Replacement window switches - that are DIFFERENT ??

[IamPro2A]

I don't have any suggestions to add but I do understand the handicap. A previous girlfriend of mine (now just a car friend of mine) has an atrophied left arm and a fused left wrist. Her hand is basically useless on that side save for using her arm to hold a purse or a jacket. She can't even independently move those fingers. Hides it in most of her photos. On her right hand her index finger and thumb are also partially amputated.

Anyway, she has the strength to to pull switches but the dexterity is an issue often, plus having to reach the driver door with her right hand (Camaro SS) to use any door controls.

I did a whole lot of opening jars, buckling shoes, and hooking bottom straps on race helmets with her around

Hope ya find a good workaround. Playing with springs or 3D printing some levers look like the best routes.

A friend of mine's wife had her right arm amputated at the shoulder as a teen. Yes, she does tend to hide it in photos, but IRL it barely slows her down. A few years ago I built her a jig to support the magazines for her guns so she can reload them easier. And yes, she can rack the slide on her pistol herself.

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[Erievon]

I seem to remember JK switches being far less pressure to operate. I'm sure you'd have to fabricate something to bolt these in, I don't know if this box is bigger or smaller then ours, and probably re-pin the connector or get a pigtail, but...for 30 bux...maybe worth a look? Maybe even cheaper if you have a pick-a-part yard near you.

https://www.amazon.com/SWITCHDOCTOR-Window-Master-2011-2017-Wrangler/dp/B07S922N31

 

[Erievon]

This thread over on JL Forum was kind of a similar issue. Not comparing her problem as being in the same ballpark as hers is somewhat self inflicted, but same result was desired. It got way off topic of course and I'm hesitant to post it here because of that. But there are tidbits sprinkled in there of thoughts if you have time to go through it. I don't know if she ever came to a solution as I stopped following it when it went too far off track.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/it-started-with-jjirishs-nails.80797/

 

[Erievon]

The JL Switch box has four ears, almost looks like you could flush mount it. What about making a wiring extension and sink it into the cover under the steering wheel on the left side? Or even under the headlight switch. Maybe there's room above the dash speaker? Cut a square big enough for the face to pass through. And then buy the jeep cubby to go where the window switches are now.

 

[Animal]

I missed the post about having the remote control already.

What about purchasing something like this and then adhering a piece of abs rod to create a joystick adding leverage?

SQQP Window Switch Button Cover Trim Interior Accessories for 2018-2021 Jeep Wrangler JL JLU & Gladiator JT(Purple) https://a.co/d/bSZ9yZ4

 

[jeep1]

That would go over like a lead balloon, not to mention - wonder what the wiring inside that switch panel is like.......... since it's a lot of wires in there.

This is the back of the panel and in the middle is the window lock knob.

Pretty sure this is your wiring

 

[IamPro2A]

This thread over on JL Forum was kind of a similar issue. Not comparing her problem as being in the same ballpark as hers is somewhat self inflicted, but same result was desired. It got way off topic of course and I'm hesitant to post it here because of that. But there are tidbits sprinkled in there of thoughts if you have time to go through it. I don't know if she ever came to a solution as I stopped following it when it went too far off track.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/it-started-with-jjirishs-nails.80797/

From that thread:
https://www.mobilityinnovations.com/products/driving-aids/extension-controls/

 

[SPED1]

Try the fuse puller in the PDC as a switch extension. They are usually still in the junked cars for another 4.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

This thread over on JL Forum was kind of a similar issue. Not comparing her problem as being in the same ballpark as hers is somewhat self inflicted, but same result was desired. It got way off topic of course and I'm hesitant to post it here because of that. But there are tidbits sprinkled in there of thoughts if you have time to go through it. I don't know if she ever came to a solution as I stopped following it when it went too far off track.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/it-started-with-jjirishs-nails.80797/

It would seem the first thing to try is an extension on the switches. That's the least intrusive and destructive.

I contacted Jeep Junkie about the set of switches and the last few inches of the dash harness leading to the switches. Holy CRAP! I can buy NEW MOPAR switches and the whole harness for what they want! $350 bucks. You gotta be kidding!!!!
I can get something on eBay for under 100 (free shipping) and new switches for 129.
Maybe they misunderstood and think I want the whole set of power windows and all wiring and hardware!??!
I could almost get 3 new switch sets from Benny for that price.

