Okay I am getting a litte tired of being bugged about this. I had the Eagle out in the driveway Monday to get some stuff out of the back of the garage. And a policeman stopped and told me that he should ticket me for my front license plate, because "It is too hard to read at that angle.
This is driving me nuts. I have not been able to think up a solution, but then again I don't want to get ticketed (or mouth off to the wrong person).
Did AMC make front plate holders? If so does someone have one I ould buy?
Mavericke had an idea for this that he sent me in a PM (that I accidentially deleted). Thoughts?
Yes Nebraska requires both plates be on the car at all times. When my Brother had his Maxima licensed at my Mom's in Tennessee, but was at shool in Nebraska he always had to have the back of the car facing the gas station before they'd let him get gas.
Help please.
Yeah, my idea was just a simple and cheap license plate cover... you can get the smoked ones with chrome trim that look really nice for like $10-20. They have all sorts of styles out there that should work. Worst case scenario, you may have to get a coupple self tapping screws if it doesn't line up... but iirc... I just screwed mine into the existing holes. By the way, these also work on the rear license plates as well and they look very sharp... let me see if I can dig up some pics of the ones I used. I bought them at autozone for 14.99.
BRB...
Ok... you can't really see the one on the back so well... and you've probably seen these photos a dozen times already... but it's all I have. I actually don't have any pics with one of these on a stock bumper, though I don't think it'd be hard to mount one. I just drilled a pilot holes just a tad smaller than the screws that came with the cover.
I had one on the Blazer too... and Shelly's Jeep has them as well. I actually have a stock bumper laying in the garage and I have an extra cover as well... maybe I can put one on to show you and post some pics with an easy "how to". Althought, I doubt you'll need either.
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/Mavricke/1982%20AMC%20Eagle%20SX4%20Sport/07312009021.jpg)
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/Mavricke/1982%20AMC%20Eagle%20SX4%20Sport/07312026.jpg)
wow, they won't let you even get GAS without a plate visible?
Mav's ideas are good, and I'd think either using a plate holder and fabbing it up somehow might work like that, or else if you can hit a junkyard and look around for one off another vehicle that might work too.
Another possible idea here is: If you have a spare/old plate from something else.....screw or bolt THAT through the front bumper or something somehow...probably using the bottom holes on the plate. Then use the top holes to "mount" the proper plate to the other one. This essentially makes the "old" plate a holder, and you just deal with the two other holes for holding it to the holder. I know...sounds like extra work, as you could just screw or bolt the plate down directly, but if it might work, it's an idea. The guy who had my '80 J10 did that on the rear, which actually works well, since the lower bolt holes are down along the base, and with the hitch ball there it's hard there it's not as easy to deal with the proper holes. By just mounting it to the "holder plate" it works slick. Anyway, it's just an idea in case you, or anyone, can use it.
Quote from: 83Eagle! on February 03, 2010, 08:57:17 PM
I had the Eagle out in the driveway Monday to get some stuff out of the back of the garage. And a policeman stopped and told me that he should ticket me for my front license plate, because "It is too hard to read at that angle.
Gee, is it even right for him to do that? You were on your own property and not driving on the road so how can he say/do this? I think I would have called the policemen on him.
I can see him watching out for the second you do drive it but at your house, man!
Mav I think I see where you are headed on that one. I will have to have some type of rubber grommet or stopper or something to account for the rubber trim piece on my bumper.
UMunky, looking at the old plates I have I am not sure that is an option. If these plates were actually metal I don't think it would lean down like it does. These are cheaper crap that they make plates out of now and I think they would likely bend just as my plate is doing now.
I wonder if I could get a bracket from the back of an Eagle and make it work. Thoughts?
you could be cheesy like me and ziptie it to your grill. ;)
it was supposed to be 'just temporary' till i weld some mounting tabs on my spikey bumper.. but somehow the spikes seemed to be in the way, AND i think it would look even cheesier if i had it there... so... till i find a solution that appeases myself and the police... my grill is where it stays.
Id like to see that Mojo, lol...
Brandon... I don't thing a back plate would look right. I mean, you could make it work and grind it down... but eh.. nah...
