Thread: Revisiting power windows on a B13

I'm considering doing power windows again on my B13 now that I have one again. My last 4 cars had power windows and I got a bit spoiled Last time I did it was about 13 years ago, so the swapping over 4dr B13 window regulator/motor is a bit hazy.

After looking back at my original thread on the install, I remember now you have to swap over the cable from the manual window regulator to the power window regulator, and a 22mm section of the cable jacket needs to be cut away in order for it to fit.

Here's a couple of links from the past:

Power windows in a classic (pics) - SR20 Forum

And the original website where someone else did this conversion is long gone, but it's still available through the wayback machine, even though most of the pics don't load up, the write up can get you through it.

https://web.archive.org/web/20030501180811/http://my.ais.net/~epster/window.htm

Last time I did this I used the 200SX window switch, and cut a hole in my door panel.





This time around, I think I'll go with some Spal switches mounted on the NX armrest similar to the P10.

Awesome thanks for this I have a cheapo eBay power window and lock kit but I don't want to go that route again.

Once people have window switches in the center of the car they'll wonder why any manufacturer puts them on the door.

Subjective. I absolutely loathe the center console window switches in the P10. It's all wrong.

I understand that switches should ideally be near the item they control, but when you consider the engineering involved with duplicating switch gear on each door instead of simply putting them in the center where both occupants can access them, the scales tip in the other direction. The simplicity, efficiency, increased reliability, decreased costs, and lower polar moment of inertia of the center-mount setup is clear.

Now, if the engineers but the switches in stupid places that are hard to reach (too far behind the wrist?) or too far apart to be switched at the same time with one hand then obviously that's not good. Stick them close together by the shift lever and I'm a happy person.

Spoken like a true BMW owner!

C

So before power windows did they place the cranks on the center console?

No, they put two cranks on each door. One crank for each window, for a total of four cranks on two doors. Duh.

Whatever. Cars went to hell when they moved the high beam switch from the floor to the turn signal stalk. And don't even get me started on colum shifters.

Lol wow.
I honestly didn't even know it was ever that way.