Mike from B/E&A sent me my new hood indicator light kit the other day, and I thought id share them with all of you (the pics ,not the lights there all mine)
They are a very very nice reproduction, much nicer than the others that we have had access to. Each part of the assembly is made correctly not milled from a solid chunk or any of that. the lenses are nice and already painted flat black like they should be.
The harness , the sockets , and the terminal plugs are also right on!
how much ????
I just sent my first order to Mike for items for my C500 restoration, including the hood t/sig indicator set... :2thumbs:
XS
:bump:
pretty nice. I got mine back in the day from Charger Specialties. They have the stud & nut set up. You would think that any company that goes through the hassle & money to repro a part would do it right.....why use Phillips head screws?
Good question.
So long as they used a machine screw, you should be able to make it correct with little effort. The studs unscrew from the stock ones and are a simple machine screw with no head. I had to make two for my set. Just get the right thread (for you guitar guys, it is the same screw as a USA Fender Strat and tele pickup screw), grind the head off and put a nut on it.
Sounds easy. Why didn't they do it?
$200 clams & YOU have to make it right??? Not knocking them at all buuuttt....
I guess my feelings on it is that the only thing wrong with these is the only thing right with the charger specialitys units real easy deal.
I wondered the same thing when I had to deal with repop valence corners, incorrect aspects in new front valences, excess plastic in the big money plastic interior back window trim, huge money for barebones dash harness, incorrect looking plating on gas caps, corny arm rests, the list goes on. I NEVER expect a reproduction part for a Mopar to be perfect. I am jaded to the point I expect to hear a list of issues and for these just to have a problem with a simple mounting stud is not bad.
Maybe I am wrong, but didn't they originally have a rubber boot that went over the light socket where it went into the directional housing? I know both of my light socket rubber boots are there. Kind of dried out and starting to fall apart, but they are there.
Holy crap, now that's an butt woopin. I realize the set sent to 1HOT68 isn't correct, I only had them in my hands long enough to send them out to replace the set he sent me to reproduce from. Brian and I already had the discussion about the studs and they will be in the production assemblies.
The production pieces will be here at my shop in the next 30 minutes or so, if they come in with cheesy screws they will be changed. NO drama allowed.
I'm on it! :2thumbs:
Quote from: BEAPARTS on December 10, 2007, 11:41:46 AM
Holy crap, now that's an butt woopin. I realize the set sent to 1HOT68 isn't correct, I only had them in my hands long enough to send them out to replace the set he sent me to reproduce from. Brian and I already had the discussion about the studs and they will be in the production assemblies.
The production pieces will be here at my shop in the next 30 minutes or so, if they come in with cheesy screws they will be changed. NO drama allowed.
I'm on it! :2thumbs:
now thats the way to run a buisness and what we like to hear !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Quote from: BEAPARTS on December 10, 2007, 11:41:46 AM
Holy crap, now that's an butt woopin. I realize the set sent to 1HOT68 isn't correct, I only had them in my hands long enough to send them out to replace the set he sent me to reproduce from. Brian and I already had the discussion about the studs and they will be in the production assemblies.
The production pieces will be here at my shop in the next 30 minutes or so, if they come in with cheesy screws they will be changed. NO drama allowed.
I'm on it! :2thumbs:
Michael, I expected nothing less. :cheers: to you & your company!
Not cheap but i like the way they look....
Will be putting them on my list of things to get........should better make a list of things i DON'T need that's maybe less work.... :eyes:
Michael, is there a chance that your company will be making the rubber boot that the wire goes through and goes over the socket and housing? Not that our cars will see any kind of rain or bad weather, but I think that is why Mopar had them installed, to prevent any rusting of the socket and housing.
Quote from: resq302 on December 10, 2007, 03:53:43 PM
Michael, is there a chance that your company will be making the rubber boot that the wire goes through and goes over the socket and housing? Not that our cars will see any kind of rain or bad weather, but I think that is why Mopar had them installed, to prevent any rusting of the socket and housing.
