DirtyComanche Posted June 1, 2017 Share Posted June 1, 2017 My truck has a S10 rear bumper on it right now, and I hate it. So I intend to build a new one. One thing I'm a bit hung up on what to do with is the license plate. It seems 99% of the aftermarket bumpers are made out of 6x2 HSS, or something like that, and the typical license plate will not fit on the bumper. It either has to stick up, or hang down, either of which is a guarantee for it being damaged or snagging on something. Has anyone seen a decent solution? I'd put it on the tailgate, but it just doesn't fit anywhere nicely. I debated building the bumper from 8x2 and tapering it, which would allow for the plate to be hung in the middle, perhaps this is the best solution? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krustyballer16 Posted June 1, 2017 Share Posted June 1, 2017 Make a plate mount to fit the receiver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted June 1, 2017 Author Share Posted June 1, 2017 Make a plate mount to fit the receiver. If I ever tow anything it isn't legal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krustyballer16 Posted June 1, 2017 Share Posted June 1, 2017 Make a plate mount to fit the receiver. If I ever tow anything it isn't legal. Wherever you live must suck lol. Here they don't care as long as the trailer plate is good. I've thought about using the fold "up" ones but putting it facing up on the top of the bumper and have the tailgate push it over if I have to drop the tailgate....or use that flip up and the part that over hangs past the bottom will flip up if it drags the ground going forward... Take a picture of your plate, print it out full scale, laminate it, mount to bumper anywhere. Won't have to worry about tearing it up. And then just have the real plate in your truck somewhere... Worth a try. I know that'd work around my area lol Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted June 1, 2017 Share Posted June 1, 2017 Interesting..........all the perspectives that get tossed around here............. Here, in the Wild Wild East, we don't tag our trailers. Another interesting thing that I learned, we can run a vintage tag as long as we have the current tag available to show a cop when pulled over. If the '88 TN tags weren't so ugly, I'd try it. Get creative, you'll figure it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krustyballer16 Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 Wellll..... I guess it's illegal, at least here in indiana, to make a copy of your license plate... so don't do that. Lol. I've cut down a license plate before so it'd fit a bumper. The top and bottom little bits shouldn't matter... Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted June 2, 2017 Author Share Posted June 2, 2017 Wellll..... I guess it's illegal, at least here in indiana, to make a copy of your license plate... so don't do that. Lol. I've cut down a license plate before so it'd fit a bumper. The top and bottom little bits shouldn't matter... Also illegal here. The front plate on my JK is cut for the bumper, and you can normally get away with that since at least you still have it. Cutting much of the rear plate will get you harassed, which I really don't need. I could probably trim it to only being 5.5" tall without anyone caring though, which means it would fit on a piece of 6x2 without any exposed edges. Thinking about it more, I might build a step bumper rather than the traditional straight across HSS. But I am undecided as of yet. Technically I also need a license plate light. That's pretty unlikely to happen though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krustyballer16 Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 This is 8" tubing with a hitch below. 8" is too tall in my opinion. I don't know where he put a plate on this after I shipped it to him. Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted June 2, 2017 Author Share Posted June 2, 2017 Yeah, 8" is too tall. I want 6" max, with the hitch in it. I've dragged the hitch and bumper I have a bunch, and I think the S10 bumper is only about 7" tall in the middle and 6" on the ends. The hitch is lower than that, with about a 1" gap between. I'd rather minimize the dragging. If I build it as a step bumper I would have to put the hitch in the middle of the step area, which wouldn't be terrible, but it would be a bit weird. And the license plate couldn't be centered. As a traditional rectangular tube bumper the plate still couldn't be centered, but its easier to weld the hitch into it then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogmorgo Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 Until last summer my MJ didn't have license plate lights at all and I never had an issue with that. Come to think of it I don't know if I even fixed it when I put a "new" harness back there. :dunno: My front plate (again, it's a front plate) is folded up under the bumper cause otherwise it would look stupid. It still does but less so I guess. My Jimmy's plate is only zip-tied on and hangs down below the step part a bit. Can't read the "wild rose country" (yeah it's a lame alberta tag) or even the expiry sticker. I've been pulled over and it hasn't caused me problems so far... but it's only been a month. But combining these two things, go with the 2x6 and fold it under. If anyone complains, "what? oh haha, didn't notice, backed into object X the other day". And it's not like you'd be bending a heck of a lot of it under anyway, given the plate is 6" tall as presumably would be the bumper. Do it nicely to match the chamfer of the bumper's edge top and bottom and it likely won't even get noticed. The plate isn't required to be centred, either, just visible and parallel to the road surface. