I mean window crank. I am attempting to put '46 or thereabouts Chevy window cranks onto the Jeep Cherokee window regulators I have mounted on my car as in an old tech tip placed here by Canuck ages ago. The splines match perfectly but the newer Jeep plastic window cranks just snap into place while the old Chevy ones use that spring clip that needs a thin tool to slip behind the crank and the door card to remove. Now could some kind hearted Chev owner please post a picture of the splined end so that I can figure out what modifications I need to get this to work? Canuck had mentioned that it was easy but I managed to totally butcher my first set of window regulators. Now that I have installed new replacements, I would like to get it right this time.
It's to late to take pictures but tomorrow if the east coasters haven't beat me to it, I'll take and post a couple pictures.
Well now I am getting cranky. Let me back up a bit. I adapted these '90 Jeep Cherokee rear door window regulators on my T coupe and they work great and fit well within the narrow confines of a skinny door. The Chevy window cranks looks period correct and fit the splines but I couldn't figure out how to get the retaining clip in its place. The Jeep Cherokee part does have a groove for it to fit into. Since I managed to obtain 4 window cranks, I can see my previous attempts to get this to work. On one, I tried cutting a new slot for the clip and also drilled and tapped the side for a set screw. I ground the splined shaft until it was a mere stub and quit to leave it for another day. That day has arrived. Came up with just giving up the period correct look and ordered new plastic window cranks to be used with replacement regulators. That also didn't work. Tried winding the window up and the plastic splines just stripped out - can't rag on the Chinese since I'm one of then. So back to the nice looking Chevy ones. While I truly appreciate Noel's help, it feels like deja vu all over again. Maybe I have the wrong window cranks. Noel's photo clearly shows that the spines come before the groove for the clip with no splines after the groove. On my window cranks, it is smooth past the slot for the clip and the hole is smaller in diameter than at the splines. So far, I have filed down the splines at the end in order to get the window crank to push on far enough for the clip to engage but if I file it any more, there won't be a groove to hold the clip. The solution should be simple because Canuck who's post I followed couldn't remember what he did. If it was a real pain, I'm sure he would have remembered. So please go ahead and make me look like an idiot.
This is one of those instances where welding is your friend. Now if it was me...I know what I'd do, and that is take it all apart after some careful measuring for length, and adapt from there to what ever handle you choose to use.
Take a look at '47-'53 Chev pickup handles... They are the same spline (IIRC) and use a set screw. The set screw doesn't have to hit a flat spot, it will secure the handle even if it falls on a tooth. Use an allen set screw.... you can get them tighter than a slotted set screw. Good luck!
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. Went across the back alley to visit my neighbor, Craig since he is a smart fellow. Check out his Youtube channel, "Throttle Stop Garage". He managed to tig a short piece onto my original damaged regulators, got out a file and drill and fixed me up in no time flat. Here I had been avoiding this a long time.
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