Rubber boot? Did we miss something? I want to know, I want answers now! Just kidding, if there is a boot on the wire I would need one. The set 1HOT68 gave me didn't have the boot.
Mike,
PM me and I will see if I can get my whole wire, boot, and socket off as a unit and send it to you.
Brian
Quote from: resq302 on December 10, 2007, 08:36:22 PM
Mike,
PM me and I will see if I can get my whole wire, boot, and socket off as a unit and send it to you.
Brian
Snap a picture of it for us, I don't know what boot you could be talking about?
Dan
$200 clams is about right for what i have seen from other places!!! those look real nice!!!
a set is on my wish list!!!!!!!!! :2thumbs:
Michael, those look really nice!
Guys, the ones Charger Specialties are selling are $220, BE/A's already look nicer & are less expensive. I'm in for a set in the distant future, that's for sure. Unless, of course, a group buy becomes available. :D
I'm not so sure about the rubber boot thing, I've never seen the boots before. Is there anything showing up for boots in either a FSM or original parts book?? :shruggy:
I need some too. Soooo if anyone wants to know what to get me for X-mas...... :drool5:
Quote from: bill440rt on December 11, 2007, 11:17:53 PM
Unless, of course, a group buy becomes available. :D
:iagree:
GROUP BUY!!... GROUP BUY!!..... GROUP BUY!!!.........
:drool5:
Quote from: HITMAN 149 on December 12, 2007, 02:32:00 PM
GROUP BUY!!... GROUP BUY!!..... GROUP BUY!!!.........
:drool5:
:iagree:
Here, Here. :cheers:
i second that!
Quote from: Hemidog on December 13, 2007, 04:07:57 AM
i second that!
Ok, I'm in the Christmas spirit. THIS WEEK ONLY!!!!! Price reduced on an already fair price for the 68-69 Charger hood marker light assemblies #252-CH68 for $175.
One condition:
When you call for ordering you MUST say
"HI I'M SANTA'S LITTLE HELPER", if you don't, then forget the discount!!
I'm in the shop now waiting for all Santa's little helpers to call.
Michael C. Ross
B/E & A Restoration Parts, Inc.
www.beaparts.com
330-725-3990
Will you have an online store/ebay store going at anytime?
i live outside the US, so it's a little hard for me to order over the phone.
i just got off the phone with SANTA and mine are all ordered!!!!!!!!!!! :2thumbs:
thanks santa mike!!! :cheers:
Quote from: BEAPARTS on December 10, 2007, 06:44:51 PM
Quote from: resq302 on December 10, 2007, 03:53:43 PM
Michael, is there a chance that your company will be making the rubber boot that the wire goes through and goes over the socket and housing? Not that our cars will see any kind of rain or bad weather, but I think that is why Mopar had them installed, to prevent any rusting of the socket and housing.
Rubber boot? Did we miss something? I want to know, I want answers now! Just kidding, if there is a boot on the wire I would need one. The set 1HOT68 gave me didn't have the boot.
These are the rubber boots that are on mine. They have some dry rot and cracks in them so I would assume that they are original. I also found a picture in the Chrysler parts book that does not show the rubber boot. As weird as it sounds, I want to say that these rubber boots were supposed to be on the assembly just because of the way they are formed and contoured to the socket and wire.
In the first picture of the reproduction blinkers it looks like the lense is yellow. Is it just a bad picture because I thought it was suppose to be an orange color? :shruggy:
Quote from: justin1987 on December 13, 2007, 06:05:54 PM
In the first picture of the reproduction blinkers it looks like the lense is yellow. Is it just a bad picture because I thought it was suppose to be an orange color? :shruggy:
its an illusion, they are lighter orange than the others being repoped ,but the others are too orange compared too the originals. these look right to me :Twocents:
Quote from: resq302 on December 13, 2007, 04:45:20 PM
Quote from: BEAPARTS on December 10, 2007, 06:44:51 PM
Quote from: resq302 on December 10, 2007, 03:53:43 PM
Michael, is there a chance that your company will be making the rubber boot that the wire goes through and goes over the socket and housing? Not that our cars will see any kind of rain or bad weather, but I think that is why Mopar had them installed, to prevent any rusting of the socket and housing.
