I installed a Rampage rear deck plate that I had painted to match the body color. It bolts right to the bolt holes that held the carrier.

 

I recently read that the 3rd brake light should be above your other brake lights... Sucks, thought I was covered with my trailer hitch brake light.

The swag plate bolts on in the original holes, not sure why you think it would rivet on, those are just button head screws.

 

In the picture it looks like it is riveted on? And I don't recall any bolts in those spots...

EDIT: I just looked again closely and yeah those are bolts. But what happened to the center vent? I don't see it at all? My tailgate has a big vertical (2008) air vent in the middle of the tailgate.

 

Our Element Plate uses factory bolts, and bolts on. It also allows you to keep the vent that regulates the air pressure in the vehicle. No permanent modifications are necessary to use it.

 

I really like that vector plate. Might just order one! And... for those of you who have third brake lights in the center... how are you routing the wires? Do you pull the wires through the center vent or what?

 

The swag plate you ordered comes with 4 washers, 2 for each side at the lower bolts.

You remove the plastic vent.

 

Yep. Troy at Swagoffroad has been great to me. I am going to paint the inner aluminum plate black to retain the subtle look. I also am going to run two 4" LED strips from the center vent hole for third brake lights as well.

Anyone have tips on routing wires through the center vent hole? I have an extra stock tail light and I know there are two bulbs in there. I will splice into the wires and run it off there. That way I can just unplug or replug it as needed (inside the tailgate).

 

The "Stamp" is from Desert Snake and the background for it I made from some corregated pvc sign material. I roughed it up to give it a old timer look to it and laid down adhesion promoter , 2 layers of surf blue followed by one immediate coat of clear to setup the pearl, then 2 coats of clear later. slotted the back so air still flows out but water cannot get inside the tailgate. Then once centered I laid down a strip of foam weather seal gasket (Thin stuff from Frost King @ Home Depot)

And Viola

 

Poison spyder makes a bad a$$ one.