I don't expect I'm the only one who finds the Midas window lift mechanisms something of an abortion, despite loads of messing around mine have never been smooth and seem to vary between not going down and not going up, never at a convenient time.
As I've got the doors off at the moment I thought I'd try out an idea I've had kicking about since seeing it on a hot rod build by Steve Lang over on the MIG Welding Forum. So, for those of you with a strong constitution here's the standard Midas mechanism.
And then overlaid with the 'new' mechanism, taken from a 1970's VW Beetle. As you can see the track is too long, but easily cut down with a hacksaw and the thin section the winder is attached to is flexible enough to be gently manipulated into position. Note how much longer the glass channel is, all the parts are available new off the shelf from VW aftermarket suppliers such as Machine7 though both my mechanisms came from Ebay for a few quid each.
Once you remove the Midas mechanism (only three screws) and trim the length of the track down, the VW mechanism starts to make more sense. On a Beetle the window goes straight up and down whereas on the Midas it follows the angle of the runners forwards and outwards as the window is lowered. With gentle bending of the winder track you can get one retaining screw into the original Midas position.
With everything roughly in place I dropped the door card back on to check clearances and hey presto! it looks like a goer.
The winder fits into the original position meaning I don't have to modify the door card.
Next jobs are to make top and bottom mounts for the lift track and buy a pair of winder handles so I can use something other than pliers to make it all move.
