Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Body/Appearance/Interior => Topic started by: ottoparts on January 16, 2009, 11:12:00 PM

Title: Dumb question?
Post by: ottoparts on January 16, 2009, 11:12:00 PM
Did our cars ever come with manual window regulators or were they all power. I have yet to see any manual windows and I plan on pulling all of my power window stuff out (excess weight to slow me down)  :yuck: .
Title: Dumb question?
Post by: rancheronut on January 16, 2009, 11:17:12 PM
don't think so but try using the one out of a fox body mustang 1987/88 year would be best.
Title: Dumb question?
Post by: vinnietbird on January 16, 2009, 11:27:00 PM
Yes,there were a few with manual windows.There's a Bird ('84 or '85) with manual windows at my favorite yard.
Title: Dumb question?
Post by: ottoparts on January 16, 2009, 11:28:37 PM
How hard is it to find Lexan windows for our cars?
Title: Dumb question?
Post by: Haystack on January 16, 2009, 11:29:16 PM
I think alot more 83-86 cars had manuels. I had a 86 cat with crank windows and only one mirror.
Title: Dumb question?
Post by: mjbtbrd on January 16, 2009, 11:41:24 PM
I remember many ads for $9999. cougars in 1984.  They were air/stereo cars with few if any other options.  They had manual windows, locks etc.  By 1984 standards air, stereo, and the standard equipment was still considered decently equipped. 

Most of the later years had pw locks etc, but some did not.
Title: Dumb question?
Post by: BCA on January 17, 2009, 11:04:32 AM
Thunderbirds were available through 1988 without power windows but only on non LX or Turbo Coupe models. Even then it was unusual because if the dealer were ordering it for stock it usually had a PEP (Preferred Equipment Package) added which would have included power windows.
They do exist though and were most likely either ordered as a price leader or for a specific customer that requested it.
At the dealership I worked at we called them “beer can models”.
Title: Dumb question?
Post by: Chooglin on January 17, 2009, 11:23:41 AM
mine are manual.
Title: Dumb question?
Post by: ottoparts on January 17, 2009, 12:06:56 PM
Good to know. I keep looking. Thanks all.
Title: Dumb question?
Post by: HAVI on January 17, 2009, 12:47:03 PM
I've been looking for them off and on, too.  Got manual seats, so I'm half way there, lol.
Title: Dumb question?
Post by: Romeo2k on January 17, 2009, 06:06:22 PM
Out of all the manual window cars i've seen, The majority were 83-84.
Title: Dumb question?
Post by: yellow86coogr on January 17, 2009, 08:00:31 PM
Wonder what the numbers are for how many and year. I've seen both, but you may be right about the 87-8's being lower. I've only seen one 87-8' without power windows.
Title: Dumb question?
Post by: grutinator on January 18, 2009, 10:47:58 AM
are manual windows even that much more lighter? seat tracks are one thing, thats like 20lbs a side. how much lighter is a manual regulator? is it worth the time and money out into finding one and installing it?
Title: Dumb question?
Post by: SLEEPER T-BIRD 87 on January 18, 2009, 10:55:32 AM
Quote from: grutinator;252354
are manual windows even that much more lighter? seat tracks are one thing, thats like 20lbs a side. how much lighter is a manual regulator? is it worth the time and money out into finding one and installing it?


Not really much of a differance there is so much weight in these car that can be removed for more of a gain.
Title: Dumb question?
Post by: HAVI on January 18, 2009, 11:09:10 AM
For me, I just want the manuals so I can lose the center console and wiring.
Title: Dumb question?
Post by: vinnietbird on January 18, 2009, 11:11:27 AM
Move the buttons to the dash.Cool.
Title: Dumb question?
Post by: HAVI on January 18, 2009, 11:15:03 AM
Or the doors themselves, but I'm a long ways away to even consider it right now.  But yea, moving them is a viable option.
Title: Dumb question?
Post by: ottoparts on January 18, 2009, 11:37:54 AM
If I can find a Lexan kit or local glass company that has access to Lexan for our cars, then that is the ultimate route I would like to take. But I have a sneaky suspension that Lexan isn't cheap. So I have no problem with manually rolling up/down the windows.
Title: Dumb question?
Post by: ottoparts on January 18, 2009, 05:29:44 PM
Went to the wrecking yard and looked through all the t-birds and Cougars with no luck. Every single one of them had power windows.

There are 5 (yes 5) 5.0 Cougar's currently in the yard. Hardly even touched. Only 3 t-birds though.
Title: Dumb question?
Post by: blackcougar71 on January 21, 2009, 05:51:39 PM
my car had power windows too.
Title: Dumb question?
Post by: jncocowboyx on January 21, 2009, 06:52:45 PM
I don't see how the slight weight savings can compare to the convenience of power windows, but they don't break near as often.
Title: Dumb question?
Post by: 86Tbuzzard on January 21, 2009, 07:50:17 PM
My '83 cougar has manual windows,locks, am/fm stereo, and no a/c, but had a sunroof instead. lol...I'll check the yard where I work to see if the '84 tbird up back has manual windows.
Title: Dumb question?
Post by: Thunder Chicken on January 21, 2009, 09:09:49 PM
They are rare, but there are some base cars that are truly "base". The one P71 dug up a long time ago was a prime example:

http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=12577&highlight=optioned

I had a base '85 whose only options were metallic paint and full size spare, but the base 83-86 models were definitely more common than 87-88's.
Title: Dumb question?
Post by: ottoparts on January 21, 2009, 11:22:13 PM
One other way I was thinking of, was to bolt the window in the up right position and then remove the power window stuff.
Title: Dumb question?
Post by: DVP on January 23, 2009, 12:32:06 AM
There is an 83-85 Bird in a yard by me that has been there for about 2 months now with vent manual windows. I wish I had the extra money and I would take the doors all together even though thet are all beat up.