I hate that friggin rubber piece on the bumper like that... really gets in the way. Not sure why they did that like that. :/
Ive seen the actual plate holders, but obviously they weren't on all models... otherwise there'd be more of them you'd think.
Not sure what to tell ya Brandon. Sorry man!
Yes AMC had front holders but they seem rare for some reason. Both my SX/4 and Concord have them. Maybe others here in their junk yard searches in states that require front plates can find one for you.
NY NY NY . Yeah we require 2 plates here, and I have gotten a ticket for a dirty one on my past Dodge Ram , made me 5 mins. late to my first date with my now wife.LOL every year we pull out the photo copy of the ticket and celebrate.I also got one for a blocked front plate, mounted where it was from the factory on her Nissan pickup ! No offense to law enforcement, but it was a young snot nosed rookie. The judge threw it out and hey I only had to pay a $75 dollar court fee. Thanks for doing me a favor town of Colonie!
I have seen plate frames at NAPA on thier parts kiosks,the original steel ones.
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i268/BKJ99/downsized_0203002356.jpg)
Here's a sho of the gap that I am talking about. I'd rathr not drill into the bumper. Anyone out there have a front plate holder for sale or know of one? I'll posta want ad when I get a chance.
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i268/BKJ99/0203002356a.jpg)
Here's a shot from straight on. To me it doesn't lean down all that muh, but having it mentioned by the policemen 4 times now it has finaly irritated me.
Does anyone have a piture of a front plate braket? Maybe I can find one that looks similar aftermarket.
Quote from: 83Eagle! on February 04, 2010, 09:55:18 AM
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i268/BKJ99/downsized_0203002356.jpg)
Here's a sho of the gap that I am talking about. I'd rathr not drill into the bumper. Anyone out there have a front plate holder for sale or know of one? I'll posta want ad when I get a chance.
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i268/BKJ99/0203002356a.jpg)
Here's a shot from straight on. To me it doesn't lean down all that muh, but having it mentioned by the policemen 4 times now it has finaly irritated me.
Does anyone have a piture of a front plate braket? Maybe I can find one that looks similar aftermarket.
This is a '94 F150. Measured at the holes with a tape measure, so this isn't exact, but they look like about 9 inches apart. These look like they're riveted on. It also has some type of a single mounting on the bottom I didn't notice till I took the sideways picture.. Am E-mailing the pictures to Photo Bucket while I'm sitting here typing. All I have is a cell phone & have to E-mail from the phone to Photo Bucket
(http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/zz286/1OldFordMan/AMC/th_1265297105.jpg) (http://s836.photobucket.com/albums/zz286/1OldFordMan/AMC/?action=view¤t=1265297105.jpg)
(http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/zz286/1OldFordMan/AMC/th_1265297106.jpg) (http://s836.photobucket.com/albums/zz286/1OldFordMan/AMC/?action=view¤t=1265297106.jpg)
Could you use some flat stock to drop it below the rib on the bumper? You might not like it looking that way but I think it will would work.
will it clear if you just move the plate down and put the bolts through the top holes and tweak the plate out so it's vertical and wave next time he goes by,get a big azz dog and chain ti to the bumper for next time he steps into your yard.
Experience would tell me , if he is bugging you that much, there must be another isuue....
Here in Alberta, the requirement for front plates was dropped in 1991. When I read a post like yours, I'm that much more thankful for that decision.
When I get my Concord on the road, I'm planning to mount a vintage plate on the front as a decorative item. All I'm going to do is use some extra-long license plate screws (which I found in my junkyard travels) and some spacers to bring the bottom of the plate forward a bit.
Concords, Spirits and Eagles did come with front plate holders, but they didn't really do anything to improve the angle of the plate.
Quote from: wagoneerhauler on February 04, 2010, 10:45:08 AM
Could you use some flat stock to drop it below the rib on the bumper? You might not like it looking that way but I think it will would work.
I am not sure I follow you. Flat stock?
Quote from: 68AMXGOPAC on February 04, 2010, 12:46:58 PM
will it clear if you just move the plate down and put the bolts through the top holes and tweak the plate out so it's vertical and wave next time he goes by,get a big azz dog and chain ti to the bumper for next time he steps into your yard.
