Rear License Plate Rattles

[eorange]

Anyone else notice this? I think it's easily fixable, but just wondering with what.

On my hatch, there are only top holes for the license plate. So the bottom of the plate is not affixed or bolted to anything.

Every time I close one of the doors, I get an annoying thwaaaanngg from the license plate.

My inclination is to take standard nylon license plate bolts, cut them shorter, and put them through the holes of the license plate with the nylon nut until they're firmly touching the hatch. This would provide a brace for the bottom of the plate. But, being anal, I don't want the nylon bolt constantly rubbing against the hatch metal. I am thinking of having something more substantial between the hatch and the plate, but not sure what.

Any ideas? It makes the 4Runner sound cheap when I shut the doors!

 

[sharp4runr]

This is what I did: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6445&highlight=license+plate+bracket

Most people just use foam tape on the back of the license plate and it should cure you.

 

[LSUMBA]

This is what I did: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6445&highlight=license+plate+bracket

Most people just use foam tape on the back of the license plate and it should cure you.

While I admire sharp's ingenuity, I would recommend going the single sided adhesive foam tape weatherstripping method. It would have the plate fit securely & snugly against the truck (no rattles) and it would protect the paint.

 

[eorange]

I honestly did search for this topic before I posted, but somehow missed the above thread!

I am liking the idea of rubber feet (maybe the kind with threaded studs that I could put through the license place holes), or possibly velcro where the holes should be on the hatch.

My only reservation with the weather striping is how it would hold up to direct exposure to all the elements (car wash, rain, etc), both with the adhesive letting go and maybe the foam deteriorating, i.e. little black flakes and chunks. Not having a strong adhesive could be a problem with velcro too?

All good ideas, though! I will advise when I figure out what to do.

 

[hossmaster]

At some high end stereo shops, you can get a dynamat license plate insulator. You know to keep the truck from buzzing like a trapped bee. I put one on mine and poof its all quiet back there.

 

[jlboers]

I enclosed mine in a separate frame and smoked lexan license plate cover. bolted the bottom together to make it an assembly. the top screws hold it to the rear hatch. domed rubber feet (radio shack) placed at each of the four corners, takes care of any accidental contact with the paint. Good looks and no rattles.

 

[Casper]

double sided foam tape.

 

[charlier180]

I actually installed a couple of small rubber grommets in the bottom two holes of my license plate. The part of the grommet that faces the hatch is rounded and keeps some pressure on the license plate. When the hatch is closed the license plate cannot wobble and make noise.

Personally I found this solution much better than any foam tape with a sticky backing. Foam tape breaks down over time and the sticky backing can be a pain to get off of the paint.

IIRC, I got these grommets at the hardwre store.