By Ron Ceridono – Images by the Author
While power windows are pretty much standard equipment in modern trucks, that hasn’t always been the case. General Motors was the first to offer them in Chevy and GMC pickups in 1977; they became available in Fords for 1984, but they weren’t on the Dodge option list until 1989. But for those who would like to raise and lower his/her classic truck’s windows by pushing a button rather than spinning a crank, Ball’s Power Windows makes it easy and affordable to add this contemporary feature.
There are several reasons to consider installing power windows. Certainly, there is ease of operation, plus the convenience of being able to roll down the passenger window from the driver seat without having to reach across the cab. Of course, it’s often an opportunity to get rid of a worn mechanical regulator that needs to be replaced anyway; and then there is the fact power windows in an early truck are cool.
While in the process of refurbishing his 1955 Ford F-100, Paul Willis decided to scrap the truck’s original 70-year-old mechanical window regulators and install a Ball’s Power Windows universal kit for flat glass. First used as original equipment on Mack trucks, these heavy-duty regulators are also used to operate the large privacy partition in limousines, to raise heavy bulletproof/resistant glass and even to raise and lower flat-screen televisions hidden in motorhome cabinets (which would also be the world’s coolest workbench feature in a shop/man cave).
For simplicity and reliability Ball’s flat glass power window regulators have few moving parts. A vertical channel with a “glide pad” attaches to the glass, which is then moved up and down in the channel by a motor-driven cable—the operation is both smooth and quiet. Made in the USA, these regulators have been tested for over 100,000 cycles and they don’t have any of the plastic failure-prone components found in “off-shore” brands.
Installing the new Ball’s power window kit regulator/motor assemblies was as simple as removing the original manual regulators, drilling a few holes, and bolting the motor and regulator assembly in place with no modifications to the doors required. Due to the compact design these kits fit inside narrow doors, and if necessary the riser channel may be shortened to fit as long as enough length is provided to open and close the window completely. In this case, no trimming was necessary.
Of course, adding power windows does require some wiring. Ball’s included a wiring pigtail with our kit and a variety of conventional switches are available, but we elected to go with a covert option, electric switches that look like a window crank. These switches can be wired individually, or with the addition of a push button the driver side switch can operate both windows. Ball’s also offers their express module (PN JW-530) that completely opens or closes the windows with one touch of the switch.
Along with power window kits and accessories, a Ball’s subsidiary, Vintage Glass manufactures domestic windshields, side and back glass for pre-1980 cars and trucks. With over 25 years in the business, if Vintage Glass doesn’t have what you need, they can make it. All glass they produce is processed on a CNC machine and cut to NAG standards (National Auto Glass Specifications). For custom applications, customer-supplied patterns can be scanned and cut at no additional charge. All glass is then polished and tempered (except windshields, which are laminated). Vintage Glass also offers a wide range of one-piece door glass kits (call for specific applications).
The descriptive reference to automotive glass being either laminated or tempered refers to the manufacturing process used to produce it. Laminated glass is made with two layers of glass with a sheet of plastic material (polyvinyl butyral) in-between and is primarily used for windshields. If a laminated windshield is broken, rather than shattering the broken pieces stick to the plastic layer to prevent injury from flying glass. During production tempered glass goes through a rapid heating and cooling process that strengthens it, making it tough enough to withstand reasonable impacts. However, if tempered glass is broken the result is small, blunt pieces rather than sharp shards that can cause serious injury.
If you’re planning to convert a classic truck from manual to power windows, and if precut replacement glass is needed as well, Ball’s Power Windows and Vintage Glass can provide everything needed—and they’re just a phone call away.
Check out this story in our digital edition here.
