Dash Pad / Bezels & Light Bar identification

[RayL]

'70 R/T clone made from a '73 Rallye and various other parts bins...

I've been able to sort most everything out using the FSM, parts books and support from this forum (thanks everyone!), but need some more help identifying the Dash & Cluster in the car.

There is no light bar installed, and the gauge bezel needs replaced.

This was an A/C car based on firewall outlets & heater box still in the car, but the dash doesn't have any vents, so I guess it was swapped out and the dash pad was replaced with one of those foam ones. Can anyone tell by the attached pictures if this dash is the single year 1970 version that requires the single year light bar (Light Bar #2984 081) or will the 71+ light bar fit (Light Bar #2984 187)?

Also, can anyone confirm from the attached picture of the cluster if this is the 1972-74 Rallye Gauge Bezel?

Thanks for the support!

[purple1]

Can't tell you about the light bar, but that is a 72-4 gauge cluster. Yours has the knobs coming out of the clear plastic. The 70-1 gauges have the knobs coming out of the wood grain.

[Katfish]

Any year light bar will bolt up.
70 had a minor difference, I wouldn't waste money trying to find that specific variation.
I have a complete 72 Rally setup in my 70, no way to tell the difference in the light bar when installed.
As mentioned, the 72-74 clusters have the adjusters going through the clear lens.

[RayL]

Can't tell you about the light bar, but that is a 72-4 gauge cluster. Yours has the knobs coming out of the clear plastic. The 70-1 gauges have the knobs coming out of the wood grain.

Thanks for confirming this for me. I'll most likely purchase the OER repops from Classic Industries.

https://www.classicindustries.com/product/1973/dodge/challenger/parts/me1486.html

[RayL]

Any year light bar will bolt up.
70 had a minor difference, I wouldn't waste money trying to find that specific variation.
I have a complete 72 Rally setup in my 70, no way to tell the difference in the light bar when installed.
As mentioned, the 72-74 clusters have the adjusters going through the clear lens.

Good information. This will increase my chances of finding one. Then the question will be if I can afford it $$$. Of course I need the complete setup - harness included.

[Katfish]

You can use the standard light bar, it has 3 instead of 4 bulbs.  Slightly less bright, but not much.
On my first car when I didn't know any better, I reused the stand light bar when I swapped in the rally gauges.
Young and dumb and couldn't tell the difference.

So in a pinch, for 1/3 the price, standard light bar works.

[Jay Bee]

You can use the standard light bar, it has 3 instead of 4 bulbs.  Slightly less bright, but not much.

And if the incandescent bulbs are swapped out to LED's it'll brighten up a bit more.

[RayL]

You can use the standard light bar, it has 3 instead of 4 bulbs.  Slightly less bright, but not much.
On my first car when I didn't know any better, I reused the stand light bar when I swapped in the rally gauges.
Young and dumb and couldn't tell the difference.

So in a pinch, for 1/3 the price, standard light bar works.

That is a definite option. I saw this post by C @Challenger RTA  on For E Bodies Only where he mocked up several creative ways to light up the dash without using the original bulb sockets. Going this route would make the 3 or 4 bulb light bar a non-issue. It's hard to know if any of these LED light strips are dimmable using the dimmer switch or if they require their own special dimmer device. I'll have to look into that further.

https://www.forebodiesonly.com/forum/threads/dash-lights-a-brighter-possibility.34086/

[Snowdog]

Per your request,  here are the light bars I have.  Pretty sure all of them are for a non-ralley IP/Dash.  PM me if your still interested.

Thanks, Snowdoggie

[RayL]

Per your request,  here are the light bars I have.  Pretty sure all of them are for a non-ralley IP/Dash.  PM me if your still interested.

Thanks, Snowdoggie

PM sent

[Jay Bee]

Per your request,  here are the light bars I have.

1 and 3 are Standard dash 1970 Challenger only.

[Jay Bee]

Check out my Post 10 and 18
https://forum.e-bodies.org/parts-wanted/25/rallye-dash-light-bar/3013/msg44230#msg44230

[RayL]

@Jay Bee - I have seen that post before. Good information. Thanks. I'm still not sure which dash I have. I'm guessing it's the 70 only version based on the curved ends. So it was good to hear others were successful at installing the 71+ version light bar on their 70 Challengers. Looks like I'll end up with a non-Rallye light bar and follow C @Challenger RTA LED examples and be happy I have dash lights.

[Jay Bee]

I'm still not sure which dash I have.

What are you referring to as "dash"; dash pad, dash frame, or something else. If it's dash pad, you could be "sure" because 1970 had a script instead of a plaque on the right side. In the past, in other threads, there was confusion with the generic "dash" word. TIA.

[RayL]

@Jay Bee - thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. The differences were easy to see once I knew what to look for. My "Dash Pad" is indeed a reproduction of the 1970 single year only version, most likely from Classic Industries (vinyl wrapped, foam core on an ABS frame).

For anyone interested:

ME5518100 - 1970 Challenger; Dash Pad; without AC, Single Speaker; Black; OE Style
https://www.classicindustries.com/product/1970/dodge/challenger/parts/me5518100.html

ME5526100 - 1971-74 Barracuda, Cuda, Challenger; Padded Dash; 1 Speaker; without AC; Black; Vinyl Wrapped; USA
https://www.classicindustries.com/product/1973/dodge/challenger/parts/me5526100.html