Install Stealth Power Windows

The most popular look for the interior of a classic or traditional lowrider is basically "stock restored" or OG if you will, with the seats, dash, radio, gauges and doors all looking showroom-new. Original power windows are often added to models that offered that option "back in the day," but they're hard to find. Pulling 30- to 40-year-old parts off of a car in a wrecking yard is chancy at best, and NOS (new old stock) factory power window kits are scarce and expensive. You might even want to put power windows in a bomb that never had them originally. What do you do then?

Well, thanks to AutoLoc (in Hillsboro, Oregon) you can keep the OG look and add the convenience of power windows by installing a two-door "flat glass" power window kit (part # PW5500) and a pair of innovative new electronic window cranks (part # EWS-1).

The flat glass conversion kit will work on any car or truck with flat windows and features AutoLoc's own Super Glide window design that ensures easy installation and guaranteed smooth operation. Each power window kit comes with high-torque worm-gear driven Bosch motors, reinforced guide tracks, and adjustable window bases, to ensure quick, quiet and dependable operation for the life of your vehicle.

Because of their high-torque motors and custom mounting brackets, AutoLoc power windows are great for traditionals and bombs that have never had power windows. PW5500 kits can be upgraded to remote operation using any of AutoLoc's keyless entry units or window controllers (PWRE75). Because the kit is "universal," some fabrication is required, but all you need are regular hand tools and a hacksaw or sabre saw. All kits ship with detailed instructions and a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

To complete the OG look, AutoLoc's revolutionary electric window crank systems allow you to eliminate your unsightly window switches with ease. To operate the electric window, simply rotate the window crank up or down 15 degrees. The electric window crank switch works with the factory window crank, giving your vehicle a traditional or custom look and "stealth" power window switches.The switch's ultra-thin universal design makes installation a snap. The product is available in three spline shaft sizes: 3/8-inch square (early vehicles), Spline I ('50s and newer GM) and Spline II (Ford and earlier vehicles). Custom splines are also available for other applications. To ensure safety, AutoLoc's positive dead-lock stop and return spring design create a heavy duty system that won't break or snap. The electric window crank system is made in the USA out of billet aluminum with stainless steel fasteners.

To see just how well the power windows and electric cranks actually work, we followed Tom Farraj at Got Car Sound (Upland, California) as he installed the them in an "under construction" '59 Chevy Impala. The upholstery hadn't been done yet, so Tom made quick work of the installation, following the very detailed instructions included. Some fabrication had to be done to mount the electric window cranks and everything worked perfectly. (Note: He also installed an AutoLoc power door lock kit, but we'll save that story for another time.) ,

6. Holes were drilled in the...        read full caption 6. Holes were drilled in the door metal and the assembly was mounted securely using the hardware provided.	7. Tom then carefully lowered...        read full caption 7. Tom then carefully lowered the glass into the mounting plate, aligned the glass and loosely tightened the mounting plate bolts.	8. The color-coded wiring...        read full caption 8. The color-coded wiring was then run through the doorjambs and then wrapped the wire with cloth electrical tape to further enhance the OG appearance of the wiring.
9. Using the wiring diagram...        read full caption 9. Using the wiring diagram provided with the kit, the wiring was then connected to the power window motor harness plug. The motor was then "powered up" and the window rolled up and down to make sure the wiring was connected correctly. Then power was removed before continuing.	10. To keep the OG look and...        read full caption 10. To keep the OG look and retain the stock window crank, we installed AutoLoc's new billet aluminum EWS Electric Window Crank switches.	11. Tom followed the wiring...        read full caption 11. Tom followed the wiring diagram (included with the EWS kit) to create the wiring from the window motor to the switch as shown.
12. The wiring was then attached...        read full caption 12. The wiring was then attached to the switch as shown.	13. The switch was then fitted...        read full caption 13. The switch was then fitted inside the door metal.	14. Tom attached the switch...        read full caption 14. Tom attached the switch to the door metal using short metal straps and the screws provided.
15. The stock window crank...        read full caption 15. The stock window crank is then fitted over the switch spline and the motor is powered up again to make sure that the switch works. All it takes to raise or lower the window is to move the window crank up or down a mere 15 degrees.	16. The installation was exactly...        read full caption 16. The installation was exactly the same on the passenger side, however slightly different mounting straps were required due to the different size factory hole cut in the door metal.

Custom Bolt-In Window Kits Also Available

This installation featured the Universal Flat Glass kit, but AutoLoc also makes a variety of "custom" bolt-in power window kits for many popular vehicles. Here is a list of applications currently available, with more to come.

'63-'65 Ford Fairlane/Falcon

1. There's a better way than...        read full caption 1. There's a better way than this to control the windows of your traditional or bomb thanks to AutoLoc.

2. The AutoLoc PW5500 Flat...        read full caption 2. The AutoLoc PW5500 Flat Glass Power Window Kit fits any car or truck with flat glass and features high-torque worm-gear driven Bosch motors, reinforced Super Guide tracks, adjustable window bases, wiring and complete instructions.

3. Because the '59 Impala...        read full caption 3. Because the '59 Impala had no interior door panels, removing the glass and the stock window lift mechanism (left) was quick and easy. Then the power window universal rail (right) was cut to the proper length with a sabre saw.

4. Tom fabricated a short...        read full caption 4. Tom fabricated a short strap to attach the rail "cap" to the top of the rail. He also loosened the glass mounting plate bolts before installing the assembly.

5. The motor/rail assembly...        read full caption 5. The motor/rail assembly was then fitted inside the door being careful not to bend the metal tube hosing the worm drive.

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