Let's see your frugal DIY mods!

I bought 4 of the clamps from best top. I don't remember what I paid but I was surprised how cheap they were. Just FYI.

That works, it's what I was doing, but being a touch OCD, I like having the matching clamps.

 

Yeah I haven't gotten around to search for them. I had purchased the best top and saw these while at the cheapo depot. I am mounting a shovel in the bed rails, so it will cover up the clamps.

 

The extra clamps aren't listed on the Best Top site, I don't think, I just called and told the operator that the velcro failed and I needed some clamps. I'm thinking i paid like $13 for 4 brackets....not bad.

 

Took out left plate light and mounted 7-pin connector. Fit like a champ.

 

^ now THIS I like....

 

Hopefully the cops won't stop you for having a light out.

 

Do you need two? I would think as long as the plate is lit up it wouldn't be a problem.

 

As long as the plate is visible from 50 feet in the dark, then you should be ok. Most plates are highly light reflective, so they shine with a minimal amount of light. I'm not a big fan of using two side lights to illuminate the plate, but I guess it gives you a spare in case one burns out. I would rather have a single LED unit above the plate.

 

One white light on the license plate is perfectly legal.

 

How much cutting did you have to do to get it to fit in the light slot?

 

Zero. It fit perfect. It's a Reese 7 pin plug.



I took the light out, and put the 7 pin plug in the existing hole. Marked 4 holes and drilled out for the 4 mounting holes.

I'm not kidding - fit like a charm!

 

doing this today!!!!!!! I was contemplating doing the flush mount in the bumper, but if this means not drilling a hole into it (and with my luck screwing up) you answered my problem!

 

I've actually been pulled over for this a couple times. Once in the Taco and once in an older car. Each in a different state. Only had a verbal warning each time though. Maybe I just attract cops who have nothing better to do

 

for one light? or for no lights on the plate?

 

For 1 out of 2 being out.

 

As long as one light doesn't become zero lights. Bulbs have been known to burn out.

 

That may be a DOT thing. I've heard from commercial truckers that if they have a running light out they can get a ticket. Doesn't matter if they have 50 and 49 are working along the trailer, or if they have 4 and one is out, if it's got a socket it needs to be lit.

With that, if you remove the socket, and put in this plug, which almost looks factory, how would they know? Unless the Officer happens to own a Taco.

 

My thoughts exactly.

 

You lean something new everyday

 

I was checking out the LED's they put into my new bumper last night, first of all the two LED's they gave me are different colors, second they are so close to the plate all they show off is the raised surfaces of the plate. It actually looked kinda cool but wondering if it will pass as legit???