'83 Spirit GT

March 2017 Update  -  License Plate Light

A friend mentioned to me recently that my license plate light was out.  I checked, and sure enough, it was dark, no light.  I pulled that part, and its a Truck Lite TL544.  I looked around online, and found the Truck Lite site, but they no longer make that particular part.  I found the actual part for sale from the EaglesNest online store, but there's been no response from them for a couple of weeks now, so I'm guessing I'll need to cancel that order.
I started looking through the available lights on the Truck Lite site, and found a couple of marker lights that I think would work in the space I have available.  I found a local dealer, called to make sure they had them in stock, and stopped by after work to buy one.  Unfortunately, they sold all 15 units in stock moments before I arrived.  I ended up with a light that was very similar in size/design, just not the Truck Lite brand.

Removing the old light bracket proved to be the toughest part of this job.  The left side bolt was difficult, but came out with some effort.  The right-side bolt however, was rusted into place, and broke the capture nut loose from the mount.  There isn't any access to the back side of this area, so I was stuck with it until I could find a way to fish the capture nut out as well.  I'm not sure if the bracket was broken prior to me starting this job, but its broken nonetheless. 


I managed to finally get the capture nut out with the broken bracket.


Here's what I'm left with, not sure how to repair this sans cutting it all out and replacing with new metal.


I glued the bracket back together along the very jagged crack.  I think this will work for now, until I can find another bracket to replace it.  I bought some new hardware to remount the bracket, including a wall anchor for the right side mount.  Got the light mounted after a bit of fiddling, and viola, a working license plate light.

hi, just fyi, the Eagles nest store is nonfunctional, and has been for several years. good luck, gz

Looks good, couldn't tell it was changed..People think black is black. A ton of variations actually. Time to get those wheel flairs on

hi, great job! is that the charcoal canister up there in the wheel well? my 78 Concord AMX had the same setup, not so great as the bracket rusted. nice car! good luck, gz

where can a fella get a hood like your red one?  I love the hood scoop!!