Plate Relocation kit preview (homemade)
 

Hey, this thread is for anyone considering the Plate Relocation kits that will be available. I figure alot of people are curious what it would look like.


Disclaimer : Yes, Its a BC plate, it's NOT mine, and i know it says Abbotsford Nissan..back off :D

This was a 5 minute photoshop, so deal with it ;)
All plates are lined up to be DEAD CENTER over the TOW HOOK. Most kits have slide adjustment a few inches up/down left/right..so use your imagination please

BRZ OEM location
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8145/6...60db0757_c.jpg

BRZ Tow hook Location
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8142/7...f4886102_c.jpg

FRS OEM LOCATION
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7040/7...0c394823_c.jpg

FRS Tow Hook Location
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8168/6...3a0dd8dd_c.jpg


Personally i think the FRS looks good with the offset plate..the BRZ im not so sure of.

I think WingsofWar's chop he did at my request looks far better than offset.... the only issue is that doing this leaves your front bumper completely unprotected should someone tap you when parallel parking. (Of course the same is largely true for the offset method.)

Attachment 6936

The tow hook location looks weird for both the BRZ and FR-S cause their bumpers aren't flat, well the BRZ is kinda flat. I think the tow hook option only looks good on the EVO, cause it's much more flat.

I understand this is a chop. IRL, how can this be done? I am thinking you need some kind of special screws/threads thing to penetrate the mesh and to the bumper, and that leads me to my next question.

what is the material for that mesh? I think some dealer was suggesting about tying the plate to the mesh instead of using a kit to locate the plate. I wonder, depends on the mesh material, if that is a viable solution.

I gotta agree it looks weird on the side like that. Just doesn't look right on either front end. But going a little lower like on the brz so it's on the mesh seems like a better alternative.

^ Trouble is the BRZ has a somewhat smaller air intake area through the grill than the FR-S, and dropping the plate would cover a good proportion of it up, which could lead to heat issues on track days.

My dealer said they could mount it there with ties. But looking at the FR-S in person, I think a more stable mount would be to screw it into the plastic bar behind the upper portion of the mesh.

It might be a pain to Fasten it. You'll likely need to put a machine screw + nut on it, which means you need to reach the OTHER side. I have a feeling that black piece behind the upper mesh is very thin. Too thin for a self tapping screw likely.

Presumably it would be relatively easy to put one arm under the lip to hold a nut and then drive the bolt through it. Even if it's difficult, once the plate is on you are never going to be taking it off. Worst case, might have to do it on a lift at the dealer.

yea, i know it's not really a big deal. Just wanted to warn you that's all.

Worst case Scenario the bumper has to come off altogether to get in that area. The 'actual' bumper is right behind that area and could easily be blocking "reach" access. i guess you'll find out? ;)

what about an offset plate using the tow hook hole but have it offset yet again, not centered on the tow hook hole. Maybe bring it a bit towards the center of the car.

I was hoping an offset plate would look better, but unfortunately it doesn't seem that way. A front plate simply ruins the BRZ.

Yeah, I definitely prefer the arrangement shown in Scion FR-S's post.

If anyone gets a chance to carefully examine the front bumper area, look under the blacked-out portion to see if there are any existing bolts or screws underneath. If so, a flat aluminum bar (or preferably two connected in an 'H' pattern) could be attached using the same bolts and extend forward through the plastic grille mesh with a 90-degree bend to provide attachment points for the plate.

My current summer toy has basically that arrangement. A little wobbly/springy since it's cantilevered out about 10" and the existing bolt locations it uses go into a semi-flexible piece, but it works.

I wouldn't be surprised if somebody comes out with a kit to do this.

Edit: Hmmm, another idea: depending on the vertical angle of the mesh, if a single flat bar can be slipped in behind it then use long bolts from the plate through the mesh to the flat bar. Basically clamping the plate to the plastic mesh with the plate on one side and the flat bar on the other.

Personally, I dont think the offset plate looks good on any car. It ruins the symmetry of the front. Id run no plate or cover it with a dark tinted cover before an offset kit