Are they worth the trouble (ebay and possibly being @!#$ty) or should I just stick with manual set-up?
Woooo bubbies.
they're nice to have and i thought about swapping to power windows, the only bad thing is when the motor or fuse blows and you can't roll them down or up. sucks especially when it happens while you're in the drive thru.
it depends on what you get. i got the SPAL deluxe kit and i love it, the motors are a little noisey but i 've gotten used to it. They are pretty fast and easy to install. I do that sort of thing everyday at my job but are cars come apart so easy and running wires is a breeze. And if your good with abs plastic i put the switchs in the change holder in the center console with a plate of abs. Power locks are easy as well but cand be pricey if you get good stuff go to Circuit City and pick up the DEI door actuators they are like $30 each but i've had mine infor over a year with no problems.
I reccoment SPAL for all of that. I have the SPAL power lock kit, love it, im going to get the SPAL power window kit too.
I did everything:
791xv (remote start, keyless, alarm) plus antitheft module: $250
Door lock kit: $50 (i think)
Power windows:
regulators with motors x2 on ebay: $160
switches: junkyard $20 off a 98 cavi
bezel: $5 from dealer
It was well worth the money, but the installation time is considerable and if you want it to come out good then you better take your time and do it right.
i might add cruise next if i can get the parts out of a junkyard we'll see.
grab everything from a wrecked car, much easier.
i've done pwr. windows, pwr locks, keyless entry, pwr trunk, cruise... hmm what else... tilt soon
1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
5-spd
what parts exactly are needed for cruise?
I like the idea of getting the parts from a junk yard. Can anyone shed some light on doing that?
Woooo bubbies.
a strong wrote:It was well worth the money, but the installation time is considerable and if you want it to come out good then you better take your time and do it right.
Do you remember about how long it took you to install, and how difficult it was? Ive wanted power windows since i got the car but have never really found a decent kit until now (and i am rather resitent about ebay stuff)
You have to:
1) remove the door panels and get the plastic out of the way
2) remove center console to be able to run wires in there neatly (might have to remove a seat to get the thing out)
3) buy regulators and motors ( F the spal kit)
motors with regulators: 160 on ebay vs 100 for the spal kit. If you were to sell your old regulators for say 60$...then you come out even and you don't have that @!#$ bag spal kit in your car.
here is the actual ebay item i won (one for each door)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=8006699459&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT
4) remove the 2 nuts from the regulators that hold the windows on, and remove the glass
5) drill out the 4 rivets holding the manual regulator in with a 1/4" drill
(This part is tricky as there is a plate of steal above one of the rivets. this piece of steal is also riveted on. I used a dremel to remove a small bit of this steal so i could drill out the rivet).
6) Get some bolts and nuts to bolt each regulator on: ¼ x ½ will do the trick. Note:
The new regulator does not bolt into the same 4 holes the manual regulator did (two of them are the same, the other two are two other stock holes)
7) bolt the regulator in. This part is a total pain in the ass as the toothed gear constantly gets in the way of the bolts and you have to reach your hand inside the panel to push the bolts thru. You have to apply power to the motor in both directions to move the gear as you install different bolts. This is almost a two man job just for the extra set of hands. If you had a rivet gun you could use that…
8) Reinstall the window and bolt it to the new regulator
9) run wires from the center console:
+12 supply line (switched from the key if you only want the windows to go with the ignition [FUSE THIS LINE]
2 wires per door- use same gauge as the motor wires in the kit.
A wire to the parking light wire if you want the switches to light when you turn on the lights
A ground wire from the switch to the chassis (I did it on one of the brake bolts I think)
10) get the book from a 95-05 j body for a wiring diagram of the switch…
11) put your door panels back on
12) buy some tweeters to put in the holes from the manual window regulator
I’d say the job took me a full day, but I take my time and do everything as perfectly as I can.
BTW I have an extra set of switches from a 97 or 98 cavi for sale. They are black with white markings that are a worn. They do not light up, but they do work.