Rubber boot? Did we miss something? I want to know, I want answers now! Just kidding, if there is a boot on the wire I would need one. The set 1HOT68 gave me didn't have the boot.
These are the rubber boots that are on mine. They have some dry rot and cracks in them so I would assume that they are original. I also found a picture in the Chrysler parts book that does not show the rubber boot. As weird as it sounds, I want to say that these rubber boots were supposed to be on the assembly just because of the way they are formed and contoured to the socket and wire.
If we can verify that the rubber boot is correct, would the market bare the additional expense for the lights if the lights were $225 per pair with them? If the major acceptance is that it is correct either way should they be made? Personally, I don't think so. Based on some of the posts, the general consensus is the price is already to high even though the part is made correctly from the original materials unlike others available in the market that cost more.
The next comment will be "offer the boot separately". Well, if we did that, could we sell enough of them to justify the cost to make them since we can't offer them with the assemblies due to the added cost associated with doing that.
Guys, I pay up for everything I own because that's my choice to do so. Being on the consumer side, we have all the financial power in the world. However, on the business side, you have to make a decision how far you go and still be able to sell a product. So if the market attitude is the value doesn't justify the cost then why add more of it.
As a company, we are here to service you the very best we can uncompromisingly. A customer doesn't have a problem until I tell them they do. Everyone makes mistakes, heck, I remember one I made last year. Seriously, a quality company is judged on how they handle adversity and their growth comes from repeat customers. People will, usually, only let you screw them once and before you know it you're out of business.
Thoughts?
Michael C. Ross - Owner
B/E & A Restoration Parts, Inc.
www.beaparts.com
330-725-3990
Quote from: HITMAN 149 on December 13, 2007, 01:06:49 PM
i just got off the phone with SANTA and mine are all ordered!!!!!!!!!!! :2thumbs:
thanks santa mike!!! :cheers:
Hey HITMAN,
Studs installed, bulbs tested and will ship today to "Santa's little helper". Thx for the opportunity.
Mike
Mike,
I agree with everything that you said. Whether or not that rubber boot is supposed to be there? I can not say 100%. Apperance wise on the socket, it seems to make sense that it would be there to prevent exposure to the elements and moisture as water seemed to leak down past the lens and "drain" into the engine in the hood depression areas. IF you can make the boots separately, I would certainly be in for two sets (always love to have a spare). If you do decide to go ahead and make them, please let me know and I will be more than happy to send you mine, as long as I do not have any shows to be attending while it is off.
Brian
Quote from: BEAPARTS on December 14, 2007, 05:49:48 AM
Quote from: HITMAN 149 on December 13, 2007, 01:06:49 PM
i just got off the phone with SANTA and mine are all ordered!!!!!!!!!!! :2thumbs:
thanks santa mike!!! :cheers:
Hey HITMAN,
Studs installed, bulbs tested and will ship today to "Santa's little helper". Thx for the opportunity.
Mike
excellent!!! :drool5:
i got the shipping tracking email!! :cheers:
thanks santa mike!!! :2thumbs:
as a first time customer.. i must say, so far i'm impressed with mike's cust svc & friendliness, and i look forward to doing business with him again in the near future!!!!!
:cheers:
-john
My dad ordered our set this morning with the Santa's Helper discount. :cheers:
Quote from: justin1987 on December 14, 2007, 01:58:51 PM
My dad ordered our set this morning with the Santa's Helper discount. :cheers:
All "Santas little helpers" that ordered lights will have them in time for Christmas, they all shipped today.
Quote from: resq302 on December 14, 2007, 08:40:30 AM
Mike,
I agree with everything that you said. Whether or not that rubber boot is supposed to be there? I can not say 100%. Apperance wise on the socket, it seems to make sense that it would be there to prevent exposure to the elements and moisture as water seemed to leak down past the lens and "drain" into the engine in the hood depression areas. IF you can make the boots separately, I would certainly be in for two sets (always love to have a spare). If you do decide to go ahead and make them, please let me know and I will be more than happy to send you mine, as long as I do not have any shows to be attending while it is off.
