mine is still going strong lol

Going to be a bump for this question but:

What's the Bracket's part number in the first post? I bought mine used and it didnt come with it AND it didnt get anything drilled into the front (!!) so I'm rolling around illegally till my magnets come in but I need to make sure I get the right bracket.

http://estore.subarupartswarehouse.c...10-590-02.html

it's 57751K

That was EXTREMELY helpful, thank you so much.

Bumping this thread with a word of caution: I did this project in October 2014 with the magnets specified by OP, secured behind the bumper with superglue and gorilla tape. Everything was great.

However, I got a little bolder and have been running without a front plate for at least 6 months now. It turns out that one of the larger magnets has gone missing. I'm sure if I had kept the front plate attached more, the magnet would not have fallen loose. But just know that the superglue + gorilla tape method will not secure the larger magnets forever if you leave the front plate off.

Good warning! Superglue tends to be hard/brittle, and can crack under vibration. they do have a rubber-toughened version that's more suitable:
http://www.loctiteproducts.com/p/sg_...el-Control.htm

That's why I used the 3M weatherstrip cement as it's rubber-based. I'm surprised the gorilla tape came off too, though.

I used super glue and duct tape behind the magnet. I live in Texas and have had them installed for over a year. I got interesting confirmation that they are still in their original position.

http://i.imgur.com/TBfDc87.jpg

You can buy a small sheet of clear bra material and cover the area under the license plate if you want to protect the paint. it'll be unnoticeable with the plate off under normal conditions.

That is not paint damage. It is small amounts of metal adhering to the magnets like a Wooly Willy toy. I just need to wash it.

Thanks
 

Thank you works perfectly! hope it last forever a long time. Great post!

I am definitely going to do this because stupid Illinois requires front plates and I refuse to put holes in my bumper! Shipping is rather expensive from that site. Anyone found similar strength magnets from a local store to buy from or online without crazy shipping pricing?

I couldn't find any place that had them cheaper with shipping. They are simply the best priced and easiest to navigate when looking for something specific. Remember that they require special packaging (and I'm not 100% sure, but possibly special shipping).

Bump for question... Anyone who did this, how long has it stayed on? How reliable would you say this mod is?

Yes, I think so.

1) Attach the magnets to the license plate bracket just as the OP describes. Place it on the front of the bumper, holding it in place somehow ( I enlisted a helper) while you move on to step 2.

2) Slip one of the magnets in between the plastic outer bumper and the foam behind it. You can do this from the bottom rear of the bumper. Make sure it is oriented in the proper direction to attract to the companion magnet in the bracket.

3) Use a fifth magnet held at the front of the bumper to attract the loose magnet that you placed behind the bumper and drag it toward the companion magnet attached to the bracket. All you have to do is get it close and it will snap into place.

4) Repeat on the other side.

You might be able to drive it this way but I think it will eventually slip downward due to vibration. In the original method this is prevented by gluing the magnets to the back of the bumper. In my case I used ty-wraps to attach a small piece of foam pipe insulation to the grill just beneath the bracket. It acts as a bump stop on downward movement of the plate bracket. It sounds ghetto but the foam is well obscured by the license plate.

It's only been on a few days but so far so good!