FS-2nd Gen Low Mount/No Drill License Plate Bracket-$45 Shipped

Took my through through a car wash and noticed the front plate was slightly bent. Any consideration to a solid backing plate to give it a bit more structure?

 

Finally got mine installed on Sunday.

 

Some members have used a plate "frame" around their plate. Something like this:



There are many different styles out there to choose from. This would work to help strengthen up your plate. I have been through the car wash many times without any damage, but I only visit the touchless car washes.

It is possible to add a flat bar across the top but I am not sure it would help if the bottom of the plate was what got bent. The problem with adding a flat bar across the bottom is that in order to follow the contour of the bumper the necessary bend makes it impossible to have anything for the bottom of the plate to mount onto.

You could always use this solution to put a slightly sturdier back behind the plate to give it some rigidity:



The above plate backing is only $4.96. Here is the link:

http://www.tcpglobal.com/KUS-LPTW.html?gclid=CIm2nun2jc8CFQNkhgodfxcDCA

Or, it would be easy enough to buy some additional 1/8" thick by 1.5" wide aluminum flat bar and cut it to the height of the plate and sandwich it between the plate and upright bracket pieces on the original bracket. You would probably have to cut the flat bar to length, drill a couple extra holes and buy a couple screws and nyloc nuts to hold it all together.

Let me know your thoughts, I probably have a few pieces of scrap aluminum around that I could fab up and make work for you if you wanted to go that route.

 

Very nice paint job! It is a close match. Anyone trying to catch a glimpse of the bracket behind the plate will have a tough time seeing it. Nice job!

 

Are these for sale yet on the 3rd gen's?

 

Hi John. Unfortunately, I have not been able to locate a 3rd Gen to use to make a prototype. I have kept an eye out for anyone who I might be able to ask but so far no luck. I will keep on trying and will make another plea for help in the "Maine" thread.

 

Awesome, keep us posted!

 

Will do! Hopefully something will work out.

 

Any other problems with bending? Did you use a frame?

 

Good news! My daughter's fiance just leased a 2017 Tacoma so as soon as I can get him to visit with the new Toy I will see if I can design a bracket that will fit the 3rd Gen. I will keep you posted.

 

I haven't picked one up or washed the truck again yet. I have a frame in mind or might snag a backing plate.

 

OK. I could probably design a "frame" for the back that would accomplish the same thing as a backing plate to add some rigidity but I am not sure what that would cost.

 

yeah, that might be excessive - just ordered a plate backer and a frame from Amazon. I'll let you know how it works out.

 

Sounds good and will be good information for anyone who wants a set up that is a little beefier.

 

OP How much is the bracket shipped to MA? I like the idea but do not see pricing

 

Hi and thanks for your interest. The price is $35 shipped via USPS Priority Mail. Check out the first post in this thread for all of the details!

 

+1 for this bracket. Shipping was fast, installation was easy, and it looks nice too. I painted mine which you obviously can't see at all from the picture. Maybe for the best, I'm not a great painter. It's basically invisible unless you look from the side or under the truck. More importantly, no holes in the bumper, and no blocking the air flow. Thanks again!

 

Looks great! Thanks again!

 

I have my sport coming in a few weeks, if you don't have any one yet to prototype, I'll drive up. If you do have one, I'll drive up and pick one up if that's possible. I requested no holes be drilled, I hope they listen.

 

Thanks. I may take you up on your offer as it is proving difficult to get the new truck and owner to pay a visit. If you do come up and it is possible to fabricate a bracket that will work then you would get one no cost. As for the no drill request I would make sure EVERYONE knows what you want. I told the person I dealt with but the request did not get relayed although somehow they managed to honor my request to not clean up the truck. This was at Prime. You might ask if the plate bracket Toyota puts on is installed at the port or the dealership. I would do my best to meet the truck as it gets off the transport then stick painters tape on the front bumper that has a note not to drill it. Or I guess you could just tell them if the bumper is drilled you are not buying the truck!