XJ/MJ parts swap

[Jeepers8606]

Good morning all, please get out and vote today.

 

31 years as a Jeep owner, but new MJ owner, looking for guidance.

 

I'm interested in swapping out the 89 MJ power windows, replacing with manual, and the fixed forward window with an opening (butterfly) vent window.

 

Sounds like a pending classified post to me.

 

Has anyone performed this swap? Will a 4 door XJ set up work in this situation?

 

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

[Eagle_SX4]

Yes it will work but most get away from the manual windows because the regulators are hard to find in good working condition. The front doors on a 4 door XJ (up to 96) are the same as the MJ. You can swap in the 97+ full size windows into the old doors if you want to eliminate the the small window section entirely.  

[ghetdjc320]

The smokers window setup can be swapped from an earlier model XJ MJ and is a pretty simple bolt in swap though you will have to remove your door glass. You have factory power windows in an MJ? Thats a rare option! You can swap to a manual regulator though they are admittedly hard to find in good working order. Another option is swapping in the single full size glass from a 97+ XJ. There is a youtube video on that process. Alternatively, get your power windows working right and enjoy an option that many of us wish we had  

[schardein]

Just a heads up, the opening wing windows are cool, but they tend to leak.  I deleted them from both my 91 XJ and 91 MJ.

 

Are your power windows factory, or an aftermarket conversion?

[Jeepers8606]

To the best of my knowledge, the power windows are factory, as they have the door locks in the same panel, very similar to my SJ window controls, I haven't gotten that far with the VIN lookup.

 Yes, my CJ 7 vent windows did leak a little, YJ do not leak, and once I swap to the manual windows, I'll never have to find a window regulator, like on my WJ (3rd regulator) 

[eaglescout526]

Downgrading from power to manual? Interesting. There are ways to make your power windows better and faster. 
 

Manual regulators are nice yes but stupid rare. No one makes new ones, all the old ones that are approaching 40 are either getting replaced from years of abuse or age. If you find a doner with manual, then go for it. There’s two types of manual regulators. 1st gen is riveted to the door. 2nd is bolted to the door. 
 

A factory power door MJ is quite rare as others have said. Even the high trim MJs didn’t have such. Maybe power lock but not windows unless swapped from a 2-door. 
 

since we’re on the topic, has anyone ever screwed around with XJ rear window regulators and bent them to match the fronts?

[Jeepers8606]

Never had an issue with any of rear windows, jeep dog hasn't been trained to use them, yet. 

[schardein]

9 hours ago, Jeepers8606 said:

To the best of my knowledge, the power windows are factory, as they have the door locks in the same panel, very similar to my SJ window controls, I haven't gotten that far with the VIN lookup.

 Yes, my CJ 7 vent windows did leak a little, YJ do not leak, and once I swap to the manual windows, I'll never have to find a window regulator, like on my WJ (3rd regulator) 

I understand your reasoning for converting  from power windows, just be aware that the manual regulators are notorious for breaking, not working, and requiring replacement.  I've sold a handful of them, and they aren't cheap.  They are hard to find in good (used) condition, are a lot of work to pull (from a junkyard vehicle), run $20-$35 each at the yard, and are expensive to ship because of their size.

Be aware that if your current door panels have the "Jensen Accusound" speaker grills (it will say that on the speaker grill), and you add a manual window regulator, the window crank will hit the speaker grill.  Manual window crank was used with the generic (not Jensen branded) speaker grills only, or "radio delete" models with no speakers.

[Jeepers8606]

 Clearance, Clarence, got it, but still not over Macho Grande

[ghetdjc320]

2 hours ago, schardein said:

I understand your reasoning for converting to power windows, just be aware that the manual regulators are notorious for breaking, not working, and requiring replacement.  I've sold a handful of them, and they aren't cheap.  They are hard to find in good (used) condition, are a lot of work to pull (from a junkyard vehicle), run $20-$35 each at the yard, and are expensive to ship because of their size.

Be aware that if your current door panels have the "Jensen Accusound" speaker grills (it will say that on the speaker grill), and you add a manual window regulator, the window crank will hit the speaker grill.  Manual window crank was used with the generic (not Jensen branded) speaker grills only, or "radio delete" models with no speakers.

 My manual regulators went out on my last MJ and it was almost impossible to find replacements. 

[watchamakalit]

11 hours ago, ghetdjc320 said:

 My manual regulators went out on my last MJ and it was almost impossible to find replacements. 

Not impossible, I can find you a handful rather quickly, but I know where they are stashed. Lol.  They are easier to find than that dadgum ac line.

[ja_racing]

On 11/5/2024 at 7:21 AM, Eagle_SX4 said:

Yes it will work but most get away from the manual windows because the regulators are hard to find in good working condition. The front doors on a 4 door XJ (up to 96) are the same as the MJ. You can swap in the 97+ full size windows into the old doors if you want to eliminate the the small window section entirely.  

How do you do that? Is there a thread or write up that would be cool 97+ windows in old doors

[Eagle_SX4]

1 minute ago, ja_racing said:

How do you do that? Is there a thread or write up that would be cool 97+ windows in old doors

Bleepinjeep did a good video