2012 License plate location

Where and how is the front license plate mounted on the 2012 Taco? I've looked for an hour for pics with a license plate but havent found any yet. I have a DCSB being built and if the dealer is going to drill a couple holes into the plastic bumper when it gets in then I want to tell 'em not to so I can rig up my own mount.

'12 owners chime in! Pics are the best

 

I'm sure in states that require front plates, the holes will be pre-drilled in the bumper. If yours is being built I would call them immediately to see if you can get it without the holes.

 

It they are anything like my 2011 model, the holes aren't so much drilled as they are slight indentions where you would drill if required. I can't see these indentions without being right up on 'em...

 

The black rectangle over the license plate is where the license plate is.

 

That's one of the few things I hate about toyotas. You screw directly into the front bumper through the indents with 1/8" x 1/2" sheet metal screws. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN.

 

Seems like kind of a janky way to rig a front license plate. I know not every state requires 'em but toyota could have at least included a bracket or something. As it stands now, I've told my dealer NOT to drill the holes when the truck lands. He said he legally has to have some way to mount a license plate on the front when selling a new car in OR... but he said he'd talk with his shop guys and figure out a way. If they dont... I will rig up my own mount that sits low and out of contact with the paint.

Thanks for the info guys!

 

Why is this a big deal? It's just a license plate.....

 

Better than some that use the rubber grommet. But yeah. its not @sshole proof.

 

The 2012 comes with pre-drilled but filled holes that you can barely see. My guess is that this is by design because some states do not require a front plate, so why have a bracket. I think its a damn good idea myself.

 

I have an 07 X-Runner that I got from Arizona which doesn't have the front plate law like California does... I didn't want to drill into the face of the bumper so I bought a mounting bracket from Autozone and painted it black. Adjusted it a bit and drilled the bottom of the bumper and adjusted it more... It kinda looks like the license plate location on the X-Runner in granturismo 5 (see signature)... The holes are not noticeable unless you're looking up from under the bumper.

 

I'm kinda thinking about going the same route - maybe I can get away with drilling the bottom 'lip', buying a mounting bracket like yours and using that to secure it.

I wonder what is directly behind the lower opening? Is there a part of the bumper or body that I could tap into for a custom mount? Sort of like a couple of long L brackets that extend through the opening that I could then attach the license plate to. So that way the plate could hang in front of, but not be in contact with, the front bumper. hmmm...