68 round marker lights

[Dino]

I always liked the side markers.  Both the aesthetics and the fact they actually work.  I need to change my 69 side reflectors into turn signals as well.  Wasn't there a kit for that?

I always loved 68's, especially the seat pattern.  Never was a big fan of the console top, but I can say the same for the 69 console with its fake wood.  Love the grille but again love the 69 grille as well, 70  little less but not enough to bitch about.   

The only part of the 68 I never really liked were the tail lights.  I don't dislike them as much as some seem to do but for me there's no contest with the 69 lights. 

Still, that's some serious nitpicking, I love both like nothing else.  The 70 would be my least favorite but it's still an awesome car that I would love to own.  I hate the door scoops though.   

[Ghoste]

Never heard of a kit to convert the 69 reflectors that way but there well could be. 

[Dino]

Maybe I'm bing overly optimistic. Sometimes it would be nice not having to build stuff myself and just order something.   

[Charger-Bodie]

Never heard of a kit to convert the 69 reflectors that way but there well could be. 

Someone made an les kit for them to be lights, but I don't know about turn signals.

I always liked the side markers.  Both the aesthetics and the fact they actually work.  I need to change my 69 side reflectors into turn signals as well.  Wasn't there a kit for that?

I always loved 68's, especially the seat pattern.  Never was a big fan of the console top, but I can say the same for the 69 console with its fake wood.  Love the grille but again love the 69 grille as well, 70  little less but not enough to bitch about.  

The only part of the 68 I never really liked were the tail lights.  I don't dislike them as much as some seem to do but for me there's no contest with the 69 lights.  

Still, that's some serious nitpicking, I love both like nothing else.  The 70 would be my least favorite but it's still an awesome car that I would love to own.  I hate the door scoops though.  

[Dino]

I'll just get some spare reflectors and the housings of something with a socket.  Hooking them up to the turn signal circuit is easy enough.  I suppose I can adapt 70 Charger turn signals but someone here did this with A body housings.  A383wing?

[Daytona R/T SE]

I bought the kit to make the '69 side markers light up.

It was over $300 bucks.

It sucked giant donkey balls. 

I sent it back.

I waited weeks and weeks for it.

They sent me junk.

I was pissed.





As far as making the side markers into turn signals...

Why ? 

[Dino]

For clarity.  Having only the tail lights and parking lamps signal is not enough.  I'd like some turn signals on the side as well.  I'm not going to spend hundreds on it though, it's not worth that much to me, but if I can get some actual use out of those reflectors by investing a few bucks and my time then I think it'll be worth it. I drive this car a lot and anything that helps people pay attention is a good thing.   

[Mytur Binsdirti]

I have to be honest...I don't like the 68 round marker lights at all.  I heard them described as "whale eyes"...I agree.  Just my $.02 though

From someone who's avatar features a hideous orange 69 Charger with a giant 01 the door, what else would one expect?   

[thereverend]

By "hideous" I think you mean "iconic".   

[Ghoste]

To be fair, your sig indicates you own a 68 so you must like them somewhat. 

[Ghoste]

1969 was the best year for styling

Repeated polls on this forum tell a different story.

Oh c'mon now, trusting polls is like following network news for unbiased current event coverage.   

[Mytur Binsdirti]

By "hideous" I think you mean "iconic".   

As iconic as the Charlie's Angels Mustang II.   

[Ghoste]

Funny you mention that because my Ford buddies have as much love for the Mustang II as we do for Omnichargers. (one guy even was looking for one to buy and keep behind his shop and beat on it with a sledgehammer whenever he was frustrated or angry)  Yet, right now there seems to be a pile of 1:18 diecasts of that thing, somebody must love the Farrah Mustangs?

[Mytur Binsdirti]

Funny you mention that because my Ford buddies have as much love for the Mustang II as we do for Omnichargers. (one guy even was looking for one to buy and keep behind his shop and beat on it with a sledgehammer whenever he was frustrated or angry)  Yet, right now there seems to be a pile of 1:18 diecasts of that thing, somebody must love the Farrah Mustangs?

Even worse; try bringing up Dodge Shelbys to a Shelby Mustang guy. 

[wingcar]

REGULATION: FMVSS #108 for sidemarker lights and reflectors specifies amber front and red rear sidemarker lamps and reflectors. The regulation initially required lights OR reflectors on vehicles made after 1 January 1968. This was amended to require lights AND reflectors on vehicles made after 1 January 1970. These side-facing devices make the vehicle's presence, position and direction of travel clearly visible from oblique angles. The lamps are wired so as to illuminate whenever the vehicles parking and tail lamps are on.

At Chrysler they decided to do side marker lights in 1968. All vehicles except Imperial used the same side marker light design. Except for the difference in lens color they were the same lamp for the front fender and rear quarter panel. This simplification saved them a lot of money.

