Front License Plate Mounting Options

[sam.basye]

Had to get my '99 registered in the great communism wealth of Virginia this week. Upon successfully registering and titling the car in VA. I assumed the front plate would bolt right up to the preexisting holes in the lower valence.

WRONG!

If you look to the center of the existing holes, there are little divots where the license plate holes line up.




Soo, I don't want more holes on the bumper than necessary:

How have you mounted a front plate to a limited 3rd gen bumper.

And what are the preexisting holes for??

 

[Renegade_Medic]

Mine were screwed one with screws into the bumper. There may be a little bracket that goes onto the holes that the plate mounts to. Just drill 2 small holes and put it on with screws. Those holes are already there, what's another 2 small ones?

 

[Tyler James Inc]

What's the distance-between-holes difference? I assumed the plate would bolt right up to those holes as well. You could get a piece of aluminum flat stock, drill two holes matching the bumper, and two matching the plate holes. Just one option.
Another option would be to drill your plate out to line up with the bumper spread.

 

[sam.basye]

I found a TSB stating to use self tapping screws it the little dimples..
But, I don't want to put extra holes in it when there are perfectly good holes a half inch away. Lol
-This is coming from someone who drilled holes in the filler pannels for LED turn signals.

Measurements:
9.25" between the preexisting holes

8" between the dimples.

The aluminum is an option.. we'll see.

 

[phattyduck]

The wider holes fit license plates for the rest of the world... (well, Japan at least)

-Charlie

 

[jtnumberthree]

Drill two new holes in the plate like so:

 

[99offroadrngr]

I'd say aluminum as well. I completely got rid of that center plastic bar including the plate mount for my LED bar :rockon:

 

[sam.basye]

The wider holes fit license plates for the rest of the world... (well, Japan at least)

-Charlie

Guess that makes sense!

Drill two new holes in the plate like so:

Nice job. Kudos on getting the holes in the right place so the plate isn't crooked. Lol

I'd say aluminum as well. I completely got rid of that center plastic bar including the plate mount for my LED bar :rockon:

Got any pics??

 

[Roamed YT]

I remember living somewhere that required front plates... I was also doing delivery prep at a Toyota dealer there. It used to pain me to install front plates because those two dimples were where you needed to make new holes.

If I had to (which I don't), I would be putting holes in the plate, not the truck!

 

[99offroadrngr]

Guess that makes sense!




Nice job. Kudos on getting the holes in the right place so the plate isn't crooked. Lol




Got any pics??

I remember living somewhere that required front plates...

I live in one of those states as well. I just keep the plate with me just in case.

 

[sam.basye]

I live in one of those states as well. I just keep the plate with me just in case.

Looks good.

Can't stand front plates or big yellow inspection stickers...

 

[robb1887]

Looks good.

Can't stand front plates or big yellow inspection stickers...

Then you moved to the wrong state.

Ask be how I know... -_-

 

[sam.basye]

Then you moved to the wrong state.

Ask be how I know... -_-

Haha, I know it..

I was reading the list of required items for the inspection and was rather concerned after I finished reading through it all.

Ended up failing for the inner and outer tie rod ends and the wipers... Lol

Just glad they didn't fail me on the numerous less-than-legal things on the car!

 

[robb1887]

Haha, I know it..
Just glad they didn't fail me on the numerous less-than-legal things on the car!

You mean like for a high flow "race" cat and a hot wired rear O2... I don't know what you mean? Because I don't know anyone who'd do that. :gossip:

I'll likely need wipers before July.. :cry2:

 

[pluton]

Just drill new holes in the plate. It's not your fault the plate is supplied with the wrong hole placement.

 

[sam.basye]

You mean like for a high flow "race" cat and a hot wired rear O2... I don't know what you mean? Because I don't know anyone who'd do that. :gossip:

I'll likely need wipers before July.. :cry2:

Haha! More along the lines of non-DOT approved lights... Lol



The only DOT approved exterior light is my third brake light. Lol

Luckily I don't live in an emission inspection city!



I like the way you think, pluton.

 

[robb1887]

Haha! More along the lines of non-DOT approved lights... Lol

The only DOT approved exterior light is my third brake light. Lol

Luckily I don't live in an emission inspection city!



I like the way you think, .

Yea I think I need to find a new inspection station. Mine wont pass my retrofits so I swap out my headlights every year (only takes a few minutes but still a pain). They don't car about the non-amber markers or turn signals on the front though which is weird.

They can't tell the difference on my retrofit of my BMW though so at least I don't have to swap those out too.