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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,353
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Hidden hitch with flush mount license plate bracket
So they sell these flush mount license plate bracket for our trucks now that raises the license plate up to be flush with bottom of bumper. Anybody use one with a hidden hitch and flip down license plate bracket? I'm wondering if it will clear the bumper?? Or can we turn the flip bracket upside down?
I have the hidden hitch, and the flip bracket, but I haven't ordered the license plate bumper box yet. And I don't want to get it wrong and waste money... Hopefully someone else has thought of this and was successful... Thanks in advance. ![]()
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TA_C10 Stage 1 build - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=8333444 "It's only money". ![]() |
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#2 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Waterford California
Posts: 2,516
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Re: Hidden hitch with flush mount license plate bracket
Put one on my 72 SWB 4x4 years ago and used a 69 Camaro license plate bracket that I got out of the wrecking yard
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#3 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Spring Valley, Ca.
Posts: 1,112
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Re: Hidden hitch with flush mount license plate bracket
Mine is from 70’s Chevy. Maybe a Chevelle? Works great.
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Smitty '71 Short Fleetside Spring Valley, Ca. |
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#4 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Spring Valley, Ca.
Posts: 1,112
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Re: Hidden hitch with flush mount license plate bracket
I’ll take a picture and post it tomorrow. And you can see how it looks.
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Smitty '71 Short Fleetside Spring Valley, Ca. |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,353
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Re: Hidden hitch with flush mount license plate bracket
Sounds great Smitty thanks. Flush mount right? https://www.brotherstrucks.com/1967-...tinfo/FLPB787/
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TA_C10 Stage 1 build - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=8333444 "It's only money". ![]() |
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#6 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Spring Valley, Ca.
Posts: 1,112
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Re: Hidden hitch with flush mount license plate bracket
Here"s a picture of mine. Not sure where I got the license mount that's spring loaded.
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Smitty '71 Short Fleetside Spring Valley, Ca. |
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#7 |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 5,470
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Re: Hidden hitch with flush mount license plate bracket
Smitty, what brand is your hitch receiver? Did you modify it to sit behind the license plate, or is that the way it was made? Did you have to drill holes in the chassis to mount it?
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#8 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Spring Valley, Ca.
Posts: 1,112
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Re: Hidden hitch with flush mount license plate bracket
The body man who did my truck was a great metal-smith and fabricator. This was fabricated from a pos laying around the shop. Not sure about how it is mounted. But am pretty sure it was drilled and mounted to the frame. I will look tomorrow. Here are the pictures I have of it while being modified.
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Smitty '71 Short Fleetside Spring Valley, Ca. |
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#9 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Spring Valley, Ca.
Posts: 1,112
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Re: Hidden hitch with flush mount license plate bracket
This is what it started out as!
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Smitty '71 Short Fleetside Spring Valley, Ca. |
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#10 | |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 5,470
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Re: Hidden hitch with flush mount license plate bracket
Quote:
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,353
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Re: Hidden hitch with flush mount license plate bracket
Thanks for the pics Smitty. But that's not what I'm looking for. Your using the stock style "license plate box" with "flip down license plate bracket".
I'm asking about the "flush mount license plate box" along with same flip bracket you have. The "flush" part of the box raises the license plate up to be flush with bottom of bumper. But because of this the plate won't clear the top of bumper to flip down, but, I'm thinking if you turn the flip bracket upside down so it flips up, instead of down, then maybe it will clear enough to get your tongue in the hitch. See the link to flush box above. .
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TA_C10 Stage 1 build - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=8333444 "It's only money". ![]() |
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#12 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Spring Valley, Ca.
Posts: 1,112
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Re: Hidden hitch with flush mount license plate bracket
I would guess that your idea would work. Make sure that the goose neck that you use with the receiver gets you out to at least where the current ball is. Also you might want to fabricate a small tab extending out from the bottom to ease the pivoting of the plate. Mine had some rust, but nothing in comparison to what your pictures show. Think about a 350 HO crate motor to solve my issues in that department. Good luck! Smitty
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Smitty '71 Short Fleetside Spring Valley, Ca. |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,353
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Re: Hidden hitch with flush mount license plate bracket
That tab is a great idea. Prob do that. If nobody sees this post that has maybe already done this I may not have any choice but to just go for it. If I need to fab it up a little too make it all work that's fine I guess... I'm ready for something to be both cool and "just work" out of the box.... That's The name of the game though, custom = fab work...
