Just plug and play. Otherwise you'll have to transfer wiring relays etc. You may want to reconsider if this is the case. Fortunately, I believe all the latter models (Loys) were set up for the add ons.

 

good luck, John

[MilesFox]

i converted my 83 turbo to power window. i took all the harness and motors from a donor, and my car had the plug ins for the harness

 

remove the corner kick panels near the front floorboards, and look to see if the loyale has the plug ins

 

the motors will ount the same, but get some PW door panels to go withm for the switch mounts, and to eliminate the crank hole