License plate lighting ideas

I have a high clearance bumper, but not a plate bumper. I also have a swing-gate with tire carrier.

I'm trying to get the truck more road worthy and need to figure out a solution to my license plate and lighting of it.

I have extremely limited skills, so the easier the better.


I have a better pic of the bumper and swing gate in my build thread. Thanks for any help/advice you can provide.

 

Self tapping screws or drill holes and bolt on the license plate and drill holes and something like the below to wire to your existing plate lights? quick and fairly easy...

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=tacoma+license+plate+light&crid=38K63LH9GW7H2&sprefix=TACOMA+LI%2Caps%2C210&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_4_9

That's just a quick easy solution i would do if I were in your situation.

 

It is currently self tapped into the swing gate, but no lighting so I don't drive at night.

I am hesitant to mount the plate directly to the bumper as it will hang below. A member with a similar bumper confirms it will get mangled.

I considering going with dealer magnetic mounts and wiring a bracket led light on the top part. I have about 1" from the bottom of the bed and the swing gate. That may allow me to run my wiring through the spare tire access hole. I've also wanted to add a third brake light to the top of my rack, so it may just be time to make it all happen.

 

When you find a suitable location, they make license bolts with led's built into them, I found some on either eBay or Amazon for my Jeep. Worked really well, kill two birds with one stone.

 

I have a set of these, they are great. Just make sure you put a little loctite on the bolts so they dont spin and shine the wrong direction.

$6 WEIMELTOY License Plate Light, License Screw Bolt LED, Super Bright 12V Waterproof License Plate LED Bulb Legal for Motorcycle Bike Truck RV ATV, Cool White(2PCS)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MYXNLZ5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_0Z-cFbDCZY2FA

 

I looked at those a bunch of times. I opted out of them because I don't think they will be long enough. I went with a bracket that mounts to the plate and has a light on top. Thanks for the reply and help though!

 

This is what I went with.

LED License Plate Light for Trailer [Bracket Mount] [DOT FMVSS 108] [SAE L] [Black-Finish] [Waterproof] [12V DC] License Tag Lights for UTV ATV Trailer Truck RV Boat

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07937BQYJ?ref=ppx_pt2_mob_b_prod_image

 

For others who would tap the tag lamp properly.

 

I don't understand schematics, so this means nothing to me. However, it seems like you have some ideas with the proper way to wire this up.

Care to elaborate/educate a newbie?

I'm not following how cutting the end off, and splicing into the existing wiring is going to change anything.

 

When I did mine, the old connector was retained. The easiest way to keep it reversible was to simply wire tap and not cut anything.

 

if you know of a female connector that goes into the plug, I would be interested in that. Time is getting tight, as this needs completed by next weekend. I don't trust delivery timeframes at this point.

I'm not too worried about reversibility, as it could be cut off and the old wired back in. <---this approach has caused me a lot of wasted time, and doing work more than once though.

 

Just stop by autozone If you aren't worried about cutting. Get a pair of spade terminals or butt connectors. They are in stock and always on the shelf at a parts store

I modified the old light socket to fit modified spade terminals. I didn't want to cut anything on my wiring harness.

 

That’s the one I went with. I ended up tearing it off 3 times offroad (mostly bc I’m an idiot but also bc the lights are on the bottom of the license plate) so I just bought this one. It sits on top and doesn’t get ripped off lol

$10 Xenon White 12-SMD Bolt-On LED License Plate Light Lamp For Car (Universal Fit)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Xenon-Whit...ffde24b4|iid:1&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236

 

This is my mounting set up. I don't think I'll rip it off wheeling, but it will sit above the swinggate line. There is potential for damage from stuff in the bed, or eventually just not paying attention.

As previously stated, I can't read or make sense of a schematic. I know you're giving me the answer, but it's lost in translation.

 

I found a different thread, where it was elaborated on a little more.

I ended up ordering this. https://www.corsa-technic.com/item.php?item_id=1044

 

Just to finish the thread. The Corsa technic connector was a bust. I tried and failed, decided to just do it old school. Cut, splice, solder, done. The light I bought was a POS and came crooked, but it works.

I also ended up running the wiring through the table on the swingout.