Front License Plate Holes

[vSolara]

Hey everyone! I'll be getting my learner's permit to start driving soon. Well, yesterday, my parents and I bought a Solara! I gotta help pay for some of it, which shouldnt be a problem, but I'm so happy! It's a 2001 Toyota Solara SLE V6, pearl white, silver lettering - it looks awesome! We bought it from Indiana, where they do not require front license plates. But in Ohio they do require front license plates. The car doesnt have holes for front license plates - how do I make holes for it? Will my local dealership do it for a decent price? I'm not very handy and I really dont want to mess it up, so I'd like to get it done. Any ideas or experience on getting this done would be great! Thanks!

btw- This forum looks pretty cool, you all did some awesome stuff with your solara!

[Chinky420]

welcome to sg

why not just put your front plate in your windshield? it looks much cleaner (in my opinion) w/o the front license plate (which they require here in tx too...but they also dont really enforce it).

technically having the license on top of the dash, visible, is totally legal.

it's the cheapest and easiest solution that i can think of.

[ThatVietGuy]

Power tool + correct drill bit will be all you need.

[vSolara]

Cool, thanks for your replies. Putting it in the window would be a good temporary solution, and it would make the front of the car look better, but it would make the window look really tacky. I'd like to get the plate on the front mounted. Actually, I wish Ohio didnt have that dumb law in the first place. Anyway, where do I drill at? Are there pre-drilled holes? What drill bit should I use?

[Ransom8707]

Why dont you just place the license plate first and make sure its centered then get a thin marker or whatever and mark the hole on the license plate then just get a drill and drill a hole? I think thats what I would be if i was you

[vSolara]

Okay, well that doesnt sound too bad, but I'd be really afraid to do it. I've tried to do "do it yourself" things like that in the past and usually I'll end up breaking something, or it will be of bad quality. Do you know if the dealership could do it? I mean, is this a common thing to have done? Thanks again to everyone for all your help!

[Gadgetjq]

The car doesnt have holes for front license plates - how do I make holes for it? Will my local dealership do it for a decent price?

VS,

Since plates are required in your state your dealers 'prep' shop probably drills holes in front bumpers (to mount the dealer frame and advertising) on a daily basis.

If you'll have servicing done at a particular dealer stop by, get to know the service writer and let them know you're a new owner. Ask if he/she would mind having the shop drill the holes on your promise you'll bring the car in for an oil change soon.

Obviously if the Solara is already due for an oil change just take it to the dealer and ask them to drill the holes while it's in for service. They'll probably do it gratis.

If you choose to do it yourself visit an auto supply store and pick out a frame you like. Use the holes in the frame (and your plate) as a guide for drilling holes. Use self tapping screws to attach both to your front bumper.

Cheers,

[NeFaRiOuS_SLE]

First of all, congratulations.

Second, I wish my car didn't come with the front plates; I have it off for 3 months now and I just only have the screws in place to cover up the hole, so it's almost a blessing.

If I had to get plates, What I would do is get a couple of small "L" brackets and drill it somewhere concealed, that way 1. It's harder to tell if the bit slips does mess up and 2. There's no ugly dimple/hole/dent if you decide to pop it in the windshield later on, or simply for better looks at car meets or shows when you do decide to attend/show off your car... That is if you're into that kind of thing.

[campfire9]

Hi, and welcome to SG. I live in California and we too have to have a front plate. On my wife's Lexus we didn't put the plates on but there are dimples where the holes should be. Behind that are the nuts that the license plate screws would go in to keep the plate on the bumper.

I agree that you should take your Solara to the dealer and have them put it on. They will have the correct screws and everything will come out just fine. You shouldn't have to have anything else done at the same time. They should be eager to show their ability to serve you and want your repeated business.

[SleeperSolara]

Welcome to SG.org
Back on topic, there should be some dimples in the middle of the front bumper and all you do is drill holes slightly smaller than the dimpled holes in the front bumper and there you go.

Glad Oklahoma doesn't have that law.
And emissions.

[nemoxfishy]

halo~
try something like this....

how do you think ?
i bent my plates so only the numbers show... then i zip tied it at the bottom opening... i like mine~ =]

[NeFaRiOuS_SLE]

Not bad, but keep in mind that it's still against the law... At least here in Cali but it could still raise an eyebrow.

[Chinky420]

yeah, bending the plates is illegal (to my knowledge) here in tx too. at least, i think so, and i'm basing this on the fact that techincally we aren't even supposed to have license plate frames that cover the word texas at the top, or the illustration at the bottom (stupid, IMO).

i think i'd rather rock it w/o, rather than bending the plate.

i dont keep my plate on my front end, and i dont keep it in my windshield (regularly)...i have it on my passenger floor board, so that if a cop is going to stop me and give me a hard time about it, i can put it right up. kinda like the inspection sticker thing, if you are able to get the problem fixed prior to your court date, the ticket is dismissed.....so they dont even follow through with a ticket (in my experience)

[vSolara]

Cool thanks for your replies! Were gonna take it to the dealership and hopefully they'll take care of it. Having a front license plate sucks and there is no reason for it either!