Drilling a Hole for Tow Hook or License Plate

[FLYFISHR]

What I did was order an extra tow hook cover plate just to be on the safe side and have a replacement that I put back in place if I didn't like the way it work out. It only cost a bit over $4

After removing the cover plate and inserting the Grimmspeed tow hook bar I used green painters tape to cover the opening working around the bar.
I then used a small exacto blade to cut the tape from around the opening I had covered.

That left me with a template that I could use to mark the exact place to put the hole in the cover, which was a bit of and oval rather than a round opening.

[DoomsdayJesus]

I was planning on doing this but being lazy, I may actually pick up the part now. Thanks for motivating me.

[akahenry]

I think I might do this after my license plate is delivered (took delivery of my BRZ 3 weeks ago ha).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[enginrd]

Wanted to add a few tips.

- I bought an extra bumper cover from the local (SoCal) dealership for $5.50, and it took about a week to get in.

- When installing the shaft into the car frame, don't forget grease! Also a torque wrench is a must, as it turns many more times than I would have expected.

- While some photos seem to show that the license plate is mounted in the lateral plane, it turns out it only fits on an angle. I have mine at about 10 degrees, which is a bit more than necessary but it gives me piece of mind that the bumper paint is safe.

GL HF

[hahaman86]

Originally Posted by enginrd

Wanted to add a few tips.

- I bought an extra bumper cover from the local (SoCal) dealership for $5.50, and it took about a week to get in.

- When installing the shaft into the car frame, don't forget grease! Also a torque wrench is a must, as it turns many more times than I would have expected.

- While some photos seem to show that the license plate is mounted in the lateral plane, it turns out it only fits on an angle. I have mine at about 10 degrees, which is a bit more than necessary but it gives me piece of mind that the bumper paint is safe.

GL HF

Quick question what did you torque it to? Ft lbs

[enginrd]

Originally Posted by hahaman86

Quick question what did you torque it to? Ft lbs

45 ft-lbs

Complete installation instructions from their site: http://www.grimmspeed.com/content/in...seplatekit.pdf

[Dogster70]

Anyone wanna sell me a complete version of this for a whiteout frs? Say maybe 25-30 bucks?

[lumbeardjack]

Any chance we can bring this back and get one going for new models? I went ahead and tried this and only succeeded in installing the tow hook. The cover got butchered. I found an instructional video online with where to drill on the inside of the cover but the shaft would actually go through the cover and into the fender which I'd have to rub down a bit to get a flush fit. If I can find some covers to dabble with and figure out how to upload pictures without jumping through hoops I'd be willing to contribute

tl;dr
new tow hook with a lovely view of foam block and no cover willing to show what NOT to do on a '17 86

[Gunman]

What I did, was remove the cover, took a sheet of paper, and cut a hole in it, the diameter of the shaft. Inserted shaft thru paper, and then into the car. Hold the paper taught to the bumper, and rubbed the edges with a pencil, to leave an outline.

Now you have a pattern, to locate the hole.

For the bigger geeks, I then scanned the outline, brought it into my CAD software, and copied the cover shape, and put a center mark on the hole. Printed it, placed it over the cover, and drilled.

Note, I managed to use the words "shaft", "inserted" and "hole" without giggling...

[lumbeardjack]

Originally Posted by Gunman

What I did, was remove the cover, took a sheet of paper, and cut a hole in it, the diameter of the shaft. Inserted shaft thru paper, and then into the car. Hold the paper taught to the bumper, and rubbed the edges with a pencil, to leave an outline.

Now you have a pattern, to locate the hole.

For the bigger geeks, I then scanned the outline, brought it into my CAD software, and copied the cover shape, and put a center mark on the hole. Printed it, placed it over the cover, and drilled.

Note, I managed to use the words "shaft", "inserted" and "hole" without giggling...

I laughed at the words "locate the hole" but good looks with the paper. I was on the fence about using pieces of painters tape adhered around the shaft but didn't think they'd hold the same placement when I'd have peeled them off but I'll give the paper-method you suggested the next non-rainy weekend

[BellaItalia]

here's what i did to mine...
first pic is two parts removed
second pic is front clip without two parts
third pic is left side
fourth pic is right side
fifth is front, with add paper plate haha
After placing hex-sided threaded metal plate holder, push large black part up to it and slowly cut away at it with X-acto knife. i probably tried it 10 times just cutting off tiny bits at a time not to remove too much, it'll snap in place when close enough and with the hex metal tube in place, the color part is not needed. Body color part i just left off, hard to tell it's not there unless your nose is near the hole.

[lumbeardjack]

I did the tape method for the two in the rear and have a nice flush look.
My only issue was that the plate steps down a bit and is close to the center for where I had to drill so I had to be mindful of the bit walking.
The front one when I get around to ordering a new plate will be more challenging with trying to drill straight while it sits at an angle. I'm using a (lack of a better word) metal-step-drill bit??? So I have the exact diameter of the shank on the bit to give it that flush look but I'll have to be careful not to get a bevel.

Side note: Anyone have issues with their hook changing color or is it just the brand?

Opposite side note: Will post pics soon

[Busybee]

Thanks to HANAKUSO for the great post.
I followed the steps to install the grimmspeed license holder that I got from Amazon (Manufacturer part #094029) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I ordered covers from Subaru ($2.78 each).



Prepared the template with the painter's tape.



Slightly pressed on the tape to get the lines and drove my template.



Put the cover on the template, fixed it with tape, turned back and used a drill with a 7/8 spade bit. As suggested used a 3/4 grommet from Homedepot ($1.33). For a perfect fit, I had to trim a little on the right side of the hole. Thanks to the grommet



Final look:

[Tristor]

Looks good. I honestly just took the cover off and rolled with it, but I can see how the difference in color could throw some folks off visually. Looks like an inexpensive mod, so I might do this. (I don't even know where my original cover is or I'd just drill it).