Had a run of bad luck. How do you move/remove the windows from donor doors with no power?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by weapon, Jun 19, 2026 at 5:07 PM.

  1. weapon

    weapon Junior Member

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    After 10+ years of not a single issue, it has been a bad month for my two 2010 prius(s). So it looks like I am going to be frequenting here regularly for the next month or until i can fix the issues.

    So let's start with this issue: I was hit and run (they backed into the drivers side and mashed both doors in the middle and left). I found a good set of donor doors but the scrapper rolled the window down fully before removing them. Now I need to get the regulator into the correct position for the glass removal but cannot figure out how to do it without power. I need to switch over my tinted windows, speakers, door handles etc. Plus I will be doing a full scratch & scuff paint correction and cut/buff before moving them onto the car.

    I have searched the web and have found no videos or tutorials. I was able to remove the one 10mm bolt holding the front of the window but the second is positioned that no wrench can fit in the space.

    Anyone know how to do this correctly?
     
    #1 weapon, Jun 19, 2026 at 5:07 PM
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    You apply power or cut the sheet metal up access the 10 mm to undo from regulator. Use you're sheet metal snips the red ones yes you will ruin the door who cares it's 10 years old. You're cutting inner door the panel is all holes already.
     
    #2 Tombukt2, Jun 20, 2026 at 9:14 AM
  3. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    You can use a 12v battery and lead to the motor to raise it.
    I do not know which ones/color, but a simple duck-duck-go search should provide the info you need.

    There are some who unwisely start cutting the door metal to get to the bolt, NOT a good idea!

     
    #3 ASRDogman, Jun 20, 2026 at 2:15 PM
  4. weapon

    weapon Junior Member

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    Not going to cut up the perfect doors on my bench. That is an crazy suggestion. Those are replacing the damaged ones still on car (those I can get the window out using the car power supply).

    I tried the jump method but it did not work. Might have a bad motor. Was able to get it loose with the help of my nephews skinny arms. Ha.
     
    #4 weapon, Jun 21, 2026 at 8:20 AM
    ASRDogman likes this.
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