Experience would tell me , if he is bugging you that much, there must be another isuue....
That might work. I'll haveto go see. No there isn't another issue. La Vista has been said to have more policemen per population than anywhere else in the area. I see more policemen in a day than I saw in over a year in Omaha. They are more picky because they can be.
We get ticketed if our car sticks over the sidewalk. I have a neighbor across the street that watches and calls on all my visitors. He even called on my tree out front which caused me to have to cut all the branches 15 feet up to avoid a $200 ticket.
Quote from: 83Eagle! on February 04, 2010, 05:42:36 PM
Quote from: wagoneerhauler on February 04, 2010, 10:45:08 AM
Could you use some flat stock to drop it below the rib on the bumper? You might not like it looking that way but I think it will would work.
I am not sure I follow you. Flat stock?
Um, sorry. Flat steel bar. Say something an inch wide by two or three inches long. Maybe 3/16" think. Two holes one at the top and the other at the bottom. Mount the bars to the bumper and then the plate to the bars using the bottom holes in the plate. This would result in something that was not as low as using the top holes of the plate in the bumper. You would want to use some flat head screws in the steal stock to bumper locations to keep the plate able to be mounted flush.
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i268/BKJ99/0204001702.jpg)
I tried mounting it with the plate mounted by the top holes. I don't like the look of it. Not really all that sturdy.
I also tried spacing out the bottom by using a couple of washers, but all this told me was how thick the spacing needed to be. It was no where near sturdy. Hmmm...
This is just an idea but could you cut the rubber strip so it just goes up to the liscence plate, then the plate would sit more flush to the bumper and eliminate the angle.
I,m sorry , and I don't mean to cut your town down,BUT that is out of hand.Seems they need to justify thier police force by handing out citations,that kind of thing makes me nuts.I can see if you had a junkyard for a front yard in a select neighborhood, but what's with the ticket for your car too far over the sidewalk?? Do you mean if it's in your driveway and sitting over into the sidewalk or is it in a parrelell parking situation? Man I am way off topic.... sorry.The plate fastened at the top looked better,but yeah it copuld get wacked and bent I guess. Good luck man !
You're right....my spare plate as a backing isn't likely to help on the front much afterall. Still worth considering in other situations if a person needs though.
From looking at your pictures a few thoughts cross my mind. First, the flat stock idea is worth doing if you don't mind doing a bit of fab work. You can also go to a hardware store and look for small angle brackets or other such things....most with holes already drilled out, that might work as well....you just have to measure and size up what you'd need. Otherwise, some other type of fabrication work may be in order too, but you'll have to use your imagination and whatever resources you have available to you.
But trying to stick as close to stock there, you have a few choices. The first two are simple approaches. 1) space out the bottom as you were trying, so as to bring out the bottom enough to keep the overall plate vertical. 2) drill out two more holes where the top was. Since the plate covers over it anyway, looks are only so important here. And if it means saving yourself a ticket fee, it might be worth it. Just put the plate back the way you had it, figure where you'd need to drill the holes and then attach it from the top.
Then there are variations of those. You can do both.....doing the main attaching from the top, but space out the bottom just to reinforce and stabilize it a bit.
My guess is that most of the plate holders you'll find new in stores are going to be flat.....not allowing for spacing out to attach. So you may well have to look for a used plate holder at a junkyard or off another vehicle. I'd be eyeballing every car on the road to look for any possible solutions to this right now. As well as looking through anything and everything in the garage or basement for possible options as well. I had not good holding spot for the plate on the rear bumper from my '76 Honcho that I now have on my '78, so I just drilled two holes on the left side where it'd work and it works well. With the receiver hitch in the center on that a central plate is not a good location. But that's on the rear. Fronts are much better centered. I know the Jeeps often used a plate holder in the front that had an under/behind attachment, and then you bolted the plate to the holder. I'm not sure if those would work for the Eagles....at least without any modifications, but you can certainly look around and consider options.
BTW...I agree on how cheap plates are. I see some states aren't even doing the "raised" element any more...just doing like a straight flat screen print. And as I've mentioned, in Wisconsin, we don't even get two sets of stickers....we only get the rear ones, but still have to use both plates. Anywhere they can cut costs they seem to have done so.
