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Ways To Mount Front License Plate?

S

s0me0nesmind1

Lifer
I live in a state that requires a front-license plate as dumb as it is.

The RAV4 I just got basically has marks on the front bumper where I'm supposed to drill into the bumper in order to use it for the plate.

I'll be honest, I don't care to drill into my bumper... Anyone happen to know of any solutions that I can mount my front license plate somehow?
 
I use one of these on one car:

skenebrackets.com

Skene Design No Holes Front License Plate Bracket

Mount your license plate on your car without drilling unsightly holes in the front of your bumper. Our bracket mounts securely to the underside of the bumper.
skenebrackets.com skenebrackets.com

and a tow hook mount on the other for state inspection, and then just run without. The bracket I linked is pretty nice and clean looking. You do drill into the underside lip to secure with self tapping screws but those holes are invisible unless you’re lying on the ground.
 
repoman0 said:
I use one of these on one car:

skenebrackets.com

Skene Design No Holes Front License Plate Bracket

Mount your license plate on your car without drilling unsightly holes in the front of your bumper. Our bracket mounts securely to the underside of the bumper.
skenebrackets.com skenebrackets.com

and a tow hook mount on the other for state inspection, and then just run without. The bracket I linked is pretty nice and clean looking. You do drill into the underside lip to secure with self tapping screws but those holes are invisible unless you’re lying on the ground.
Click to expand...

Appreciate the idea - looks like it won't work for my particular vehicle though - Says if the size is "N/A" in theri search tool then it means the bumper is too shallow to accomodate the bracket =/

1605536397344.png
 
s0me0nesmind1 said:
Appreciate the idea - looks like it won't work for my particular vehicle though - Says if the size is "N/A" in theri search tool then it means the bumper is too shallow to accomodate the bracket =/

View attachment 33949
Click to expand...

Just looked up a pic, I see what you mean. There’s not much room there for any of the usual third party brackets. Lot of people use ghetto methods like double sided tape and zip tie to the grill combo. Or depending on police in your area just don’t run it .. keep it in the trunk with some zip ties just in case ..
 
repoman0 said:
Just looked up a pic, I see what you mean. There’s not much room there for any of the usual third party brackets. Lot of people use ghetto methods like double sided tape and zip tie to the grill combo. Or depending on police in your area just don’t run it .. keep it in the trunk with some zip ties just in case ..
Click to expand...

Yeah my wife has always taken that risk with her last 2 cars. Basically don't have a reason for cops to look at you and then won't even care.

Still, I'm a "Better safe than sorry person" because every damn ticket is $250+ these days.
 
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Steltek said:
No-drill mount that supposedly works for 2019 Adventure Rav4 and 2020 Rav4 - $90:

https://torkliftcentral.com/catalog...id/1189/s/the-law-toyota-rav-4-hybrid-xa1012/

Torklift Central | The LAW no-drill front license plate bracket

Torklift Central Hitch & Tow installs trailer hitches for all types of vehicles, specializes in custom fabrication and manufactures the EcoHitch® to help you Get Out and Go Your Way!
torkliftcentral.com torkliftcentral.com
Click to expand...

Christ... $100 bucks for a panel to mount a car license plate.... /facepalm.

Anyone else have anything? Otherwise might have to bite the bullet.
 
I don't know anything about the RAV4, so I presume it doesn't have a tow hook that you could put a generic tow hook mount like this on (unless the law there specifies front center of the vehicle and not just on front)?

Personally, were it me I'd just go with the $10 drill bit option - drilling two holes that nobody will ever see wouldn't bother me (I'd just primer any metal around the holes to make sure nothing rusts and call it a day). Especially since, if you expect to remain where you are and ever sell the vehicle, the next owner will have to have a license plate mount there anyway and won't look twice at it.

If you do decide to go with the bolt-on mount, you might consider putting some blue loctite on the bolt threads to ensure it doesn't vibrate loose and drop off on the highway somewhere.

EDIT: I see you have a 2018. The bolt-on plate adapter doesn't say it works with 2018, so you'd want to contact them before buying. The tow hook mount linked above does work with a 2018 Rav4.
 
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Looking at the options, I'd choose to measure very carefully from each end of the bumper and find either a vertical midpoint or alternative, use a spring-loaded punch to put a dimple in the metal, and drill the holes. There are several ways to cover the holes neatly if you move to a state that doesn't require the front-mounted license plate. I really don't understand all the fuss. Otherwise, swallow the $100 expense for the mounting device.
 
some people make and use/purchase brackets that mount on to the front tow-hook, for that off-center look. Depending on the car, it might also be necessary if a front grill-mounted plate interferes with your cameras and sensors. This definitely happens.

I mean, you could always try not running with the front license plate. It varies from state to state, in terms of how strictly it is enforced, if it all. Probably get a warning the first time, anyway, and can use that as a gauge of seriousness.

I'm now about 1.7 years into no issues running without my front plate, here in MD. 😀
 
zinfamous said:
some people make and use/purchase brackets that mount on to the front tow-hook, for that off-center look. Depending on the car, it might also be necessary if a front grill-mounted plate interferes with your cameras and sensors. This definitely happens.

I mean, you could always try not running with the front license plate. It varies from state to state, in terms of how strictly it is enforced, if it all. Probably get a warning the first time, anyway, and can use that as a gauge of seriousness.

