'70 Charger hood signal lenses not even close to fitting?

[Coelacanth]

I went to install new repro hood signal lenses I bought many years ago into my housings and found that they weren't even close to fitting properly. Is this huge gap along the upper edge normal? I can't believe repro lenses would be molded THIS badly. I'm checking out others online and the lenses don't look much different in terms of shape and size, so am I missing something?

It didn't give me confidence that when I opened the package, 2 "normal" Phillips-head screws and 2 stainless Robertson-head screws fell out...

 

[davek]

My I asked were did you buy them? I ordered a set from YO over 6 months ago and still havent looked at them.

 

[Kern Dog]

Here are mine. First are stock reproductions made 24 years ago, bought through "Charger Specialties" in Idaho.

I don't think that they are in business anymore.

These are 3D printed replacements with LED lights.

Both sets fit fine.

Some of the XH cars got blanks...

 

[Coelacanth]

It was so long ago that I can't remember. I doubt it was YO though.

 

[Coelacanth]

KD, I PM'd that member after seeing your post on the topic. I'm interested to know more.

Looking at the indicators from the other direction, you can clearly see the gap between the lens and top of the housing. That can't be right. Could the repros be molded that badly?

 

[Coelacanth]

KD, any chance you could measure the width from the center of the screw hole to the top of the lens? These repros are about 17.5 mm. It would seem the lenses ought to be at least 5 mm wider for them to properly mate with the upper edge of the housing.

 

[RR Fan Dan]

These are 3D printed replacements with LED lights.

You should sell those.

 

[RemCharger]

You should sell those.

Thread 'FBBO members deal -3D printed turn signals - moparfest' FOR SALE - FBBO members deal -3D printed turn signals - moparfest

 

[RR Fan Dan]

Thread 'FBBO members deal -3D printed turn signals - moparfest' FOR SALE - FBBO members deal -3D printed turn signals - moparfest

I meant if @Kern Dog 3d printed those he should make a side business printing them and selling them. I could be wrong but @RemCharger looks like he is just selling those 2 sets.

 

[RemCharger]

I meant if @Kern Dog 3d printed those he should make a side business printing them and selling them. I could be wrong but @RemCharger looks like he is just selling those 2 sets.

Canadian1968 makes them. Kern bought some.

 

[QuickBpBp]

Some of these restoration lenses were made out of cast resin and they "melt" so fitment ends up being horrible.

 

[Kern Dog]

KD, any chance you could measure the width from the center of the screw hole to the top of the lens? These repros are about 17.5 mm. It would seem the lenses ought to be at least 5 mm wider for them to properly mate with the upper edge of the housing.

I can see about measuring the repro ones I removed but you won't get a metric measurement from me....I don't have a metric tape measure!

 

[Coelacanth]

I can see about measuring the repro ones I removed but you won't get a metric measurement from me....I don't have a metric tape measure!

I can convert from Standard to Metric, that's what www.onlinecoversion.com is for. I used millimeters because tiny fractions in Standard become problematic.

 

[RemCharger]

These new fangled fancy phones have stuff like that built right in!

 

[Kern Dog]

I can convert from Standard to Metric, that's what www.onlinecoversion.com is for. I used millimeters because tiny fractions in Standard become problematic.

These cheap Harbor Freight calipers have metric and SAE scales so…

Reproduction from 20+ years ago:

Recent reproduction 3D printed with LED bulb.

The LED ones in the car:

No light coming through either side.

Cheers.

 

[Canadian1968]

I meant if @Kern Dog 3d printed those he should make a side business printing them and selling them. I could be wrong but @RemCharger looks like he is just selling those 2 sets.

I do make and sell these upon request. As well as a number of other parts for our mopars .

 

[Coelacanth]

I bought a set from Canadian1968, thank you. His lenses are exactly the same width as my repros are; 17.5 mm from the center of the screw hole to the top of the lens. I used this measurement in case my repros were molded inaccurately, the screw holes on mine are certainly not nice and clean and round. They've never been installed, and I was provided 2 "normal" screws (Phillips head) and 2 stainless wood screws with the same thread, that didn't inspire confidence in my repros.

Another thing I didn't like with my repros is the knurled connector ends of the pigtails won't thread on all the way so that the metal grounding tabs wouldn't be screwed in tight. They wouldn't ground properly unless I added a washer.

I also really like the rubber boot that Canadian1968 incorporated into his design, and the LED bulbs are also an improvement.

And lastly, looking closely at my lens housings, the bottoms are slightly bowed more than they should be, they need to be straightened a bit. I don't know how that happened, but I'll need to be very careful straightening them because they're painted already.