Front License Plate Mount [Merged 6-7]

[HokieDSM]

I was wondering what the best idea for mounting front plates would be? My new 1G didn't come with a front bracket, and I don't really want to drill holes in the front of the bumper.

So any tips on what would be the best way to mount it - besides just sticking it in the window? (Cops don't like that...)

 

[Defiant]

Grab a holder from a junkyard near you, or from someone on the web. It helps the looks some if you turn it upside down, and no, it won't block out enough airflow to hurt anything.

 

[wastefuldreamer]

Mine didnt come with a bracket. I got one from the dealer for like 20$ i think and there were already holes under the bumper to mount it.

 

[Ballsagna]

Dude..i know this does not have to do with your question but damn i wish the law would get over the stupid "have to have one on the front" sheet...sorry it just makes my car look like sheet!! just had to vent and i am sorry to do it...

 

[HokieDSM]

Originally posted by Ballsagna
Dude..i know this does not have to do with your question but damn i wish the law would get over the stupid "have to have one on the front" sheet...sorry it just makes my car look like sheet!! just had to vent and i am sorry to do it...

Agreed. I think it sucks too - I mean its not like the cops stare at your plate on the front, and since not all states require both plates, they always just look at the back anyway. So why not just use them on the back??

 

[Defiant]

Mine keeps getting parking-bashed on the 1G. On the 2G, my bumper wasn't drilled, so I mounted it up inside the mouth, on the PS cooler.

 

[tlnpwr]

i was just wondering if anyone has any pics of the front license plate. mine is not on my car, but im afraid the pigs in blue will start messing with me, so i wanted to see how it is mounted. if anyone has any close up pics preferrably where the bracket mounts to the bumper. TIA.

 

[JoeZ]

When I got my car, it was mounted so that the bolts aren't visible.

The actucal way it screws in is the bolts go vertical, and then a metal peice bends 90 degrees to position the plate properly.

Since I live in FL, I took it off and you can't tell at all that it was there before.

 

[wret]

I don't know if it will fit on a Talon but I put mine inside the "mouth." It's on a hinge with a magnet so it stays put until a certain speed then folds up. I'm sure this is not too legal though. There should be a couple of holes in the bumper support above the opening that you can attach a bracket to.

A trooper already on the side of the road stopped me the other day. He did a double take as I pulled up to him. Probably caught the plate snapping back into place. He didn't mention it though.

 

[Davidle]

I use the long black plastic ties... Works like a charm and holds the plate real tight...

 

[tlnpwr]

yeah, i had mine mounted that way for a day, but i didnt like how it looked. i had it on the side, b/c i didnt want it in front of my FMIC.

 

[Defiant]

Some are just screwed into the bumper. Mits has a bracket that bolts to those 3 bolts under the center of the mouth. I mounted mine to the power steering cooler, using rubber-coated wiring loom clamps. The angle it's at adds 13.42 oz. downforce at 70 mph.

It makes monkeys fly outta my butt, too.

 

[HokieDSM]

Defiant- tell me those numbers aren't accurate

Wret - your idea sounds kickass, can you give us some more info? I love the idea of something speed-dependent. Pics?

I've been wondering the same thing about trying to keep the fuz off - but so far *crosses fingers* I haven't gotten any attention for just having it on the dash...

 

[Defiant]

Originally posted by HokieDSM
Defiant- tell me those numbers aren't accurate

Okay, they aren't. I'm sorry.

I think one of the monkeys made them up.

 

[AWDPetmitsu]

You can try and see if the dealer has any plate brackets, maybe?

 

[Hocus]

I like your idea with the plate on hinges. I've got an idea that uses that concept. You could run a switch to magnets which hold the plate up, that way, when you see a cop ahead, hit the switch, and it reverses that magnet polarity, and the plate drops down. then, when you go fast again, the plate would go back up. Genious!!