Brian
Brian,
Let me start by saying I am in no way an expert and don't claim to be, there is enough of them already. I would guess the boots were added to the lights for service replacements after figuring out there was a failure problem with water getting into the light socket which it will without the boot. Are the lights you have on the car NOS? If so, many service replacement parts were made well after the production run of the car.
Are there any authorities on DC that can verify the boot being on a production vehicle? Any survivors with the boot?
Mike
Would a set of these fit my 1970 Charger RT????
Quote from: BEAPARTS on December 14, 2007, 06:54:33 PM
Quote from: resq302 on December 14, 2007, 08:40:30 AM
Mike,
I agree with everything that you said. Whether or not that rubber boot is supposed to be there? I can not say 100%. Apperance wise on the socket, it seems to make sense that it would be there to prevent exposure to the elements and moisture as water seemed to leak down past the lens and "drain" into the engine in the hood depression areas. IF you can make the boots separately, I would certainly be in for two sets (always love to have a spare). If you do decide to go ahead and make them, please let me know and I will be more than happy to send you mine, as long as I do not have any shows to be attending while it is off.
Brian
Brian,
Let me start by saying I am in no way an expert and don't claim to be, there is enough of them already. I would guess the boots were added to the lights for service replacements after figuring out there was a failure problem with water getting into the light socket which it will without the boot. Are the lights you have on the car NOS? If so, many service replacement parts were made well after the production run of the car.
Are there any authorities on DC that can verify the boot being on a production vehicle? Any survivors with the boot?
Mike
Mike,
I do not know if the directional lights are NOS or not as they were with the car when I got it back in 2000. If there are any survivors out there, hopefully they can chime in and help out. Although, with mine showing their age if they are service replacements, I would doubt that any survivors rubber boot would be in any better condition than what mine are.
Brian
Ding, ding DING!!! we have a winner here!
back in '05 I filmed some refrence footage of an unrestored original 69 Hemi Charger (built at the St. Louis plant)
Hopefully all can see this....took me a while to figure out how to do a screen grab of a DVD & make a postable pic out of it....its a .PNG format
She's got boots captain!
EDIT----had to snap a pic of my screen....sorry for the quality
Quote from: Just 6T9_CHGR.... on December 14, 2007, 10:03:43 PM
Ding, ding DING!!! we have a winner here!
back in '05 I filmed some refrence footage of an unrestored original 69 Hemi Charger (built at the St. Louis plant)
Hopefully all can see this....took me a while to figure out how to do a screen grab of a DVD 7 make a postable pic out of it....its a .PNG format
She's got boots captain!
All I see is a black square. :shruggy:
Quote from: justin1987 on December 14, 2007, 11:53:07 PM
Quote from: Just 6T9_CHGR.... on December 14, 2007, 10:03:43 PM
Ding, ding DING!!! we have a winner here!
back in '05 I filmed some refrence footage of an unrestored original 69 Hemi Charger (built at the St. Louis plant)
Hopefully all can see this....took me a while to figure out how to do a screen grab of a DVD & make a postable pic out of it....its a .PNG format
She's got boots captain!
All I see is a black square. :shruggy:
Yep. :iagree:
Troy
Fixed it!!
Quote from: BEAPARTS on December 13, 2007, 06:49:59 AM
Ok, I'm in the Christmas spirit. THIS WEEK ONLY!!!!! Price reduced on an already fair price for the 68-69 Charger hood marker light assemblies #252-CH68 for $175.
One condition:
When you call for ordering you MUST say "HI I'M SANTA'S LITTLE HELPER", if you don't, then forget the discount!!
I'm in the shop now waiting for all Santa's little helpers to call.
