Hidden headlights and the third gens

[74Rallye]

When I changed to 71 hidden headlights on my 74, I had to use everything that's on a 71. The brackets, buckets, braces, etc. In other words, I used the whole 71 setup except for the bumper itself and still had to make a few parts. I have some pics from the project somewhere. I'll post them as soon as I can find them.

[74bluecharger440]

NICE ,.  Wicked Cool ,. Here  goes more $$$$ into the Beast.

[Ghoste]

Yeah, but it'll be worth every cent.

[74Rallye]

Found it.

[Nacho-RT74]

When I changed to 71 hidden headlights on my 74, I had to use everything that's on a 71. The brackets, buckets, braces, etc. In other words, I used the whole 71 setup except for the bumper itself and still had to make a few parts. I have some pics from the project somewhere. I'll post them as soon as I can find them.

I remember that thread... it was awesome... BTW I thought you were lost LOL... long time without see you.

My notes about this:

73/74 bumper to frame rail brackets needs to be kept and match the car year

lower cross bar is not mandatory

has been prooved the hideaways headlight pedestals are not mandatory but better ( AKCharger didn't change them )... keeping the standard grilles headlights pedestal will get you smaller room to hide the doors when lift up, but still will work

AAAND, I think to remember the top bumper bracket/reinforcement can be kept from the 73/74. They are the same all years. My bracket has all the holes, not in use, I guess for hideaways assembly, so I think they made one unique piece in 71 for both assemblies ( standard and hideaways ) and kept the same piece up to 74. I remember back in 2008 when I went to Carlisle, that I personally dissasembled a 72 Hideaways assembly and couln't find a diff from my 74 on that piece

[Ghoste]

Think you'll ever do it to yours Nacho?

[74Rallye]

"I remember that thread... it was awesome... BTW I thought you were lost LOL... long time without see you."

Hi Nacho,
My best answer to being missing starts with "3 kids later...". I still pop in and read up every week or so.

I also notched the mounting holes for the rail brackets to be rid of the rubber filler strip. That's why I also had to modify the top fender-to-bumper brackets.
When I put my hideaway setup together I also replaced the plastic piviot bushings on the hideaway doors with bronze bushings from a door hinge repair kit from NAPA.

[Tilar]

I personally think the 73 Rallye's look good with hidden headlights.

[Charger454]

If I had wanted anything else, I would have bought it. That said, I personally like the 73 the best. But they should have kept the hidden headlights and go-wing as at least an option

[TheGhost]

I will be the odd one out here.  I prefer the standard grill on 71-72 Chargers.

[Gary42]

I will be the odd one out here.  I prefer the standard grill on 71-72 Chargers.

I have to agree with you on that on Ghost. I sold a complete hidden head light set up to a guy in Germany 2 years back because he had wrecked his car. I was going to put it on my 72 Rally, but it just doesn't look good. Not saying they are not good looking on "some" cars, just not the 3 gen 71/72 package cars. Just a thought.

[Ghoste]

Reasonable to assume you don't care much for the 73-74 ones that get converted then either?

[ACUDANUT]

Man O man, the hidden headlights is another positive for the 71/72's.

[JPL]

LOVE my hidden headlight's!

[TheGhost]

Reasonable to assume you don't care much for the 73-74 ones that get converted then either?

Oddly enough, I like the hidden lamps better on the 73-74s.

[ACUDANUT]

I love the 71/72 Chargers the most.  They had the best roof line/quarter glass that just looks better imo.
Besides the hidden headlights, They also had the louvered doors, better taillights (rallye & R/T) powerbulge hood and better HP engines.  Oh, and didn't have those horrible looking rubber bumper guards sticking out 5 inches, AND 150 mph gauges. 71/72 Chargers also sell better and demand more money to own one.
To each their own. 

[Chargerguy74]

I love the 71/72 Chargers the most.  They had the best roof line/quarter glass that just looks better imo.
Besides the hidden headlights, They also had the louvered doors, better taillights (rallye & R/T) powerbulge hood and better HP engines.  Oh, and didn't have those horrible looking rubber bumper guards sticking out 5 inches, AND 150 mph gauges. 71/72 Chargers also sell better and demand more money to own one.
To each their own.  

Gotta love the scalloped 72 Rallye doors. But in the 73/74 Charger's defence, the hoods are all the same from 72-74 with the exception of vents and N96 option on the 72. The 71 obviously had the R/T louvers and Super Bee inserts to make them unique. The 72 HP engines can be grouped in with the 73/74s. The only exception would be the couple of V code 72s that were built. My 74 is a factory 150mph speedo car too. Just seperating fact from opinion  

[74bluecharger440]

I agree that the bumperettes look like crap,  they are not on my 74, nor are the rubber flanges around the bumpers, just chrome  ..But  I will be  installing the hidden  headlights ,I have the bulge hood and the front end would look so much cleaner and meaner with H.H. It's only time and $$$$$...

[EccentricMagpies]

IMO, it seems like everyone who owns a 73/74 Charger wished they had bought a 71/72.  Including me.

not me LOL

Agree.  I have never wished for a 71/72 after buying my '74.

My grey '74 actually was being sold with a hide-away setup and I told the guy I'd buy the car if he put back the original grill.   I liked the look of the original grills.

'course I tried to get both setups and I wasn't going to move up in price that I felt the hide-away was worth to me.

[1974dodgecharger]

writing was on the wall for car makers....nothing fancy when times are changing to PURE LUXURY and gas prices climb.

[Chryco Psycho]

71/72 Chargers also sell better and demand more money to own one.
To each their own.  

I wish , know anyone that wants one fully restored .... me either 2 years and no bites.
From the first Charger they all had hidden headlights , why they first became an option in 71 & dropped totally in 73 I have no clue , I like them with the hidden headlights .

[Nacho-RT74]

Think you'll ever do it to yours Nacho?

doooon't really know... I don't think so since I try to keep my car as correct year piece. The only "incorrect option" pieces on my Charger are the variable speed wiper switch ( which got the 71 as last year option, then become on 3 speeds ), the windshield and rear glass moldings, being SS ( 74s were aluminium ) and the electric trunk latch from lates Chrysler models.

OH, and the alternator, being a lates models too. Then as you know I have added performance, but Correct to Mopars at least.

IF I was to add hideaways, was to be 71 kind, never 72s...  but also 71s are harder to find.

I likes 73/74 grilles a lot though! In fact the only grill year I don't like are 72s, in any form.

[Chargerguy74]

Think you'll ever do it to yours Nacho?

doooon't really know... I don't think so since I try to keep my car as correct year piece. The only "incorrect option" pieces on my Charger are the variable speed wiper switch ( which got the 71 as last year option, then become on 3 speeds ), the windshield and rear glass moldings, being SS ( 74s were aluminium ) and the electric trunk latch from lates Chrysler models.

OH, and the alternator, being a lates models too. Then as you know I have added performance, but Correct to Mopars at least.

IF I was to add hideaways, was to be 71 kind, never 72s...  but also 71s are harder to find.

I likes 73/74 grilles a lot though! In fact the only grill year I don't like are 72s, in any form.

Ever plan on going back to the V6R stripes?

We're the exact opposite on the grilles. Personally, the 72 grilles are my all time favorite 3rd gen grilles with the 72 hideaways being my second.

[TK73]

Never once considered changing the 73 grill ( or taillights) on mine.
Like both as they sit. 
IF I ever got a 71/72 then I'd of course do hidden and the cool taillights...

[74Rallye]

Hmm..., Maybe a 1970 style grill mod?