Types of license plate light.

[vanmansam]

Anyone wanna outline the different styles there are for both wagon and sedan?
I know theres the style with two lights on each side of the plate but that all I know of. My wagon has no holes in the hatch so I am assuming theres other styles besides that.
Also anyone with pictures of how the wiring is routed on the wagon would be awesome.   My wagon has no existing wiring left going to the hatch and no license plate light so I am wondering about my options to make my car street legal.  Will i need to remove the headliner to wire it up?  My headliner is original and in decent shape so I would like to avoid that.

 

Thanks guys

[TheShagginWagon]

The only other 510 licence plate light I can think of were from 68's. the light was mounted on the bumper, so that could explain the lack of holes on your hatch.

[vanmansam]

I drive a 70.. and the hatch is original.
No holes on bumper either

[hobbes_the_cat]

You sure it's original? Maybe down the line the holes were shaved. OR maybe you have a goon from a different country? Some of those, even in later years, had the light on the bumper.

[TheShagginWagon]

hmmm interesting....How can you be sure that the hatch is original? If it is a 70's hatch,any chance that the holes on the hatch could have been filled? Is it possible that the PO ran a 68 bumper and replaced it with a 70 before selling? Kind of a rare bumper and light combo so I guess its possible. 

[Tristin]

In the US only 67 and 68s had the bumper mounted license plate lights. If your hatch doesnt have lighting holes, then its either not original or was shaved at one time. Overseas 510s had bumper lights all the way to 73.

[vanmansam]

Was not shaved, I have the interior panel missing and you can clearly see smooth factory punched sheet metal.  Car was completely stock accept for wheels and mirror. I think theres about a half inch hole centered above the license plate now that i think about it maybe that's for a bulb? :rolleyes:   dont have the car with me otherwise i would just post up pics.  

I know all the cars panels were original when i got it, all the paint matches and theres no signs removal like scratches ect.

Still doesnt explain the wiring situation though.

[Tristin]

Maybe it was originally a Mexico car. 

[datzenmike]

The hole above the license may be the key lock / push button for opening?

 

If the hatch has no lamps or place for lamps or any indication there were ever lamps on either side of the license plate then... it has to be a, Oct '67 to Sept. '68 (or a '68 model year goon) hatch.  I don't know what they had in Mehico.

 

The bumper to Sept '68 had a license light in it and none after as they were mounted on the tailgate.

 

It's 43 years old and lots of stuff may have been swapped. Maybe in '70 it was rear ended and a '68 tailgate put on an painted at a shop?

 

 

 

The horizontal vents just under the rear window... are they chromed plastic or metal!!!

[danfiveten]

Just because things dont match up, doesnt meah the hatch may not of been replaced in teh 70's or so because a person liked the 68 bumper better, back then paint would match farily damn easy. 

[danfiveten]

 

 

 

will either be one of these, so if you have no holes on your hatch and no wiring inside for a light, then either cars hatch was replaced, molded out and they just did a hell of a job that youc ant tell, or its a mexican wagon, stock or not, would be no exception, nissan would not of forgotten  the plate light. 

[devilsbullet]

easier to tell by vents, side markers, wipers, and dash. it may be a 68 thatjust wasn't sold. my 68 is titled as a 69, but is clearly not a 69. back then cars were titled as the year they were sold, not the model year they were like today

[datzenmike]

The hatch on a '70 has chromed plastic vents. The '68 and '69 were chromed metal. So if it's metal it's an earlier hatch .

[danfiveten]

Looking at your pics, im pretty damn sure thats a 68 hatch... Just went through your build thread to look at all of that.

[devilsbullet]

definitely looks like a 68 hatch in your build thread man.

[Camtron]

Looking at your pics, im pretty damn sure thats a 68 hatch... Just went through your build thread to look at all of that.

definitely looks like a 68 hatch in your build thread man.

Give him some time guys. He just found out that evqerything he thought he knew about his car is a lie :(

[vanmansam]

Give him some time guys. He just found out that evqerything he thought he knew about his car is a lie :(

 

 

My car is on the Right.  You can clearly see crash damage poorly repaired on the back drivers side.  Okay, so hatch was replaced.  we got that. SO its a 68 hatch.

 

But reason I even asked this.  I want/need a license plate light.  Options would be? Get the period correct 70 and newer lights (lol im keeping metal vents fersure)?  Or none at all?  I have never even seen a bumper mounted light for sale.  Opinions?

[danfiveten]

Van. Just find a 68 bumper light, i know theres a few around for sale, their around 100-150 bucks, then just drill into the bumper.  Some dont like drilling into the bumper and finding the appropriate 68 bumper, problem is the bumper is harder and WAY more expensive than the light. Ill look and link some for sale, but its what i suggest you do.  Then all you do is run a wire from the parking lights under and into the bumper and to the plate light, and your done.  At least then youve only drilled into teh bumper, and given yourself the way cooler looking 68 light, and not drilling into the hatch to put the ugly hatch lights in. SPend the money and do it right :)

[Tristin]

What you can do in the mean time is visit a motorcycle shop and see about lights. I've seen some bikes with bolts that have built in LEDs to illuminate there plates.

 

Since I installed my center garnish I have no plate lights. I've just been coming home early but eventually will need something. Until I source a 68 light and bumper, I'll have to make due.

[vanmansam]

Well I have a 68 light sourced, imma buy that and just drill a hole in the bumper.  The way Dan put it to me was its *better* to put holes in an easy to find 1970 bumper than primo 68 hatch (and I agree, I even have a set of spare bumpers...).  Plus I like the early style plate lamp.

Thanks for all the input guys!  Love this place for just this reason
 

[Duncan]

Don't know about the later goons, but my Aussie spec goon has the early bumper with the light mounted on it.  Underneath, there is a hole for the wiring harness to come through the rear valance to get to it.  I just happen to be working in that area and have a photo..

 

[qwik510]

A decent and easy solution it to get a pair of these. Clean look and bolt on. No cutting up a good bumper. 

 

 

 

http://www.summitracing.com/search/product-line/dei-liten-boltz

 

[510T]

^^^These!!!

 

However I must add that I was pulled over at dusk one time because the Nevada State Trooper or whathaveyou "could not read my plate" (with 2 of those LED bolts).  I blame the non-reflectorized old style plate and his apparent hate for classic J-tin.  I have since added one of the stock lights and it is fine.  Maybe 4 of those LED bolts would be sufficient, but then you have to drill the lower holes out :(.

[jser12]

I've bought stuff off this guy before through eBay Australia. Never had a problem, all you need to do is buy the center light

 

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com.au/viewitem?sbk=1&nav=SEARCH&itemId=390646581502

[vanmansam]

I like the idea of the little bulbs you posted, but one thing your forgetting that I mentioned is that there is no exposed wiring for the hatch light, so I would have to partially pull the headliner to find the wiring or route new wires up the D pillar somehow. The 68 style lamp is actually the easier option in regards to wiring, plus I already bought a 68 style light.  

And i discovered that my extra set of bumpers are older and already have the hole in them for the lamp, so i wouldn't be drilling anything.  :thumbup: