front plate - how should it be attached

[b2089]

To those with front tags. How are they attached. I was looking at mine today and it just has holes drilled in the bumper. It looks like someone sort of jury rigged it. Is there supposed to a bracket there or something? If so where can I find it. I don't like the way it looks because the screws are ugly and don't match each other much less the car. I could find some black screws, but if it's supposed to have a bracket I'll look for that instead.

[JoeyK]

Nope, no bracket. Just screw holes. I mounted my front plate to the plate cover, I hated the look of that recessed area with the cover removed.

[00SilverGA]

Originally posted by JoeyK
Nope, no bracket. Just screw holes. I mounted my front plate to the plate cover, I hated the look of that recessed area with the cover removed.

That is a good idea. I am curious though. Do you have a picture or anything?

[JoeyK]

...This is the only pic. I have left of the car, my hd crashed a few months ago & all my old pics are gone.:(

[SE2000]

You'll have to buy screws no matter how you mount it.

Maybe you could find some of those old school one with the reflectors on them.

[JoeyK]

Originally posted by SE2000
You'll have to buy screws no matter how you mount it.

Maybe you could find some of those old school one with the reflectors on them.


OOOOh! that'd be perty!:lol:
Ya, I just used the black plastic bolt & nut combo that you can buy at Autozone, Walmart, etc.

[New_RevenG]

Just put it on the inside of ur car. I got small suction cups and stuck it on the inside of my front windsheld.

[TA^Guy]

Originally posted by New_RevenG
Just put it on the inside of ur car. I got small suction cups and stuck it on the inside of my front windsheld. In many states that is not legal.

[area3]

Originally posted by New_RevenG
Just put it on the inside of ur car. I got small suction cups and stuck it on the inside of my front windsheld.

I did the Same thing but check your local laws.

In Texas they dont mind were it is along as its in the front and Visible!

But some states differ!

[b2089]

Putting it inside won't fix the holes some genuis drilled in the bumper of my car. I can't beleive GM made the front filler removable without thinking of a way to attach a front plate. Holes drilled in the bumper can't be right, especially compared to the back.

[area3]

You dont have the front plate cover?

http://www.customgrandam.com/frontplate.jpg

http://www.customgrandam.com/frontplate.htm

[b2089]

No, I don't have the cover. I live in a one plate only state but my car came from somewhere that either required a front plate or the previous owner just wanted one. I put a Pontiac vanity plate on the front, but I'm amazed at how poorly the plate is mounted. Someone literally just took a drill and put holes in it, no rubber backing, not square grommets, just holes.

I'm going to go to autozone and hopefully find some decent screws to use, at least that'll mask the issue. I know I'm being a bit OCD, but it's my baby and I'm trying to get the details right.

[b2089]

If you live in a state that has front plates, do you get the filler and it's just removed? I wonder what happened to mine?

[area3]

yeah

I will get pics and show u tmmrw!

[Nighthawk243]

Originally posted by b2089
No, I don't have the cover. I live in a one plate only state but my car came from somewhere that either required a front plate or the previous owner just wanted one. I put a Pontiac vanity plate on the front, but I'm amazed at how poorly the plate is mounted. Someone literally just took a drill and put holes in it, no rubber backing, not square grommets, just holes.

I'm going to go to autozone and hopefully find some decent screws to use, at least that'll mask the issue. I know I'm being a bit OCD, but it's my baby and I'm trying to get the details right.

If you want to really get detailed, I'd say use an epoxy and close the holes up. That way you don't have to worry about the screws rusting.

[JoeyK]

Originally posted by b2089
No, I don't have the cover. I live in a one plate only state but my car came from somewhere that either required a front plate or the previous owner just wanted one. I put a Pontiac vanity plate on the front, but I'm amazed at how poorly the plate is mounted. Someone literally just took a drill and put holes in it, no rubber backing, not square grommets, just holes.

I'm going to go to autozone and hopefully find some decent screws to use, at least that'll mask the issue. I know I'm being a bit OCD, but it's my baby and I'm trying to get the details right.


