Help, Having trouble with PG Classic's tail light chrome bezels

[Cuda Cody]

That SE panel makes it really easy to see the gap angle.   But it's not terrible.

[Brads70]

Nice of you to say but after all the effort and money spent I'm more than disappointed with the results. I'll likely replace it all when I can afford it....
Well on a positive note I called Cass yesterday and ordered a 4:10 gear set and install kit for my Dana.
I have 3:54 now and it's not enough at hwy speeds it was lugging and like 85 MPH better. The police, not so much.  (I have an OD) . I'm looking forward to the results, should be better on fuel around town I'm guessing. Lose a little on the hwy but most of my driving is local.

[Brads70]

Just looking for a NOS set and came across this.... @Cuda Cody
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/1970-DODGE-CHALLENGER-R-T-SE-T-A-NOS-TAILLIGHT-LENSES-BEZELS-REVERSE-ASSY-/332121331510?hash=item4d53f95736:g:mi8AAOSwOgdYnhmb&vxp=mtr

Look at the last picture, the casting looks deformed up, like it didn't fill the mold right or was not vented properly during the casting process or not cooled enough when it was removed from the mold .

[Cuda Cody]

Dang, you have a good eye!  Yup, I see what you're talking about with it being deformed and angling up.  I heard that some NOS over the counter parts were blems and 2nds.  So maybe that's that what this one was.   

If I was you I would sleep on the ones you got on there.  I think they look pretty dang good.  No reasons to spend more money chasing perfection when it looks pretty much perfect to everyone else.   

[Brads70]

I had an old engine builder buddy that's passed away now, he would often say " Chrysler never had a scrap pile, it was all on the street"  He would say that due to all the core shift he had seen in heads and blocks in Mopar engines.     Maybe it applies to what you describe as NOS over the counter parts...

[Brads70]

Here is another picture of my buddy Mike's freshly done Challenger I helped him assemble . I pointed out his rear bumper when I discovered mine.It drives him nuts now too!  It's really noticeable when your looking for it.

[Cuda Cody]

Nice Challenger!  Is Mike on here?  Lets see some more photos. 

And thanks.... now I'm afraid to look at my cars.  It's going to drive me nuts now when I see it.   

I pointed out his rear bumper when I discovered mine.It drives him nuts now too!  It's really noticeable when your looking for it.

[Brads70]

Here is my old bumper and bezels notice the difference in the gaps...
First picture is the original with the S/E tail panel just sitting in position, not fastened down yet. Second is with all the repop parts...

[anlauto]

Welcome to my world. Reproduction parts are far from perfect, but we can't complain. Ten years ago we didn't have any of this stuff for our Mopars.

These cars were FAR from perfect when new so I think you're getting a little too frustrated over the situation, and personally I think it looks great and I would spend another dime. Come look that close at the cars I do.....they're far from perfect too...

[Brads70]

Nice Challenger!  Is Mike on here?  Lets see some more photos. 

And thanks.... now I'm afraid to look at my cars.  It's going to drive me nuts now when I see it.   

I pointed out his rear bumper when I discovered mine.It drives him nuts now too!  It's really noticeable when your looking for it.

No he's not on yet. I've bugged him about joining though, he's more of a lurker....
He also has the 71 Cuda hemi clone and currently rebuilding a 68 R/T Charger

[cataclysm80]

I had some issues with a PG set that I bought around 2009.
Also, one of the studs that came with it wasn't actually threaded, it was ringed.
It looked like all the other studs at first glance, but you couldn't screw it into anything.  Instead of a single thread that ran the length of the stud, enabling it to be screwed into things, it had multiple rings that just connected to themselves without going anywhere. 
It was pretty crazy.  Would have been a perfect prank to play on someone.  Sort of like sending a set of 3/8 drive metric sockets to Europe where they won't fit on any rachets. 

I figure that I'll probably end up rechroming my original taillight stuff.

[Cuda Cody]

Sweet cars!!!!    If he's lurking, tell him I'm impressed with his vehicles!   

Nice Challenger!  Is Mike on here?  Lets see some more photos. 

And thanks.... now I'm afraid to look at my cars.  It's going to drive me nuts now when I see it.   

I pointed out his rear bumper when I discovered mine.It drives him nuts now too!  It's really noticeable when your looking for it.

No he's not on yet. I've bugged him about joining though, he's more of a lurker....
He also has the 71 Cuda hemi clone and currently rebuilding a 68 R/T Charger

[HP_Cuda]

Brad

I feel ya man. This was my #1 complaint building current one. Sure if you step back and take a look at the car it looks good but once you know the flaw it kinda eats at you. Even parts that were not aesthetic had issues from PG. I had bought some seat tracks from them and you would think a monkey put them together from all the slop in them. I managed to make it work but bugged the hell out of me.

You pay a certain price and you expect them to work and look right. Guess that is asking too much.

Your original bumper looks good, at least you can re-chrome it and put it back!!!

B

[MoparDave]

@Brads70 sorry for the issues you are having.

Send me some close ups of the bumper before and after. I'll contact keystone and see if they will exchange them. Just the rear correct ? if they don't do anything. Would you want to try an AMD rear Bar ?

As for the tail lamp bezels. I would contact Jordan at PG and see what he says about the bezels if you still need assistance with them. PG classics or there manufacture is the only supply point.

[Brads70]

Thanks Dave, I don't hold you responsible for the bumpers at all .
I see it on lots of other cars, high dollar restorations included. All the pictures I have is whats posted above in the before/after pictures?  Is that good enough? Yes it's just the rear.