I restore and sell dash clusters. I buy parts in bulk for my clusters. I just received a batch of new cluster lenses. I bought a few from dennis carpenter restoration parts and a few from auto krafters. I received my cluster lenses today and WOW what a difference between the two. the dennis carpenter lenses are absolutely fantastic the lenses are clear and scratch free. the plastic flashing in the mounting holes is top notch with no extra material to trim. plus they were cheaper then auto krafters. the auto krafter lenses are horrible. now when I say that I say that because they not only cost 45.00 each, but auto krafters charged me 19.00 to ship. the shipping from dennis carpenter was 9.00.... the auto krafters lenses were cloudy and had light scratches so they will need to be polished. there is extra flashing that needs to be trimmed. I don't pay 45.00 for lenses that I have to polish. dennis carpenter also sent a FREE huge really nice muscle car calendar with my lenses. very very disappointed in the auto krafters lenses.
ok, so i just wanted to update on my comparison of the denis carpenter cluster lenses and auto krafter lenses. i did use both brands today for clusters that i put together. the denis carpenter lenses you can pull out of the package and install. the auto krafter lenses did work but i had to polish them and trim a little bit of extra plastic flash. both lenses fit good and look great.
I would think that Dennis would be making them for AK. Maybe somebody else makes them as well since they are for a Mustang?
the Dennis carpenter lenses are stamped DCMR in the top middle of the lens. the auto krafters lens has no stampings. the Dennis carpenter lens is also thicker plastic. it is definitely a better lens. I tried to order more from him and I was told that the machine that makes them is broke and production is down for a few months? that's what I was told.
That's interesting. Just like the Mustang handles that fit our cars....there are multiple manufacturers of those.
I purchased on ebay from Auto Krafters D0DDz-10887 Instrument panel lens 70-77 Maverick / 71-77 Comet and it has no marking on the part is does have an Official Ford licensed product sticker on the packaging. It was $39.95 with a list price of $44.90 and free shipping. Looks good haven't taken it out of package but there looks like a small flange that will need to be trimmed.
the one you purchased off of ebay was through ford close outs.... they must be the ebay name of auto krafters ....it makes no sense, if you buy them directly from auto krafters on the auto krafter web site, they charge you 44.90 and 14.00 to ship????? yes you do have to trim that extra flashing for it to fit. the lens also needs to be cleaned and polished. pull it out of the plastic wrapper and hold it up to the light. I don't know why, but they have smears and some light scratches. I have had 6 lenses from them and all of them have had to be cleaned. I have been having to use the ones from auto krafters now that they are the only one who has them, until dennis carpenter gets them in stock again. his are perfect, they cost 22.00 and you can use them straight out of the package.
