First Drive In YEARS! 1973 Dodge Charger Hideaway Headlight Conversion Tips, Alignment Day, And More

[@robertwest3093]

Even though the third gen Dodge Charger never got much love it's still better looking than any cookie cutter car coming out today.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Damn right!

[@derekdarter8164]

I drove my 71 to work today for the 1st time, everyone loved it

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Nice!

[@davidthomits544]

Those 73 chargers with the hideaways look so much better and worth all the work to install

[@SE-me2pt]

Love the 73/74s but they had to cut weight somewhere and the heavy grill option got the boot....three things that "real" Chargers must have...hideaways, two doors, and rear wheel drive...in my opinion.

[@matthewlangowski6398]

I regret selling my 73'...boy I bet you never heard that before. I don't miss that assembly with the bumpers, brackets...etc. Countless hours to make shit fit... bending, twisting, and contorting your body on the ground. Great stuff! Ya I still miss it...😔

[@glennyaromy6747]

This was great! I really love this generation of Mopars. Thank you.

[@darrylskerman6808]

Good work, Jamie! Yes, the 3rd generation Charger really is a beautiful shape. Second to the 2nd that is, of course. The hideaway headlights are the icing on the cake.

[@rustypliers74]

Hot take but this is my favorite generation of Charger

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I’ve heard that a handful of times!

[@SeanJoseph-s2s]

Yup ....you can never wrong with good old B B-body Charger content...but it's even better with supper......thanks👍

[@mackaman1964]

We love our 73 charger it’s a rare car here in Australia

[@wanderinggentile]

The third gen Charger has been my favourite since I saw my first one when I was 4. 1n 1970.

[@musclecarmitch908]

I always favored the 71 and 72 the most in the 3rd gens but with those bumpers I could live with a 73 or 74!👍

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

It fixes everything wrong with them! It’s a really good looking body.

[@nathanalbert205]

I love the look of the 3rd gen chargers if they don't have opera windows. For some reason those opera windows just don't do it for me. But to each their own. I couldn't resist and bought a 73 project in the beautiful aztec gold color with retro white interior. I appreciate all the good information in your videos and the info about shorter bumper brackets is great. It does look so much better. Thanks

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

No I totally agree. This is much better looking.

[@beljames1563]

They're cool now. Soon the 300 will be too. Meanwhile let's all revell in the glorious sound of that beautiful big block!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yes!

[@mikedimaio1237]

I like my 72 Charger way more than I ever thought I would, they just so much more comfortable to drive.

[@waynedavis7245]

That's a good looking car . Thanks for putting it back on the road where it belongs.

[@fredrickalexander7023]

This video couldn't have dropped at any better of a time. I'm currently restoring my 73 charger and an basically restoring it exactly like the toolbox charger.( I'm using the 72 charger hideaway grill) the info on the front bumper bracket was really eye opening.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Nice! Awesome, glad I could help! I have gone on record as saying that the earlier brackets could be used, and that’s totally wrong for the front end - so I wanted to get the correct details out there for other people who want to take some of the ugly out of their ‘73-4. Haha.

[@louislepage5111]

The 71 -72 rear bumper brackets on the 73 - 74 Charge ers sounds like a old NASCAR trick to pull everything in for better aerodynamics 😊

[@daveharvey5032]

The stance on that car is amazing. Perfection.

[@robertlacob8831]

Back in the day, when I was a teenager in love, we had all brands of hot rods to race on the street, from stop light to stoplight! Love my MOPARS though, and the sound of the exhaust! fastest stock I can remember was 68 Dart 340 six-pack. That was fast! Then a 67 Pontiac 2+2 w/a 421 sixpack! What a winner at Connecticut Dragway!

[@michaelnault5905]

It's funny how the struggles of yesteryear reach through to the present :⁠-⁠) The car looks great! It always did, we were just temporarily distracted.