During the 1968 model year they got a new Product Development (Product Planning, Styling and Engineering) Vice President by the name of Leroy Bornhouser. They called him Bornie. Bornie took issue with the appearance of the 1968 side marker lights which he said looked like "whales' eyes." He ordered them to put side markers on the car in 1969 that were more attractive - more integrated with the sheet metal. So in 1969 they went to flush reflectors (no bulbs) that were a different design for each carline and each "crash program" to meet 1969 model production.

The 1969 reflectors didn't meet the amended 1970 standard which required lamps and reflectors so they had to design and tool the side marker indicators again.

[JB400]

Doesn't matter what is on the side if the driver doesn't use the turn signal.

[bill440rt]

The '68 Dodge side markers were different than Plymouth.
If you look closely the Dodge marker housings are "peaked" to flow with the body line.
Plymouth ones are smooth. 

[VegasCharger]

When I first bought my car it was and kinda still is a 68 and when I was running it that way as a 68 I liked the 68 marker's and had all of them working which I thought was an added bonus that they were actually working lights!!! I bought the car at a real deal running and driving for less than 4 grand but I really wanted a 69 model but for that price and me being very slim with what I could actually spend I paid the guy and drove it home. I had no problems with the 68 grille which looks great to me but them round taillights had to go!!! When I decided to do the conversion the taillights were the first thing to get changed. I drove it for several years with 69 taillights and a 68 grille in it and still sporting the 68 markers. Finally swapped out the grille and drove it a few more years with the 68 markers but they were rarely noticed unless it was a true mopar fan. Finally got the 69 rear valence and fenders and quarters to make the outside appearance all 69 features. If it's a 68 yeah I like the whale eye's because they are supposed to be there and they look good at night when they are working!!!

According to the highlighted bold red, if this was the sequence that you drove your charger, did you not have any reverse lamps during that span

[Ghoste]

Hey, yeah what he said. 

[thereverend]

Love the 68...just not the marker lights.   Since my car is currently in primer and body phase....I think they are going to be welded shut.   

They honestly remind me of those round reflectors we had at the end of our driveway so the school bus wouldn't it the ditch or the mailbox.   HAHA!

great discussion!

To be fair, your sig indicates you own a 68 so you must like them somewhat. 

[hatersaurusrex]

I put all new quarters/fenders on my '68 and am keeping the marker lights.  It's a personal preference thing - to me it looks more '60's classic muscle car' than an orange piece of plastic does.      In fact - If I had a '69 I'd delete the markers.  Just not a fan.

I think the chrome-trimmed ones on the '70 look the best of the three though - in terms of appearance and placement.  The '69 ones just look like an afterthought to me, whereas the '68 and '70 look like they're supposed to be there.

I do love the '69's taillights though - best looking ass-end of any Mopar period.   I also love the '68's round lights and think they go with the car - though I'm probably in the minority on that one (outside of other '68 owners).  Some people say it looks like a Chevy - big whoop.  They did make some nice looking (if not mostly boring) cars.   It also looks like a ton of other slick performance cars - Ferrari included.   There's a reason designers have revisited the 'four round tail lights' look over and over again - it's a classic look.

[69wannabe]

When I first bought my car it was and kinda still is a 68 and when I was running it that way as a 68 I liked the 68 marker's and had all of them working which I thought was an added bonus that they were actually working lights!!! I bought the car at a real deal running and driving for less than 4 grand but I really wanted a 69 model but for that price and me being very slim with what I could actually spend I paid the guy and drove it home. I had no problems with the 68 grille which looks great to me but them round taillights had to go!!! When I decided to do the conversion the taillights were the first thing to get changed. I drove it for several years with 69 taillights and a 68 grille in it and still sporting the 68 markers. Finally swapped out the grille and drove it a few more years with the 68 markers but they were rarely noticed unless it was a true mopar fan. Finally got the 69 rear valence and fenders and quarters to make the outside appearance all 69 features. If it's a 68 yeah I like the whale eye's because they are supposed to be there and they look good at night when they are working!!!

According to the highlighted bold red, if this was the sequence that you drove your charger, did you not have any reverse lamps during that span

Thats correct, no reverse lights for several years and hardly anyone noticed. The taillights and grille are the biggest identifier's for most people that don't know all the real details between the two year models. They work now tho.... 

[69wannabe]

At that time it was a general lee and alot of them cars were done the same way with no reverse lights so it worked fine with the uniform!!!!

[bull]

I'm a firm believer in the notion of leaving the cars alone, especially when it comes to body design. If someone does not like something about a 68 compared to a 69 or 66 or 70, whatever, fine, leave it alone. If you want your 68 to look like a 69 sell it to someone who likes 68s and buy a 69. If you want your Dodge to look like a Ford, sell your Dodge and buy a Ford. Easy.

[Ghoste]

 100%!!!!