Power Window Conversion

GatorFan · August 24, 2012

I know this is eons old AND it's my original post but I am finally able to pull the trigger on this thing and have a route I would like to take but want to make sure before I go ahead and dive into the unknown...

First off, my truck is a 2000 SCSB Sierra with manual windows, mirrors, and seats BUT has factory power locks. I recently found a 2001 ECSB Sierra SLE with working power windows, locks, mirrors, seats, etc... I can grab both front door panels (including all switches), the power mirrors, and the power seats for around $250 and they all match my interior!

Option 1: Grab everything from this truck and install it via plug and play.

Issue(s):

- Will the door panels hang without an issue because mine came with the standard one door speaker and the door panel has that molded plastic grill. The 2001 Sierra has the two-speaker per door setup I think.

- Purchase OEM (from Amazon) power window regulators for driver and passenger doors to ensure I have new hardware

- If my truck came with power locks would the truck be "pre-wired" and ready to accept power windows from the fuse blocks inside the cab? Would the door harnesses from the 2001 ECSB SLE connect to my fuse blocks in the cab (on each side of the dash) and power the windows immediately?

- I am pretty sure the 99-02 trucks didn't use the BCM to control anything pertaining to the windows, mirrors, locks, and/or seats so this shouldn't be an issue

- The seats are power movement only, non-heated, so it should only take a power and ground. I recently added a Painless Wiring auxiliary 7-circuit fuse block to my truck and have 2 free constant-on circuits available for the seats.

Option 2: The above (Option 1) doesn't pan out because it won't be plug and play so I grab all the stuff, order the Electric Window Kit (with switches) from A1 Electric and use their switch wiring to wire the windows to the factory switches.

Issues(s):

- I have to pay an additional $250 for the window kit and their switch kit

- Decipher the wiring from the factory window switches (on each side) and route the A1 Electric wires through the truck attaching them to the factory switches on both doors.

- Find an open circuit to power both mirrors and route those through the truck and attach them to the factory switches (deciphering the wire connections as well)

- Wire the seats (no big deal, I have the available circuits)

Option 3: Just buy the electric window kit from A1 Electric and the switch kit and just install that.

Issue(s):

- Mounting the switch kit on my arm rests (will require me cutting into my arm rests with my Dremmel or some other tool)

- Mounting the switches on the side of my factory door panel (doesn't look good in my opinion)

- Not the factory look I wanted

- Still have to find a way to install the mirrors and wire those switches

I can pick the 2001 SLE parts up this Sunday and then wait until next weekend (Labor Day Weekend) to install everything but I am not sure which route to take. I know similar topics have been brought up before but I am not sure anyone ever completed this for my year truck (at least I can't find the thread for it). Since I can finally move forward with this but only have a short window to grab the parts from that truck, I don't want to throw away that money if it's easier to go with Option 3. Regardless, I am sick of rolling down my window and with a recent shoulder injury (left shoulder of course). It makes it a painful process to roll down my window anyway.

Sorry to be so long winded folks but it's the only way I know how to explain my situation.

Many thanks in advance for any advice/inputs/opinions, etc...

You guys rock and I'm glad to be back!!!

David Antonio · December 12, 2017

i got all the parts i needed for under 200 dollars in a pull your part junk yard

Winnemucca Danny · June 30, 2020

On 2/16/2008 at 10:37 PM, GatorFan said:

I'm bumping my own post to see if anyone out there has done this mod yet.

I am in the process of installing electric windows in a manual window truck. I have a 2001 GMC Sierra super cheap model. I have both harnesses switches panels and regulators I am running across a power problem in my fuse block. there are no pins to hold the 25 amp fuse nor is there any pins that are hot that would go to the switch. I am in the process of trying to find a correct wire schematic to locate the power in color wire and also the colors that shoot across to the passenger side. anyone do this yet that can remember the wire colors? Thanks T

davester · June 30, 2020

you might be able to find the wiring diagram on https://www.gmupfitter.com/

Chuchito · September 8, 2020

I just did my 2001 GMC Sierra rcsb and I had the same issue. Your truck does not have the same wiring needed to do a conversion. You need to either come up with your own wiring and setup your own relay setup for the door locks and run all new wire for the windows. Or, you need to get the left and right junction boxes from a donor truck that does have power windows. Run new wire to connect both junction boxes together from one door to the other.