How do you deal with the front license plate in CA?

[shiumai]

Originally Posted by qqzj

After you take one end off and working on the other end, will the loose end fall or bend? Thanks.

if you're working by yourself, you do the top last after loosening the sides, so that doesn't happen.
i did lay a blanket under the bumper so i could set it down on the ground without scratching it.
follow steps 1-8 of this DIY:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8788

[Gen]

Originally Posted by wrb

4. no front license plate AT ALL
-pros- no holes on your bumper. free.
-cons- you WILL get tickets.

I'm probably jinxing myself here, but I've have no front plate and tint for the last 10 years and have never received a ticket for either.

[wrb]

Originally Posted by Gen

I'm probably jinxing myself here, but I've have no front plate and tint for the last 10 years and have never received a ticket for either.

i tried my luck too when i got my brz.

but my luck ran out pretty quick

[zygrene]

I don't have a front plate on my A3 and haven't been stopped for it during the 13 months I've lived in San Jose. I also have ~25% tint all around and that's never been an issue either, even when I got pulled over once for speeding.

[strat61caster]

Noticing a trend of people getting in trouble down in SoCal but not NorCal...

[qqzj]

Hi, shiumai,

My magnets came in today and they are really strong. You must be working in this industry to know them. I have never heard of them before. Here is a question:

"I also flipped over the metal tabs with the plate screw holes so they poke out the front of the bracket, rather than the rear. They're strong enough in that orientation as well."

My question is: once you reverse the tabs, will the license plate be able to stay flush with the plate holder? I am afraid the protruding holes will give me some trouble.

Will try to take off the front bumper tomorrow and wish myself best luck. But have to say that this is a fantastic solution that comes out of nowhere. Many thanks.

Originally Posted by shiumai

if you're working by yourself, you do the top last after loosening the sides, so that doesn't happen.
i did lay a blanket under the bumper so i could set it down on the ground without scratching it.
follow steps 1-8 of this DIY:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8788

[shiumai]

Originally Posted by qqzj

My question is: once you reverse the tabs, will the license plate be able to stay flush with the plate holder? I am afraid the protruding holes will give me some trouble.

Will try to take off the front bumper tomorrow and wish myself best luck. But have to say that this is a fantastic solution that comes out of nowhere. Many thanks.

i had used a dremel tool to grind them down a bit before flipping the tabs around, but i don't recall whether the protruding holes will fit through the license plate holes or make it sit away from the bracket. either way, it's an easy fix if there's an issue, to make the plate sit flush. you have the bracket right now - reverse the tabs and see. good luck! i'm sure you'll do fine.

[qqzj]

Yeah, I have got the plate holder completely done. To protect the bumper, I cut two pieces of round foam pads, glued them to the plate holder using 3M trim adhesive and then taped them again with Gorilla tape. This should be fine. The only thing left is to take off the bumper, glue and tape the bigger magnets and I shall be done. Thanks again!

BTW, did you also put a license plate from on the holder? Just curious whether it will fit.

Originally Posted by shiumai

i had used a dremel tool to grind them down a bit before flipping the tabs around, but i don't recall whether the protruding holes will fit through the license plate holes or make it sit away from the bracket. either way, it's an easy fix if there's an issue, to make the plate sit flush. you have the bracket right now - reverse the tabs and see. good luck! i'm sure you'll do fine.

[shiumai]

Originally Posted by qqzj

BTW, did you also put a license plate from on the holder? Just curious whether it will fit.

yes, i did -

[qqzj]

I tried to take off the bumper today. I finally succeeded. But let me tell you that it is NOT easy. I think there might be different ways to attach sidemarker to the bumper, because instead of three clips, there are only 2 clips and three freaking screws to secure the sidemarker to the bumper on MY car. Every easy trick that I have read about here is not true, I ended up using brutal force to pull the bumper out. Then I took a look and conclude there is no easy way to do it. Let me upload a picture in a second.

[womensecks]

Left my dealership sticker in the window on the passenger side with the little DMV slip.

I've done this with all my cars, not one fix-it yet. *knockonwood*

[Wes]

What @SoCal909 said, when I go to school in LA I put my plates back on with the Grimmspeed kit, but if not, I run with no plates and have been okay.

[Seabrz]

Do you guys think that putting on the plate as the dealer wants would hinder enough airflow to effect performance? Even on a track day? I'm trying to decide whether to do grimmspeed (don't really like the look of it) or have the dealer install it their way.

[DeeezNuuuts83]

^ No. It's not like you have a FMIC, and most of the plate hangs over the bumper itself and not in front of the radiator.