License Plate

1952 - 1968, M38A1, M170, questions, discussions, regarding anything related to the M38a1 series.
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tnspd
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License Plate

Post by tnspd » Thu Nov 26, 2015 6:48 am

Where is everyone mounting their license plate on their M38A1. Need to mount it but want to do it properly. I live in NC so we only mount ours in the rear of the vehicle.


Joe Gopan
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Re: License Plate

Post by Joe Gopan » Thu Nov 26, 2015 6:56 am

I use a magnetic holder such as the auto dealers use. There is just enough room under the gas can bracket between one of the spacers for the bracket and the pintle hook. No holes required.
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patters
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Re: License Plate

Post by patters » Thu Nov 26, 2015 7:07 am

I did it just yesterday. Went to the local big box home improvement store and bought an inexpensive ($10) short piece of lightweight angle tin with holes in it and a couple of 1/2 by 20 nuts. I flattened the angle out and then bent it so it would attach to the spare tire carrier but not rub on the rim. Wish I would have thought about the magnetic holder.

tnspd
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Re: License Plate

Post by tnspd » Thu Nov 26, 2015 7:24 am

where do I get a car dealer magnetic license holder?

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Re: License Plate

Post by Joe Gopan » Thu Nov 26, 2015 2:44 pm

Check E-Bay and call your nearest car dealer parts room. I have not bought any for a few decades. They are just two fabric covered Channel shape magnetic bars with standard licence plate bolt spacing.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

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g.keating
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Re: License Plate

Post by g.keating » Thu Nov 26, 2015 9:03 pm

Does your gas can carrier have holes in the bottom of it? If so, just get some l-shaped brackets, and bolt them on, and put the plate on the ends that hand down.

tnspd
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Re: License Plate

Post by tnspd » Mon Nov 30, 2015 4:37 pm

I got a magnetic license plate holder and it works great. Thanks for the tip!

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Re: License Plate

Post by NEKAF4EVER » Wed Dec 16, 2015 10:00 am

The Nekaf M38A1 has a special bracket to attach the license plate and the rear light. See picture.
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nekaf-m38a1-jeep-license plate bracket.jpg (108.2 KiB) Viewed 1025 times
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dcartledge
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Re: License Plate

Post by dcartledge » Wed Jan 13, 2016 2:52 am

Another option we use here in SC is a disk 22" in diameter we mount over the spare tire with 550 cord aka "wheel disk" with various decals and the tag bolted to the disk.

Also gives you some advertising space if you desire.

d
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Re: License Plate

Post by W. Winget » Wed Jan 13, 2016 5:02 am

I made a round sheetmetal plate for my GPW, that fits right inside the spare metal rim, drilled one hole in the center and welded up a disc plate to hold the tire VS destroying the original(in the glove box)
So I bolt the spare on with the disc plate that has a threaded stud (bolt head welded to the plate) sticking out the back, tighten the spare to the jeep, then stick the sheet metal cover on which has a metal blue and white "Ford" oval logo cut from a auto store vanity license plate and license plate attached as well as painted on year and model :1942 GPW around the rim.
If I do an reenactment I merely pop the center nut loose with a 9/16" wrench and leave the stud plate on the back, if I want an inspection like a Car show I can install the original with a lug wrench.
Just had to promote the "Ford" logo to confuse non-literate jeep spectators.
Should work the same for an M38A1 or any vehicle with a rear facing tire, and harder to steal the plate.
V/R W. Winget


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