72 charger tail lights

[dreamcatcher]

Can anyone tell me the right tail lights for a 72 charger SE.I am new to the mopars and I bought a 72 charger.It has no tail lights.But in the trunk I found two different
tail light lenses.One is pretty plain the other has a chrome cover with two bars going top to bottom.And also a good place to buy the right ones.
Thanks Don

[twilt]

The ones with the chromed bezels are correct for your 72SE.  They are on ebay with some regularity.  Good ones usually are usually a bit expensive.

[andy74]

the one with the chrome trim cover is the correct one for a 72 se,i dont know if any one repops them,i had a hell of a time finding mine-finally fixed the ones i had,where the trim works loose i used a small piece of windshield butyl tape,been like that for 2 years and hasnt worked loose yet!

[dreamcatcher]

Thanks guys.I have been an active gear head for years and just drawn to mopar.I have done corvettes and big block mustangs.I am sure I will need a lot of help.I am used to just picking up a magazine and ordering parts.It dont seem to be the case with dodge.This car like many has been switched from a 400 to a 440.It has 14 inch wheels.Shouldnt it have 15 inch?

[TruckDriver]

These are correct

[Charger1973]

Thanks guys.I have been an active gear head for years and just drawn to mopar.I have done corvettes and big block mustangs.I am sure I will need a lot of help.I am used to just picking up a magazine and ordering parts.It dont seem to be the case with dodge.This car like many has been switched from a 400 to a 440.It has 14 inch wheels.Shouldnt it have 15 inch?

Thats one of the major differences from the Chevys and Ford to Mopar.  You will have to hunt for most anything you need!  Its gettin quite expensive, but well worth it for a Charger.      14's were very common on these cars.  It may have been the only wheel size available too, but I dont know for sure.  Not my area.  Some of the other guys on this board could tell you for sure.  Any 3rd gen Charger I have personally seen with stock rims were 14" though.

[TruckDriver]

It has 14 inch wheels.Shouldnt it have 15 inch?

14 inch is factory correct for a 400. I believe 15's came with the 440s if you ordered them. I don't have anything that says they came on certain packages like Trac Pac cars. If you have not been to 3 generation registry, check us out. Link is below my sig picture.

[dreamcatcher]

The last picture of the white car is what i have right now for tail lights,the plain ones.Then like I said I have one with the chrome.thanks for the information.

[Charger1973]

The last picture of the white car is what i have right now for tail lights,the plain ones.Then like I said I have one with the chrome.thanks for the information.

Just some more information that could possibly help you in your search, any taillights from 1971-1974 will fit your car.  They wont be original but theres several different styles you can go with if you dont care about keeping it stock.  I have the 71/72 louvered taillights on my 73 Charger.

[d72hemi]

it could have came with 14's or 15's from the factory.

[dreamcatcher]

Would I be able to tell wheel size from any of the data plate numbers?Just wondering.I am a long way from being ready but want to buy a set of repo mag 500's
and would like the speedometer to be right.Thanks for all the helpful posts,pictures and advise.

[andy74]

Would I be able to tell wheel size from any of the data plate numbers?Just wondering.I am a long way from being ready but want to buy a set of repo mag 500's
and would like the speedometer to be right.Thanks for all the helpful posts,pictures and advise.

i changed to 15s and also swapped rear gears to 3.55s,and i also got the correct gear from mopar for the speedometer to read correct,actually pretty easy deal-lots of info here just keep asking!

[NHCharger]

Would I be able to tell wheel size from any of the data plate numbers?Just wondering.I am a long way from being ready but want to buy a set of repo mag 500's
and would like the speedometer to be right.Thanks for all the helpful posts,pictures and advise.

No, the fender tag will not tell you what size wheel came with the car. Most came with 14" wheels. Have you checked under the rear seat for a broadcast sheet? That would tell you.
Also on the inside of your trunk lid will be a marking in crayon, one of my 72's has W F78 (I think). I believe this marking is a reference to the tire size.

[NHCharger]

Upon further review if you have the code U86 on your fender tag that would mean your car came with G60x15 tires.

[dreamcatcher]

The only U on my tag is UA76 down kind of in the middle of the tag

[Charger1973]

The only U on my tag is UA76 down kind of in the middle of the tag

Grab your VIN number and fender tag and try this out:

http://www.stockmopar.com/mopar-fender-tag-decoder.php

[dreamcatcher]

Thank you...at least some things make sence now.it seems like some one took all the trim off the car because there is not much on it and the tag says it had some.
E63 400-2 Barrel 72-76
D34 TorqueFlite Automatic Transmission
WP29 W = Dodge Coronet / Charger
P = Premium
29 = 2 Door Sports Hardtop
M2C M = 400 190HP(net) 1-2BBL 8 CYL
2 = 1972
C = Jefferson Avenue, MI, USA
180386 Sequence Number '180386'
GF7 Paint Code: Dark Green Metallic
P6F6 Trim Grade/Style/Color
P = Premium
6 = Vinyl Bucket Seats
F6 = Green
GF7 Upper Door Frame: Dark Green Metallic
B20 Date Built: 11 / 20 / 1971
186778 Order Number: 186778
V1W Roof Type OR Color:  Full Vinyl Top - White
A76 Monaco Brougm
B41 Front Disc Brakes Some Yrs. Power
B51 Power Assisted Brakes
C16 Console w/ Buckets
C56 Bucket Seats 1972 up
G11 Tinted Glass All
G37 Left Hand Remote, Right Hand Manual Chrome Mirrors
H51 Single Air /w Heater
J25 3 Speed Variable Wipers
J52 Inside Hood Release
L31 Hood / Fender Mount Turn Signal
L37 Concealed Headlamps
M21 Roof Drip Rail Moldings
M31 Belt & Hood Molding
R11 Music Master Radio AM
V5X Black - Mouldings - Protective Insert Body Side
V78 Accent Stripes - Delete
26 26 in. Radiator
END End of Codes

