power window retrofit to 96 rt/10

[BADVENOM]

Just purchased a 96 rt/10. Very unhappt with stock side windows and want to replace them. I have factory mopar hard top with car.
Looked at northwind and vipermania side windows as replacement.
What do you thin kabout the viability of converting to factory style power windows? COST VERSUS EFFECT?

* AS I NUTS OR WHAT?

 

[GCHDEALER]

Just call Biff at V-mania and buy some windows they are top notch and look good also. IMO you would be opening up a can of worms to convert your car to pwr' windows. I belive that you would have to by new doors. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

 

[GTS Dean]

Dean Mire (CajunViper) atttempted this on his '96 RT. I don't know how it finally worked out for him, but it wasn't easy. Try e-mailing him.

 

[Jeff Torrey]

My guess is that you would have to buy a set of doors with windows in them. Best source for used doors would be Partsrack. I do not know if 97 and up doors would fit a 96- Jon B @ Partsrack would know. Probably be cheaper to change cars. Sell or trade the 96 for a newer RT10

 

[BADVENOM]

Ilove this car and have no intension of trading. Was just curious if this had been attempted and if so was it successful?
Anyway I wanted to know from owners with both Vipermania and Northwind windows how they liked them and the difference between the two? I looked at pictures and it appears that the vipermania's
dont slide open as much and have a smaller slider at the front bottom of the window.

ANY ADVICE GUYS AND GALS?

 

[Jeff Torrey]

Adam- You have mail. Glad to hear its a keeper.

 

[99 R/T 10]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>
Sell or trade the 96 for a newer RT10
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
No way! Best year of the Gen I and a classic! Heck, I don't even put mine in.

Mike

 

[James Bell]

Has Cajunviper or anyone else completely converted the power windows from a Gen-2 to a Gen-1? I have a source for a complete set of Gen-2 RT-10 doors,seals,sport top bolster and door wiring harness. Do I need anything else? I was also thinking to have a set of custom side windows cut to fit with my Autoform top, when I do the conversion. Thanks for the help.

 

[CajunViper]

I had them done on my car by a company in Arizona. I would not recommend them.
They kept my car for 3 months and still did not finish it. I took it back and
completed it my self. The problem is the fit, seal. I got mine to work pretty good. But I never tried to put 97 doors on a 96. I don't think that would
work as easy as modifying your existing doors because each car is unique.
Overall mine were better than what came with the car.

Dean

 

[malcoll]

Adam,
Do a search in the archives... I found a thread where someone had purchased Gen II doors and fit them on a Gen I. The windshield surround area is significantly different.
I examined a Gen II at the dealership service department the other day. Basically the cars appear the same structurally.... but the Gen II has different windshield surround mouldings attached and different weatherstripping.
Here's a link to the post where I asked a question a few weeks ago... I did not get any response. So I do not know if the project was ever completed.

http://vca2.viperclub.org/forums/postlist.php?Cat=&amp;Board=UBB14&amp;page=&amp;view=&amp;sb=5&amp;o=

Good Luck... I think I have decided to come up with a better window solution working within the confines of the Gen I format... I have that Black/Silver stripes... and I definitely plan to keep it!

Lance

 

[BADVENOM]

Wow didn't think this thread would come back. Anyway I decided against it and as my buddy Chuck Tator said to me
" Those windows won't even be on in the summer, Heck besides you wouldn't be able to do your Dukes of Hazzard impression and just jump over the door into the car"

adam

 

[James Bell]

Just thought it would be nice to be able to roll up the windows once in a while and open the door from the outside of the car, Adam96. I can not carry windows in the trunk because of the two nitrous bottles,four gallon fuel cell and two 600amps that are in the way. So I always have to decide to bring them or leave them for the whole time I cruise (race) around. I can get everything I need at a good price, except the windsheild pillar. But it looks like it might work without changing it. The newer pillar has a indentation on the back, along the window seal. It probably helps guide the window as it runs up and down the seal. But the seal itself just screws to the side of the pillar. That seems to be the biggest hurtle, unless someone had other problems with the conversion.

 

[malcoll]

Just thought it would be nice to be able to roll up the windows once in a while and open the door from the outside of the car, Adam96. I can not carry windows in the trunk because of the two nitrous bottles,four gallon fuel cell and two 600amps that are in the way. So I always have to decide to bring them or leave them for the whole time I cruise (race) around. I can get everything I need at a good price, except the windsheild pillar. But it looks like it might work without changing it. The newer pillar has a indentation on the back, along the window seal. It probably helps guide the window as it runs up and down the seal. But the seal itself just screws to the side of the pillar. That seems to be the biggest hurtle, unless someone had other problems with the conversion.

So James... did you go forward with your idea? Do you have Gen 2 doors on your Gen 1 yet?

Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[James Bell]

I did buy the doors, windows, rollbar bolster and seals from a Gen-2 RT-10. After looking a little closer at what will be involved to do the conversion, it seems that the original windshield pillar can be used. Hopefully the seal track can just be screwed into the original pillar. I have been side tracked with my Gen-1 stroker motor project. But the doors are definitely next on the to-do list.

 

[HP]

Definitely easier to find one of the few that has completed the transplant,
to limit your headaches. I think Jay Herbert has completed his, or at least
has done all the research. Give him a buzz.

 

[malcoll]

Bump.

Did anyone ever complete this conversion? James Bell.... I think you were the closest to having a finished project.....


Jay.... did you complete yours?

I am back on this subject. I drive my 1996 RT every day... and I am wanting to replace my Northwind windows.... and was thinking on this possibility again.

Curious where everyone is that was working on this project.