Another thought....if you've got a piece of fairly solid sheet metal around.....size it up, drill two holes that would match the bottom and attach that some how to the current holes (may have to space it out to push it forward as you need), and then four more holes for places for the plate screws to go through. Essentially make your own plate holder in otherwords. Steel would be best there, but if you needed something in a pinch for a few weeks until you got a more permanent solution a half inch or thicker chunk of plywood would probably work as well. Just anything to get the plate sturdy and positioned so you won't get the fine.
EGG given for all of your possible solutions. Surely, somewhere here or in a junk yard from another make of car we can find Brandon a front plate holder.
Quote from: 83Eagle! on February 04, 2010, 06:27:26 PM
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i268/BKJ99/0204001702.jpg)
I tried mounting it with the plate mounted by the top holes. I don't like the look of it. Not really all that sturdy.
I also tried spacing out the bottom by using a couple of washers, but all this told me was how thick the spacing needed to be. It was no where near sturdy. Hmmm...
Don't know if this will help, but some lawn mowers with Briggs & Stratton engines have a round spacer approximately 1 inch long between the gas tank & engine. I can get a part # & maybe better measurements maybe tomorrow if you want. Not sure on the center hole size.
Ford Man, that's an idea. I looked around Lowe's today for a bit looking for an idea, but didn't have any luck. I got distracted by the snowthrowers that were on clearance. I got a new one twice the size of the one I have for $250 off. They were marked down $200 and a guy gave me a Lowe's Coupon for $50. Score.
Quote from: 68AMXGOPAC on February 04, 2010, 08:13:19 PM
I,m sorry , and I don't mean to cut your town down,BUT that is out of hand.Seems they need to justify thier police force by handing out citations,that kind of thing makes me nuts.I can see if you had a junkyard for a front yard in a select neighborhood, but what's with the ticket for your car too far over the sidewalk?? Do you mean if it's in your driveway and sitting over into the sidewalk or is it in a parrelell parking situation? Man I am way off topic.... sorry.The plate fastened at the top looked better,but yeah it copuld get wacked and bent I guess. Good luck man !
Yeah a car cannot stick over the sidewalk at all when in your driveway. It is kind of odd, but then again it keeps people out of other people's yards. There are also laws where any vehicle you have has to be currently licensed and stored on cement. Otherwise I would have a parts car or a Jeep Playground for Morgan or something.
UMunky wow talk about thinking it through. I am impressed with your options. Thank you I am going to print those suggestions off and look around the house. Thanks man.
Yes they did, at least for N.J. There was one on my Eagle when I got it. My state is a one plate state, but most of your two plate states should have them on, but if you need one if I can find it you can have it. I don't know what I did with it, but I'll look for it later and get back to you
Quote from: 83Eagle! on February 05, 2010, 12:25:47 AM
Ford Man, that's an idea. I looked around Lowe's today for a bit looking for an idea, but didn't have any luck. I got distracted by the snowthrowers that were on clearance. I got a new one twice the size of the one I have for $250 off. They were marked down $200 and a guy gave me a Lowe's Coupon for $50. Score.
Quote from: 68AMXGOPAC on February 04, 2010, 08:13:19 PM
I,m sorry , and I don't mean to cut your town down,BUT that is out of hand.Seems they need to justify thier police force by handing out citations,that kind of thing makes me nuts.I can see if you had a junkyard for a front yard in a select neighborhood, but what's with the ticket for your car too far over the sidewalk?? Do you mean if it's in your driveway and sitting over into the sidewalk or is it in a parrelell parking situation? Man I am way off topic.... sorry.The plate fastened at the top looked better,but yeah it copuld get wacked and bent I guess. Good luck man !
Yeah a car cannot stick over the sidewalk at all when in your driveway. It is kind of odd, but then again it keeps people out of other people's yards. There are also laws where any vehicle you have has to be currently licensed and stored on cement. Otherwise I would have a parts car or a Jeep Playground for Morgan or something.
