License plate bracket - is it bent?

[bkahler]

I was getting ready to install the license plate bracket and noticed that it might be bent.  The bracket it used but doesn't really appear to have any real damage to it.  When it's mounted on the tail light bracket the license plate has a slight upward tilt so if you're standing at the back of the truck, it would be angled upwards somewhat at the bottom.  I'm not sure if this is correct or whether it needs to be straightened.  

 

[rustyzman]

Could be wrong, but I think that is correct.  I have not had my original one in my hands in a long time.  As I recall, it mounts with the taillight bolts and jogs the plate to the reat, under the clear lens on the bottom of the taillight.

[bkahler]

5 minutes ago, rustyzman said:

Could be wrong, but I think that is correct.  I have not had my original one in my hands in a long time.  As I recall, it mounts with the taillight bolts and jogs the plate to the reat, under the clear lens on the bottom of the taillight.

 

Thanks.  That makes sense that it would tilt the plate slightly for illumination, I hadn't considered that aspect. 

 

 

[rustyzman]

You know, now that I look at a few other pictures, I might have that wrong.  It looks like some pics show it mounting the other way, jogged toward the front.  Sorry, not being much help on this one...

[bkahler]

8 minutes ago, rustyzman said:

You know, now that I look at a few other pictures, I might have that wrong.  It looks like some pics show it mounting the other way, jogged toward the front.  Sorry, not being much help on this one...

 

I think you got it right the first time.

 

According to the factory parts manual, in my attached picture, where my thumb is entering the bracket, that face is pointing to the rear of the truck.   That orientation would put the angle of the license plate pointed as you originally suggested, slightly upwards towards the tail light.  I've seen a few pictures where the bracket was installed as shown in the parts manual.  I've also seen some mounted just the opposite and they don't look quite right.

[bkahler]

Here's the picture from the factory parts manual.

 

[Los_Control]

Do you by chance have a view of the frame showing the mounting bracket to the bed?

 

I have a new chebby license plate bracket  (It was cheap )

Will have to do some slice and dice to make it work, just curious what the original looked like.

And have been working with the welder this week, be a good time to slide that project in.

 

I can figure it out, but would be appreciated if you have a photo of it.

[JBNeal]

I looked through some of the pics of The Spring Special when I dragged it home, and the plate bracket looks angled up also.

 

additional information - license bracket installation

[bkahler]

Los, I'l gets some pictures later today and post them.

[bkahler]

1 hour ago, JBNeal said:

I looked through some of the pics of The Spring Special when I dragged it home, and the plate bracket looks angled up also.

 

additional information - license bracket installation

 

That's sneaky of you to link to my own picture!! 🤣

 

 

[Los_Control]

Thank's @bkahler .... @JBNeal beat ya to it  🤣🤣🤣

 

Actually helps me a lot by looking at your photo. ..... how the bracket transforms from the bed to the tail light mounting.

 

Here is what I'm working with. Is for a 40's - 50's chebby truck and will not work as is .... but I had nothing to start with.

Summit was having a huge clearance sale 2 years ago and I bought a bunch of stuff from them .... the bracket was so cheap $2-$3 ,,,, can not buy the metal to make it for that price .... so while working on other projects scheming on how will fix it

[bkahler]

Here's a good picture of what the bracket looks like.

 

[ggdad1951]

Yah, jogged towards the the light can actually light the plate.  And I also believe a slight bend "up" as suggested to light the plate better.