[AZKen]

Sorry, since you lost it you will have to go to the DMV in your state and ask what is required for someone in your situation. There is NO other way. We DO NOT offer any advice to do it any other way. Any other way without authorization from the state agency or having the state agency issue a new tag and telling you how and where to place it is ILLEGAL in all states, for obvious reasons.
I'm sure you are legit but that does not matter. Many folks have lots of ideas and places to buy parts and stories about how to do it. The 6066GMCCLUB.Com does not participate in any other advice. This policy is stated in our VIN section.

P.S. There is NEVER a good reason to remove a VIN tag and it should NEVER be removed. The original rivets are evidence of a legit truck. If you are media blasting/painting, just mask, avoid blasting the plate, hand sand around it........... and paint.

It isn't just if the state will stop you from making your own. In my state you don't even take older than 1967 into them for a title. I realize you have a title already. The point is if a buyer later sees a home made tag or you get involved somehow with DMV and they see the home made tag. Depending on your state's rules, this can all be avoided by asking them, not us, what to do. You don't even have to give your name.