[@brianbloom1799]

I love the 73 Charger, I owned a 68 charger rt 440 4 speed 8 3/4 rear, I would rather own the 73 ,my 68 was too big and bulky , My Brother own a 73 like yours, Bought with blown Motor, I found him a station wagon motor, out of a 68 53,000 miles 400 bucks, That car was fast, after I put a cam ,and ported his heads, Your speedo reads 150mph He Could peg that not even trying. , But back in the late 70's it was easy finding cars like this. I miss the good old days. Nice car there buddy.

[@OldPlymouthGarage]

Great job man ! The Gens definitely don’t get the love they deserve.

[@auteurfiddler8706]

I really agree with your comments at the end about the beauty of the 73 Charger. And the 71-74 in general. Putting the best parts on. Such as the disappearing headlight grill. I would maybe add an air grabber to that domed hood, or the side call outs from 71 Super Bee. And maybe the dimpled doors of the 71 RT and 72 Rallye. I agree the 73-74 Charger C pillar is best. The sedan with gills of the SE's of those years is regretable but maybe can be changed out. I prefer the 72 SE C pillar to the other 71-72 backwards C pillars. Too bad the Plymouths lost their correct C pillars after 72 along with a few other bizarre changes to the B body for 73-74. There is no aftermarket dash that can match the factory rally dash. But having one with a tach is best, not easily done. A company made a reproduction tach, but it is not perfect and seems to be out of stock everywhere. And, you need the doubled up small gauges for the small circles to replace the singletons. But that can be found from a Clock cluster.

[@JimmyLoose]

The tucked in bumpers look SO much better, and the best part is they look factory. It doesn't look like a custom mod at all.

[@lynnisenberg5037]

Jamie, I’m with you, hard to beat Chargers ! The 71-74’s are my 2nd favorite behind the 68-70. Gotta get going on my ‘68 and ‘69 ! Thanks for the video, keep up the good work !

[@clembob8004]

Nice car! Tucking in the bumpers really helps, and the hidden headlights really tops it off nicely. The 68-70s will always be the coolest Chargers, but these 3rd gens look good and were great in terms of aerodynamics for NASCAR racing. Richard Petty won a lot of races with this body style.

[@josephrohn4780]

My favorite year of charger 1973! Beautiful job Jamie!

[@richshim4621]

Love the third generation chargers! Thanks for posting this content. Love it so much!

[@ScottJ-f5l-c7i]

I love your trailer fenders. Great solution, I’m going to steal that idea. Thanks for showing it!

[@pisomark]

Used to dislake those, and loving to death the look of the 68-70 charger... Becoming interested in Nascar, mostly old Nascar, mostly Richard Petty.... Well that N 43 Charger, one of the most beautiful race car ever in all history of mankind, definitely made me see this generation Charger in a new light... They need only the right wheels and stance... Same for their sisters, the roadrunner/gtx

[@pcbullets8726]

Very nice! Who cares about perfection? It's a driver and a sweet one at that!

[@Anthony-nw5zv]

That Charger looks great 😊 good work

[@Friedbrain11]

I've always liked the '73 and it is still a good looking car especially compared to the crappy design cars they have now. I like the tail end of the car the best in this design.

[@martind701]

As an owner of a 71 Superbee I agree that the 68 Charger is iconic in styling the 3rd gen Charger line has a good styling all to its own.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yes! And I would *love* to get my hands on a ‘71 Super Bee. I saw a white one in a big muscle car book years ago and thought it was the coolest.

[@markwagener8118]

That charger sounds bloody awesome

[@a2r7n6]

It's is cool! Thanks for parking the '73 beside your red Charger. Great job! ⭐

[@jamesdeans2614]

Yes that is definitely a cool looking car!

[@davebollman3433]

I think that car is just beautiful.

[@Abody_Garage]

That sound is so pure!👍

[@allanperryman388]

Bear is famous now! We love him

[@allanperryman388]

I am impressed, as usual, with your content. Great car as well.

[@jamesparks1966]

Great work on them bumpers sucking them in makes them look great love the hideaways

[@MOPARMuscleLEBANON]

the best looking Charger to me , i added a set of hideaways to my car and it looks killer ! thanks for the video man

[@chrisgurney2467]

Agree that hidden headlights look so cool

[@mikekutzner7416]

I remember the tool box it's coming along nicely

[@johnmullins2798]

It really sounds good. Glad ya finally got to drive it.

