74 Challenger convert lights to UK spec

[Goblinking]

Hello,my 1974 challenger is due to set sail tomorrow for Blighty,when it gets here i was wondering what do i do about the indicators etc.
I have tried searching but the links to conversion threads are 404.
Looking at a wiring diagram,it seems the rear light,brake light share a bulb and that same bulb flashes as the turn signal?

[Pete]

If you want it to conform to UK Regs in full it is very hard.

However, Most MOT people will be happy to see separate Brake / Indicator lights at the rear and that the indicators are Yellow(ish) (the fronts do not technically conform but are less of a concern it seems.)

LED conversions seem to be the best way of achieving it at the rear without additional indicators being bolted on and spoiling the lines of the car.

To do this you either have to run an additional wire from the Brake switch which is mounted above the Brake pedal - OR:

I think an easier way is to install a hydraulic Brake switch in the rear Brake line and then wire to Brake lights.

You will then have to concert the "indicator" portion of the lights to LED's that glow the appropriate colour.

A company called "Brightlights" do some conversions - the offer them for Coronets but the set up is easier on one of them.

[Goblinking]

Thanks for replying,i was thinking i could run a wire from each front indicator to the rear of the car and make the reverse lights the indicators with orange bulbs?
I just checked out brightlights and i like the idea of the led flashers,i might email them,see what they recommend.
Cheers Pete.

[Pete]

Reversing lights are an option, but not best placed...

Good luck, I am sure you will sort it out.

[Goblinking]

Yes,it's not the best solution,the old swap the reverse lights for the indicators,i would prefer to do it right,rather than someone smash into the back end because they didn't see me indicate..
And that car in your profile pic,i was just looking at it for sale yesterday on ebay.

[Dave999]

yeah you have a 2 filament bulb in the red rear lights

I think....keep in mind mines aussie and different But i think you have the following

power comes to one filament from the head light switch this filament is a lower wattage filament

the other wire gets power sent to it by the indicators or the brake switch it links to the brighter higher wattage filament.

and your really need 3 filaments to do the job properly, and 3 wires, one for each job

a green LED in the housing might act as an orange signal????!

brakes is the simplest to modify but just wiring in a new circuit from the flasher unit for indicators is a better solution

you need LEDS with similar resistance to the bulb or the heat activated flasher unit won't work.

or swap all indicator bulbs to LED and use a different flasher for LED bulbs. you can get special LED flasher units

[MattH]

with a 72 -74 Challenger the reverse lights are within the centre of the light unit so well placed for changing to orange and a bit of rewiring.
a 70 the reverse light is too close to the middle.

It's a failrly simple change. I also fitted an electronic flasher unit from Moss (for Heralds etc) which is brilliant and about £20. It saves having slow indicators when at tickover at night.

Front I converted side lights to indicators. I still run the orange sidelight and allow it to flash as it is a double filament. To be UK legal i put a white sidelight in the headlamp outer dipped beam, basically got halogen 5 3/4 inch units fro a Stag, Rover P6 etc for about £45 set of 4 with a sidelight aperture, then just need to extend wire to these from the sidleight circuit.

Halogen H4 bulbs I'd suggest a relay, but the LED bulbs with H4 mount draw virtually no power so may not need a relay.

[Goblinking]

Thanks fellas,i Bananarama! was here now so i could get on with it and see what im dealing with,i will post the outcome.

[Prothed]

I had this problem a few years back and decided to make both front and rear lights MOT compliant. So -
Front - To get both white and amber bulbs into a single holder you need a dual-filament bulb with one white filament and one orange one! Yes, you can get them in LED form. Here is the previous post with video - viewtopic.php?f=6&t=48431&p=542899
Rear - Initially I just used the amber bulb in the reversing lights trick, but I then came across a jobsworth MOT man whose book said no to flashing red indicators even if there were also amber ones. So I made up a little box of electrickery which will convert the US combined rear/stop/indicators into UK-friendly separate lamps at the flick of a switch. It isn't that complex (two relays per side) but it depends on how the wiring was organised when you got the car as many have been hacked about in the past. Normally I just leave things as Dodge intended (with all three bulbs flashing when you indicate) but it can be switched over if the need ever arises...

[Goblinking]

Thanks mate,another good solution.

[mopar_mark]

Not sure if this link will work....

I bought LED light kit from USA, the Kit has standard flashing brake lights for indicators, but I do not want to use this option. So I bought some LED Indicators from eBay, self flashing no flasher unit required & added to the reversing light area. LED reversing light option still works

https://digi-tails.com/dodge/challenger/1972-74
Mine cost $189 inc shipping, then plus the £18 by the robbing post office



Side marker LEDS also from EBay....It took a bit of patience, a sharp knife, but I was able to separate the Mopar reflector into 2 half’s & install LED into the reflector. the old side marker lamp holder was added to fill in the gap, but no bulb, wiring required

the LED alight kit from USA is a direct swap, but I wanted to modify my housing to reduce the weight, so a bit more faffing around. Obviously you don’t have to go to that extreme











I also decided to change side marker housing to Carbon fibre, but principle of installing LEDS is the same

[DougieJ]

For the fronts on my '70 recently fitted a set of these:

https://illumin8s.com/

Those along with a set of replacement headlights and a relay conversion. Just need to sort out the back with some tidying of the wiring and some led bulbs and should be compliant and much easier to be seen.

[Goblinking]

Mark,those lights look class,look factree even(VGG)and yes,the post office are robbing Bananarama!.
and thanks Dougie,i love the look and function of those,it's giving me ideas on self made ones.