The dealer who sold me my 2007 XJ8 provided a used license plate mount for the front bumper. It has the profile for the bumper and all, but there are no holes in the bumper and I really hate to make holes in this nice car.

If I reach up behing the front bumper, there is a solid beam which I assume is a frame or bumper member. I would like to attach extension "L" brackets out from that for my front license plate. To do so I want to tap and thread some screw holes into this meal beam, however, I need to know if this is really just a hollow structural member and not something filled with fluids or wires. I haven't taken things too far apart as yet to determine what this beam is and I can't really find it in the manual. Any advise would be appreciated.

Thanks - Nick

 

Hi Nick,

When I purchased my 04 XJ8 - I had to purchase a front license plate holder.

Look up my posts. I believe I included pics. I used rivets to attach the license bracket to the front bumper. You will need to center the holder, Mark where the holes go and drill into the bumper (and through the steel plate) and attach w/ rivets.

Hope this info helps - Anthony

 

DON'T DO IT!


I have always thought that mounting a piece of tin license plate to the smooth lines of the front bumper is ludicrous! I have the 2009 XJ and cut the plate to the info minimal (state, year sticker and #'s only showing). Then I bought your basic black plastic frames and cut and melted the frame pieces to fit the plate and mounted it on the grill 'below' the bumper. It's unfortunate that some states and provinces still require front plates.