[@Greg383BB]

Jamie, I am very impressed and I believe that color is the same color that Plymouth used in 1967 on the barracuda. It looks very close to the color of my car. You’ve done a great job.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

It’s actually a randomly selected aftermarket color - but I love it!

[@jamesparks1966]

Well I gotta say with all you have put into this charger ? And have kept your cool ? Not loosing the temper is great I can’t work around people who absolutely get pissed over the smallest things and start throwing anything with in reach working on them is fun with fun mopar people who just enjoy these awesome muscle cars ❤great job on this one as well

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I mean I do that sometimes, but not on camera. Haha. Thanks!

[@cbobmonster]

That car is sick. I’m fond of the 68 but I like that body style also sounds awesome too another good video Jaime.

[@staceyrenner5418]

That car has what the French call a certain....I don't know what. The tucked bumpers are such a subtle change yet make a huge difference to the look of the car.

[@ryanomalley430]

That car looks awesome with the hideaway headlights! I think Chrysler should’ve kept it as an option through 1974!

[@bod7468]

Charger love is real!

[@Legacy_Lou]

Looking good my brutha. Preciate the bumper tuck tip 😎

[@ARKANSASHUBCAP]

Pretty badass Jamie it looks like and sounds like it should be at the Loop

[@PaulSteinberg-il4tw]

Man that is one sweet ride, good job my friend.

[@Chris-2-of-3]

That was fun. Nice Chargers.

[@calD57]

I torched the holes on the front to oval holes Worked great

[@p90x1011]

I’ve changed that same seal in the car. Worked the first try.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Worked for me too!

[@RustyFuel]

Changing dash lights is fun

[@helenfinchsewwrite]

Yet again another great video though it was just us that had rain all of the time. Always nice to learn something new never new you could manually wind the headlamp covers up . That cars gonna be proper loud with those exhaust pipe bypass things . Have a nice day from a very cold and wet England regards Roy

[@lessharratt8719]

Looking GOOOOOD. And sounding great. I like the Cordoba sitting in the background. Hemi 4 speed??? That's my wet dream.

[@LongIslandMopars]

Nice!!!! Looks and sounds awesome and I didn't even watch the video yet. Makes me want to pry my 74 out of the garage. It's still in hibernation.

[@RandallSoong-pp7ih]

Great work. Great tips. A beautiful beast!!

[@briane.5656]

Have to say I love the third gen's lines. My very first car was a '74 with 318 and slapstick auto, and several years later had a '71 R/T with 440 and pistol grip. Sorry I sold the R/T, but I couldn't afford to use it as a daily driver, given its need for premium and a can of octane boost to be happy, and 8-10 mpg because of reasons. :-)

[@Easterhands]

I'm coming around on these later Chargers. The hideaway headlights really help

[@Ka9radio_Mobile9]

Its come a long way for sure!

[@allenpp6748]

Haha that feeling is great. I just got my 340 71 Roadrunner clone back on the road and it feels amazing lol.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Nice! Well done!

[@brianandglendaharkin9457]

Yep she a looker it’s definitely up there with our E38. E49 chargers in 🇦🇺👍🏻.

[@gilbertwashburn7095]

Thanks for the great video I love the charger my friend Marge has a 71 charger Se She owned it since 73 her dad bought it for her birthday from a used car lot in Iowa cars black dark blue interior it's a bulge Hood is the 383 bucket seats no council pistol grip for Speed eight and three quarters power windows power steering power brakes dual exhaust and it's in really nice shape and she'll never sell it no matter what yeah and she's old like me thanks to the toolbox charger I love that color have a great day

[@bigwrenchtech]

I’m here to do the thing for the deal. And I heard there was cake.