Does anyone know how i would be able to wire that up? I'm not good at electronics.. peace

 

[wret]

Ok I'll try to explain it. I think I actually took some pictures of the assembly for just this reason but you'll have to deal with a crude diagram for now.

The bracket is made from perforated steel stock from home depot. All other materials, including the magnet were from HD as well. I was very fortunate when I put this together I did not have a drill. All the holes in the bumper, bracket, hinges, and plate lined up without having to drill! I did have to ream a couple holes with a dremmel to get things to line up.

1. Cut the perforated steel to cut a strip with the outer holes as wide as the holes in your plate.
2. Cut a second strip that extends two holes longer. This should line up with the holes in your bumper inside the mouth. (If you are using the same type of stock)
3. Cut a couple more pieces and bend them into 90° brackets.
4. Screw the outer hole inside the hinge to the longer strip.
5. Screw he inner hole through the shorter strip and to your plate. I used stainless steel screws and ss cap nuts on the plate.
6. You will probably need some washers on either side of the hinges to provide clearance to prevent binding,
7. There should be enough clearance between the two strips to insert a big magnet that is available at HD. It’s about ¼ inch thick and a couple inches long. Glue one side of the magnet making sure it has full contact with the opposite side. I used gorilla glue.
8. Because the hinges have screws only in one side, the have a little play. I glued around the unused holes to stabilize them.

I think I used quarter inch screws all around. It’s a little tricky getting the screw down through the bumper. I taped the screws to the end of a coat hanger and guided them in.

The whole thing looks pretty stock when in place. You can’t see the bracket at all. I’m not sure at what speed it folds up but once it’s up there it likely stays until you come to an almost complete stop. I was thinking about adding a spring to keep it down a little more.

 

[Boostin_Twinz]

Heres's a couple pics of the stock mounting on my 95 Talon! Here in Ontario the plate has to be put on the front and back! The pics aren't very close, but you get the idea!

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[SpeedFreak03]

Gotta love Delaware...

 

[Defiant]

Dang, Twinz, that's a _pretty_ car.

And great CAD work, Wret.

 

[slow car]

Originally posted by Boostin_Twinz
Here in Ontario the plate has to be put on the front and back!

bah, plate shmate. I've been running without one for 8 months and not a single problem yet! But areas like TO and missy, the cops are anal about it. I ziptied on the plate for my trip to missy last week.

 

[Boostin_Twinz]

Defiant- Ya shes a beut and shes for sale You should buy her cause you like her so much

Slow car- Your pretty lucky! Down here in Chatham the cops are pretty strict! I hate them alot

 

[Defiant]

Welllll..... looks aren't .... everything ......

 

[Boostin_Twinz]

Ya i know, i'm just messing with you! But if anyone is looking for a nice Talon, you know where to come!

 

[xtremeOsiris]

Here in central NY, the POs are pretty strict about not having a front plate. I have already been pulled over twice, once with an actual ticket for no front plate. Since then, I removed the stock bracket and fastened the plate in the mouth. Only problem being the plate is taller than the actual mouth and I wanted to set the plate back a bit so it was somewhat hidden. I bent the bottom part (part that reads the state slogan) up so that gave me an inch. Then, I took the letter part and rolled it (more like pounded with a rubber mallet) over a piece of 3" exhaust pipe. That made the overall plate another 1/2" shorter. Next I folded over as much as I could above the New York part up top and presto, it fit in the mouth. I then used that metal angle iron stock (galvanized) and mounted it to the stock holes. Here are some pics:

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Plate is slightly warped as I was driving in FL and had to bend it up out of the way to get more air through the radiator. That was the first time I had a problem with it.

-Matt

P.S. Hinge ideas sounds good as my method blocks the radiator a good bit and driving at a constant 4k rpm on a highway tends to increase the temp as bit. I am definitely going to look into using magnets and hinges.

P.S.S. Car is sitting rediculously high in the front due to a lack of an engine at the present moment. Tomorrow hopefully