hide-away liscence plates?

[Threeyearitch]

I've only seen one of these ever, but it seems like a novel little idea. I'm a mechanical engineer w/ moderate automotive experience, and feel confident fabricating/instaling one wouldn't be a huge problem. My question to you is this... Do you think they are worth it? I mean, they would come in handy in toll booths and red-light cameras. I live in FL where there are no vehicle inspections so that's not an issue. I've heard of those plastic covers you can buy to put over the plates, but am unsure of their effectiveness. I know it's probably not worth it economically, I'd more or less be doing it just to see if I could. In short, what are your guys' thoughts/oppinions about these... Thanks.

[LeBuick]

Originally Posted by Threeyearitch

I've only seen one of these ever, but it seems like a novel little idea. I'm a mechanical engineer w/ moderate automotive experience, and feel confident fabricating/instaling one wouldn't be a huge problem. My question to you is this... Do you think they are worth it? I mean, they would come in handy in toll booths and red-light cameras. I live in FL where there are no vehicle inspections so that's not an issue. I've heard of those plastic covers you can buy to put over the plates, but am unsure of their effectiveness. I know it's probably not worth it economically, I'd more or less be doing it just to see if I could. In short, what are your guys' thoughts/oppinions about these... Thanks.

Your plates get stolen here in the mile high city but you'd get a ticket if your plates flipped over when you turned off the car. How about two sided plates with proper registration one one side and whatever you want on the other.

[TheSilentChamber]

There is several ways you can do this to adapt it to almost anything. Anything from have it slide either up or down or from side to side, flip over with a differnt piece of the other side, or even make it where its like a garage door where you cut it into strips and have it roll up into the bumper. Legality of hidden plates vary from state to state, and what your planning on doing with it is very illegal in any state. I'v did it for show reasons where when I'm at a car show i can hit a button my plate disapears, just for a cleaner appearance. If you throw out some more information I'd help you design a system for your application.

[Threeyearitch]

Originally Posted by TheSilentChamber

If you throw out some more information I'd help you design a system for your application.

Wow, didn't expect an offer like that lol. I would be installing this on a 99' integra. The place where you mount the plate is entirely on the lower bumper, so no hatch issues. The more i think about it, the more a system where the plate is flipped over makes sence. There's plenty of room to work with behind the bumper, just rip out the foam. You'd need wiring, a switch, and a motor, and very little else. I dunno, mabby i'm getting in over my head but hey, it'd still be nice to know HOW to do it...

[TheSilentChamber]

Here is the best system that I'v found of doing it on a car. The area that is shaded is covered behind the bumper. You use a linier acculator to slide them back and forth with limit sensors that stop it at the right spots. The tracts are made out of drawer rollers and are available at any hardware store. I make the backing plate that the plates accually mount to out of fiberglass because I have lots of it laying around but you could use sheet metal, wood, pretty much anything. Most acculators will come with everything needed to wire them, or atleast instructions.



With fliping it you got to worry about clearance issues with the plate accually rotaiting, and also how to make it stop at the certain point, both of witch are overcomeable with a little planning.

[Threeyearitch]

Yeah, a linear actuator sounds like a good idea aswell. I'm starting to seriousally consider the legality of this. I wonder if it's only illegal if i use it while i'm driving... Like you said, if it's used only for show purposes, then I don't see why there should be a problem.

[v10_viper]

You guys are working too hard. Use hinges somehow to have it "flip upwards". Not all cars have the space but that's probably the easiest, hell at that rate you could just run a thin cable(or string if your cheap) to it and just pull it up. There are plenty of fancy ways to do this, I know that they also sell them for show truck purposes, and when trucks have roll pans and hidden hitches they flip the license plate up and bloop, there's the hitch. My old 77 Caprice you had to flip the plate down to fill it up with gas.

I'm not sure I'd even install one though, because IF a cop seen your license plate just automatically get covered by something sliding over it, or w/e, then if he'd gotten your numbers before I'm sure they could call it in for an inspection or something, maybe.

[TheSilentChamber]

Originally Posted by v10_viper

You guys are working too hard. Use hinges somehow to have it "flip upwards". Not all cars have the space but that's probably the easiest, hell at that rate you could just run a thin cable(or string if your cheap) to it and just pull it up. There are plenty of fancy ways to do this, I know that they also sell them for show truck purposes, and when trucks have roll pans and hidden hitches they flip the license plate up and bloop, there's the hitch. My old 77 Caprice you had to flip the plate down to fill it up with gas.

I'm not sure I'd even install one though, because IF a cop seen your license plate just automatically get covered by something sliding over it, or w/e, then if he'd gotten your numbers before I'm sure they could call it in for an inspection or something, maybe.

I'm sorry this is the fabrication forum, you are clearly looking for the "half-assed modifications" forum. Please refer to index on front page.

[Threeyearitch]

Originally Posted by TheSilentChamber

I'm sorry this is the fabrication forum, you are clearly looking for the "half-assed modifications" forum.

HAHAHA thought I was in the right place But anyways, yeah, if I did do this, i'd be doing it as a lil (or maby not so little) project to occupy myself. Although money is a concern, time is not. I'd much rather take forever doing this and do it right then slap on some old door-hinges and call it a day :P

[v10_viper]

Originally Posted by TheSilentChamber

I'm sorry this is the fabrication forum, you are clearly looking for the "half-assed modifications" forum. Please refer to index on front page.

Um...pretty sure that the hinged hide away license plates are selling more than your idea. but good luck on coming up with a universal sliding one!

[duplox]

Universal? Who is selling this? Fabrication is what you do when no one makes the part you want... This isn't the Product Design forum.
Can your hinged one be operated from within the car? If you've got room in the bumper, sliding makes a whole lot more sense. Much simpler.

[99SilveradoGuy]

im pretty sure stylin' concepts sells electric retractable license plate holder and flip down or up license frame brackets you could fabricate to fit on any car , would be alot cheaper then something homemade with linear actuator (there pretty exspensive)

[mysatilac]

Post a URL for stylin' concepts if you don't mind

[CBFryman]

Flip it around, james bond style....lol...
But i wouldnt use this for sealing gas, running toll booths, red lights, etc....
thoes carry pretty heavy penulties in florida, especially stealing gas (you loose your licens).... and eventually you will be caught...especially if you use a fake plate, well for running toll booths you could just get a GA tag and thye would never know.

anyway, TSC's idea would be best, flipping it wouldnt be TOO hard, but just using a linear actuator would be easier and more efficent.... but how to make it look stock...hmmmm....

[TheSilentChamber]

Originally Posted by mysatilac

Post a URL for stylin' concepts if you don't mind

http://www.stylinconcepts.com Seriously man, it took you longer to type that question than it would have for you to find it yourself.