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My 56 F100 has the license Mounted on the other left side behind the bumper, and the tail light has the clear lense for the night shine on the plate. New York is pretty strick on plate being blocked but They have left me alone for some reason.
Move the bracket to the other side, just a couple of nuts on each side. If it's like my '62 it will require cutting/splicing wires. GJCAT is correct that the tail light buckets are side specific.
Yes, I understand it is on the wrong side, I've already moved it, just not in this photo. My question is: Is it legal to have the plate behind the bumper?
For the most part these old trucks are Grandfathered in - anything the factory did can be left the way the factory did it since it was legal at the time. Most cars now have to have shoulder harnesses and cops can tell just driving by if they see that strap over your shoulder or not - but not possible with just lap belts that could have been stock. So, even if they pull you over as long as you can show you have belts they do not have to be shoulder belts since the lap belts were what came stock (sometimes) and they didn't offer shoulder belts at all at the time. They can't force you to go to shoulder harness type belts and they are not supposed to ticket a person. Same should hold true with a license plate mounting - as long as you put it right where Ford built it to go you should be fine - and not get a fine.
Now, if you have no belts, which is possible with pre-66 trucks - I think they may be able to force a person to at least install some sort of belts.
For the most part these old trucks are Grandfathered in - anything the factory did can be left the way the factory did it since it was legal at the time. Most cars now have to have shoulder harnesses and cops can tell just driving by if they see that strap over your shoulder or not - but not possible with just lap belts that could have been stock. So, even if they pull you over as long as you can show you have belts they do not have to be shoulder belts since the lap belts were what came stock (sometimes) and they didn't offer shoulder belts at all at the time. They can't force you to go to shoulder harness type belts and they are not supposed to ticket a person. Same should hold true with a license plate mounting - as long as you put it right where Ford built it to go you should be fine - and not get a fine.
Now, if you have no belts, which is possible with pre-66 trucks - I think they may be able to force a person to at least install some sort of belts.
Good confirmation, I was hoping that was true from what I've found so far.
The PO did install lap belts. I was thinking of upgrading them down the line.
I don’t know about legality, but here’s my experience.
I drove my ‘64 f100 daily for around 6 years. In the first year I was pulled over three times for my license plate being hidden just like yours. Although I didn’t get a ticket, nobody likes getting pulled over and end up running late to work because of it. I moved the plate and have never had another issue.
Yes, I understand it is on the wrong side, I've already moved it, just not in this photo. My question is: Is it legal to have the plate behind the bumper?
thanks,
rtc
I misunderstood your question. I agree with TA455HO that it is likely
grandfathered in because it is the original location. I drive mine 300-500 miles a month and have never been stopped. The license is in the same position as yours and the lower right quarter is obscured by the bumper.
For what it is worth I have attached the pertinent Wyoming Statutes on the display of license plates. The interpretation and enforcement is up to the individual officer. My take as a retired officer is, if you want me to find your stolen vehicle, please have your plates displayed as prominently as is possible so I can identify it.
It is mounted in the left side. It hangs just below the bumper but you can’t see the month/year. I haven’t had any issues since moving it to that location though
I think a thing to note is the trucks did not come from the factory with a rear bumper.
Some states did require it and the dealer then installed one. Most I have seen were style sides and the plate went on the bumper.
Originally Posted by Weste
For what it is worth I have attached the pertinent Wyoming Statutes on the display of license plates. The interpretation and enforcement is up to the individual officer. My take as a retired officer is, if you want me to find your stolen vehicle, please have your plates displayed as prominently as is possible so I can identify it.
Now back in the day when there were a bunch of the trucks running around I can see needing the plate a 100% seen but how often do you see a truck this old on the road?
I would also think if it was stolen it would be parted or taken someplace and "made over" that you would never tell it was the same truck.
BTW the plate on my 81 F100 flare side is also in the factory locations using a mounting bracket a member made as you cant get them anymore and had to make my own tail light & plate light harness.
Dave ----
I think a thing to note is the trucks did not come from the factory with a rear bumper.
Flairsides had the optional painted channel rear bumper factory installed.
My own 1966 Styleside has it's born with rear chrome contoured bumper. Taken off on sale day to install an aftermarket diamond paint step bumper. Still had it's original dealer cardstock advertisement installed. It doesn't even look like a chrome bumper in this picture but it is.
