License Plate Relocation

Post your ideas here too of you want

Hello Tacomaworld, wanted to give my take on a license plate relocation. I've had it on for a few weeks now, no problems, solid for daily diving. Haven't been offroad yet, but shouldn't be a problem.

Materials:
Aluminum flat stock

Stubby drill bits(whatever brand you can get)

Universal license plate holder
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...50/6360061-P?searchTerm=license+plate+bracket

Drill/Drivers I used


Step 1)
I measured the distance from bottom of crashbar to about 1/4" above black plastic part. The out about 5.25"(so the back of bracket didn't hit lower bumper plastic). Then down the length I'd need to bolt through the universal license plate holder. I then put these onto the flat aluminum as best I could and bent it using a vice and heat from a torch.
I then made sure the 2 bent parts were equal with a little more heat and hammering and lined up the universal bracket on the aluminum to make lines for holes to be drilled.


You can see I drilled 4 holes in the back of each piece-the mouting holes that go into the crash bar. A bit overkill, but why not.
The screws that come with the universal bracket(to mount license plate itself) were too long, so I trimmed them with my dremel(they were contacting the aluminum bracket behind the mount holes)

I used whatever bolts/washers/nylock nuts/bolts(two washers on plastic side, one on aluminum side) I found that fit at the local hardware store to mount the bracket to the aluminum pieces.
Then I painted the aluminum pieces black with some rustoleum after I roughed them up with a scotch pad.

Mounting the whole thing:
I just slipped the back into the lower valence assembled and marked where I needed to drill pilot holes for the self-tapping screws(not necessary, but makes life easier). I aligned the bracket centered and off the black plastic a little so that it doesn't scratch it or trap dirt under it too much. BE CAREFUL!! Wear safety glasses-aluminum shaving go everyhwhere when drilling.

Finished Product:



Thanks guys! Open to comments. Did this to put a lightbar in the lower valence and I wasn't going to take my front plate off and put it on the dash or some junk.

 

ME GUSTA.

Please tell me it doesn't stick out that far from the bumper.....i mean have you shortened the aluminum flatstock to make the plate closer to the truck?

 

^ It would prob hit the bumper with wind coming in. Good job op.

 

Yeah, its a bit long, but at highway speeds it definitely won't contact the bumper and it looks fine from the front. Could be shortened by like 1/2" to 1", but who knows if it'd make contact then. If I had a go pro, I could video how much flex it has..but I don't.

Thanks man

 

Bad write up, stupid idea, OP is a dick.



I kid, I kid

 

what an ass

 

Just put a stick on foam pad on the back of the license plate, it will protect your valance.

 

Good write up OP, looks well thought out and functional!

 

Thanks, yep, could've used foam and made it closer, but works for me and looks good to me

 

I'd just worry about someone running into it with their leg in a parking lot or touching it to cars or objects when i park redicoulously close to be an ass

 

IME foam just picks up dirt and rock sediment over time and ends up scratching or rubbing the paint to death anyway, I think having it offset like you did is a way more effective way to do it. I foam back my rear license plates so I don't hear it rattle on the bumper, and every single one ends up with rocks and dirt, I re-tape every year. If it was sitting on a painted surface I'd for sure use some spacers to set it out further from the bumper, but it's just a bumper.

Really a smart design.

 

Ohhh, well had it for a month or so no problems parking at school. People are stupid though so we'll see. But I never pull into spots really, always back in.

And I'll have to get some of that foam for the rear plate

 

I might try to replicate this. But at the same time, drilling might just be easier. I don't have a front plate now but it's only a matter of time before I get pulled over for not having one. And IF I ever leave Nebraska while I still own this truck, I would probably get some kind of TRD vanity plate or something for the front.

 

Haha, yes its easier to just drill bumper, but what about that future lightbar? And yes, could always get a vanity plate or plug old holes. Still thinking about what to do about mine.

 

Very nice. I will do something similar when my new taco arrives so I can place an led there. I used to have a Mitsu Evo 8, and they had a contoured mount that was mounted on the side so the intercooler could get air, might work on a taco.

 

Yeah, I've seen a few DIY relocations on here

 

Yeee bump

 

Yuh

 

Glad to know some else finds the stock location for the front plate is distracting. good write up and photos.

 

Thanks and yeah, it was annoying being where it was plus I wanted to put a lightbar behind the lower valence which I haven't done yet, but will