[@CorgiConnect]

What I am about to say is going to sound odd, but I have tried this before on grills and it worked. To mask the horizontal bars before blackout painting, use a fine smear of petroleum jelly on the raised bars. Just a light smear will catch the paint, when dry, carefully wipe the jelly and paint off. This may not yield a perfect sharp line, but its more possible that try to tape the raised portions of the grill. Test on piece that does not matter to you to see if could work for you. If not. you could also try pin stripe tape to mask the areas, a little fine work with some acetone on a cloth before the paint has total time to cure would work to remove any oopsies where the tape let you down.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Good trick! I’ve heard of doing similar with the careful application of grease or oil of some kind, and did think about that here.

[@CramouGameMaster]

Awesome content as usual !

[@Darryl-69SE]

Definitely a very nice car. Friend of mine had a 73 charger years ago with a sunroof, all black, beautiful car like this one.

[@Ray-tf2fl]

Definitely love the bumper on the body line 👍🏻💯

[@keithroute8906]

Nice lines yes, long nose not so nice, only thing I don’t like. Nice information on bumper placement, way to go, your knowledge is impressive.

[@davestark2015]

Congratulations on getting it done. Cheers Sir

[@markcollins457]

Great looking Charger, my sister traded in a 69 Firebird Sprint Convertible and trade it in for a 73 SE Charger with the 1/2 vinyl roof, unfortunately the 318 power plant had some issues and after 12mo. Of arguing and threats she bought a Buick. No moral to the story but I did see a 69 Firebird Sprint Convertible OHC with a 4bbl and 4spd. On Barrett Jackson that sold for $38,000. Back in the 70's not even the Pontiac dealer new how to work on an inline 6 with a rubber timing belt.

[@488ci]

For some dumb reason people would walk down the sidewalk or road and break off car antennas. It was a strange thing that happened all across North America and power antennas were a good option because driving with no radio can get real boring, we had a 73 Duster with radio delete and I really didn't like that car. My mom would always flood it trying to start it especially in the winter and I learned how to remove the air cleaner and stick a screw driver down the carb so my mom could start it when I was around 8 or 9 years old the Duster was a slant 6 with a three speed. I was very happy when my dad bought the 77 grand fury because it had a radio 🤠 My Dad let me drive the Dodge tradesman work van when I was 12. It was common to see 14 year old kids cruising around in their parents car back in the good ol' days.The charger looks good 👍

[@Revenant951]

Honestly my dream car right there been looking hard for one to fix up but everyone is wanting 10-15k for a bent up body with no motor/transmission

[@madbrax5184]

Good job and perfect timing for me as I'm currently shopping those. Mostly only looking at 71/72 specifically because of the bumper fitment and hideaway lights. It's good to know there is a way to roll the 73/74 back to that design.. Thanks for that.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

My first Charger was a ‘71. As much as I’d love to have that back now, I have never really liked that side window treatment. I think the ‘73-4 body is a better overall look. But the safety bumpers and stuff kinda suck. And of course ‘71 could still have great engines and an R/T or Super Bee badge - and ‘72 could be a Rallye, with the awesome scalloped doors. As I’ve shown in these videos, I think the value of the late car is the lower buy in and the blank slate aspect. You can make it what you want, and it will get better and better. Thanks!

[@madbrax5184]

@@DeadDodgeGarage Thanks for that and yes I'm definitely looking for the blank slate aspect from a driveability standpoint. I will be using and treating it like a daily and don't want to have to worry about where I go with it. Road trips and power tour...

[@Matt_from_Florida]

34:05 Aftermarket gauge cluster = *Astrodome!* Very easy for anyone who doesn't have to do the actual work.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yeah that ain’t where we’re going. Haha.

[@americanrooster2502]

Makes me really really want my 72 on the road. Literally only need a 10.5" flywheel and I can brake int the 440. You mentioned the 3rd gen being an affordable way to get into a classic mopar and you would pretty much be correct. However don't go big block or manual. The price difference between big and small block and manual transmission and automatic is huge. I still need most of my manual parts and those are going to cost me double what I paid for the car in the first place.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I stick swapped my ‘66 Charger a couple years ago. I got out pretty easy at around $1500. It could and should have cost more.