[dreamcatcher]

The car now has a 440 4bbl in it.wow I have restored most of my cars back to original but this baby sounds so ugly it hurts....I think I see some changes in the wind.lol Thanks for all the help everyone ...one thing I have always said...car people are the greatest no matter what circle you run in.I have already found Mopar is no different.

[Charger1973]

The car now has a 440 4bbl in it.wow I have restored most of my cars back to original but this baby sounds so ugly it hurts....I think I see some changes in the wind.lol Thanks for all the help everyone ...one thing I have always said...car people are the greatest no matter what circle you run in.I have already found Mopar is no different.

If youre going to change some things anyway, and dont like the SEs rear quarter window look.  You might be interested to know, that it is only a "plug".  If you remove this (i beleive its fiberglass) plug you will have the normal 71/72 roofline. Im not sure what all is involved in the conversion since I am more into 73s but im sure someone would be able to tell you if you decided to go this route.  If it was me it would be a no brainer.  I dont like the look of the 72 SE, but thats just a personal opinion.  I also like the RT / Rallye taillights better.  Heres a couple pics of what im talking about. 

[dreamcatcher]

Thanks for the information.It might help out in the long run to know what years and what parts will interchange with the 72 se.I was starting to think maybe the body was a single year design and only 72 would fit.

[TruckDriver]

Your car looked a lot like this one when new then. You also have a lot of the same options my car does.

[Charger1973]

Nope same body as a regular 72.  They have just covered up part of the rear quarter windows to give it that custom look, there might be a few other mods too like shortened drip rails.  Kind of like the 73/74 SE models.  Same deal. 

[mikesbbody]

dreamcatcher, i agree with charger73 re: to changing the se roofline i have a 72 se and would like to change it one day i even started a topic on this subject and have talked to people who hae done it.
basically, you need a pait of non se interior sail panels, a extra piece for the drip rail and then a longer chrome trim piece. Im not 100% sure on the removal of the "plug, plate," (whatever you want to call it) some say it simply knocks out, but there may be more to it than that. Its a preference thing.

[Charger1973]

dreamcatcher, i agree with charger73 re: to changing the se roofline i have a 72 se and would like to change it one day i even started a topic on this subject and have talked to people who hae done it.
basically, you need a pait of non se interior sail panels, a extra piece for the drip rail and then a longer chrome trim piece. Im not 100% sure on the removal of the "plug, plate," (whatever you want to call it) some say it simply knocks out, but there may be more to it than that. Its a preference thing.

This is a 73 SE with the vinyl top and window louvers removed.  I had scraped a little of the putty back so you can see how it goes together.  I didnt remove it all the way, and its been a long time since I have removed one, so im not sure if they just used putty or if there are a couple screws in it too.  It seems like there is though.

[dreamcatcher]

I wondered why there was so much putty in that area of the car.The vinyl top is off my carand the trim is also gone.So I need to find that as well.So then body parts from the 71-74 fit the 72? Or am I wrong.And would someone have a close up shot of the badge that is on the roof panel just behind the quarter glass?I guess I don't have this either lol...

[Charger1973]

I wondered why there was so much putty in that area of the car.The vinyl top is off my carand the trim is also gone.So I need to find that as well.So then body parts from the 71-74 fit the 72? Or am I wrong.And would someone have a close up shot of the badge that is on the roof panel just behind the quarter glass?I guess I don't have this either lol...

Alot of things interchange from 71/72 and alot of things between 73/74.  The cars changed alot from 72-73 even if you cant tell it just by looking.  They are still the same overall bodystyle though, and alot of parts do interchange.  It just depends what it is...  If you want to go back to a 72 SE roofline though, that is the only year and model of car you will be able to get those parts from.  Ive got the trim for a 73 but that doesnt help you any, its completely different. 

[dreamcatcher]

I am sure happy with all the information.I have one problem solved...can anyone out there tell me where I might score the full set of molding for the 72 SE full vinyl top and the badging that goes on the side or a picture of said badging.Does anyone make repair panels for the lower rear quarters and over the rear wheels?Most sites I have looked at only make them for the earlier models or later challengers.

[Charger1973]

There are repro quarters out there but most people have told me they are junk.  I dont know from experience.  They are for 73/74 but some have used them for lower patch panels on 71/72s before. 

I have a lead that might help you on some 72 SE trim i'll PM you with the info. 

[dreamcatcher]

I have hand formed patch panels for cars that they were not available.It is a pain but will work.And mine are not swiss cheese.They have a small amount of bubbling is all.I might just make some panels.Thanks just thought I might not be looking in the right place for parts.

[Charger1973]

There are places that sell the 73/74 panels, I think Year One and The Paddock sell them.  But they supposedly dont fit right, I cant say myself since im not to that point yet.