License Plate Mounting - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

BlueTundra · 09-09-2008, 11:48 AM

I’ve done some searching and found the bumper plugs which look pretty good. My SE had a front license plate bracket sitting in the trunk. I looked at using it, but this one will not fit on the SE. I’m not sure picking up the correct bracket is what I want to do. My dealer seems to love putting big wood screws in the front bumpers of new Toyotas to install their cheesy plastic frames and logo plates. Unfortunately, by the time you get it home, the plate has scratched the bumper. I will remove the plate and see how bad the scratches look. If they buff out, I may get some plugs.

I don’t like the prospect of being pulled over for no front plate, but love the clean look without a front plate. It also bothers me to just screw the plate down to the bumper and let it rest on that pretty paint. I put rubber bumpers on the plate, but it really seems like a cheesy thing to put on a nice car.

The rear license plate drives me crazy. I’m a former Ford guy and I’m happy with the quality of the Toyota, but their half-assed license mounting is a real shortcoming. I hate hearing the license bang when I close the trunk. Do any of you add two more screws for the bottom holes of the plate?

Thanks!

***bandit*** · 09-09-2008, 11:58 AM

Where did you get the front license plate bracket? I bought mine from a Toyota Dealership online (eBay) and it fits my SE. I dont think they asked me what model my car was.

I also had the cheesy plastic dealer frames and swapped it with plastic TRD frames a day after I got my car. No scratches on my bumper when I took it off to place the bracket frame on.

As for trunk, there are no holes or screws for the bottom license plate on the trunk. Why would you even think of even drilling 2 holes for the trunk? If you want to prevent rattling, get felt or the padded side of a velcro and place it on the back of the frame/license plate. So when you close the trunk, the felt or padded velcro will prevent the license plate from hitting the trunk. You can also get thin zip-ties and tie the bottom plates together.

workerant · 09-09-2008, 11:58 AM

For the front, it's the law here so I just leave it. Don't even look at it.

For the vibrating from the plat in the back, it annoy me too. I might get some rubber feet to stick it there so it won't vibrate as hard.

workerant · 09-09-2008, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcemureviews

padded velcro

I did think about that.. but it will soak with rain water and stuff. Things might grow and O well.. I guess U can call it going green.

njerald · 09-09-2008, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTM77

For the vibrating from the plat in the back, it annoy me too. I might get some rubber feet to stick it there so it won't vibrate as hard.

Did that about 29 months ago and didn't even need a thread about it.

***bandit*** · 09-09-2008, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTM77

I did think about that.. but it will soak with rain water and stuff. Things might grow and O well.. I guess U can call it going green.

If you're afraid of that..than get weather-strip/weatherstripping tape

It comes in all sizes...thick, thin, round, flat...

When my mom got into an accident with my Ford Taurus, the door didnt close all the way and there was a slight gap at the top of the door which let water in when it rained. Took some weather stripping tape, applied it to the door and minimal water comes in now.

BlueTundra · 09-09-2008, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcemureviews

As for trunk, there are no holes or screws for the bottom license plate on the trunk. Why would you even think of even drilling 2 holes for the trunk? If you want to prevent rattling, get felt or the padded side of a velcro and place it on the back of the frame/license plate. So when you close the trunk, the felt or padded velcro will prevent the license plate from hitting the trunk. You can also get thin zip-ties and tie the bottom plates together.

I did put bottom screws in the plate and put them into rubber feet that rest against the trunk. It helps, but I can still hear it flopping around (when I close the trunk). I guess I should just get over it, but I would really like for it to mount securely with four screws. I guess I'm thinking if Toyota just drives screws into the front bumper, why not on the trunk. I guess I would need to look into what is behind the plate on the trunk.

Good points on using anything that can gather mold or such in this area. Some good sticky plastic velcro might work for me.

On the bracket that was in my trunk, it could be for something other than a Camry.

***bandit*** · 09-09-2008, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueTundra

I did put bottom screws in the plate and put them into rubber feet that rest against the trunk. It helps, but I can still hear it flopping around (when I close the trunk). I guess I should just get over it, but I would really like for it to mount securely with four screws. I guess I'm thinking if Toyota just drives screws into the front bumper, why not on the trunk. I guess I would need to look into what is behind the plate on the trunk.

Good points on using anything that can gather mold or such in this area. Some good sticky plastic velcro might work for me.

On the bracket that was in my trunk, it could be for something other than a Camry.

Well its either the metal license plate hitting the trunk, the frames hitting the trunk or all 3 hitting each other. Either way, its a trunk. Live with it. Thats how physics works. Its not like its going to fall off or break. Its kind of asking like...how can I close my hood without the sound of metal. If it really bothers you to the point that you're going to go insane or go postal, take the bumper off the trunk and place the plates inside the car, behind the back window. I take no responsibility if you get a ticket.

As for screwing into the bumper...Toyota did. They put 2 in the front bumper and 2 in the back bumper. I think majority of cars that have plates on the trunk only have 2 screws.

As for the bracket, mine hooks onto the bottom grille.

workerant · 09-09-2008, 12:29 PM

Double sided tape.

centennialman · 09-09-2008, 03:57 PM

I don't have my front plate on myself. Technically it's illegal here in Colorado but I've never had a problem with it. I never had a problem with it growing up in California either. Ever hwne I did ge pulled over I never got any guff about not having it on.

In the case of the rear plate, I stuck on a double side piece of foam onto the plate which eliminates the problem of it hitting the trunk.

centennialman · 09-09-2008, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcemureviews

Now I know what I used LOL.

spp · 09-09-2008, 05:19 PM

How about a picture of this BRACKET? All I've had on my previous Toyotas are two sheet metal screws.

***Zembonez*** · 09-09-2008, 05:36 PM

I slammed two self tapping stainless wide head screws in the bottom of my rear plate and never looked back. It doesn't rattle and I'll be rid of the car long before anything corrodes. WTF? It's just a car.

OK, I'm kidding a little. I really did the self tappers, but I pulled them back out, blew out any metal filings, and gave them both a shot of butyl sealer before reinstalling. They are sealed tight. Good as new.

njerald · 09-09-2008, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zembonez

I slammed two self tapping stainless wide head screws in the bottom of my rear plate and never looked back. It doesn't rattle and I'll be rid of the car long before anything corrodes. WTF? It's just a car.

OK, I'm kidding a little. I really did the self tappers, but I pulled them back out, blew out any metal filings, and gave them both a shot of butyl sealer before reinstalling. They are sealed tight. Good as new.

Precisely why I don't buy used cars.............