Revised Rodney Dickman Fast Window Motor Upgrades (Page 2/3)
jus2custom JUN 30, 11:29 AM
Hi,
I would like a set please.

Thanks,
Harley

[This message has been edited by jus2custom (edited 06-30-2023).]

Trinten JUN 30, 02:25 PM
Thanks Harley,

Email sent!
Trinten JUL 16, 05:31 PM
I have 7 sets left using the original Rodney Dickman adapters!

After that I need to finish working out kinks in producing more adapters.

Steven Snyder JUL 21, 04:38 PM
Is it possible to use these kits to convert manual windows to power, or would other parts be needed? I have the wire harnesses but no power-window doors.
Trinten JUL 21, 04:44 PM
Hi Steven,

It is possible, you will need other parts. This kit is to improve the performance of an existing power window setup.

On this page is a very good PDF on what is needed to convert from manual windows (and locks) to power windows (and locks).

https://www.michiganfieroclub.com/tech-tips look for the link of "Power lock and power window installation"

If you're going to do power locks as well, there are many who feel the power lock system (even after everything has been properly cleaned and lubricated) is anemic. I can send you information separately on what I did to improve my power locks if you'd like.

Trinten AUG 16, 12:01 PM
Hi all,

I have 10 sets of window kits ready to go. These are the last ten using Rodney's original adapters (with the one side modified slightly to accept the Chinese motors)

These includes a one year warranty for the motors. If the motor fails on you, send me back the dead motor with the adapter and I will prep and mount a new motor and ship it back to you. No shipping charge to send it back, since you are paying for shipping to send it to me.
Trinten AUG 18, 11:20 PM
I got some good questions in PM, so I wanted to share them here:

"Which motor is the Chinese motor?"
The passenger side motor is the Chinese motor. Part of the reason why Rodney stopped selling the kits is because he could no longer find any US or Mexico made (the OEM motors) for any of the interchange for that side. I do try to hunt down the OEM Mexico motors, and I even talked with the suppliers that I bought the batch of US / Mex motors for the driver side and told them if they ever got their hands on them, to let me know! No luck yet. I still scour the internet about once a month to see if any turn up. Sadly once the motors got past their 7 year "must make parts available" shelf life, GM let all of it go over to China.

"What happens when the warranty is up? Can we replace the motor ourselves?"
The adapter plate is only part of it. The motor housing undergoes three modifications as well - trimming, leveling, and threading of different parts. What I will offer is if the a motor fails after the warranty period, I will modify and sell replacement units at cost. I won't charge for my labor/tooling time. That means the same price you'd pay if you bought it from someplace like RockAuto (plus shipping) is what an end user would pay me, only it shows up ready to go in.

I would ask folks to ship me back the dead one so I can see what went wrong as part of that. This will let me go back to the manufacturer and other companies and see if there's a better supplier out there for the Chinese ones, by citing what failed. Same goes for any of the American/Mexico ones (as a matter of fact, I need to replace one of my American / Mexico motors, it "stutters" when it gets to the top, like it's skipping a tooth. Not thrilled about that. Goes to show even OEM has issues sometimes!)

If someone really wants to go through the work of modding the motor themselves, I'll give them the part number (or they can see the part numbers in FieroObsessed's thread).

Shipping
I use flatrate shipping boxes. Typically for one kit I use the Medium sized box. I don't upcharge for shipping or the insurance, I eat the nominal cost for the tape, bubble wrap, and the trip to the post office.

[This message has been edited by Trinten (edited 08-21-2023).]

Wichita AUG 19, 09:43 AM
You still have these with the driverside being North American motor, correct?

I'm interested in getting a set.

Trinten AUG 21, 11:43 AM
Yes!

Thankfully one side is still very easy to find in the OEM builders (which was US/Mexico, the bulk being made in Mexico).
Trinten AUG 23, 12:06 AM
Down to 8 sets left using the original Rodney adapters.

I had another PM asking me the progress on the replacement adapters. We're on the third revision right now, there's still things I'm catching and learning after the fact. Rodney was incredibly transparent with his development of this, though it was done over a long stretch of time and there are many emails and drawings on it. So I'm still working to do some 'reverse engineering' as it were.

We've got a few more ideas of how to produce these without needing to weld the various stand-offs on the adapter, but R&D is costly. Worst case, the guy working on my Fiero said he'd be willing to do the welding like Rodney did, I would just need to source the initial "base plates" Rodney was having laser cut (I'd probably even try to use the same company he was using if possible).

I'm sharing all of that to be transparent of where I am with the next revision, and that I am committed to finding a way to keep these available for the Fiero community.