SUV- Rear Spare Is Off... best way to finish job
 

Here's some pics of what I'm left with. This was a factory rear mount, so there is no light where the license plate space is...

I figure for the 3rd bolt hole in the bumper, and the big hole where the plate light wiring came through I could just get a black rubber plug to plug it.

Any suggestions on a light for the OEM plate mount and or bumper hole fixes?

Re: SUV- Rear Spare Is Off... best way to finish job
 

Ok.. so...

the dealer wants just over 400.00 for the OEM chrome piece that goes along the top of the OEM plate location.

Then it will have to be wired up, drilled, etc..

Anyone have any other ways they could share?

Re: SUV- Rear Spare Is Off... best way to finish job
 

Hi mount your plate in the trailer hitch if you don't tow and plug into the trailer plug in the bumper for the light or on the bumper with a lic. plate light and cover the holes from the removed tire rack. lf you don't you will have to run the wire back up inside the rear hatch. Maybe the plate light wire is already in the hatch but you will have to remove the hatch inside panel to see if its there.

Re: SUV- Rear Spare Is Off... best way to finish job
 

Thanks.. I've seen the hitch mount, but I use it too much to mount a plate there.

I've also seen the plate in the 3rd bolt hole that is left over from the tire carrier.... been tossing that one around.

I really like the idea of locating it where it was meant to be. Thanks for the suggestion of checking for the plate wiring there.... that would make it much easier.

I'm waiting on a camera and the lock pic video box to show up and then I will have the Viper smart start/camera system installed. I'll know what's under the rear hatch at that point......

Sounds like this might be unchartered territory...

Re: SUV- Rear Spare Is Off... best way to finish job
 

Orr.....

Take the plate light assembly from your old spare tire mount an retrofit it to fit inside of your rear door pocket. (Its not just the chrome piece you are buying for $400....Its the whole plastic pocket.)

You should be able to pull out your existing door pocket and cut holes in it for the lights to shine through. I would just use epoxy to fit it to your door pocket from the inside.

On the rear bumper you are going to need factory tow hooks to finish off the job. And you are pretty much stuck with the holes in the rear bumper that are left over.... However I may be selling my whole rear bumper soon..... I also might have a line on some tow hooks if you are interested.

Re: SUV- Rear Spare Is Off... best way to finish job
 

I think I'll just end up plugging the hole in the bumper with a rubber plug... that won't bother me too much.

The tow hooks I might take you up on... I've got a couple people interested in my OEM rear tire carrier, which has the hook attachments so the buyer would give me theirs, but if that falls through and I'm ready I'll need them. I hate to buy them though, when I can get them in the OEM tire carrier deal.

I just got the back up cam.. and it's slick. However, I think I'm going to have to have the OEM pocket with the light for it all to work properly.

Re: SUV- Rear Spare Is Off... best way to finish job
 

hi stock camera's on a 2008 are in the bumper i am not sure on 2007 down. I have 2 camers one in bumper which plays through the mirror and one in the spare tire on the licence plate that plays through the nav screen. I turn the mirror one off and turn it on to hook to a trailer, so i don't have to hear it slide out all the time i go to reverse. My truck came with the mirror one, then i put the nav unit in and the camera on the spare tire. Its better for veiwing bigger screen but not for trailer hooking up.

Re: SUV- Rear Spare Is Off... best way to finish job
 

I did the same thing when I got my H2... Wheat I did was order the Pocket, like mentioned above, from gmpartsdirect.com. I gave around $250 for it. Then I had to order a new wiring harness because the one that is in the lift gate doesn't attach to where the lamps are above the license plate. Then, I had to run power from the marker lights down to the license lamps because the vehicle is not wired that way from the factory.

Then I went on eBay and bought some factory hooks from a 2003 and bolted up in place of the bulky mounts for the rear spare holder.

Next, I went to Lowe's and bought a metal hole plug, primed it, and painted it flat black. When you Armour All the bumper the flat black matches it perfectly.

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

Re: SUV- Rear Spare Is Off... best way to finish job
 

I bought the metal plug too, from Home Depot. It takes a while to find it in the store but it's there, you gotta keep looking. I painted it with Harley Davidson "wrinkle" flat finish spray paint. It matches the bumper perfectly. I made the mistake of buffing it out though, so it isnt as black as it was at first and it took some of the wrinkle finish off too...

Re: SUV- Rear Spare Is Off... best way to finish job
 

I took the tire carrier off of my 07 as well. I kept the wiring coming out from the rear bumper, and had made a plate like on an 03 that bolts behind the factory tow hooks. I did have to buy a light that wired into the wires coming from the bumper. Plus a can of black paint for the plate mount.

Re: SUV- Rear Spare Is Off... best way to finish job
 

Make your own bracket....

Some angle iron, cheap metal and a 5 dollar light from pep boys.

Re: SUV- Rear Spare Is Off... best way to finish job
 

Mine looks better, and original! :fdance:

Re: SUV- Rear Spare Is Off... best way to finish job
 

But you can't see my wire.... :fdance:

Re: SUV- Rear Spare Is Off... best way to finish job
 

thefinestimage and OrangeCrush, settle down or you are going to your rooms without any dinner :giggling:

Re: SUV- Rear Spare Is Off... best way to finish job
 

Thanks but after a week ago, Friday, I was diagnosed with diabetes.

Point is, this Thanksgiving dinner SUCKED!!!

Half the shiet I love, I can't eat.

So send me to my room, I've got some sugar cookies hidden....

:fdance:

Re: SUV- Rear Spare Is Off... best way to finish job
 

:notallthere:

Re: SUV- Rear Spare Is Off... best way to finish job
 

Sh!t, sorry to hear that OrangeCrush, My father was what they called at the time a "brittle diabetic" and I do know a lot about it. Take care of yourself bud and you will do okay.

Was just messing with the two of ya by making the post and damned if it didn't bite me in the a$$ :o

I won't tell about the cookies ;)

Ed

Re: SUV- Rear Spare Is Off... best way to finish job
 

Tis cool bro, no problem at all...


Mark

Re: SUV- Rear Spare Is Off... best way to finish job
 

Thanks for al the pics and suggestions... this is what I was looking for.

From all the info posted here, and the back up cam I have to work with I've come to the conclusion that even the OEM pocket/light probably won't work the best.

I've ordered a frame with a light built in that should flow very well into/with my back up.

I'll post up pics when the job is done...

Re: SUV- Rear Spare Is Off... best way to finish job
 

Alright... making progress.

The rear pocket did end up as a good fit, so I ordered it from GM parts direct. It just got here today..... the wire harness was on back order because they did not have anyone to make it for them. I think I have it worked out but need verification..

I've attached this pick to make it easy for you guys to understand what I want to do.

Will this work without blowing fuses or hurting the electrical system?
Attachment 52108
Basically tapping into another light source for the license plate light power.