Got brave ( cold & wet here ) & went out to the garage to look this morning. Had one mower with the set-up like I was describing ( buried at the end of the row of course ). Tried to get the numbers off it & must have wrote something down wrong. Called a buddy at a mower shop & he said he had one laying on his bench in front of him. Sizes are as follows ½" diameter x ¼" hole x ½" long. Don't have a part # handy. If you think that will work, I'll try to get #s agagin later. You might try a couple nuts for spacers also instead of washers. Put the nuts between the plate & bumper to move it out some.
Okay I tried a couple of things last night with no luck. I tried the "nut as a spacer" it was not sturdy enough.
I also did a little modification to a pants hanger that looked like it would work as a spacer. I attached it to the bottom of the plate and tried to bolt it onto the Eagle. No luck. The middle section of this bracket that I made had more of a curve to it than the edges, so it wouldn't bolt on correctly. I really thought it was going to work :(
b
Quote from: HappyPappy on February 05, 2010, 07:11:31 AM
Yes they did, at least for N.J. There was one on my Eagle when I got it. My state is a one plate state, but most of your two plate states should have them on, but if you need one if I can find it you can have it. I don't know what I did with it, but I'll look for it later and get back to you
Let me know if you find it and how much it would be for shipping to La Vista, NE; zip code 68128
When I went out to put the plate on the popup and make a list of the things I need to repair (very minimal) I noticed it had a pot metal license plate holder and didn't really need one.
I thought it would alleviate the bend I have in the front plate of the Eagle. So I tried it out today with a spacer I made out of a plastic pants hanger I found. It improves the angle, but I am afraid I am still going to get pulled over because the plate still leans down some. I'll go snap a picture and show you what I mean.
Yeah I got it fixed. I actually posted it in my "Progress is being made" under Your Eagles and not here. Oops.
Quote from: 83Eagle! on March 26, 2010, 02:27:33 PM
When I got home with Morgan from preschool she helped me fix the front licese plate bracket. I had picked up a self tapping screw kit from O'Reilly's right before going to Ron's Automotive. My Eagle got a lot fo attention at O'Reilly's. It was all good attention too. :)
I drilled two new holes for the top of the plate. Then, I had added a spacer to the bottom of the license plate made out of a heavy duty plastic hanger I round in the basement. Then I attached the top with self tapping screws to the bumper via the holes I drilled.
I used the pot metal license plate holder that the camper had for this project. It was more sturdy than the cheapo plastic ones. It is still at a slight angle, but not nearly as bad by far.
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i268/BKJ99/th_0326001217.jpg) (http://s74.photobucket.com/albums/i268/BKJ99/?action=view¤t=0326001217.jpg)
The Eagle with my helper Morgan
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i268/BKJ99/th_0326001235.jpg) (http://s74.photobucket.com/albums/i268/BKJ99/?action=view¤t=0326001235.jpg)
Here's the new plate holder.
Check out the swiss cheese exhaust system I have on my Eagle in that thread too. Got my mirror fixed too by a guy who used to race a Rambler American 290.
http://forums.amceaglenest.com/index.php?topic=6888.0
nice exhaust lol
as for the plate holder... looks very similar to the idea I had. Good job man!
Quote from: Mavericke on March 31, 2010, 11:59:34 PM
nice exhaust lol
as for the plate holder... looks very similar to the idea I had. Good job man!
Yeah I will get to the exhaust probably as soon as I sell the Elantra. Did you see the undercarriage shot?
Thanks for the kudos on the plate. I like having my Eagle back.
I know a little late here, but, I found this:
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/accessories/accProductDetails.jsp?itemIdentifier=761575_0_0_&skuDescription=Bell+/+Adjustablelicenseplatemountingbracket&brandName=Bell&displayName=Adjustablelicenseplatemountingbracket&skuDisplayName=Bell&categoryNValue=10099999&navValue=100729&categoryDisplayName=Adjustablelicenseplatemountingbracket&parentId=00-10&itemId=729-0&productId=761575
It is from Autozone's site but I am sure other stores have this or similar. It would hold the base away enough to line up vertical where the top would hit the bumper/moulding.
Just a thought that might help someone. It is similar to Mav's flat stock idea.
