I seen in your signature that you have installed factory power windows.

If you don't mind me asking, could you tell me what all was involved in doing this, and what parts you ordered to do this install?

I would not mind attempting this in my XL if it is pretty straight forward.

Thanks.

 

This person you want to really get a hold of is ChrisAdams, search for power window posts from him. He has explained everything in fine detail before.

 

I ordered my window regulator and motor assemblies from ford-genuine-parts.com. They were around $90 a piece I believe. The actually install of the regulators is quit simpy, basically just 4 bolts. The only hard part is working the old assembly out of the door in such cramped spaces. Keep in mind I had already previously installed a universal window kit and had the wiring and switches ready to go. Even that is not hard as long as you have some basic knowledge and the ability to read. Its basically just wiring a postive 12V source (I used the actually ignition harness so I you can only roll them down with the key for security reasons) then a ground. If you get the factory motors like I eventually did then you also going to need a switch kit and most likely it will come with a diagram. All in all, its not to complicated but may require a few hours to do it safely. I place a link exactly to where I ordered from and if you need more specifics just let me know, right now Im at school....

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...04&catalogid=1

These are the two I had to order for mine:
WINDOW MOTOR, F150, Front, Left, w/o Super Cab, From 12/15/03
WINDOW MOTOR, F150, Front, Right, w/o Super Cab, From 12/15/03

 

Cool,

So basically I just order the new window regulators (direct replacement for the old manual regulators) and buy a couple switches and wire them up to a keyed power source?

Sounds too simple.

Thanks

 

You also have to stand on one foot, pat the top of your head and rub your belly, while hopping up and down.................so it's a little more difficult than previously stated.

 

Well if that's the case, I may just have to give this power window install a second thought.

 

Did you get the factory motors because they are more powerful or what? What else would you need besides switches to install power windows with factory motors? I was just gonna order the colibri kit online. Thanks

 

I got the factory motors because I was unhappy with my universal SPAL kit. The kit wasnt strong enough or powerful enough for me. It worked for when I had it but it wasnt what I wanted for the long run. I believe going with the factory set up has alot of benefits - less parts to break, easier install, better quality, and just the fact that it was designed for your truck. The factory ones are faster and less noisy too. All you'll need is the motor/regulator assemblies, switches, and wiring kit.

 

Did you have the SPAL DELUXE kit or the standard SPAL kit? Is there a difference in the power of these two kits? I thought the universal kit used the window cranks and the factory kit ran differently? Could you explain how you switched from the universal setup to the factory setup?

 

I've used the SPAL kit recently on another truck (Chevy that belongs to a friend) and the Colibri on my 04 STX. The SPAL motor is about 40% the size of the Colibri, and due to the bead design makes a lot more noise. It was slower on the smaller Chevy window than my Colibri is on my Ford big windows.
The SPAL standard kit is really intended for smaller cars. The Colibri is too big to put in a Metro sized vehicle. It just fits in the F150.

The factory power window assembly replaces your crank system completely. Hamradio is the first in this forum to do that, I think.

I timed my Colibri for speed, raising the window till tight, eight seconds. Anyone with a SPAL want to post their times? Or a stock power window setup?
Chris

 

So Chris, you would recommend the colibri kit?

 

It's a price thing, really. If you could get the factory parts for 100 bucks, I would use them. Since the factory parts cost about 200 bucks shipped from the cheapest place, plus about 30-40 bucks for aftermarket switches, and a complete Colibri kit costs around 75 bucks with switches it is just not the same thing.

The SPAL kits cost a bit more than the Colibri kit and the motors are much smaller. I've heard two guys now that found the SPAL too slow.

While wanting the system to be as close to stock as possible, unless you are swapping the panels, switches etc. it won't look any different no matter which motor system you use.
The F150 uses an eight turn lock to lock window gearing. Most cars/trucks use six turns. This means that with the Colibri (or any other 'crank' system) the window will be 25% slower than on most trucks. However that means there is less load on the motor, due to the lower gearing on the crank system.
My Colibri makes very little noise. I use express up/down on both windows so my setup is actually faster than stock. I just touch the switch and the window does the rest.
Chris

 

Thanks for the info. Wheres the cheapest place to find the colibri kit? I found it here http://www.a1electric.com/colibri.htm

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-DOO...QQcmdZViewItem

I bought the ones in my truck on e-bay from a private party. They were complete, brand new, actual Colibri boxed, not the generic ones sold in the add, total price with shipping was 48 bucks. But that was a rare deal. I bought a SPAL (which I didn't use, different project) for 55 bucks.
Chris

 

Chris I know both of us have gone back and forth and better best etc etc. You are saying the link is a good kit to buy? Also I don't know if you anything about it but I wanted to power my rear windows as well do you know what kind of assembly i could use?