License Plate Hole Plugs

[cklinh]

I guess this can be considered an Aftermarket Upgrade

So, story first... here in Cali, the cars come with the license plate holes pre-drilled (at least mine did)...

No biggie, I thought, kinda forces you to have a front plate, or leave the two unsightly holes showing...

Now, last week, I had a clear bra installed, and the license plate bracket had to be removed for said installation... When I got the car back, I realized how much I dig not having that front plate... so I decided to suck it up and just chance a ticket...

Keep in mind that I only drive on the weekends, and have been averaging about 9000 miles a year... so I figure, that's not that much road time, and I'll just put the plate on when I go long distances... therefore, I needed some way to cover up the holes when I don't need them, and still be able to put the plate on when I want to...

Here's my solution:

Bought this from Kragen (couldn't remember which packaging! but when you see it, you'll know)...



Modified a bit, by cutting off the "threads" so that it will fit in the hole without needing to enlarge them, and spray painting to color match (which I had laying around from the eyelid fiasco)...



And this is what it looks like:





Fit is almost perfect... and removable with a little bit of force... can't quite fit the top flush with the bumper though due to curvature... but all in all, not that damn bad... and if you have the spray paint already, the plugs were only $2.50 (IF you get the rights ones first! I had to buy three sets for test fitting)...

Sorry I don't have a pic of the plug prior to cutting the threads off... there were three, but I lost one

[Gorcman]

sweet idea man!

is it really illegal to not have a front license plate in Cali? I thought it was just something cops frown upon.

[RichD978]

nice

[cklinh]

It is very much illegal to not have a front plate in California. You usually do not get pulled over for not having one though... it's usually something that gets tacked on once you are pulled over...

I have a friend that got a fixit ticket for not having the front plate tacked onto his parking ticket

[Biggi_e]

looks good bro, i dont know where any kragens are in ym area? never even really heard of it around here but do u know where else would sell them?

[cklinh]

I think any auto parts store would have them... actually, they don't even have to be from an auto parts store... any hardware store should have something similar... just bring the license plate screw along and compare... something slightly smaller than the screw would be good.

[theprodigy79]

Actually looks pretty good bro! Props

[SolaraBlue]

you have old man hands
either way, looks good! i'll be doing this soon.

[Biggi_e]

cool i will try doing this sometime soon, i need to get the paint from the dealership

[cklinh]

you have old man hands
either way, looks good! i'll be doing this soon.

And you're assuming I'm not an old man?

Heh... actually I'm 26... I have a feeling that is "old" to some of you...


PS I just realized that when they drilled the holes, they didn't do it in the exact center of the bumper! It's biased towards one side... grrr...

[Biggi_e]

26 isnt that old...but im almost 21...haha but hey how much do u think the toyota dealership would charge for the touch up paint that matches our cars?

[cklinh]

I don't know if the dealership would have the spray-can type of paint... that cost me about thirty to forty dollars (for the paint and clear coat) from an online place... (they custom mix the paint and stick it in a spray can for you)...

The dealership may have the pen-type or brush-on-type of paint, which may not work as well...

[SolaraGuy22]

Essentially wouldn't that work for a keyhole cover if you trimmed it also?

[SolaraBlue]

where can i find that keyhole cover? ^^^^^^

[Biggi_e]

cklinh, do you have the link or number to the company? i just put the little plugs in, looks a little funny since its black but it looks a lot cleaner without the license plate =)