Replacement window switches - that are DIFFERENT ??

[ShadowsPapa]

With my wife's handicap, she can't easily reach and pull up on those hard to operate window switches clear in the middle, clear up front, that you have to hook a finger under and pull up to raise the window.

Does anyone make a replacement switch set that is more of a rocker or toggle and not a push/pull switch?
I get the location (sort of) but the type of switch is just dumb if you don't have good working fingers and dexterity.

So looking for a set of switches that replace the originals - do not want simply another set of Jeep switches, that can be operated easily - easy to move, don't have to hook a finger under and pull hard.
(even I hate the switches themselves - could be a lot easier to operate, take less pressure, softer switches, rockers. )

If not, I may have to drill into these and put some sort of thing on them that extends them out more like a toggle switch with some LEVERAGE.

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[chorky]

With my wife's handicap, she can't easily reach and pull up on those hard to operate window switches clear in the middle, clear up front, that you have to hook a finger under and pull up to raise the window.

Does anyone make a replacement switch set that is more of a rocker or toggle and not a push/pull switch?
I get the location (sort of) but the type of switch is just dumb if you don't have good working fingers and dexterity.

So looking for a set of switches that replace the originals - do not want simply another set of Jeep switches, that can be operated easily - easy to move, don't have to hook a finger under and pull hard.
(even I hate the switches themselves - could be a lot easier to operate, take less pressure, softer switches, rockers. )

If not, I may have to drill into these and put some sort of thing on them that extends them out more like a toggle switch with some LEVERAGE.

These guys make a factory style switch for the TJ. I contacted them once a while ago and they seemed open to looking at a couple of custom options. They might be worth a try.

I cannot recall what the company name Is but Im sure a quick google search will show up

 

[ShadowsPapa]

It's a long long way from a single switch to a whole bank of switches, 4 of them, made in an array with the big connector like the Wrangler and Gladiator has.
This would require a lot of fabrication. The switches are all wired into one single panel with one big connector for all of them.
This would be more like something a big company would make to allow install of power windows into a Sport, a complete switch panel with big connector.

 

[MPMB]

I wonder if you could get some reman switches for older cars that used the toggle-type (like 70s caddy, 80s Buick/Olds sedans), maybe glue a longer toggle on them. Probably easier to use a knuckle to raise/lower that way.

Older Ford Rangers & Full Size had some bulbous, but light to operate window switches.

A reinvention of the wheel might be to install foot switches like the high-beam switch of *cough* yesteryear *cough*.

Not sure if there's a real elegant solution that would look OEM. Maybe wire in an AUX panel (if you don't have one already) with the window relays. Push one for up, push one for down.

Worst case would be to wire in a 2-way toggle switch with a long dongle like they used to use in racing. Finding one with a light pull might be difficult.

 

[Hootbro]

Modern window switches with their hook and pull up method for window up, take their design from the fact that older toggle and push button switches were known to injure small kids left in a vehicle and inadvertent actuation of. More of an issue for armrest installations.

https://www.federalregister.gov/doc...rated-window-partition-and-roof-panel-systems

I do not think you are going to find a plug and play aftermarket solution that gets around that.

I would suggest buying a second set of OEM switches to play around modifying and keep a untouched set for if and when you decide to trade it in down the road.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Probably easier to use a knuckle to raise/lower that way.

And therein lies the problem. On her right hand, she can't curl fingers into a full knuckle, and her right arm is "abbreviated" - a lot shorter than yours.
I checked both of our Jeeps and that "lever" is stupid hard to push and pull. The spring resistance is double what it could be, and the "lever" for the switch is only maybe 1/4".
So you not only have no leverage over the spring pressure in the switch, the spring pressure is as if they planned it for a rock falling on the switches and not activating them.
They are recessed a bit as well.
Three strikes against them

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Modern window switches with their hook and pull up method for window up, take their design from the fact that older toggle and push button switches were known to injure small kids left in a vehicle and inadvertent actuation of. More of an issue for armrest installations.

https://www.federalregister.gov/doc...rated-window-partition-and-roof-panel-systems

I do not think you are going to find a plug and play aftermarket solution that gets around that.

I would suggest buying a second set of OEM switches to play around modifying and keep a untouched set for if and when you decide to trade it in down the road.