I'm now about 1.7 years into no issues running without my front plate, here in MD. 😀
Click to expand...
Just as a footnote -- I lived in the DC area for about 25 years. I have friends in Baltimore and Kensington. I've been informed of MD's schedule of fines, and I am definitely convinced that MD fines are more reasonable than they are in California. If I remember correctly, there was an example of running a red light. In MD, my friend told me (about ten years ago) that it was something like a $70 fine. In CA, you could pay as much as $500.
 
BonzaiDuck said:
Just as a footnote -- I lived in the DC area for about 25 years. I have friends in Baltimore and Kensington. I've been informed of MD's schedule of fines, and I am definitely convinced that MD fines are more reasonable than they are in California. If I remember correctly, there was an example of running a red light. In MD, my friend told me (about ten years ago) that it was something like a $70 fine. In CA, you could pay as much as $500.
Click to expand...

I've run a red light and a stop sign, doing a California turn each time here in MD, and was fined $50 each. fricking cameras.
 
s0me0nesmind1 said:
I live in a state that requires a front-license plate as dumb as it is.

The RAV4 I just got basically has marks on the front bumper where I'm supposed to drill into the bumper in order to use it for the plate.

I'll be honest, I don't care to drill into my bumper... Anyone happen to know of any solutions that I can mount my front license plate somehow?
Click to expand...
Self tapping screws and sticky fixers.
 
Toyota certainly sells a front license bracket for that. If I knew the year, I could even give you the part number. Bumper covers are expendable pieces of plastic, get a few years on the car and there will be worse stuff than a couple of neatly drilled holes.
 
crashtech said:
Toyota certainly sells a front license bracket for that. If I knew the year, I could even give you the part number. Bumper covers are expendable pieces of plastic, get a few years on the car and there will be worse stuff than a couple of neatly drilled holes.
Click to expand...

It is a 2018 RAV4 according to his post here. OP hasn't indicated if it is a specific sub-model so I presume it is a straight RAV4.
 
There are at least three different brackets for 2018 RAV4's depending on submodel and country of origin, believe it or not.
 
zinfamous said:
I've run a red light and a stop sign, doing a California turn each time here in MD, and was fined $50 each. fricking cameras.
Click to expand...
Yes -- that was it exactly. Can't remember exactly how many years ago it was, but I was on a grocery-run, turning right into the shopping center at a light. Light turned yellow, and I came to "almost" a full stop anyway to make the turn. The camera caught me. They sent me some sort of "warning" letter, and there was a threat of a $500 fine.

About 3/4 of those fines were sent to a contractor in Arizona who provides the cameras, software, etc. I was absolutely livid at the thought, complaining to my ward's city-councilman, whom I know personally. Over and above the magnitude of the fine and its allocation, I objected to the idea that they would send the money out of state. Previously, they had local police assigned to monitor and analyze the camera footage; now they were paying a contractor in Arizona.

So my friend advised me of the Maryland situation. I almost wish I'd stayed in the mid-Atlantic! It actually rains there! There are dogwoods and cherry-blossoms in the spring!
 
crashtech said:
Toyota certainly sells a front license bracket for that. If I knew the year, I could even give you the part number. Bumper covers are expendable pieces of plastic, get a few years on the car and there will be worse stuff than a couple of neatly drilled holes.
Click to expand...

It came with a front-license plate mount when I bought it - I just simply don't want to screw into the bumper like it requires.

You might have a point though, maybe with all the strong winds and stuff going 70+ mph over the years it might do damage warping it over time. Oh well, I guess I'll take that light risk.



Steltek said:
It is a 2018 RAV4 according to his post here. OP hasn't indicated if it is a specific sub-model so I presume it is a straight RAV4.
Click to expand...

Nah it's a 2021 RAV4 Prime - their new Plug in hybrid model.

At this point it's still so new websites don't even have it as a selectable model.

Anyways, I went with that torklift one you posted - so thanks! Found a YouTube of another guy mounting it on his Prime and did the same (see below)

Overall I'm curious if on the above post if it might be prone to some warping or damage over time.



[YOUTUBE]
 
BonzaiDuck said:
Yes -- that was it exactly. Can't remember exactly how many years ago it was, but I was on a grocery-run, turning right into the shopping center at a light. Light turned yellow, and I came to "almost" a full stop anyway to make the turn. The camera caught me. They sent me some sort of "warning" letter, and there was a threat of a $500 fine.

About 3/4 of those fines were sent to a contractor in Arizona who provides the cameras, software, etc. I was absolutely livid at the thought, complaining to my ward's city-councilman, whom I know personally. Over and above the magnitude of the fine and its allocation, I objected to the idea that they would send the money out of state. Previously, they had local police assigned to monitor and analyze the camera footage; now they were paying a contractor in Arizona.

So my friend advised me of the Maryland situation. I almost wish I'd stayed in the mid-Atlantic! It actually rains there! There are dogwoods and cherry-blossoms in the spring!
Click to expand...

We used to have them here in TX - voters outlawed them thankfully and they had to take them all down hehe.
 
It will be interesting to see how much damage that no-drill bracket causes to the grille bars over time, with vibration and whatnot.
 
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