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kansashogan Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 Interesting..........all the perspectives that get tossed around here............. Here, in the Wild Wild East, we don't tag our trailers. Another interesting thing that I learned, we can run a vintage tag as long as we have the current tag available to show a cop when pulled over. If the '88 TN tags weren't so ugly, I'd try it. Get creative, you'll figure it out. Jeep Driver, some pics of your ride. It looks like it is coming along nicely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 Interesting..........all the perspectives that get tossed around here............. Here, in the Wild Wild East, we don't tag our trailers. Another interesting thing that I learned, we can run a vintage tag as long as we have the current tag available to show a cop when pulled over. If the '88 TN tags weren't so ugly, I'd try it. Get creative, you'll figure it out. Jeep Driver, some pics of your ride. It looks like it is coming along nicely. Thank you. :). Time is not my friend. You mentioned a build thread.................I need to put something together soon.........progress though, I need progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krustyballer16 Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 This one,overall, is 7" tall plus the hitch at the bottom. This is on my "daily". The more I think about how I'd actually do it if I built a tube bumper for one of my mjs,.... I'd recess the receiver flush in the bumper, then put the flip up plate mount on. But it must have a strong "lock" position to keep it up while pulling a trailer. OR if I was that worried about it, I'd weld a receiver tube to my trailer tongue and slide the plate in there while trailer is hooked up. OR OR, have a "bolt on", set screw/clamp piece, for the top of the tailgate so it hangs down on the face of the tailgate. Not sure how nice your mj is, if this is an option. Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted June 2, 2017 Author Share Posted June 2, 2017 I have ideas in my head but I should put them to paper before the flee... Can the bumper be moved up any before it interferes with the tailgate opening? I'm out of town for work, so I can't look at my MJ... I'm thinking it can a bit, maybe 3/4"? I know I managed to bend the S10 bumper up far enough that it wouldn't open all the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krustyballer16 Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 I sit all the bumpers I build about 1/2" to 1" or so below the bottom when it's closed. Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpnjim Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 I have the same problem I usually just self tap the plate to the bumper face and cut a hole for a factory style plate light off to one side. A buddy has a plasma cutter, so I'm thinking about cutting out a license plate sized chunk of the bumper, and setting the cut piece in so the plate sits recessed off to the left side of the bumper At this build rate I have a few more years before I get to that point :doh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottJeep Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 Volvo Wagon License Plate Bracket Mounts up extremely easily to the factory no bumper location. Think mine cost me $2 at the local Pull-A-Part Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted June 4, 2017 Author Share Posted June 4, 2017 Volvo Wagon License Plate Bracket Mounts up extremely easily to the factory no bumper location. Think mine cost me $2 at the local Pull-A-Part There was a factory no bumper location? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krustyballer16 Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 Volvo Wagon License Plate Bracket Mounts up extremely easily to the factory no bumper location. Think mine cost me $2 at the local Pull-A-Part There was a factory no bumper location?On the face of the spare tire surround. 2 square holes. Not sure why you'd need another bracket mount assembly though... unless it has a built in light. Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 It was used for the factory tube bumper with a special light kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted June 4, 2017 Author Share Posted June 4, 2017 Well, that explains what those holes are for. I never knew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krustyballer16 Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 The Volvo bracket centers it, hornbrod? Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 Many years ago (2003): Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottJeep Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted June 4, 2017 Author Share Posted June 4, 2017 That looks a little vulnerable down there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now