Looked at that - $124 plus shipping is a lot to experiment on.

There's very little danger of these being hit by a child or a dog with their placement ahead of the shift lever and being recessed like they are.
The switches on the Grand Cherokee took very little pressure to activate and were easy to push. Push on front end of switch for up, on rear half of switch for down.
If the Grand Cherokee switch was in that dash panel it would be perfect.
I know what you are suggesting - but it doesn't fit because other Jeeps have switches in the open on the tops of the arm rests and it takes almost no pressure to activate them. These are very different from any other modern vehicle. If it was safety, then Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, and almost all other Jeep models violate those protocols big time.
Check out the pressure to open or close those simple rocker switches in the WK2 platform.

 

[MPMB]

It's really unfortunate that windows can't be controlled by the touchscreen.

 

[Hootbro]

Looked at that - $124 plus shipping is a lot to experiment on.

There's very little danger of these being hit by a child or a dog with their placement ahead of the shift lever and being recessed like they are.
The switches on the Grand Cherokee took very little pressure to activate and were easy to push. Push on front end of switch for up, on rear half of switch for down.
If the Grand Cherokee switch was in that dash panel it would be perfect.
I know what you are suggesting - but it doesn't fit because other Jeeps have switches in the open on the tops of the arm rests and it takes almost no pressure to activate them. These are very different from any other modern vehicle. If it was safety, then Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, and almost all other Jeep models violate those protocols big time.
Check out the pressure to open or close those simple rocker switches in the WK2 platform.

There is an aftermarket "Tee In" module that gives one touch up either by the switch or the remote. Might be able to figure out something with it and a switch of your choosing that can be placed elsewhere. Probably save you from hacking up the wiring trying something else.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08PD5RSSF/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?smid=AOYPYWGRLN91N&psc=1

 

[Burghardphotography]

This may not be helpful as far as physical switch function and shape, but it’s not too difficult to get one touch functionality.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/one-touch-windows.26765/

 

[ShadowsPapa]

There is an aftermarket "Tee In" module that gives one touch up either by the switch or the remote. Might be able to figure out something with it and a switch of your choosing that can be placed elsewhere. Probably save you from hacking up the wiring trying something else.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08PD5RSSF/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?smid=AOYPYWGRLN91N&psc=1

Yup - already have that. It's the act of activating the hard to pull up switch that's the problem now.
Have the module (although I'm told the 2022 and later are lacking the hole that the harness needs to go through to position the box under the steering column and the people said it won't work in a 4xe because of some different connector. We'll see, I guess)

When I told my wife about going to install the thing she said it's the switches that are the problem more than anything. She can't easily pull up that short little 1/4" switch lever against the tough spring pressure inside the switch.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

This may not be helpful as far as physical switch function and shape, but it’s not too difficult to get one touch functionality.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/one-touch-windows.26765/

Already have that device. It's the act of moving the tiny short switch against a stiff spring that's the problem now.

 

[Hootbro]

Yup - already have that. It's the act of activating the hard to pull up switch that's the problem now.

Out of ideas then of trying to keep something looking OEM. Probably a reason for specialty marketed vehicles for people with disabilities having the controls looking like a railyard switching station because function trumps form.

You are smart, sure you will figure something that is acceptable.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Considered spending 70 bucks on a crappy worn out switch on ebay to see if I could take one apart and put in weaker springs.
Amazing how totally nasty all the used ones look. I mean - the coating apparently comes off after a couple of years. Some I've found have very little black left on the switch. It's a rubber coating that gets eaten away.
In this case just a matter of longer levers or weaker springs or a switch that is like the Grand Cherokee - a rocker that's really easy to push. You can open those windows just by resting your hand on the arm rest.

 

[Hootbro]

Considered spending 70 bucks on a crappy worn out switch on ebay to see if I could take one apart and put in weaker springs.
Amazing how totally nasty all the used ones look. I mean - the coating apparently comes off after a couple of years. Some I've found have very little black left on the switch. It's a rubber coating that gets eaten away.
In this case just a matter of longer levers or weaker springs or a switch that is like the Grand Cherokee - a rocker that's really easy to push. You can open those windows just by resting your hand on the arm rest.

Probably get away slowly cutting the spring coils back until you reached the desired compression rate unless it is a spring bar in there.

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