I have a set of these coming later today - to see how easy it might be to extend the switches because they are made to fit over them ->

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The JL Switch box has four ears, almost looks like you could flush mount it. What about making a wiring extension and sink it into the cover under the steering wheel on the left side? Or even under the headlight switch. Maybe there's room above the dash speaker? Cut a square big enough for the face to pass through. And then buy the jeep cubby to go where the window switches are now.

There's no room on the dash around the steering column at all. The speaker is down low and below that is cheap weak plastic. Nothing substantial, and no room.
There's just plain no place on the left side at all - you have the speaker, the light switches, then the HVAC duct and above that you are up on top of the dash where there's no real estate unless you want to loosen the seat belt and lean forward.
It's not possible to relocate to a more convenient place on the dash. It's packed.


And the most embarrassing bit is - after 34 years........
I went in and said ok, the one touch up works now, so you can push the button as usual to get the windows down but don't have to hold the button up to get them to completely close.
She asked - so I don't have to pull on the switches? I can just push?
No, the buttons are the same, you still have to pull out to make it go up, just that you only have to pull and release and they keep going up.
Then she showed me something that if I knew, I never gave it a thought.
She showed me that she doesn't have the ability to turn her hands, especially her right hand, "palm up".
Her right arm has no working elbow and the bones are such her arm can't twist around and show palms up
So she can't even TURN her hand to get under the button to get a finger under it to pull.
So I asked - how have you been doing the windows on my truck and with this new Wrangler?
She hasn't. And the times she goes to a drive-up window like for fast food or a bank, she has to pull aside, put the thing in park, lean way over and half laying, reach the button to pull up on it.
No wonder I have never seen her roll the windows down or up while driving. She can't!
She's been pulling over, stopping, leaning over across the console and doing it that way.
So back to the drawing board.
They are auto-up now but that still does little good.
The buttons will absolutely have to be replaced with ROCKERS that she can PUSH for up and PUSH for down. LIFT will not work as she can't turn her hand "palm up".
Embarrassing - I'd never paid attention before. Here she does all of this quilting, sewing, cross stitch, rug making, you name it, and can't even turn her arms palm-up.

So this means - the switches MUST be replaced - ROCKERS.
Push on the top to get the window up
Push on the bottom to get the window down.
I guess it's time to pull out all the stops and see if I can't hire some outfit to make a set of custom switches for these Jeeps.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The JL Switch box has four ears, almost looks like you could flush mount it. What about making a wiring extension and sink it into the cover under the steering wheel on the left side? Or even under the headlight switch. Maybe there's room above the dash speaker? Cut a square big enough for the face to pass through. And then buy the jeep cubby to go where the window switches are now.

Just to show what I'm up against - this is a 4xe. There's more stuff on the dash of these things than any Gladiator or other Wrangler -

And on top where people like me keep sunglasses, install phone mounts and such - there's a light bar that indicates charging status.
Just enough room for a couple of ducks and Rudolph here velcro'd to the top of that bar of charge indicators.

So if anyone is interested in making some $$ - I've figured there's enough room to have 4 ROCKER switches in place of these originals. Plenty of room. The space where normal people put their fingers to get under and lift the switch - that could be the bottom of a rocker.
So momentary contact rocker switches.
Push the top of each switch for window up
Push the bottom of each switch for window down.

There's more than enough space for 4 rocker type switches.

 

[Erievon]

Ok yeah. Flush mount on the left is a no go.

Here's an idea, though quite pricey...spod or switchpros pad, on a CMM a piller grab handle ball or their own mount I think they sell. 8 switch panel, all set to momentary. It would be quite a bit of wiring but...it's doable.

 

[Erievon]

Wait...maybe simpler. You know your cell phone/plow controller holder? What about one of those, holding the factory switch box off the a pillar grab handle? Just need to get the wiring/plug over to it.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Wait...maybe simpler. You know your cell phone/plow controller holder? What about one of those, holding the factory switch box off the a pillar grab handle? Just need to get the wiring/plug over to it.

She uses the grab handle to pull herself in and get out.
12 wires, a couple of them are probably 12gauge or so.
Trying to keep the A pillars clean for that, and because of visibility.

 

[Erievon]

Your rocker idea is probably best. If you can get a driver door master panel. I'm sure it could be mounted in the dash cubby where the factory ones are now. You need the no power window face plate to get rid of the bar in the middle with the window lock. From there just a flat sheet of plastic cut out to mount the master bank from behind.

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