Power vs manual window weight answered

[rswannabe]

I’ve seen it posted quite a few times that the power windows weigh less than the manual windows. I’ve also seen lots of people swap from power to manual for less weight and more simplicity. On my ‘74 I just swapped from the old manual parallelogram regulators to the later cross arm power regulators. I weighed all the stuff and thought I’d post it in a new thread for posterity.

The complete swap added about 1.5 lbs to my car. That is 1/2 lb more in each of the two regulators and 1/2 lb in switches and wiring.

The manual early style regulators and tracks weigh 5 lb 7.75 oz.



The new cross arm units with motor weight 5 lbs 15.75 oz, exactly 1/2 lb more.

[rswannabe]

For reference, the motor by itself weighs 1 lb 10.25 oz. So a manual cross arm window setup would likely be about 1 lb lighter (I’m estimating 10.25 oz for a shaft and handle) than the old parallelogram regulators. That would save 2 lbs for a car.

[Mixed76]

Great stuff thanks for posting!

Is there a way to know which you have (parallelogram vs cross-bar) without taking the door card off?

Dan

[rswannabe]

Originally Posted by Mixed76

Great stuff thanks for posting!

Is there a way to know which you have (parallelogram vs cross-bar) without taking the door card off?

Dan

I think the swap over was in ‘78 with the introduction of the SC. If your car is earlier, then it would have come with parallelogram. If they have broken and bern replaced, it might have been to newer style. No way to know without pulling the door panel off. If your car is SC or later, it should be cross arm.

[Mixed76]

Cool thanks, I'll have a look at my 76 next time I'm in there.

Sent from my Pixel 7 using Tapatalk

[icarp]

Do you think the 3.6 will have enough grunt to handle the added weight ?

Thanks for the clarification, it's great to see the evidence !
Ian

[PeteKz]

Thumbs up from here too.

I wish there was a thread somewhere in this Forum where all the weights of various parts can be recorded for posterity. It's a common theme.

[rswannabe]

Originally Posted by icarp

Do you think the 3.6 will have enough grunt to handle the added weight ?

Just came back from the first drive after the swap. The motor seemed to deal with the increase in weight pretty well. 😛

[rswannabe]

Originally Posted by PeteKz

Thumbs up from here too.

I wish there was a thread somewhere in this Forum where all the weights of various parts can be recorded for posterity. It's a common theme.

Thanks!

I like the idea of a sticky thread lists various component weights.

[Showdown]

Better than a sticky thread would be a shared google spreadsheet where all weights, years, part numbers, notes, etc… could be added. A universal database so-to-speak.

[famoroso]

Manual cross-arm regulators weigh 4.02 lbs. The stock, power window cross-arm regulators weigh 3.23 lbs w/o electric motor and 4.87 lbs with electric motor.





Comprehensive list of part weights in this thread...
https://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/423361-438-lbs-gone-5-days-my-build-story.html

[rswannabe]

Originally Posted by famoroso

Manual cross-arm regulators weigh 4.02 lbs. The stock, power window cross-arm regulators weigh 3.23 lbs w/o electric motor and 4.87 lbs with electric motor.

Comprehensive list of part weights in this thread...
https://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/423361-438-lbs-gone-5-days-my-build-story.html

Your weights agree exactly with the 1lb 10.25oz weight of the motor I recorded. My weights include the window track that mounts to the glass as well since that had to change when changing the regulator style.

Thanks for the link to the weight thread.

[famoroso]

Originally Posted by rswannabe

Your weights agree exactly with the 1lb 10.25oz weight of the motor I recorded. My weights include the window track that mounts to the glass as well since that had to change when changing the regulator style.

Thanks for the link to the weight thread.

I was a little bummed that there isn't more weight saved with the manual conversion. Oh well, It'll still simplify things...
Going full manual (windows, locks and mirrors) 1989 doors. Tips & tricks?


FWIW, I used the same model scale as the one ShakinJoe used in his comprehensive thread.

[PeteKz]

"The part not added costs nothing, weighs nothing, and won't break." --Charles "Boss" Kettering.