C3smallblock

I replaced my 76 bumper with a tru flex one from Willcox. The two raised front bumpers on the front are slightly closer together than on the urathane original. I now cannot put back the black metal licence plate backing because it does not fit between the bumpers. So i tried to put the licence plate directly on the bumper. The plate fits bu itself but not with a frame, and it looks odd without a frame. Anyone else with a truflex got any ideas?

1975greenconvertible

I had the exact same problom when I did my 75. Got so fed up with the terrible fit I just gave the thing to a body shop. They had to grind out quite a bit of material to get the liscense bracket to fit. Its just another thing in the long line if reproduction parts that isn't quite right.

C3smallblock

Why the hell would they make a reproduction bumper and change the dimensions anyway? Did they think that we would not want to use licence plates? Idiots grrrr

I dont want to have to get it modified now, as the paint job has just been completed, so I guess I will have to just use the plate without a frame. Pity that after tens of thousands of dollars restoring the car, it gets let down by its licence plate! My recomendation would be dont touch Tru-Flex after market parts

plumbbob

I placed the plate and marked the holes. Then drilled a 1/4"hole and with a small file squared the holes to fit the plate inserts from auto zone help counter.

Spook

I would go the route of modifying the lic plate and/or the frame you are using. Perhaps you can find a slimmer frame or just trim down the edges just enough.

I'm not really sure how small the difference is but figured you could maybe use looking at the problem from a different angle.

Good Luck

Jay-Dog

Funny thing here in Wisconsin is that those frames are illegal. I've been ticketed for having one. In no way is that meant as an excuse for Wilcox but you may not want to use a frame if it becomes an excuse to get you pulled over.

Jay

0Willcox Corvette

C3

I saw this thread about an hour ago and we have a newly installed Flexy glass bumper on a car in our shop. So.. I snagged a NOS lic. plate bracket and headed out with the camera to see if there was a problem.

The license plate bracket is a very tight squeeze between the two bumper extensions but as you can see below it did fit! I then went to a 79 we have here on the back lot that is a parts car and compared the two measurements and the license plate brackets.

The bracket should measure 12.25" from edge to edge. But, the bracket on the old original cover and the new one installed both fit very, very tightly between the bumpers. I really didn't find any issue aside from it being such a tight squeeze.



Is there a chance the bracket sides are bent a bit?

Also, if you want to mail your old license plate bracket to me, I can put it in the mill and take off say 1/16th or 1/8th from each side no charge. It's not a problem at all and this might solve your issue too.

Let me know,

Willcox Inc.

C3smallblock

Thanks for the info. I just went and checked everything again and my backing plate is not bent and it definately does not fit. But you have given me a good idea. If I trim about 3mm off either side of the licence plate backing plate, then the licenceplate will fit because the two bumpers are wider the further out they go. So I think this is do-able. Why on earth did they not make the Tru-Flex bumper the same dimensions as the original? I wrote to the manufacturers and asked them for their advice but they didn't reply, I guess they are a company that dont stand behind their products

Thanks Willcox for looking in to it for me, I appreciate your assistance.

0Willcox Corvette

C3-

I can mill the bracket for you.. it's not a problem and will only take a few minutes if you want to send it to me.

But what I can't figure out is why the one we installed is the same measurements. I didn't put a tape to the two, but I plan on this tomorrow.

The bracket did fit very.. very snug... and the one in the shop is in primer.. not painted.. I know Toledo makes these on a mold and I wonder if the one you have could have maybe an extra thick jell coat on it or something.

I've installed this cover for years and I don't remember ever having this problem. But then again, we don't have front license plates in Indiana...

Willcox

'75

I had this problem on mine too, so I just use the lic plate with no frame.

C3smallblock

Thanks for the offer but I am in New Zealand so it would be easier to grind it down here than ship it away. I am puzzled by this one, the licence plate backing fits in the old urathane bumper so easily but the new one is just a diferent size. It now misses by mm but the diference is way more than that between the old bumper and the new one. I am about to go fit it so hopefully by my next post it wont be an issue any more

croaker

I had the same problem. I have a custom plate so I just did a little trim. The bumper is worth that much.

C3smallblock

Done and done!

Thanks Willcox for your tips. I ground the sides off (the thin flaps on either side that stick out toward the licence plate) using an angle grinder and repainted the backing plate. It is still a VERY snug fit, but a fit is a fit.

Licence with frame sits between the bumpers now and all is right with the world.

Kev

blckslvr79

Same here.
Flex-fit was differen't than my OEM '79 bumper.
Had to leave the bracket off as well as the plate frame.

Before

After

sfallison

That's what I did!

blckslvr79

0Willcox Corvette

This is interesting to say the least! I'm going to let the manufacturer know for sure and see if something can be done in the future.

Willcox