Wow...here's a real Mopar guy into the Christmas Spirit! God bless ya, Mike. :2thumbs:
Wow, seems like I have a real rare piece on my car then. :2thumbs: Now only if we can get someone to repro them..... :scratchchin:
Greetings from the "North Pole", Mike!! Glad I could be your "Santa's Lil' Helper", but more grateful for the price break you've given us members here. I can't wait to get my set, thanks for sending them out so quickly.
BTW, I still feel a little "guilty" about getting this group buy ball rolling, ok maybe just a tad. NOT!!! :2thumbs:
Thanks again, really. Great talking to you. I look forward to ALL the new products you have coming out, your secret is safe with me! (I'll let you have the honors!). :icon_smile_big:
PS - Now, if only we can get a group buy going on the upper door pads, hmmm.... :scratchchin:
Hey, I just noticed, that was my "LUCKY" post! 777!!!
C'mon, I feel lucky now!!!!! :D
these are from the white 68 survivor that belongs to dc.com member "drodg" Thanks again for the pics! :2thumbs:
I just got my set in yesterday. Not only does Mike offer a great product, but the box was still smokin' from how fast it got here! Whew!! That's some fast shipping! Thanks, Mike!!!
If I could ask for anything else with these lights, is that is does not appear the clips that hold the wires to the hood underside are included. No biggie, as I'm very pleased with the quality of the assemblies themselves. It would just make the kit that much more complete.
It looks like those boots might be legit after all, we got 2 survivor cars shown here that have them. One a '68, the other a '69. :scratchchin:
And one that is not a survivor, just stood the test of time.... :yesnod:
got my box from SANTA MIKE a lil while ago!!! :2thumbs:
i'll open it up tomorrow... i gotta get ready for work... sighhhhh ::)
thanks mike!!! :cheers:
Quote from: resq302 on December 18, 2007, 09:22:15 PM
And one that is not a survivor, just stood the test of time.... :yesnod:
Ahhh, yes. A THIRD!! :yesnod:
Not that I was doubting these boots, I just never saw them before. They were long gone on my '68.
Not sure if this means back to the drawing board for good 'ole Mike, but I can attest first hand that these assemblies are waaay better than the current ones out there. Especially the lenses!
Excellent job! :2thumbs:
Bill,
The pass side boot on my light socket either had torn or the rotting got so bad that it literally fell off. I found some liquid electrical tape and since it was hidden a littile, I use that to hold the boot together to the socket. The driver side was in excellent shape comparatively speaking with only a little dry rot around the part where the wire goes. That one is now off of the car..... :icon_smile_wink:
BE&A are a great people. :Twocents: :2thumbs:
My car had the boots on them.
I'd pay the extra for them.
I can't say that I've looked under tha many hoods, but in my mind, those boots are always there....
You posted the group buy on the 13th and sais "this week" is still THAT week? :icon_smile_big:
hmmmmm i was sleeping yesterday, when i was awoken (around 7 PMish.. i work midnights) by a phone call saying that my credit card was declined or something of that sort for parts i had ordered from BE&A??? so i got up got my card & gave them the CC# over again.. as i turns out they had last last 2 or 3 digits wrong??? ok no prob....
so now i get up around 9:30 or so to start getting ready for work & i check my emails.... well i have one saying that there was a delivery confirmation to my porch @ 6:00 pm or so???? uhhhhh?? so i go out to my porch (which is enclosed...) and low & behold... there is this lil box from SANTA MIKE!!!! LOL!!! wellllll i was impressed.... especially of the fact that i had already gotten my hood lights... and technically they weren't even paid for!!!!!! (Credit card # snafu?!?!?)
SOOOOOOOOOO a BIG :cheers: and :2thumbs: for SANTA MIKE & his CREW (elfs) at BE&A!!!!!!!!! now where do you ever find that kinda cust svc!?!?!?!? you get your product ( GREAT Product BY THE WAY!!!!!!!!!) that you didn't even reallly pay for yet!!!! LOL!!!
thanks again mike!!!!!!
and yea i'd be interested in the "LIL rubber boot thingies" also!!! LOL
-JOHN
1st time & soooon to be repeat customer!!!! :cheers:
They are a great bunch of guys.
