Way too much work for a license plate...
02-22-2009, 09:53 PM
#1
Way too much work for a license plate...
I went to put Her rear license plate on the other day and found out that the rear is only held on by the upper two bolts. That doesn't bother me if the plate is on a flat panel but on the G the rear bumper tucks in exposing the bottom part of the plate. That leaves the possibility of a rattling plate from bass, exhaust, or just regular driving (which it did). So I set out to make a sturdy bracket for the plate.
I started with a Weathertech license plate cover. I came across this frame while working on a past project. It’s a clear plastic cover with a colored border. I had an extra black one in the basement (along with seven other different frames) so I used the black one for mock up and then ordered a red one for Her car.
Here is a picture of the frames.
The back of the frame has a rubber seal all the way around it to keep the plate clean and dry.
Here’s how the plate fits on the seal. There was about 1/16” to 1/8” gap all the way around.
I took some 22 gauge steel I had and made another plate just a little bigger than the license plate. Then I welded a bolt to the plate and had the thing powdercoated.
This powdercoated plate now sandwiches the license plate in the middle and allows the frame to be bolted using the bottom screw holes.
This is all you see from the front. (I’m using one of my plates for demo.)
Here you can see what the bolt is for. The top attaches like any other frame or plate and the bottom is now bolted in the center from behind. That hole was just begging to be used. I had to use a couple washers and a rubber spacer to space the plate out just a little.
Looks like any other plate and frame.
The thing is rock solid now. Time to get Her some personal plates.
I started with a Weathertech license plate cover. I came across this frame while working on a past project. It’s a clear plastic cover with a colored border. I had an extra black one in the basement (along with seven other different frames) so I used the black one for mock up and then ordered a red one for Her car.
Here is a picture of the frames.
The back of the frame has a rubber seal all the way around it to keep the plate clean and dry.
Here’s how the plate fits on the seal. There was about 1/16” to 1/8” gap all the way around.
I took some 22 gauge steel I had and made another plate just a little bigger than the license plate. Then I welded a bolt to the plate and had the thing powdercoated.
This powdercoated plate now sandwiches the license plate in the middle and allows the frame to be bolted using the bottom screw holes.
This is all you see from the front. (I’m using one of my plates for demo.)
Here you can see what the bolt is for. The top attaches like any other frame or plate and the bottom is now bolted in the center from behind. That hole was just begging to be used. I had to use a couple washers and a rubber spacer to space the plate out just a little.
Looks like any other plate and frame.
The thing is rock solid now. Time to get Her some personal plates.
02-22-2009, 10:56 PM
#4
I like it. What I don't like is the way our plates hang down below the car. If I was good with metal work, I would shorten the plate and make a custom frame that only went right below the primary plate letters. More like a European plate. But I ain't that good so this is what I came up with. Visually Short Plate
I really hate the front plate look we have to sport in Virginia.
I really hate the front plate look we have to sport in Virginia.
02-22-2009, 11:15 PM
#6
Autobarn.com
http://www.autobarn.net/weclliplco.html
You said it before, 'It's all about the details.'
Nice work. The problem with your shortening idea is you have to be careful because modding the tags in any way is illegal in most states. That didn't stop my dad and I from shorting one though for a Mustang exactly as you described. It was more of a show car so we weren't too worried (but well aware).
g37mobbber, do this and I promise you no more rattles from this plate.
http://www.autobarn.net/weclliplco.html
You said it before, 'It's all about the details.'
I like it. What I don't like is the way our plates hang down below the car. If I was good with metal work, I would shorten the plate and make a custom frame that only went right below the primary plate letters. More like a European plate. But I ain't that good so this is what I came up with. Visually Short Plate
g37mobbber, do this and I promise you no more rattles from this plate.
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02-23-2009, 12:57 AM
#10
Yeah the painting I did was technically illegal since it was a plate mod, but figured it was so minor and non-obvious in Virginia (given it is a "Florida" tag) that no one would care. So far so good. I think shortening would be too obvious and just asking for the wrong attention. If you get bored and want to make some more of your plates, I'll take one. 
Nice work. The problem with your shortening idea is you have to be careful because modding the tags in any way is illegal in most states. That didn't stop my dad and I from shorting one though for a Mustang exactly as you described. It was more of a show car so we weren't too worried (but well aware).
02-23-2009, 10:53 AM
#12
A simple solution to the rattling is to stick some rubber or felt pads for furniture feet along the back of the plate where it touches the bumper. If you have a subwoofer, use sound dampener on the back of the platebas well.
This solution us far more aesthetically pleasing though. A lot of work that can't be seen, but the result does look great.
This solution us far more aesthetically pleasing though. A lot of work that can't be seen, but the result does look great.
