Interior: Window regulators

[LeoH]

Something I've always wondered about the windows in my 60 Lark wagon...is it something done to this car in the past or do the window cranks turn opposite directions in the front doors and the rear doors? It triggers my OCD somewhat to know they turn the opposite directions to operate.

To be more specific, to raise or lower the windows, in the front pair of doors you rotate one direction, but in the rear pair of doors, that same crank direction you turn the cranks the opposite direction.

[T.J lavallee]

That's to keep the little ones in the back seat from rolling down the windows? I had a FIAT once that did the same thing you're describing. Kinda' weird but I'm sure there must be a reasonable explanation... I've got it!: Studebaker used the FIAT's rear window cranks for your car? Sorry...I couldn't resist. Truth is , I'm equally confused. Maybe someone out there has the explanation for us.

[jackb]

just another Stude quirk. May have a financial aspect to it..... Much like the off-center steering wheel to foot pedals in the Champ trucks... not to mention the Dodge bed.....

[LeoH]

On the one hand, it has been something I've noticed for 4 years now, but it has been that long since I actually spoke up and asked about it, so I guess OCD behaviors dissipate with age. Now, the question is, has it always been that way or did it start after a certain point in time? There has to have been some reason....

[jackb]

my 53' truck works right

[Warren Webb]

I never knew that! Perhaps it's because I have to be up front & drive my Stude's!!!

[StudeRich]

If I want them down, I always turn then whatever way makes them go down, never noticed some may be different directions, but then it does not bother me, so much that I never knew or cared!

[LeoH]

I never knew that! Perhaps it's because I have to be up front & drive my Stude's!!!

Well, Warren, unlike you, I don't have car wash fairies to clean my stable, so I've had to open and close the rear doors in my wagon all by my lonesome. Along with rolling the windows up and down solo. I never realized it would be an act of Studebaker engineering trivia though...other than watching the water drain out the door bottoms when the doors were opened after I washed the car.

Or operating the window behind me like a good distracted driver does, with one arm.

[greyben]

I had to go out and check my '55 President. It has the same reversal of window winding. Maybe way back different assembly designers were used for the front and rear doors and it just wasn't worth the effort to change one or the other. I've rarely sat in the rear seat of any of my cars over the years so never noticed the difference. Now I may not be able to sleep nights.

[karterfred88]

Just a guess, because I have no intention of cross checking parts or numbers. Is it possible the right front "gear assembly", is also used in the left rear, and the left front in the right rear? That cuts cost to 2 items verses 4 and also reverses the rotation for lowering and raising, which really doesn't matter to most-but saves big $$$. I seem to remember one automobile manufacturer was attempting to have just 2 door assemblies, on to fit left front and right rear, the other vice versa, to save costs.

[T.J lavallee]

Post #10 seems to be very reasonable. Now we can all rest easy. Thanks Karterfred88!

[doofus]

Karterfred88 is quite the Bean Counter genius!! I believe he has once again hit the nail on the flat portion of the head! As i recover from cataract surgery at local VA this Forum becomes a close friend and very entertaining. Doofus

[ivorydan]

Hey Leo, just checked my 64 Hawk:
The drivers side front and rear seat window cranks both go in the same direction: counterclockwise down, clockwise up.
The passenger side goes the opposite: clockwise down. etc.
So, either Studebaker designed the Lark an
d Hawk regulators completely differently, or more likely, someone in the past fiddled with yours.
Dan

[T.J lavallee]

Jeeze...another restless night's sleep? I hate puzzles now! In other news...Karterfred88 thank you for your service. Get well soon.

[LeoH]

I had to go out and check my '55 President. It has the same reversal of window winding. Maybe way back different assembly designers were used for the front and rear doors and it just wasn't worth the effort to change one or the other. I've rarely sat in the rear seat of any of my cars over the years so never noticed the difference. Now I may not be able to sleep nights.

I understand. The fact that this has been something I've noticed, yet never asked about for 4 years tells you, this discrepancy gnaws at me.