Thanks for the 3rd gen shifter plate B/E&A. :2thumbs:
B/E&A, The Advent callendares from the open house rock. Only a few pieces of Chocolate left till the round man comes down the wood burner stove chimney. :cheers:.
That boot is on my original hood turn signals on my 68 Charger. To me it looks like some sort of heat shrink tubing rather than a rubber boot. The electrical dept. at the shipyard I work at uses lots of it and it comes in many different sizes. Seems to me that would only add a very miniscule amount to the cost of these lights. So many of Mikes parts are 100% correct, so why not these? If you decide to add the "rubber boots, count me in for a set.
I don't know what I was thinking, my buddie has a 27k 69 survivor and you'll never guess what I found? You guessed it, rubber boots. They are definitely injected rubber and not a shrink tubing. The rubber is very thin, what might of happened is the engine heat dried them out and they turned into a rock, cracked and fell off. One side was on his car, the other was half gone and really hard. That doesn't mean some cars may not of had them, who knows?
I'M ON IT!!!!!!!!!
We will be offering the rubber boots separately.
Quote from: BEAPARTS on December 20, 2007, 11:39:20 AM
We will be offering the rubber boots separately.
How can the boots be installed after the wiring harness is assembled? ??? KY :shruggy:
Allen
I got mine last night. Great quality! I can't wait to get the car back and put these bad boys on. :cheers:
Allen,
In order to get my boot off to send it to "Santa", I unsoldered the contact from the wire that goes into the socket and then slide the spring and socket off and then slid the rubber boot off. Pretty easy or at least it seemed that way. Hardest part was trying to get the wire up and through the frame work of the hood. I played it smart though, I tied a piece of string to the wire before I pulled the wire out so all I have to do when I get my new boots is to tie the wire to the string and pull the string back through with the wire. :coolgleamA:
Quote from: resq302 on December 20, 2007, 06:17:53 PM
Allen,
In order to get my boot off to send it to "Santa", I unsoldered the contact from the wire that goes into the socket and then slide the spring and socket off and then slid the rubber boot off. Pretty easy or at least it seemed that way. Hardest part was trying to get the wire up and through the frame work of the hood. I played it smart though, I tied a piece of string to the wire before I pulled the wire out so all I have to do when I get my new boots is to tie the wire to the string and pull the string back through with the wire. :coolgleamA:
Thanks Brian, that's what I thought would be the best approach too, but it might be a problem for some folks. I guess Plan B might be to slice the part of the boot that goes over the wire, then install with heat shrink tubing over that area. I'll get my soldering iron heated up... :thumbs: Good idea on the string, but someone previously removed the lights from my hood... :P
Allen
Mine were not in the car when I got it. Try a straightend coat hanger or a "snake" wire that they use for running wires in walls and such. :icon_smile_wink:
Quote from: BEAPARTS on December 20, 2007, 11:39:20 AM
We will be offering the rubber boots separately.
I'll be adding those to my wish list then.
I think I could save a lot of time by having my pay redirected straight to BE/A... :icon_smile_big:
Quote from: BEAPARTS on December 20, 2007, 11:39:20 AM
I don't know what I was thinking, my buddie has a 27k 69 survivor and you'll never guess what I found? You guessed it, rubber boots. They are definitely injected rubber and not a shrink tubing. The rubber is very thin, what might of happened is the engine heat dried them out and they turned into a rock, cracked and fell off. One side was on his car, the other was half gone and really hard. That doesn't mean some cars may not of had them, who knows?
I'M ON IT!!!!!!!!!
We will be offering the rubber boots separately.
Mike as soon as the sets come with the " rubber boot" installed, ship me a set. You already have all of my info. And yes, I`m one of Santa`s little helpers, LOL!
Got my "pre-boot" set this morning along with a few other parts.
They look great! I'm glad I was able to be Santa's Little Helper!
Great service, too!
I have the boots, upper door pads, and probably a lot more on my wish list!
How do I contact B/E & A to order a set of these? Any one out there got thier address?
Ask and ye shall receive....... www.beaparts.com