Hello, first thread here and I hope its in the right spot. Through an unfortunate series of events my work truck has turned into my daily driver. I have a basically new 2018 Ram 3500 with the regular cab (so only two doors and windows) with MANUAL WINDOWS... when I was using this for work once or twice a week the roll down windows didn't bother me but now they are really a pain every day especially since I can't reach the other side of the truck without unbuckling my seat belt. So with that comes the following questions:
Is there a relatively easy conversion kit that I can install for power windows?
Does anyone know where I might be able to find a set of junk yard windows?
How many rock auto parts would I have to buy to potentially convert the doors I have with factory parts?
Really any help would be appreciated; thanks in advance.

 

Also if someone can send me in the direction of a post that has already covered this that would be awesome

 

Take all this with a grain of salt, but, I am reasonable sure I am correct.....

On the newer trucks, the window switches don't actually control the windows..... they suggest to a computer somewhere, that the computer should roll down/up the windows..... So, going completely factory might be easy, or, it might require replacing a bunch of stuff in the truck...... That said, you could likely install factory switches and regulators, and then do your own wiring, use the switches to control a couple relays, that would feed power to move the window the correct direction. (relays, as I don't think the switches would support the current load to wire them directly to the motor.......)

Welcome to DF!

 

Ok very interesting. Do you know if factory motors, racks, and switch assemblies fit in the manual door panels? Also do we know if the doors for the regular cab 15, 25, and 3500 are all the same parts or so they differ?

 

Hardware likely mounts the exact same way. Also quite likely the same regardless of weight class of the truck. Do they differ by cab style? I kinda doubt it, but, it would be worth looking up some part numbers, just to be sure.

 

Ok I did some research. I think the hardware is the same but I need to replace in interior panels. If I found the rack, motor, switches and panels for the two doors I think i can fashion something with relays and an arduino like you recommenced. I'm having a hard time finding part numbers on those some of those but once I do I'll try to assemble them into something that works on the bench. Unfortunately if I can't get it together for less than $600 I might just have to live with the roll downs. If I can I guess I'll let you know how it goes.

 

The power windows work very similar to power door locks by reversing polarity to raise or lower the windows. As mentioned, you'll use relays for that. As much as I enjoy a good Arduino project, I don't see any reason to over complicated the power windows. Usually the regulator assembly includes a circuit breaker for when the motor reaches the end of travel and stalls, so no need for external current monitoring. I don't know if the Auto up/down function is integrated in to the switch assembly on these or if that's part of the BCM normally, but if part of the BCM that might be worthy of Arduino if you feel that function is needed.

-Rod

 

Hearing it out loud that would make sense. I was thinking the system might have limit switches or over draw protection so it wouldn't cook the motor if something was rested on the button or something like that. I guess the only really hard part is finding the panels and switches to fit a regular cab.

 

There's another ram forum on the web full of people adding options and features.

Check with some local body shops or recycled yards for some used parts for the door guts.

Youll need a Bluetooth obd2 connector and an app called alphaobd and since you have an 18, you may need a special bypass connector since fca locked down our trucks. Once you have the physical items installed, you should be able to enable power windows in the truck.

 

So I know this post has been dead for a little bit but I've done so much research that I figured if anyone was curious, they can find it here. At this point I'm mainly trying it because so many people say it can't be done. Here's what I know so far:

• The interior panels for a manual window truck and a power are obviously different. If you wanted to cut switches into the manual panels the motors would fit but there's not a smooth place for the panels. The good new is the panels and doors for the 1500, 2500, and 3500 are all the same, the bad news is the regular cab and the crew cab is different, and the regular cab is VERY hard to find, although every now and then they pop up on eBay.
• The computer has to be flashed by the dealer, and they tell me this is very tough to get right.
• @HeyYou was correct when he said the windows are all controlled by the modules in the doors, as are the mirrors and door locks, but after getting the correct part numbers from the dealer, they also turn up on eBay from time to time.
• The TIPM for a truck with power windows is different for a truck without them, that said, the fuses and relays for the windows are in the box, so I'm not sure if that absolutely has to be replaced.
• You obviously have to run harnesses through the doors, but you also have to run harnesses through the hood to. Now I've found a wiring schematic somewhere, which Ill attach. So maybe instead of running a new harness through the truck I'll just run a few more wires since it's all the same connectors just spaces left blank.
• I could use the panels and switches and hot wire it into the truck, but there are something called hall sensors in the motors that talk to the door modules so something laying up against the switch doesn't strip out the motors, that is also important for the auto up and down switches, or like a dog or kid getting their head stuck in the window (ya never know). This is where my Arduino might come in, but that's pretty much a worst case scenario I expect that to be pretty hard.
• Since this truck was stripped down I got it for about $12k under list. I found another similar truck with power windows for an additional $2,500, but it was half way across the state. That said, I'm expecting this project to run my about $1,500 for windows and locks, maybe mirrors if it works. Hoping to recoup some of my losses by selling the manual parts to the truck (lemme know if anyone needs panels)
• Attached are some pictures of what I have so far
  
  I got these for $450 for the set on Ebay
  
  These are the part numbers for the PDC, an Aux PDC, and the harnesses that I may or may not need
  
  This is a schemactic I've found on the internet