Add power locks/windows?
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 46
Likes: 27
Add power locks/windows?
Heyo, I have a 2014 F250 with 6.2L which I'm just finishing up a top-end rebuild for. The truck is destined to become an RV tow vehicle; while I'm not looking forward to $5+/gallon gas for this beast, I AM looking forward to having a solid, powerful truck for years to come.
Right now, the truck is very suited to its past life as a service fleet vehicle. It has a utility topper on the back (which I'm probably going to have to hack off with a sawzall, sigh), and the cockpit is pretty spartan. Since I may be spending hours on the road in this beast, I'd like to have some basic convenience features -- cruise control, a decent stereo, and power windows (power locks are nice but not necessary). It's missing the stereo (I'll get around to it) and power windows.
Anyone know if there's a decent path to adding power windows aftermarket? Do I have to replace the doors, or do any of the aftermarket kits on, say, Amazon work? Anyone done this?
Right now, the truck is very suited to its past life as a service fleet vehicle. It has a utility topper on the back (which I'm probably going to have to hack off with a sawzall, sigh), and the cockpit is pretty spartan. Since I may be spending hours on the road in this beast, I'd like to have some basic convenience features -- cruise control, a decent stereo, and power windows (power locks are nice but not necessary). It's missing the stereo (I'll get around to it) and power windows.
Anyone know if there's a decent path to adding power windows aftermarket? Do I have to replace the doors, or do any of the aftermarket kits on, say, Amazon work? Anyone done this?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 258
I’m doing this on an 08 right now, I went to the local wrecking yard and pulled the window regulars (all 4 doors) door panels, door switches, it was easier to pull the door latches then trying to pull the lock motor off of, grabbed the wiring out of all the doors and the cab wiring harness which makes everything plug and play.
It’s a bit of work but not hard, doing it this way also gave me a lot of extra features like door locks, power windows, power mirrors, pre-wiring for heated and turn signal mirrors, power seats, heated seats, pre-wired for power sliding rear window, tweeters in the rear doors (higher trim level option), pre-wired for the factory door keypad, pre-wired for a center console outlets and power pedals just to name a few things I can remember right now.
For the power windows all you have to do is swap the window regulator, the glass and door is the same, you will need the door panels though to get rid of the crank window hole and have the spot for the switches and on my truck I gain door pockets as the xl truck didn’t have them.
I can’t say what that would all cost you around your area but for me it was $200 and I pulled everything myself.
It’s a bit of work but not hard, doing it this way also gave me a lot of extra features like door locks, power windows, power mirrors, pre-wiring for heated and turn signal mirrors, power seats, heated seats, pre-wired for power sliding rear window, tweeters in the rear doors (higher trim level option), pre-wired for the factory door keypad, pre-wired for a center console outlets and power pedals just to name a few things I can remember right now.
For the power windows all you have to do is swap the window regulator, the glass and door is the same, you will need the door panels though to get rid of the crank window hole and have the spot for the switches and on my truck I gain door pockets as the xl truck didn’t have them.
I can’t say what that would all cost you around your area but for me it was $200 and I pulled everything myself.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 258
One thing to watch out for is it appears that 08 trucks use a different bulk head plugs then 09-10 trucks so keep to the same year to avoid problems.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,487
Likes: 217
Easiest way is to grab the inside harness, the BCM, door me mechanisms and rods and linkages, door actuators, window motors and regulators and install them. Might as well buy the whole door. Personally I wouldn’t waste the time, money or effort. Manual windows rarely break where power windows can break and you’re screwed if it’s rolled down when it happens.
I have to ask….why are you cutting the utility shell off. Shouldn’t it just unbolt from the bed!
I have to ask….why are you cutting the utility shell off. Shouldn’t it just unbolt from the bed!
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 208
Likes: 103
From: Abbotsford
I’m in process of gathering parts to do mine also. Regulators and harness in door were changed late 2012 MY so search for MY 2013 or later parts
Trending Topics
Trailering
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 22
Likes: 3
I have a similar truck. 2012 F250 Crew XL all manual everything (except transmission, unfortunately). Anyway, I have researched doing this as well and while the methods described above do work and are certainly A way to go, I came to the conclusion that it was WAY too much work for the desired end result. All I want are windows in the front that roll down with power. Enter the universal power window upgrade. If I do it, this is what I will do. I will go one step further though and at least make it look as stock as possible. You can buy just the inside door panels and then some aftermarket switches to place where the OEM switches are to give it a better fit and finish than the low-effort aftermarket switches included in the kit. Here is a great video on the subject:
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Trailering
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 22
Likes: 3
I hear ya, I really do and I am generally in the same camp, but as I have gotten older, I have become a slight bit more practical. what is the reason I want power windows - function or look? If function, how important is the look and vice versa. Then it boils down to just how much work, effort, time, and money is involved. I would absolutely forget about the cover soon enough and even though it may bother me a little at first, when I can power down and up my windows, in this specific instance, I think I can deal. Sometimes we gotta ask, just because we can, should we? This will surely be a subjective response.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,487
Likes: 217
I’d rather find a wrecked truck and buy the complete doors and gut them and swap everything over glass regulators harness and buttons. This way at least all parts are factory type parts that can easily be ordered.
Trailering
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 22
Likes: 3
Ah yes, if only it were that easy. Perhaps on some models it is, but I believe there is quite a bit more to it, especially related to wiring and BCM. Perhaps I am wrong. I'd be interested if so because perhaps my perception is skewed.
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 690
Likes: 75
From: Kansas City, MO
You are correct. I DO have all the factory parts but in 2002 it wasn't a plug and play deal. Each door is hard wired into the body harness making it next to impossible for an electrical idiot like myself to make it happen, hence the reason the parts have sat in my attic since 2017.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,487
Likes: 217
i parted out a 2003 F350 and yes Ford decided to make those harnesses go all the way to the bcm without any disconnect in between. I removed it all and gave the doors and harnesses to a buddy who wanted to do a power lock and windows option. It’s best to find a wrecked truck and it’s gonna be a while to remove all the parts needed. It took me a while to get it all separated out. He called me later and said he had to take apart a lot of the dash to get the wiring in but he did it. I’m not sure if he had to program the bcm to his truck or if he just simply swapped the BCM. I think he had to get it programmed but I don’t remember. It’s been a few years anow.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,487
Likes: 217
You are correct. I DO have all the factory parts but in 2002 it wasn't a plug and play deal. Each door is hard wired into the body harness making it next to impossible for an electrical idiot like myself to make it happen, hence the reason the parts have sat in my attic since 2017.
you don’t need the bcm to power up windows,…..you wire relays set up for reverse polarity for each window to have up and down function. It’s basically like wiring up a winch. Same principal. There are plenty of schematics online. Yiull need two relays for each window.