Front License Plate

[Harbones]

This is a question for those of you fortunate to live in a state that requires a front license plate .

After negotiating the mud puddle shown here, i managed to bend my license plate up at a 90 degree angle (i was damn lucky someone else lost theirs entirely ). Some of the guys in the club recommended that I attach my license plate using the bottom 2 holes to prevent this from happening again. This works, but now it rattles like crazy. So what are most of you guys doing for your front plate? Drill more holes (if so which direction seems to not be even), get some sort of holder, or something even more obvious? Please keep in mind my front end is totally stock.

Thanks

[evergreen]

i have been thinkin of takin it off when i go wheelin.

[OffroadX]

That's exactly how I mounted my plate. I do still have the "frame" that the dealer put on (they've earned it the way they've treated me) so it may make a difference in any "rattling" that might otherwise happen. I have no such problem. Between the frame, and a strip of the clear 3M tape used on the roof rack air dam on the bumper behind the plate, I have no rattle and never have. I have plenty of the 3M tape left, I can send you a strip if you like.



Brent

[rrdstarr]

Brent, Are you playing in someones constuction site?????

I need some way to take mine off the ARB too? I am using the supplied holder ARB includes with the Bullbar, but the damn thing hangs down to far!

Evergreen, you'll be okay! We haven't torn a plate off a stock bumper, but we have bent the plates on rear bumpers!
This one is of Mosi at Naches where we are going this weekend!

[xoc]

Someone posted a nifty solution last year.

They bolted 2 D-Cell MagLight mounts to their license plate, and could then snap it on or off the roller fairlead on their winch.

Very slick, but easy to steal in town.

Who was that ?

[OffroadX]

Originally posted by rrdstarr
Brent, Are you playing in someones constuction site?????

Yup, got the tags that day and had to get a half-decent "action" shot of 'em.

Brent

[Philosopher]

My front plate is pretty much wrecked ... oh well. :toothless

I just try to flatten it out with a hammer every once in a while ...

[xterra2k]

Originally posted by Harbones
After negotiating the mud puddle shown here, i managed to bend my license plate up at a 90 degree angle Some of the guys in the club recommended that I attach my license plate using the bottom 2 holes to prevent this from happening again.
Thanks

I used the temporary tag as a buffer and added my plate over that. (In the back, I don't have the front installed)

To prevent from bending the front, just to a proper bow wave, but that's already been discussed

Just kidding

[rhombus]

The last time out I ripped the plate off my ARB

I'm going to just use butterfly bolts and remove it when I 4x4.

Seems to be the easiest and cheapest method.

[Schludwiller]

Originally posted by xoc
Someone posted a nifty solution last year.

They bolted 2 D-Cell MagLight mounts to their license plate, and could then snap it on or off the roller fairlead on their winch.

Very slick, but easy to steal in town.

Who was that ?

I believe credit goes to Flyin'S. His truck was the prototype at ARB-Seattle for modifying the mounting holes for what came to be the Xterra ARB.

Here's a pic of how it looks. You just pop it off when you're ready to go offroad. I have never heard of a plate being stolen with this mod. On the front you have 4 screwheads (so it looks secure). If someone starts peeking around they might figure how it's mounted, but if they really want it that bad what the hell.

The plate is also higher than the Australian mounting spot. But you need a winch, or some roller fairleads that will make the bar thick enough to hold the mag-clamps.

[OffroadX]

Where's the winch cable/hook?

Brent

[Schludwiller]

Broken.

Another Xterra owner sent me a new one, but it doesn't have the winch mounting tip for the start of the line. Not sure what I'm going to do with that. Maybe see if a shop has something to crimp it on.

Interestingly enough. When I took off the broken winch line the end that mounts to the winch wasn't even connected. Looks like it broke a long time ago.

Either that or get a Masterpull.

[Toy Man]

I put in the bottom 2 screws and used spacers between the plate and bumper. Works pretty good but it is not a bullet-proof arrangement.

[Mobycat]

You can also do like me. Virginia requires a front plate. When the ARB got mounted, the license plate came off. Took it in for inspection (completely forgetting about it) and they didn't say a word. So until Mr. Officer pulls me over for it, I'm not concerned - and I've got the plate in the back seat just in case they do give me a hard time.

[rrdstarr]

I am gonna pop mine off at Whistlin' Jack's tomorrow then hopefully remember to put it back on Sunday before we head home