Quote from: leftover on April 12, 2010, 02:29:19 AM
I know a little late here, but, I found this:
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/accessories/accProductDetails.jsp?itemIdentifier=761575_0_0_&skuDescription=Bell+/+Adjustablelicenseplatemountingbracket&brandName=Bell&displayName=Adjustablelicenseplatemountingbracket&skuDisplayName=Bell&categoryNValue=10099999&navValue=100729&categoryDisplayName=Adjustablelicenseplatemountingbracket&parentId=00-10&itemId=729-0&productId=761575
It is from Autozone's site but I am sure other stores have this or similar. It would hold the base away enough to line up vertical where the top would hit the bumper/moulding.
Just a thought that might help someone. It is similar to Mav's flat stock idea.
I didn't think to look on Autozone's website. Their store in my neighborhood had nothing like that. I looked into a bracket at O'Reilly's but it was a piece of crap.
They can order that part in for you or you can order from their online site.
Although if you take a look at it you can probably figure out how to do what it was Mav was suggesting.
Quote from: leftover on April 12, 2010, 02:29:19 AM
I know a little late here, but, I found this:
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/accessories/accProductDetails.jsp?itemIdentifier=761575_0_0_&skuDescription=Bell+/+Adjustablelicenseplatemountingbracket&brandName=Bell&displayName=Adjustablelicenseplatemountingbracket&skuDisplayName=Bell&categoryNValue=10099999&navValue=100729&categoryDisplayName=Adjustablelicenseplatemountingbracket&parentId=00-10&itemId=729-0&productId=761575
It is from Autozone's site but I am sure other stores have this or similar. It would hold the base away enough to line up vertical where the top would hit the bumper/moulding.
Just a thought that might help someone. It is similar to Mav's flat stock idea.
Thank you Leftover. I got that bracket from Autozone today and it worked perfectly.
Pictures to follow.
I had to reopen the investigation into this issue because I got new plates and I could not mount the front one with the holes I drilled previously. Plus, for some odd reason the licesne plate cover won't fit the new plate. The holes line up on the car and the plate and on the cover and the car, but not when I have all three together.
Here's the bracket I bought at Autozone following leftover's suggestion.
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i268/BKJ99/Bracket.jpg)
It cost $8.99 + tax
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i268/BKJ99/0115112225.jpg)
Installation was pretty Easy.
Mount the bracket into the existing bottom holes for the plate (at least my Eagle had them). Use the piece of the bracket that is more flat than the other. The other side has built in screws for the plate that look nice.
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i268/BKJ99/0115112229.jpg)
Then using an Alan wrench adjust the bracket to how you see it fitting best. Both the mounting plate for the plate and mounting plate for the bracket swivel on both ends with set screws to achieve the desired angle.
I chose to take mine up from the original bottom mounting holes for 2 reasons. 1. Then it doesn't hang below the bumper (not sure I like that look). 2. It covers up the top holes I drilled previously.
Here's the finished product. I still feel it needs a license plate frame of some sort, but at least people will be able to read it. If they have a problem with the push bar blocking the view from one angle or another tough. The Push bar stays.
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i268/BKJ99/Finishedwithoutaframe-wontfit.jpg)
sorry for the crappy shot. I couldn't get too far in front of the Eagle because my recliner is in the way. Had it stored down there because of the tree being up. I need it back in the living room; just have not had time to do it.
Here's a better shot of the plate.
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i268/BKJ99/BetterPicture2.jpg)
Interesting... not a bad thought.
I have a hard time focusing on the plate though... can't get my eyes off of the grill guard. I'm so dang jealous of it, lol!
Quote from: Mavericke on March 17, 2011, 10:51:14 PM
Interesting... not a bad thought.
I have a hard time focusing on the plate though... can't get my eyes off of the grill guard. I'm so dang jealous of it, lol!
Thanks. I like it. Now if I can juet get the HEI upgrade finished I should be all set.
I did mine and didn't really notice much of a change tbh. Of course, I still need to replace the coil wire with a thicker gauge - but the rest is done.
Quote from: Mavericke on March 18, 2011, 01:33:22 AM
I did mine and didn't really notice much of a change tbh. Of course, I still need to replace the coil wire with a thicker gauge - but the rest is done.
I thought you did an MUI upgrade. Or did you do HEI?