Anyone use a universal License plate LED bar mount?

[blackbetty14]

So I finally swapped out my Cheap MH1 projectors for morimoto 7.0s and light output is great for the street. Where I'm from NNJ streets are decently lit but we have alot of deer. Looking at ways to add light bars to my 14 express CC and ordered a 42" single row straight LED bar, harness for cheap. I then ran across a universal aluminum license plate mount for mounting different light bars/pods. I have to relocate my license plate as it hangs too low and will block out some of the 42" bar that Im sticking in the lower bumper cutout. Flipping the OE license plate mount might not work for me so I was looking for license plate mounts.

Came across a aluminum license plate mount that has a bent top with lots of cutouts for bars/mounting pods etc. AT $28 shipped I took the plunge and Also ordered a cheap 14" single row spot bar for this mount. Its a 6 LED 10W chips (Supposedly) good for 60w and 5100 lumens of spot power. I'm just wondering if anyone has used these license plate mounts? The dealer drilled my license plate (2 holes at top) crooked and it drives me insane. I removed it for a few months until I got pulled over for it (still a law in NJ to have it on the front) so had to put it back on. I dont want to drill any more holes in the bumper but as there are only 2 now is that going to be enough for the bracket with bar attached? Do I remove the factory plate holder and just run this by itself? I would need to put something on the back to help with it rubbing the paint on the bumper. I would love to flip the bracket so the bar mount fits over the bumper toward the grill and tuck the bar in there without drilling into the bumper top. But I wont be able to tell until it gets here in about a week. Just inquiring if anyone has used these or things the 2 bolts is enough.

Front Bumper License Plate Mount Bracket Holder for Offroad Lamps/LED Light Bar | eBay

 

[blackbetty14]

No one?

 

[weeseven]

I have not use that type of light mount however i have use a license plate step mount that was held on with the two factory holes it held my weight 295lbs (i wish I could find a pic) i guess what im saying is it should hold the weight of the light (s)


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[blackbetty14]

I have not use that type of light mount however i have use a license plate step mount that was held on with the two factory holes it held my weight 295lbs (i wish I could find a pic) i guess what im saying is it should hold the weight of the light (s)


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You stood on the front license plate holes on a step bar and it held your weight? The licent plate bolts just screw into the plastic bumper... I can't see them holding 5lbs with any leverage.

I'm referring to the front license plate screws. Those 10mm screws that screw the plate through the plastic mount and then into the bumper.

 

[Rzrman328]

Looks nifty.

 

[weeseven]

You stood on the front license plate holes on a step bar and it held your weight? The licent plate bolts just screw into the plastic bumper... I can't see them holding 5lbs with any leverage.



I'm referring to the front license plate screws. Those 10mm screws that screw the plate through the plastic mount and then into the bumper.

The plate step looked like a license plate with a hinge on the bottom it was held on with small nut and bolts (just a little bigger)in the same location as the license plate and was on a chrome bumper



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[blackbetty14]

The plate step looked like a license plate with a hinge on the bottom it was held on with small nut and bolts (just a little bigger)in the same location as the license plate and was on a chrome bumper



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Ah gotcha. Well the chrome bumper is steel and much stronger. The express/sport bumper is plastic and not nearly as strong. The bumpers themselves are different but thanks for your input.

 

[Cummins Dog]

I use that one...





Links from Amazon...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EMYUOGY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017SHMVY0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

...it is pretty light aluminum but so far is holding up. I did drill two more holes in the bumper to give it a little more support (which are hidden behind the license plate). I've got a 24" curved LED bar on mine, which is as big as you can mount on it. The two LED pods next to it are mounted on mounts off the tow hooks. I suppose if you wanted to mount a longer LED bar on it you could if it had mounting holes on the bottom, instead of the sides but since its lightweight aluminum I think the 24" is about as much weight as you'll want to put on it anyway.

 

[blackbetty14]

Nice! I see you have a steel bumper. So I'm assuming your drilling into it? I really didn't want to add another 2 holes to my bumper.... ugh. Do u see a lot of vibration with it on?

I'm not planning to put anything larger than 14" on the top. I ordered a 14" single row 60w bar to go on this. I already have a 42" straight single row I'm going to stick down in the lower insert of the bumper.

I was just worried about the 14" bar being on the bracket with 2 screws in the plastic sport bumper and how it's going to bounce or pull out etc.

 

[TRXHemi]

I don't think that would work with the Sport bumper....it would shake all over the place!

 

[blackbetty14]

Yea Thats what I'm thinking too.

But since I'm only going to try to use a 14" single row bar the weight might be light enough to limit vibrations. I also know their is stiff plastic behind the bumper at the top at least... doing to see if using longer screws maybe I can drill into that extra support.

 

[Cummins Dog]

I used it the other night on a fairly smooth dirt road, as dirt roads go. I did notice a little vibration with the light but actually less then I expected. And, yes, that's the big old steel bumper that was no problem drilling holes in for more support. I don't know much about the "plastic" sport bumpers (since I don't have one) but to be an actual "bumper" isn't there something behind the plastic to give it some structure, like some type of metal frame or something? Also, I might add that the actual plate the license plate mounts onto is about an inch and a half wider on each side then the license plate. I trimmed off about an inch and a half from each side so the license plate was just slightly wider then it so it wouldn't show out the side of the license plate.

 

[blackbetty14]

Behind the sport or rubber/poly bumper is another plastic support. Usually behind a bumper is a 5mph crash bar (used to be egg crate plastic looking) but on new cars its a Styrofoam plastic molded behind the bumper. The accident pushes the flexible bumper into the Styrofoam and compresses/breaks it before hitting a metal frame (impact bar) this is usually 4-6" behind the bumper cover and is what the Styrofoam is attached to. The cover and Styrofoam gives you a 5mph cushion before possibly causing metal/frame damage. Its a ****** design bc it destroys everything up to that point which you have to replace which is why low speed accidents cost so damn much. But its cheap and easy for manufactures to make and meets the specs. Older cars/trucks etc didn't have all that... I remember a commercial for a GTO 69 judge... they took a crowbar and WHALED the front chrome/rubber bumper car and it just bounced off lol. They dont make cars like that anymore lol.

So basically drilling in past the plastic your met with an empty space and then Styrofoam... none of the above is good for mounting anything with weight or giving the screw any more ability to grab into anything.

 

[Army DV]

I want to install a light bar behind my lower grill on a 2019. That lower grille is not a see through grill (Sport Grill maybe?).

Does anyone have a place I can go to to get a replacement grill that does not block the light? I do not want to change to a different grill entirely, just make that bottom one see through. Also, is the 14 inch light bar the most logical size for this location?

Instead of using a regular switch like many seem to use and mount on the dash, I'm going to use a headlight switch on the floor like the older cars and trucks had for bright and dim. Seems to be a good hidden and easily accessible way to have the switch.

Thanks to any and all those that reply.

Bob

2019 Dodge Ram Lonestar