Front License Plate
#1
#2
Yes I came up with a nice solution as I didn't want to drill any holes or completely block the center grill. (Drilling holes would be sacrilege) And for about $15 in parts.
Things needed:
A universal mounting plate adapter, about $5 at Auto Zone, MalWart etc, it seems they all carry the same one.
From bLowes or Homer Despot:
(2) 3" "L" brackets
(2) 3" X 1/4" X 20 threaded rods with open hooks on one end.
(2) 1/4 X 20 threaded standoffs
1 package of 1/2" X 1/4" X 20 screws
1 package of 1/4" washers
1 heat-shrink assortment from Hazard Freight.
Some scrap 3/8 tubing or gas line.
Pretty self explanatory -
Mount the "L" brackets to line up with over-riders and cover with heat-shrink.
Cover threaded hooks with heat-shrink or gas-line. Thread standoffs part way on to their ends.
Sllt a 2" long piece of gas-line lengthwise and slip over inside lower lip of grill close to Outside of each over-rider.
Put hook over the slit gas line (so it doesn't wear through lip)
Wedge "L" brackets under over-riders.
Slit 2 more 2" pieces of fuel line and put on back edge of backing plate where they will sit on over-riders (prevents them being scratched.
Screw other end of standoffs into backing plate. and tighten as needed.
Install plate to backing plate,
This is solid as a rock. No drilling, cutting or excessive cussing required. Totally reversible.
Oh, and don't try and put the threaded hooks on the insides of the over-riders to hide them. It doesn't work because it collapses the backing plate and you cant tighten it so it just flops around.
Some pics....
The last pic shows a detail of how the hook goes. (before I put shrink on it to prevent scratching)
I'll try and do some better ones later.
Dave
Things needed:
A universal mounting plate adapter, about $5 at Auto Zone, MalWart etc, it seems they all carry the same one.
From bLowes or Homer Despot:
(2) 3" "L" brackets
(2) 3" X 1/4" X 20 threaded rods with open hooks on one end.
(2) 1/4 X 20 threaded standoffs
1 package of 1/2" X 1/4" X 20 screws
1 package of 1/4" washers
1 heat-shrink assortment from Hazard Freight.
Some scrap 3/8 tubing or gas line.
Pretty self explanatory -
Mount the "L" brackets to line up with over-riders and cover with heat-shrink.
Cover threaded hooks with heat-shrink or gas-line. Thread standoffs part way on to their ends.
Sllt a 2" long piece of gas-line lengthwise and slip over inside lower lip of grill close to Outside of each over-rider.
Put hook over the slit gas line (so it doesn't wear through lip)
Wedge "L" brackets under over-riders.
Slit 2 more 2" pieces of fuel line and put on back edge of backing plate where they will sit on over-riders (prevents them being scratched.
Screw other end of standoffs into backing plate. and tighten as needed.
Install plate to backing plate,
This is solid as a rock. No drilling, cutting or excessive cussing required. Totally reversible.
Oh, and don't try and put the threaded hooks on the insides of the over-riders to hide them. It doesn't work because it collapses the backing plate and you cant tighten it so it just flops around.
Some pics....
The last pic shows a detail of how the hook goes. (before I put shrink on it to prevent scratching)
I'll try and do some better ones later.
Dave
Last edited by DaveInVA; 08-04-2014 at 04:32 PM.
#3
Zip Ties
Nice job, Dave. I was lazy and just used two zip ties and a black license plate frame to attach mine. I used a piece of black plastic door edge guard along the edges of the license plate frame so it won't cut the black bumper guard/over-rider.
To remove it, the zip ties have to be cut off.
To remove it, the zip ties have to be cut off.
Last edited by jimmiejag; 08-04-2014 at 04:46 PM. Reason: Add info.
#5
I've been driving mine without the required NYS front plate. I've taken a few 500 mile trips and gone through 4 Police Road checks this summer. No one ever mentioned the lack of the front plate. They must be enamored by the car.