That's the way mine came- just screw hole dimples in the bumper that point out where to mount. There's more car's out there like that then you know. I just finished an '98 Lexus yesterday that was the same way, no brackets, no grommets, just 2 holes.

[area3]

I had To Make Screw holes for the screws
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j105/jblvertecericd05/license007.jpg


Here is a picture of the front plate
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j105/jblvertecericd05/license008.jpg


Here is the front plate on the car Looks alot better
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j105/jblvertecericd05/license009.jpg


And here is were the license plate ended up
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j105/jblvertecericd05/license010.jpg

[bballr4567]

Eric just to let you know in TX that is illegal. I was pulled over I dont know how many times when my old sunbird had the front plate in the window. The highway patrol loves to pull people over for that.

[area3]

its been that way for 2 months and no one has said anything yet.

If you look at the state laws It does not matter were you have it along as it is up front and visible!

[TA^Guy]

I say stop being cheep and spend $10 on ebay and buy a plate filler.

In NY a car can not leave the dealership without the front plate mounted. Brand new Jetta's do not have holes in the front bumper. Before they leave the dealership they grab a drill amke holes to mount the plate. Atleast GM thought to include a fancy cover to make it look nice, not their fault the previous ower did whatever they did with the dumb thing.

[TA^Guy]

Originally posted by area3
If you look at the state laws It does not matter were you have it along as it is up front and visible!
That is incorrect. If your state requires a plate it muct be mounted to the for most from of the vehicle within a ceetain height also.

I drove around for nearly two years with no front palte on my truck before I was nabbed for it. With my '86 Camaro I drove for about two years before some small town cop stopped me for it. My Z28 I don't think I ever had a plate on it.

It all depends on who stops you, or it could give a bored officer a very good reason to stop a suspicious vehicle late at night. Like my motorcycle plate, it's mounted behind the rear tire with half the numbers missing. Some cops who stop me say nothing, others stop me for that reason alone.

[area3]

Well thats what the Police Chief Told Me :roll2:

[TA^Guy]

Well sorry to say not all officers know every law in the book. I have officers in my family and even they will tell you when they don't know. Many times a officer making a stop has to ask dispatch for specifics of a law regaurding certain things.

I'm sure if you looked up your state law regaurding the front plate that you would find that he was incorrect. I would do it but I don't have extra time on my hands to waste to make a point.

[area3]

§ 502.409. WRONG, FICTITIOUS, ALTERED, OR OBSCURED
LICENSE[0] PLATE. (a) A person commits an offense if the person
attaches to or displays on a motor vehicle a number plate or
registration insignia that:
(1) is assigned to a different motor vehicle;
(2) is assigned to the vehicle under any other motor
vehicle law other than by the department;
(3) is assigned for a registration period other than
the registration period in effect;
(4) is fictitious;
(5) has letters, numbers, or other identification
marks that because of blurring or reflective matter are not plainly
visible at all times during daylight;
(6) has an attached illuminated device or sticker,
decal, emblem, or other insignia that is not authorized by law and
that interferes with the readability of the letters or numbers on
the plate or the name of the state in which the vehicle is
registered; or
(7) has a coating, covering, or protective material
that:
(A) distorts angular visibility or
detectability; or
(B) alters or obscures the letters or numbers on
the plate, the color of the plate, or another original design
feature of the plate.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (f), an offense under
Subsection (a) is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more
than $200, unless it is shown at the trial of the offense that the
owner knowingly altered or made illegible the letters, numbers, and
other identification marks, in which case the offense is a Class B
misdemeanor.
(c) to (e) Repealed by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, §
30.66, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
(f) An offense under Subsection (a)(4) is a Class B
misdemeanor.

It Says it has to be Visible At All Times!

Does'nt say that it has to be on the front bumper!

[TA^Guy]

Originally posted by area3
It Says it has to be Visible At All Times!

Does'nt say that it has to be on the front bumper!
There is your infraction.

(7) has a coating, covering, or protective material
that:
(A) distorts angular visibility or
detectability; or