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TA_C10 Stage 1 build - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=8333444 "It's only money". ![]() |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,964
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Re: Hidden hitch with flush mount license plate bracket
The flush mount plate will likely be an issue. I recall the hitch receiver tube being very close to the bottom of the 'box' on these. The flush mount set-ups cut off around 1.5" from the looks of it which might have the two even w/each other. Very close.
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67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. |
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#15 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,353
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Re: Hidden hitch with flush mount license plate bracket
Quote:
The the hole I will cut in the flush box will most likely be a U shape hole out of the bottom since the box will be flush, or maybe even just a tad bit higher than the hitch, but again, you won't see that with truck lowered. ![]() ![]()
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,353
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Re: Hidden hitch with flush mount license plate bracket
Update
Flush Mount box arrived. It's going to work. Pics coming soon. ![]()
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TA_C10 Stage 1 build - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=8333444 "It's only money". ![]() |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,353
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Re: Hidden hitch with flush mount license plate bracket
Well I have a rough mock-up of it. Still need to clean up my cuts around the trailer hitch hole. But it works. I'm happy with it. I will need an extended hitch receiver. And I am still deciding whether to use the stock style license plate light or go with the lights that came with kit(lights you see in my pics). It works great. There is plenty of room for plate to flip up and see/access the hitch to install the receiver.
One thing I am disappointed in however, is HartFab sells this box and I never found it when searching for a "license plate box for 67-72" on the web. He is selling same box with very little difference. And it's only $75 compared to the $99 at brotherstrucks. I would rather buy from a local member on here to support them. https://hart-fab.com/products/67-72-...ense-plate-box 3 main steps I did to modify this box: #1 = Drilled new holes for flip bracket. They are a little wider than stock holes for license plate. #2 = Cut access hole in box for hitch receiver to insert. #3 = Had to cut the 2 top mount bumper license box holes off so the flip kit would swing up far enough for access. If you wanted to modify a stock box you probably only need to add material to the sides of box to raise it up behind bumper and drill 2 side holes for mounting. You can keep your OE license plate light assembly. Rest of my steps would still apply unless your not doing the hidden hitch. My angle with camera is bad here, not centered, but again I do need to finalize these cuts and spray a little paint to complete. I was cutting small amounts at a time till I get it where I want it. OH, and the box does not lose any stability with this cut. Not enough to make any difference anyway. The box doesn't do anything but hold the license plate anyway. ![]() Not sure if I am going to use these lights from the kit, but they are just tucked under the plate for now. Later pics show them working. ![]() Here you can see the tabs I have cut off of bumper so the plate swings out far enough. It still locks out for ease of use too which is awesome. ![]() ![]() Here is a short receiver installed. The plate will fold down completely with receiver installed I just didn't take a pic of this. With an extended receiver I will be able to flip the receiver upside down since the truck is so low. Keep the trailer up high enough. ![]() Back of box view. You can tell here how the stock light lamp would still work on top if you want to go that route. ![]() Few extra pics. Some I took as it started to get dark so lighting was temporarily installed to see how the kit lights work. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
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#18 |
Mr. Cheyenne
![]() Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Kyle, Texas
Posts: 1,688
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Re: Hidden hitch with flush mount license plate bracket
now come to my house and do one for me LOL
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Richard '72 Chevy C10 Cheyenne *Super WHT/MED BRONZE/WHT SBC 350 | TH350 | LWB | AC | Buddy Seats Upgrades: Tilt | Front Sway Bar | Radio | Sliding Window | Bed Spare w/Lock Bed Rails | Full LEDs | Courtesy Lights | Tachometer | Glovebox Lock & Light | Head Light Relays | *Upgraded Fully Super Trim |
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