[@jamesashabranner2426]

My father like the 1973 Dodge charger I think it was the SE model with the louvers in the quarter glass😊

[@jamesashabranner2426]

It's still a nice car 😁

[@failranch9542]

I actually prefer the 3rd gen Charger to the 2nd gen. I'm in the minority I know. The Pettys liked them too. Claimed that the '71 - '74 "fuselage" design was the best shaped car they ever had. Even better than the winged cars. Richard ran one all the way up to the '78 season.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

You are - but it’s far from the first time I’ve heard it. There seems to be a lot of love for them, and Petty is a big part of that.

[@cjm5002]

25:00 YES! I have shocked the shit out of myself on that very screw head! Sadly, multiple times because I was not smart at the age of 6.

[@trojan440]

Tried getting aluminum last year not to be had,went with poly in front and rear.on leafs. Thanks for front bracket info,was thinking that would work. Gonna try shortning rears cause no luck finding 71,72 brackets. Seems those damn cars became very popular here in New England. Nice work as usual.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

We did the poly as well. I think it was a good way to go. The problem with shortening the brackets is the angled section, as I’m sure you’ve noticed. Making that work will get weird and mathy. But it can definitely be done.

[@gasser66]

"Front chin thingy"😂. Bumpers look way,way,way better now 👍.

[@butcher390]

Absolutely 💯 love , '71 - '74 Dodge Chargers Very under appreciated Glad too see the , tool box , Charger running and driving I can only imagine 😂 The " Pneumatic Ambiance " 🤢 I'm genuinely impressed with your hording skills I'm actually blushing That cam definitely has a Delightful chop , to it 1K ??!! for headlight door assemblies ??!! Valence , Valance ..... 220 , 221 Whatever it takes 🤷‍♂️ Awwwwh..... What the puck !! ( sorry , couldn't resist that pun ) Orange , a ground ??!! Oh , for Christ sake 🙄 🤦 So Ohms law , was violated . Great..... just great I did appreciated the , 3rd gen B body grounding Impromptu Seminar tho I remember Richard Petty & David Pearson Duking it out , On the last lap For the Daytona 500 win 🏆

[@EarlwithanE]

Sweet looking Charger...Love the mag wheels!! Yes, I said it!! Jamie: You've come along way with your video editing skills...I love how you green screened in a sunny day into the video....just sayin'🤣😂

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

🤣🤣

[@abruptlyblunt]

bummer i didn't see this video sooner, i had a factory headlight door motor, rods and stuff out of a 72 laying around here, haven't seen the stuff in years but they might still be here somewhere, if i found them you could of had the stuff for free.....

[@jamesrodriquez2863]

I'd take this body style over the '69 any day of the week. I think it looks much cooler.

[@jamessturrock6802]

I like to call the 73-74 the 3.5 Gen Chargers.

[@codyhollinger6531]

Great job guys.

[@clutchkicker392ison5]

Thank-YOU very much, its a beast

[@danielweith1075]

She is beautiful, and sounds nice too. Great video!

[@auteurfiddler8706]

I have a friend that has saved a 71 SE grill for decades and dreams of putting it on in place of his 73 SE plastic grill. I had to tell him that it is not just a bolt on. A bit of fabrication including cutting, welding, and drilling holes would be needed. It appears to me that modifying the 73 bumper would be the way to go. But I noticed you modified the rest of the brackets to suit a 71-72 bumper. Can you expand on that?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

You can bolt on either set of mount brackets to either bumper. The ‘73 bumper is very similar, but not the same. The obvious difference is the center emblem, but I’m not sure if the grille support brackets bolt on the same or not. I know there is at least an upper support bracket mount difference. What you really want is the complete 71-72 bumper and hideaway setup. There are a lot of small parts. Main brackets, support brackets, surround bezels, door support brackets, doors, grille insert, motor, motor bracket, rod… I can tell you from recent experience, piecing it together kinda sucks.

[@billharden7127]

Impressed 👍🤣

[@GreyRockOne]

not bad.. I would have left mine stock though, except "maybe" for the hideaway headlight swap

[@Bob-Whiting]

I'd drive this, like everyday.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yes! That’s his plan - at least when it’s decent out.

[@jamesparks1966]

That demon is smokin hot