Thankyou in advance.

 

[James Bell]

Sorry malcoll, I have been very busy building a Gen-1 stroker motor. I do have all the parts to do the conversion. It looks like it will work. If the seals do not line up that close, it will still work much better than any of the aftermarket window kits. It is getting very cheap to buy used Viper parts. You should compare the price of a nice set of windows to the cost of the used parts for the conversion.

 

[malcoll]

Sorry malcoll, I have been very busy building a Gen-1 stroker motor. I do have all the parts to do the conversion. It looks like it will work. If the seals do not line up that close, it will still work much better than any of the aftermarket window kits. It is getting very cheap to buy used Viper parts. You should compare the price of a nice set of windows to the cost of the used parts for the conversion.

James,
Can you provide a list of parts that you have identified as being needed??
Thankyou,
Lance

 

[James Bell]

You will need a set of complete doors from a 1997-2002 RT/10. The coupe doors will not work because of the upper rear latch bracket and the window shape. Back when I had bought my 2000 RT/10 doors, there was a set of coupe doors for half the price. I looked into changing the brackets and windows out of the coupe doors, but it cost to much. So I went with the more expensive RT/10 doors. Remember the seat belt location is different. I use a Simpson 5 point harness through my seat, so I do not use the newer or older belts. You will need the window/door seal (very expensive new-try to buy used). The newer windshield pillar has a short channel screwed to the side of it. You will need this to hold the window/door seal. The newer pillar has a grove to hide the channel, but it will still fit the old pillar. I also bought the sport bar pad, since it is shorter. It fits between the doors instead of over the doors. You will need a newer style top. The mounts on the newer top are different, but it could be changed. I was talking to Autoform about making their double/bubble top with the old mounts, but with the new window cut-outs. They still make the old style top, and they also make a top for the newer cars. We are just going to combine the two. You will need to run a wire harness for the electric door latch and power windows. I am mounting the window switches in the door panels, since I have a Nitrous switch in the console (were the newer cars have the window switches). The latches and hinges are the same. I will talk to Autoform tomorrow and let you know more about the top. Good Luck

 

[Joseph Houss]

Chris Barone (Chris Collision, Orange, NJ) has done it (Chris is an avid racer, and raced his shark tooth snake in Viper Days for many years).

The bottom line? The cost exceeds trading up for a '97+ roadster. Remove all the great upgrads you installed on your '96 .... and throw 'em on a '99 Black ... add a stripe ... and you've got an instant power window conversion ... and instant extra power!

 

[James Bell]

That would be assuming that Adam96 wants a (softer) Gen-2 Viper. All the parts together cost me less than 5000.00 dollars (less the top), and that was two years ago. It seems that used Viper parts have become somewhat cheaper since then. It can be a "do it your self job" since everything just bolts right up. The time will be spent in the adjustments and seal fitting.

 

[Tomer]

James, do you have any pics? Some of the description is little tough to follow, but I am very interested in this project also!!!

Tomer

 

[DR VIPER]

I got my Vipermania windows with the top this year,very nice looking and functional(easy to put on and take off).I would imagine cost to put power windows on pretty high!

 

[BADVENOM]

Hey Joe, I have no intention of trading my dlm S/C 96 in for a newer model just for power windows. I made that post in the first few weeks of ownership mainly out of curiosity. This is an old thread and project that I won't persue. Besides I have learned that a roadster doesn't need windows or a top...LOL

Adam

 

[James Bell]

I can take a picture of all the parts together, but I have not started the project yet. The motor is out of the car, and that has been keeping me busy. The parts needed are two complete roadster Gen-2 doors,seals,wire harness and switches. The top is the one option. I am doing a Autoform top, but it looks like a Gen-2 top can made to work. Sorry about the confusing (late night) post, but I was trying to give a step by step list of my experience.

 

[Tomer]

James, I appreciate the info!! Thanks in advance for the pics, I think this is what I need to do to my car, to add some drivability to it...I want to keep my sweet 96 RT/10, I don't want to trade up...

Tomer

 

[malcoll]

James, I appreciate the info!! Thanks in advance for the pics, I think this is what I need to do to my car, to add some drivability to it...I want to keep my sweet 96 RT/10, I don't want to trade up...

Tomer

I'm in the same place. I love my 1996 RT....... a lot. But I do like to drive it everyday....... so I do not have a daily driver... the Viper is my daily driver.

I do not like ABS brakes and I do not like airbags...... and the Gen I motor is only 35 HP less in stock trim.......

If I could find a set of doors and all the parts for under $5K... I'd be all over it.

I have looked at a few Gen II's fairly closely... and it does seem that save a couple of weather seals... it should be bolt up???

 

[James Bell]

Did you see the (Gen-2) RT-10 doors with glass in the Viperclub classifieds, Malcoll? They are asking 4000.00 dollars for the pair. Maybe they can throw-in the rest of the parts that you would need for that price, other than the top.

 

[MaxedGTS]

Did you see the (Gen-2) RT-10 doors with glass in the Viperclub classifieds, Malcoll? They are asking 4000.00 dollars for the pair. Maybe they can throw-in the rest of the parts that you would need for that price, other than the top.

will it fit the window frames as well? The windshield is not the same on the newer cars.

 

[malcoll]

.. will it fit the window frames as well? The windshield is not the same on the newer cars.

How is the windshield different on the newer cars? From what I have been able to discern the overall layout and dimensions are the same..... but maybe I missed something?

I had planned to call on those doors and find out more info... they are in Arizona.... not sure how to get them back here to Florida? I guess they could be ground shipped fairly easily.

Lance