Front License Plate Bracket Question

[KP Texan]

Searched for this but couldn’t find a definitive answer. I unfortunately live in a state which requires a front license plate, so I’d rather drill holes in my front valence than draw unwanted attention from the law.

My new TRD ORP came from the dealer with a mount sitting in the cargo area. It’s a plastic bracket but only included two self tapping bolts with it and no instructions. Are these two bolts used to mount the bracket to the two dimples in the front valence, or are the two included bolts for mounting the plate to the bracket? Here’s a photo:

 

[Fishpilot]

Looks to me like those are for attaching the bracket to the valence. I went from NM to AK and had no bracket so I punched 2 holes in the plate to line up with the dimples on the valence you mentioned and mounted the plate direct to the valence. I bent the plate around the curve of the valence and it has saved me twice from losing the plate, once to carwash and once to a particularly grabby set of vines. I'd just ditch the bracket and bolt direct. Put the flexi plastic dealer plate behind the real plate if you're worried about scratching.

Probably picked up 2hp and 2mpg just by making the plate more aerodynamic!

 

[final]

Searched for this but couldn’t find a definitive answer. I unfortunately live in a state which requires a front license plate, so I’d rather drill holes in my front valence than draw unwanted attention from the law.

My new TRD ORP came from the dealer with a mount sitting in the cargo area. It’s a plastic bracket but only included two self tapping bolts with it and no instructions. Are these two bolts used to mount the bracket to the two dimples in the front valence, or are the two included bolts for mounting the plate to the bracket? Here’s a photo:

If you are close to the dealer where you bought your 4Runner, just go back and make them install the front plate for you.

 

[RonT4R]

Those are for screwing the bracket onto the bumper. Quick bit of advise - If you think you might get a winch down the road, install the bracket offset from center...I'm moving mine to the passenger side. I'm having a winch put on behind the bumper, and wish I had put the plate offset to begin with. Now I'll have two little open holes from where I initially installed the plate in the center.

You can pick up screws for attaching the plate to the bracket at pretty much any hardware store or Amazon. You'll only need two for the front plate.

 

[Agent_Outside]

I’m assuming you have a new one, I have an older 5th gen and once I put the light bar in I shaped the plate to match the bumper so it was out of the way.

 

[nglayton]

Those are for attaching the bracket to the bumper. Designed to attach it as quickly as possible while inflicting maximum hidden damage to the bumper at the same time.

You're kind of lucky they didn't put that on for you. I'm still kind of PO'd that the dealer I bought from just slams them directly to the bumper without asking first. I now have 2 holes in my bumper for no reason.

 

[KP Texan]

Thanks for the replies everyone! So for the screws attaching the license plate to the mount, would they be similar? Some sort of sheet metal screw in maybe #12 or #14 size, but obviously not too long to go all the way through the mount? I’ll be sure to take the mount with me to the hardware store to check fastener sizing...

 

[KP Texan]

I’m assuming you have a new one, I have an older 5th gen and once I put the light bar in I shaped the plate to match the bumper so it was out of the way.

That’s not a bad idea! My wife’s Limited has the plate mounted like that, and I’m always snagging it with my pants leg when I walk in front of it in the garage. I’ve had to remove that plate more than once to straighten it back out after snagging it.

 

[Agent_Outside]

That’s not a bad idea! My wife’s Limited has the plate mounted like that, and I’m always snagging it with my pants leg when I walk in front of it in the garage. I’ve had to remove that plate more than once to straighten it back out after snagging it.

I basically just set up so the bottom edge of the plate slides between the top of the lower grill than contoured it to match the shape of the bumper. Round headed screws going up through the bottom holes and in the front for the top holes. I used to catch the plate a lot too, car wash, deep water crossing, catching clothing, everything bent the damn plate up lol. Now it’s more secure, it’s more out of the way, and in my opinion it looks better.

 

[2nd Chance]

Here is what I did. So far so good.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[KP Texan]

Here is what I did. So far so good.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How did you mount it?

I'm looking at maybe building an aluminum bracket that affixes to the existing bolts near the lower air dam. The license plate would definitely fit in the lower grille and that would be the easiest solution, but I'm not too keen on blocking airflow (these Texas summers can be brutal in traffic). Or, I might just screw the Toyota mount in where it's supposed to go. I just hate doing permanent damage in the event I move to a state that doesn't require a license plate.

 

[2nd Chance]

Oddly enough it's a vinyl sticker that looks like a license plate.

So far no issue's but at some point I may get stopped again.

How did you mount it?

I'm looking at maybe building an aluminum bracket that affixes to the existing bolts near the lower air dam. The license plate would definitely fit in the lower grille and that would be the easiest solution, but I'm not too keen on blocking airflow (these Texas summers can be brutal in traffic). Or, I might just screw the Toyota mount in where it's supposed to go. I just hate doing permanent damage in the event I move to a state that doesn't require a license plate.

 

[KP Texan]

Oddly enough it's a vinyl sticker that looks like a license plate.

So far no issue's but at some point I may get stopped again.

Ahhh, I see. That's pretty cool! Is it reflective?

 

[2nd Chance]

Ahhh, I see. That's pretty cool! Is it reflective?

If you walk you up to it you would swear it is but it is not.

 

[SlickTRD]

i use a license plate width sized strip of 1 inch 3M dual lock to fasten the plate to my valence. Right in the middle of the plate and right in the middle of the valence where the plate should appear. it has held on for 6 months at all speeds and never fallen off. if i need to remove, i can just peel it off (with some effort of course). no drilling required.

 

[YJIANG]

Zip tie it onto the side of the lower grill.