I asked the local chief of police and he said that they never bother writing tickets for a missing front plate as the Judges throw the cases out of court and have more important things to handle.
I asked the local chief of police and he said that they never bother writing tickets for a missing front plate as the Judges throw the cases out of court and have more important things to handle.
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R3Wood (08-07-2014)
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#9
Honestly I tried a few different ways to mount mine and I just liked the way it looked in the center of the grill attached to teh plastic bumpers. I used the same universal mounting setup shown. Anywhere else it just didnt look good (to me) Ive also driven teh car in traffic and on the highway on a hot and humid day and the max temp reading i got was 201. Unsure how that relates to others but I was using a wifi scanner on my iphone to check
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R3Wood (08-07-2014)
#10
I agree. I live in a tourist community and the local police and state troopers are very busy in the Summer. Once September/October rolls around, the nitpicking will begin so I need to figure this out. All of the solutions posted here are appreciated.
#12
Doug
#13
I've been driving mine without the required NYS front plate. I've taken a few 500 mile trips and gone through 4 Police Road checks this summer. No one ever mentioned the lack of the front plate. They must be enamored by the car.
I asked the local chief of police and he said that they never bother writing tickets for a missing front plate as the Judges throw the cases out of court and have more important things to handle.
I asked the local chief of police and he said that they never bother writing tickets for a missing front plate as the Judges throw the cases out of court and have more important things to handle.
Last edited by Sentinelist; 08-09-2014 at 12:59 PM.
#14
Actually the way that front "bumper" styling has gone, it is a shame to have to install a front plate on virtually every current car. I think the main benefit is for the sake of giving more tickets at intersections with red light cameras and such. I am in the Los Angeles area and up until a few years ago, a front plate omission was ignored unless you were being pulled over for some other infraction. But what with the revenue shortage many cities are looking for any way to gather up a few extra bucks. So now you can get ticketed solely for things like no front plate and window tinting. I know a guy who recently got a no front plate ticket while his car was parked in front of his house.
Doug
Doug
#15
In North Dallas you almost have to have a toll tag to function. But if you refuse to get one, they now take pictures as you pass toll readers and send you the bill. Costs you more that way. I fly thru the toll stands (no booth or person anymore) with this automated tag.
Why couldn't states issue something similar to replace the license plate? Then police could check cars easily and the tag could be scanned 24/7 by roadside monitors for the scofflaw revenue.
You would renew just like you do today except it would be electronic. The state would simply reset the device's expiration date. It would save the state money in the long run, be less hassle for car owners and keep the prison-issue plates off my car. I would have one less sticker on my windshield as well.
Why couldn't states issue something similar to replace the license plate? Then police could check cars easily and the tag could be scanned 24/7 by roadside monitors for the scofflaw revenue.
You would renew just like you do today except it would be electronic. The state would simply reset the device's expiration date. It would save the state money in the long run, be less hassle for car owners and keep the prison-issue plates off my car. I would have one less sticker on my windshield as well.
#16
In Carrollton, it's less time than that now (must be before the court date on ticket) and you have to pay a $10 dismissal fee. Guess that pays for the marshall to walk out to your car and check the plates are on. The current fine if you just pay the ticket is $157.
#17
#18
Why couldn't states issue something similar to replace the license plate? Then police could check cars easily and the tag could be scanned 24/7 by roadside monitors for the scofflaw revenue.
You would renew just like you do today except it would be electronic. The state would simply reset the device's expiration date. It would save the state money in the long run, be less hassle for car owners and keep the prison-issue plates off my car. I would have one less sticker on my windshield as well.
You would renew just like you do today except it would be electronic. The state would simply reset the device's expiration date. It would save the state money in the long run, be less hassle for car owners and keep the prison-issue plates off my car. I would have one less sticker on my windshield as well.
Yep, it's actually Carrollton where my experience is based. There is the dismissal fee, but that's it. The marshall and I actually had a nice chat about my Audi S8 last time, was almost worth the fee to talk to somebody who knew appreciated the thing around here.