Am I missing something

Ric · January 26, 2005

I bought an 05 1500HD the other day

my license plates came in today and I went to mount them and while there are screws in place for license plates on the front bumper, it's the dumbest fit I've ever seen!

There are 2 holes for the top of the plate and no bracket whatsoever

with the plastic trim across the front bumper, the plate actually projects forward at the bottom like there is something wrong with it.

Should there have been a plastic box or mount or some sort of component with my truck that would let the tag hang straight and keep it from flapping in the wind or catching your leg as you walk past it?

Shaners · January 27, 2005

I would think that the dealer would have front liscence plate mounting brackets available.

I'm surprised that if you live in a state where a front plate is mandatory, that your dealer didn't offer the mounting kit to you when you bought the truck.

99silveradoz71 · January 27, 2005

If memory serves me right, my truck has just the 2 holes with the square plastic around each. I think a plate frame from the dealer might give you some more support there.

taco · January 27, 2005

I just bought a 2004 2500 two weeks ago - You should have a License plate holder that screws into those holes - then your plate screws into the holder. My dealer supplied the holder.

budhayes3 · January 27, 2005

I'm sure that the 99's are different, but mine didn't come with a bracket, just the 2 plastic clips for the license plate retaining screws. If you tighten them up, it actually bends the license plate. I removed the clips and used longer bolts (with skull and crossbone heads) and shimmed them out with washers behind the plate. I wonder if they make a bracket for mine that they didn't offer me and I didn't ask about.

You really can't see it in these pics, but here's what I got:

jeffbf89 · January 27, 2005

I think they are an option and will cost I have had a 2003 and a 2004 neither came with front bracket, same as all the other 2003-2005 ones I see going down the road here in Colorado, eventhough it is state law to have a front plate.

tmf6902 · January 27, 2005

Mine didn't have a braket either....I just attached it with the two screws and let it flap in the wind

ness5575 · January 27, 2005

MS3DALE · January 27, 2005

No front plate bracket/holder on the Chevy's,Only on the GMC's.

Some early build '03 Chevy's had brackets/holders because the front holes were only a couple of inches apart (They still are on the GMC's) however GM spaced out the holes as needed on the Chevy's and you no longer need a bracket.

What I did on my '04 and our '04 2500HD parts truck was put a few washers behind the plate to "even it out" with the lower valance. It looks alot better

Ric · January 27, 2005

No front plate bracket/holder on the Chevy's,Only on the GMC's.
Some early build '03 Chevy's had brackets/holders because the front holes were only a couple of inches apart (They still are on the GMC's) however GM spaced out the holes as needed on the Chevy's and you no longer need a bracket.

What I did on my '04 and our '04 2500HD parts truck was put a few washers behind the plate to "even it out" with the lower valance. It looks alot better

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

so I am not alone!

what the hell are these designers thinking? Of all the miniscule items to get right.....

Kgry · January 27, 2005

Just leave it off. Who needs a front plate anyway. I've never been stopped for it and I've never put a plate on the front of any of my cars/trucks. It's also supposedly manditory in IL.

Shawn T · January 27, 2005

The bracket is actually in the option list. I ordered it on my 99 and my 03. The 99 was a Chevy and my 03 is a GMC. The Chevy version is the two white plastic anchors mounted directly flush with the bumber. However, my GMC came with a black plastic bracket behind the plate. The holes are only about two inches apart on the bumper and this is where the bracket mounts, then the holes on it are spaced correctly for the plate. I have noticed on the 04 and 05 model GMC's that they just have the holes like the Chevys. Go figure. I only use mine 6 months out of the year because the other 6 I have my Dmax bumber blanket on and I just remove the plate and bracket. Like I said, I did check the option box for both trucks, and the bracket was actually no charge.

Ric · January 27, 2005

Just leave it off. Who needs a front plate anyway. I've never been stopped for it and I've never put a plate on the front of any of my cars/trucks. It's also supposedly manditory in IL.

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welllllll I did that with my 02 chevy because it had only the screws and no backplate and no, I never got stopped for it but I can tell you that on three different occasions over the 3 years I owned the truck I was ticketed for not having a front plate when being cited for speeding. No, it is not something the cops just overlook in TX.

taco · January 27, 2005

Just leave it off. Who needs a front plate anyway. I've never been stopped for it and I've never put a plate on the front of any of my cars/trucks. It's also supposedly manditory in IL.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

welllllll I did that with my 02 chevy because it had only the screws and no backplate and no, I never got stopped for it but I can tell you that on three different occasions over the 3 years I owned the truck I was ticketed for not having a front plate when being cited for speeding. No, it is not something the cops just overlook in TX.

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Yes - I will agree with you on that, the Texas DPS are particularly fond of the front plate

biochemist · January 27, 2005

Just the two holes here too...looks abit strange, but I just put some 3M tape on the back so it does not rub any of the bumber....I could leave it off but MA cops are, well you know,