Author Topic: Challenger Door Handle question  (Read 2499 times)

Offline MoparMan

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Challenger Door Handle question
« on: November 10, 2002 - 11:44:18 PM »

 Have any of you tried to use re-production door handles on your Challenger and find they don't fit?

 I bought a pair and they don't come close to fitting properly. They do not fit flush with the door panel like the originals. My originals fit perfect and flush.
I'm not going to say who I bought them from as he's a good parts vendor, but he says he's never had anyone complain about them.
 After looking at Challengers and Cudas at some car shows I found that the door panels are completely different between the two cars.
 The Cuda panel (where the door handle mounts) is slightly rounded outward, like a rainbow.
 The Challenger panel is more flat and curves outwards towards the bodyline at the bottom part of the door handle.
It appears that the re-pro handles are Cuda handles, not Challenger handles.

 Why do all the re-pro vendors catalogs say they fit all E-bodies?.
Could there be a mix of Cuda and Challenger handles and they don't know any better?
Does anyone have more info on this?
Does anyone make correct handles for a Challenger?

Could I be crazy??

In the end I may have to have my originals re-chromed.

MoparMan
   




Offline Grrreen

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Re:Challenger Door Handle question
« Reply #1 on: November 11, 2002 - 01:22:59 AM »
You probably don't want to hear this, but there are no repro handles for the Chally... ::)

You are correct in that the Challenger handles are concave and the Cuda ones are convex.

I have seen some replacement handles that are actually flat... they probably figured that it was a good enough fit for both cars.  Most of the after market repop'd ones I've seen are for Cuda... They are convex.  The catalogs will say they are for e-bodies because they are... They do fit both cars, after all... ;)

I have yet to see any replacement/repros that are concave like the Challenger is supposed to be.

If you want them to fit perfectly, you're gonna have to get yours refinished. ::)

Offline wmiller

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Re:Challenger Door Handle question
« Reply #2 on: November 11, 2002 - 11:11:28 PM »
 :( :( Sad to say this but Mr. Grrreen is correct. All the Chrysler replacement exterior handles are for the 'Cuda. None are manufatured for the Challenger. They will work but they don't fit/look correct. Getting yours refinished or trying to find a really nice set at a swap meet or ebay are your choices. Maybe a buddy?

Offline camjam

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Re:Challenger Door Handle question
« Reply #3 on: November 12, 2002 - 10:31:52 AM »
Try Brads NOS parts. He is expensive but they are originals if he has any left.
71 Challenger R/T 383 4spd - 1 of 10 known to have been built for canada - restored
70 Charger R/T SE 440 auto - restored


Offline MoparMan

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Re:Challenger Door Handle question
« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2002 - 10:34:54 PM »

Thanks for the responses guys !

I was afraid y'all might give me those answers.  :(
I'll try Brad's.
More than likely though, I'll have to re-chrome my originals.

MoparMan