Liscense plate relocation for MC bumper
08-27-2009, 01:55 PM
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Liscense plate relocation for MC bumper
Searched, didn't find anything. I wanted to see what people were doing with their liscense plate once they put on a marlin crawler rear bumper. I put one on my 89' pickup and have just been driving around, tempting fate. I know what I would like to do, but it would involve a welder, grinder, bondo, filler plates and a liscense plate box, ie a lot of work! Lets see what ya got!
08-27-2009, 02:06 PM
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A friend of mine put an MC rear bumper on his 95 tacoma and ran into the same issue. His remedy was two small hinges he put on just to the side of the receiver. Drilled and tapped some small holes and put bolts into it. That way if he was on the trail and hit something with the plate, it would just swing back and forth to avoid major damage.
08-27-2009, 04:19 PM
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The issue with the MC bumper on the trucks is that it blocks the license plate from being viewed without obstruction. This makes it illegal in many states to install the bumper on any vehicle operated on-road. Even the stock bumper is illegal if a hitch / ball is installed on it according to the laws of many states (California included).
There are two, maybe three options (if your state allows it) to solve the problem.
Obviously, the first is to not use the MC bumper.
The second is to relocate the license plate elsewhere and provide adaquate illumination per local and D.O.T. requirements.
The third is to move the plate with stickers to the front bumper. However this may not be an option due to local regulations, but should be acceptable if the vehicle is registered as a commercial vehicle, though a little intelligent and respectful discussion with the authorities describing the situation and your remedy may get you a bye should it be an issue. After all, you would be clearly displaying your license plate and stickers, and it is acceptable for over-the-road semi-tractor and related vehicles to do so. I'd recommend contacting your local motor vehicle department or Bureau of Interstate Transportation inspectors before trying this though.
There are two, maybe three options (if your state allows it) to solve the problem.
Obviously, the first is to not use the MC bumper.
The second is to relocate the license plate elsewhere and provide adaquate illumination per local and D.O.T. requirements.
The third is to move the plate with stickers to the front bumper. However this may not be an option due to local regulations, but should be acceptable if the vehicle is registered as a commercial vehicle, though a little intelligent and respectful discussion with the authorities describing the situation and your remedy may get you a bye should it be an issue. After all, you would be clearly displaying your license plate and stickers, and it is acceptable for over-the-road semi-tractor and related vehicles to do so. I'd recommend contacting your local motor vehicle department or Bureau of Interstate Transportation inspectors before trying this though.
Last edited by abecedarian; 08-27-2009 at 04:21 PM.
08-27-2009, 05:12 PM
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@Junkers88:
Most cops would probably let that go but if the cop has a 'tude or is otherwise out to get someone, that is illegal.
Sin91 has been pulled over twice because the 2" ball on her factory Toyota bumper blocks the center of the plate. Both times she's been let go with a warning though. We even had a conversation with an officer in a parking lot about it and his words were basically that although he wouldn't choose that as a reason to pull a vehicle over, it is illegal (in California and most everywhere) since the plate is obstructed from clear view and we would be at the whim of the officer should we be pulled over for any reason and would have no grounds to fight that on a ticket because the laws are clear about obstructing the plate. He was also the one that suggested looking in to moving the plate to the front of the vehicle if it's registered as commercial.
Most cops would probably let that go but if the cop has a 'tude or is otherwise out to get someone, that is illegal.
Sin91 has been pulled over twice because the 2" ball on her factory Toyota bumper blocks the center of the plate. Both times she's been let go with a warning though. We even had a conversation with an officer in a parking lot about it and his words were basically that although he wouldn't choose that as a reason to pull a vehicle over, it is illegal (in California and most everywhere) since the plate is obstructed from clear view and we would be at the whim of the officer should we be pulled over for any reason and would have no grounds to fight that on a ticket because the laws are clear about obstructing the plate. He was also the one that suggested looking in to moving the plate to the front of the vehicle if it's registered as commercial.
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08-27-2009, 05:21 PM
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to my knowledge the LP needs to be illuminated at night. this wasn't realy touched. cheap route they sell a simple little light at schucks/napa/the zone that will do the trick. just toss a hot wire up from the running lights in the rear cluster.
4runner rear tail gate mod?
4runner rear tail gate mod?
08-27-2009, 05:24 PM
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to my knowledge the LP needs to be illuminated at night. this wasn't realy touched. cheap route they sell a simple little light at schucks/napa/the zone that will do the trick. just toss a hot wire up from the running lights in the rear cluster.
4runner rear tail gate mod?
4runner rear tail gate mod?
...
The second is to relocate the license plate elsewhere and provide adaquate illumination per local and D.O.T. requirements.
....
The second is to relocate the license plate elsewhere and provide adaquate illumination per local and D.O.T. requirements.
....
08-27-2009, 05:27 PM
#10
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Actually, I did 'touch' on it (https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116.../#post51215367):
lol
08-28-2009, 05:24 AM
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08-29-2009, 10:07 PM
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I simply drilled new holes in my licence plate and moved it up about 2". The numbers are clearly visable.
Been pulled over a few times and they didn't hassle me. I hated the idea of putting it on my tailgate...
Been pulled over a few times and they didn't hassle me. I hated the idea of putting it on my tailgate...
10-13-2009, 09:18 PM
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haha Jay thats what i was thinking about doing. remove the letters and bolt it to the tailgate. i dont think it would look bad at all, it would like more like a 4runner. however, it might look stupid if i actually do it lol
heres a pic i edited, what do you all think??
heres a pic i edited, what do you all think??
10-13-2009, 09:32 PM
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I was surprised to find the bumper interfered with the plate. I moved it up as far as it would go. It is mostly in view with little obstruction. The MC bumper has somewhat to be desired, it is not built as ruggedly as I would have liked. I jacked the back of the truck up with the receiver hitch thing and it bent my bumper. Doesn't give me the best feeling for towing anything heavy.
10-13-2009, 09:35 PM
#16
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ARE YOU SERIOUS!!?!?!?!?!?!??...
if your being serious..you might have just talked me out of the MC bumper..even though i have ALWAYS heard NOTHING but good things from everybody
if your being serious..you might have just talked me out of the MC bumper..even though i have ALWAYS heard NOTHING but good things from everybody
10-13-2009, 11:54 PM
#18
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All of my friends have relocated their plates to the tailgate. IMO it looks fine.
heres mine,
I am going to order LED bolt lights here soon for it.
and the MC bumper definetly isn't my thang. =)
heres mine,
I am going to order LED bolt lights here soon for it.
and the MC bumper definetly isn't my thang. =)
Last edited by drew303; 10-13-2009 at 11:56 PM.
10-14-2009, 05:17 AM
#19
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I was surprised to find the bumper interfered with the plate. I moved it up as far as it would go. It is mostly in view with little obstruction. The MC bumper has somewhat to be desired, it is not built as ruggedly as I would have liked. I jacked the back of the truck up with the receiver hitch thing and it bent my bumper. Doesn't give me the best feeling for towing anything heavy.
If you plan on mall wheeling then that bumper is fine. If you plan to tow or beat the crap out of it then get one from Addicted Off Road. I know some folks swear by MC but they are a pain to mount and are not as durable as I thought they'd be.
