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We started chatting about this on another post so I thought I’d make a new post, and let that one be about tailgate latches.
Yes, my license plate has always been partly hidden by the bumper when set up in the stock configuration.
When I assembled my truck, I attempted several ways to bring it up higher using stock parts but never found a way to do it. The bracket for the tail light and the license plate does not allow the plate to be higher because it will hit the bottom of the bed. You might notice there is a third hole in the stake post that could be used to raise the tail light bracket and plate, but again, the license plate will hit the bottom of the bed. I’ve always thought the third hole was intended for dealer installed turn signals, but that’s just my thought without proof.
I’ve had my truck for 48 years and I’ve never seen a stock configuration that allows for the license plate to be fully seen.
Thought? Show some photos if you have done something.
Could it be that looks you are using 7C-13471 bracket when you should be using the BBAA-13470/1-A brackets?
We need to look at the bracket with the license plate piece attached. With the right side of the license plate still under the bed, the bracket you suggest still will not allow the plate to come up above the bottom of the bed.
unfortunately, in all these 48 years of owning my truck, I never saw the tail lights in original configuration. I’m the third owner and knew both of the previous owners. The first owner hauled fire wood a lot (and so did I), so he put a back of bed brace on - the tail lights were then mounted to the brace rather than standard Ford brackets.
I didn’t put the bed brace back on, but here is a photo of it.
Mine is partially covered just like yours. I think I remember there are other threads about it and that was the way they were made- But that 54 from the movie is just right. hopefully more will post...
Mine is partially covered just like yours. I think I remember there are other threads about it and that was the way they were made... hopefully more will post...
It isn't that simple - there are many variations and combinations of brackets, applications, and bumper positions and some of that was determined by delivery state rules as at the time as this was the change in some state laws requirements changing from one tail light to two and similar.
We need to look at the bracket with the license plate piece attached. With the right side of the license plate still under the bed, the bracket you suggest still will not allow the plate to come up above the bottom of the bed.
unfortunately, in all these 48 years of owning my truck, I never saw the tail lights in original configuration. I’m the third owner and knew both of the previous owners. The first owner hauled fire wood a lot (and so did I), so he put a back of bed brace on - the tail lights were then mounted to the brace rather than standard Ford brackets.
I didn’t put the bed brace back on, but here is a photo of it.
Same thing with my 54. When I bought it from Grandpa it had a very thick, heavy steel brace on it. The tail lights were attached directly to that. The original round tail lights protected by the heavy steel.
when the round ones rusted away these rectangular tail lights were put on. Turn Signals were attached higher. Even with this method the top of the license plate was obstructed and it had no rear bumper. I put one on when I I fixed the truck in 1999.
When I got the truck fixed up in 1999 and put a good used bed on it I bought tail light brackets from a rep[op house probably Mid Fifty.. I think they would be part #TC-13471.
I took pictures of the limited space between the top of the license plate and the plate bracket and the bottom of the bed probably around the same time Brian took his pictures.
[img]https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.ford-trucks.com-vbulletin/1620x911/pxl_20260327_180824769_1b644952f0edeef906ea0fced9b a8687eadfb30d.jpg
There is like a finger's width space between the top of the holder and the bottom of the bed. Gee, it looks like I'm missing a bolt.
Yes the bumper does obstruct part of my 1954 YOM plate.
In the 49 years I have owned the truck and driving it as a daily driver and 2nd vehicle for many of those years, only once did I get asked by a LEO about the obstructed plate.... and he was a college cop. Its too long for the story here, I can tell it aroiund the campfire at Truckstock.
As I brought up on the tail gate latch thread and thanks for starting this thread by the way . It’s a fun topic. I noticed you were missing the correct tail light brackets.
I always struggled with this myself. How to get the lights mounted correctly? A good solution by the way, is to turn the conventional commonly used flat brackets upside down, this way they just about clear the license plate from being obscured by the rear bumper. But that’s a solution best left to discretion of the owner.
So apparently in 51/52 when Ford trucks first officially came with factory rear bumpers their solution was to reincarnate these old taillight brackets I believe they were from the 30’s? Maybe our parts experts can confirm that? The 53-55 brackets are different but look the same, different part numbers though and I think are smaller than 51/52.
I have one original 53-55 bracket pictured below. Which I bought mistakenly thinking it was a 51/52. Which are about damn near impossible to find! The later ones seem to pop up on eBay pretty often- my guess is no one even knows what they’re for and there’s so many hot rods anyway no one really cares.
Luckily I have on my truck, which is a 52, a pair of Dennis Carpenter repro brackets cast in brass which are no longer available. But they are correct for 51/52.
With these brackets your plate can be legible and yes it uses the third hole that is in every factory correct stake pocket.
53-55 ford original brackets part number is stamped on the back
Thank you, John. I see how that bracket lifts the plate higher. Now I'll have to look for one.
You’re welcome! i think there’s one for sale on eBay now and I probably still have that one I’ll look for it. I just bought it by mistake. I’m guessing the passenger side are more rare?
also on the same crazy topic; when Ford did include (at least in 51/52) the passenger side tail light on the truck, they still had the license plate lens light on the bottom , same unit as the drivers side , no difference. Only the reproduction ones have the passenger side license plate light eliminated. Now that’s a real stock truck nerdy tidbit! 😆
Last edited by 52Flthed; Mar 27, 2026 at 08:28 PM.
@52Flthed , thanks for showing the BBAA-13470/1-A in real situation! It seems to reinforce my initial thoughts!
you bet ! Sometimes us older 48-52 guys have to show these youngster 53-56 guys a few things. Haha
same concept but I know what I have on my truck isn’t a BBAA-13470/1-A. It’s the earlier version of it. And technically a reproduction at that! The BBAA-13470/1-A is the 53-55 version. I wish someone would make casting of these. They’d make such a difference . I know Chuck said someone was looking at that.
Could it be that looks you are using 7C-13471 bracket when you should be using the BBAA-13470/1-A brackets?
Brian, the parts book says the BBAA 134701 is for the 53-54 models. Did this parts book only go to 1954 or did 55 and up trucks get a different bracket?
