Pickup bumper question

[coupe1942]

I have been stopped before and cited by the Highway Patrol in Texas for not having my rear license plate visible on another more modern car. My Model A closed cab 82-B has the rear plate hidden by the rear bumper. I was looking at it earlier today, but probably not close enough. Can the bumper simply be turned about to hang to the inside at the frame instead of to the outside where it covers the plate? I don't want to have to cut anything or make any welds, but I didn't necessarily want to completely remove the rear bumpers either, although I have seen several pickups without them.

Just looking at it no more than I have done, it looks as if there is just two bolts to remove. I am assuming that the mount itself is original. I have spoken to some folk here locally who claim to never have had a problem, but I just don't want there to be any so I am looking at my options.

Am I correct that the bumper can be easily swapped over in the opposite direction or not? I know that would do nothing for rear fender protection, but I see other pickups with no bumpers at all, so I suppose these offer little real protection to begin with.

Not sure if I will do this or not to begin with, but just checking out my options for improvement of the visibility of that rear license plate.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Mitch//pa]

I would take the bumpers off ... They didn't originally come with them and would better IMO

 

[olut]

In Austria the cops would pull you off the street with such a hidden license plate. I don't know, how original my setup is, it arrived in Austria as shown on the photo...

 

[CarlG]

FWIW:
1) Pickups did not come with rear bumpers.
2) I have the full bumper (same as the front) and it obscures the plate as well.
3) It's been that way for 7 years and I haven't been stopped yet.
4) Others in our club have re-positioned the license plate to hang under the bed in the middle.
5) I have also seen where the license bracket is inverted so that the plate mounts above the tail light.
6) I do plan on doing something with mine, just haven't decided what just yet.

Just food for thought.

 

[Charlie Stephens]

I put my plate on top of the light. Had to modify the bracket slightly to move it away from the bed. The tail light bucket may need to be a '32 (repros available) to get the license light on the top.

Charlie Stephens

 

[barkleydave]

My plate is somewhat obstructed. IMHO if I get tagged for it so be it.... I would hope that our Police are concentrating on more than Old men in Antique cars!

In Kentucky you can display a period plate instead of your antique plate. You only need to have the issued plate in the vehicle along with the registration.

 

[taffrail]

How about this. Not stock but will save a buckled fender or two and is a nice step into the back of the pickup.

 

[Brentwood Bob]

I also see a possible problem relocating the lic plate. The plate would be unlit at night
except for #3.
On my huckster, the rear bumper obstructs the plate on either side. I have an original plate on the drivers side, and the calif historical plate on the passenger side.
So far, I think the local HP has better things to do than cite me.
Bob

 

[Stew]

Lose the bumpers !

They don't look authentic on a pickup. I have a 31 CC Wide Bed. No bumpers look so much better.

Regards,

Stew

 

[midgetracer]

I agree, Bumpers do not look right on a pickup and it is my experience with my roadster, that they do little to save a fender.

 

[C26Pinelake]

I totally disagree ! I have two pickups and the one with the bumper looks much classier. I will be putting a bumper on the other pickup very shortly. Many positive comments on the truck with the bumper and not a single negative comment. Wayne