[Guest]

I feel like an idiot, but I cannot get my license plates in the rear license plate frame.

The cardboard temp tag that the dealer had put on looked like a normal temp tag and everything looked normal. However, I got my metal plates today, and they are too big to fit in the frame.

I undid the four screws, but there doesn't seem to be any way to get the plates inside the frame.

I looked on the underside, and it seems like the whole lighting structure has to come out so that the plates can slide in.

Can someone help?

 

[Guest]

I just talked to my dealer, and they said the black plastic frame "just snaps out". Trust me, it doesn't just "snap" out. He said to "pry it out with a flat head screwdriver". I said "are you going to pay for a replacement part if I break the plastic trying to do that?" he said "no".

So, I'm still curious - has anyone done this yet?

 

[ladyinred]

TrexTex:

Dont touch anything on that rear license area...you should have another plastic frame in your kit that came with your SSR. TAKE
that black plastic frame(your state license plate slides into
it) then it all slides into the back license frame area and fasten with 4 screws...had no problem..

Hope I didnt confuse you.


Ladyinred...Lizz:angel

PS...if you didnt get a frame with your SSR you can get one at auto parts store..same size..

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the quick response.

However, you did confuse me

Primarily, I didn't get a "kit" with my SSR. And the black plastic frame that is currently on there is flush with the lights (so I'm wondering if the dealer already put it on). The plastic frame that is already there looks like a plate could fit snugly inside, if I could figure out how to "unsnap" the top portion and put my plate inside..

I tried just screwing in the plate on top of the plastic frame (temporarily), but the screws aren't long enough.

So, are you saying that there's another frame that fits above the black plastic frame (and therefore, there'd be a gap of 1/4" to 1/2" under the plate, as well as extending above the lights 1/4" to 1/2")?

I swear I'm not really stupid

(BTW - I've been on the phone with GM customer service for 30 minutes trying to get an answer other than "take it to the dealer". For goodness sake, doesn't anyone at GM know how to do this?)

(Another update: another dealer here just said "he'd have to order a part to fix it"! All I can do is shake my head and wonder how GM even stays in business with incompetence like this. So far, only one person has been honest when he said "I don't know.")

 

[RedTn.SSR]

Trex, I had the same problem that you have. After a half hour of cussing and scratching my head I found that the outside, flat surround area of the license plate bracket DOES snap out allowing your license plate to fit inside the bracket correctly. This flat, black plastic surround then snaps back into the bracket to enclose your license plate. Hope this helps some as I was as frustrated as you are now. Good luck.

 

[Guest]

TrexTex,

From your sig I assume you are from Texas, and therein lies your problem...everythings BIGGER in Texas:lol

 

[RedTn.SSR]

Hey TRexTex, Did you ever get the license plate bracket "apart" so that you could get the license plate installed? Just wondered.

 

[Guest]

Yes, I finally got it (actually, I let a dealership service department do it).

There are two "slots" on the right and two on the left. There is a tab that you push towards the light in each one of the slots (simultaneously!?!?!?).

This is not easy to explain, I know...

How about this, then: look at the screw hole that is in the lower right; follow it to the right edge of the frame; there should be a little "cave" between the black plastic that is attached to the bumper and the plastic frame that everyone can see; there is a plastic tab inside the cave (about 1/4" wide); use a key (or flathead screwdriver) and press the tab (which is inside the cave) toward the back-up light; pull up on the lower right corner of the plate frame; repeat with each of the other tabs (actually, we only had to release the two lower tabs, and the plate slid in).

 

[beewee]

Plate bracket frustration

Thanks a lot for the instructions. Two dealerships here in Dallas were clueless how to get the rear license bracket off too, even though the bracket looks EXACTLY like the one on the new Vet in their showroom. The parts dept., sales dept. and service dept. were all clueless. I did it myself in no time, now that I know how. Thanx again. :banghead :banghead

 

[RickSSR]

Thanks a million for the information to remove the frame, made it easy to remove.
That plastic plate frame will break if not removed correctly!!!

 

[fatrat96]

I don't feel to bad now. I had this problem when i put it one last month and i didn't want to sound stupid to ask HOW to but on a plate. all my wife could do was laugh when i had no idea how to slide it in. as i read all these answers all i could do was laugh.

thanks

john # 3785 :lol

 

[coastalcutie]

rear license plate doesn't fit

Thank you TRexTex for instructions; just bought my SSR (2004 Redline) yesterday and could not for the life of me figure out how to put the license plate on the rear.

My husband and I took turns trying to figure it out; so glad I stumbled onto this Message Board. Your instructions posted were right on! Got it done!

Thanks again.

 

[Marc NY]

Corvette/ SSR frame

Thanks a lot for the instructions. Two dealerships here in Dallas were clueless how to get the rear license bracket off too, even though the bracket looks EXACTLY like the one on the new Vet in their showroom. The parts dept., sales dept. and service dept. were all clueless. I did it myself in no time, now that I know how. Thanx again. :banghead :banghead

Yes you are correct... that is the "exact" same frame they use on the C-5 model Corvettes! Some dealers or owners don't realize that frame is for your licence plates and they sometimes get tossed out too.

 

[cruzned]

I find those black frames soooooo boring. I bought some cool looking chrome skull frames for the front and back of my SSR. The actual bolts don't fit well so I glued them in. I used the custom skull chrome bolts in addition to the skull chrome frame to go with the skull theme I am doing. J.C. Whitney online has tons of neat frames to choose from as do most parts stores. :thumbs

 

[Marc NY]

Show us YOUR Plate Frames

Hey Cruzned,

Please show a close up of your plate frames! Love to see them... :thumbs

PS. If anyone else has custome plates/ frames please share with us on here....

 

[cruzned]

Marc: I am driving out to Staunton, VA this Saturday to get some special shoes for the wife and to see the leaves. I will take some pics then and post em on Sunday if I get the time. The skull bolts look really cool. Here is a pic of the plate before the bolts.

 

[cruzned]

By the way, the state inspector did not care for the red reflector in the eye and I had to take off the frame for the inspection. PUt it back on later.

 

[Marc NY]

Mean Mean frame!

By the way, the state inspector did not care for the red reflector in the eye and I had to take off the frame for the inspection. PUt it back on later.

Great Shot there ED... :reddevil I like to see more photos when you get back!

Side Bar:

New York State law says that no frame(s) can cover any part of the license plate in any manner as to hide or hinder the clear view of any of the numbers and or lettering.

PS... Don't get stopped in NY... lol

 

[wildcat66]

Ok Cruz I just got a chuckle, are the shoes concrete and guareteed to fit. and will you post pictures of those. lol In Texas if the cover of the plates cover the words of the state they will make you take them off. I like the bones

 

[cruzned]

Wildcat: These are the shoes:
http://z-coil-miami.com/
They look pretty bizarre but do help with planter fasciatis (prob. mispelled that one). Either way, should be a nice ride out to the mountains and back this Saturday.