License plate frame... drilled onto the front bumper?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Steve Type-4, Jun 17, 2012.

  1. Steve Type-4

    Steve Type-4 Trading HP for MPG

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    So I removed the license plate frame from the front bumper, and 'lo and behold. I find that the two screws securing the license plate frame onto the front bumper are actually drilled / directly screwed onto the front bumper itself?

    No spring nuts, not washers, just a direct-drill hack-job by Toyota? I find this hard to believe especially by a company that proclaims itself in quality.
     
    #1 Steve Type-4, Jun 17, 2012
  2. dustoff003

    dustoff003 Blizzard Brigade #003

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    This is quite a normal way of attaching the front plate on many cars these days, by many manufacturers, no need to throw Toyota under the bus.


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    #2 dustoff003, Jun 17, 2012
  3. Steve Type-4

    Steve Type-4 Trading HP for MPG

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    Not throwing Toyota under the bus by any means, just find it hard to believe that the front plate is installed that way from the factory. First car make/model I've come across that does this from the factory - not my Honda, Acura or even Nissan. Basically, if I elect to remove my license plate frame, I have two unsightly and tacky looking OEM holes on the front bumper.
     
    #3 Steve Type-4, Jun 17, 2012
  4. dustoff003

    dustoff003 Blizzard Brigade #003

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    Two holes are better than four.

    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1339914500.830488.jpg

    The brackets are usually installed at the port or at the dealer during the pre delivery inspection, not at the factory. There are quite a few threads on this topic already. Some members have gone as far as to include in there sale contract or vehicle order to explicitly not have the front license plate bracket installed.

    Are not front license plates required in California? If you do take it off, other members have also reported that bumper plugs work well at hiding the holes. If you search bumper plugs you should find those other threads I mentioned.

    BumperPlugs.com




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    #4 dustoff003, Jun 17, 2012
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  5. Steve Type-4

    Steve Type-4 Trading HP for MPG

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    Yup, researched plugs! I remembered I have an extra set at home from my university's license plate frame, which I'll probably color match this weekend and plug up the holes. I'm not that super gung-ho about the holes, lol.

    As far as front license plate in CA goes, they are required if the DMV issues two plates for your car. So front plate is definitely required for the Prius. My Prius is only 3 weeks old and I'm just riding it out until I get my plates, hehe. Thanks for the follow-up and pic (ouch), I think it's a bit extreme to explicitly exclude license plate frames on a sales contract!
     
    #5 Steve Type-4, Jun 17, 2012
  6. yeldogt

    yeldogt Active Member

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    The kit includes the two self taping screws for mounting the bracket and the two screws to attach the plate to the bracket -- I did mine a few months ago -- I believe the 11's had two small marks in the bumper at the correct location for the screws. No need to drill. Very few cars have good front plate brackets -- they all look to be afterthoughts
     
    #6 yeldogt, Jun 17, 2012
  7. Brentley

    Brentley Junior Member

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    The cars come to the dealer without the front bracket installed. I had the option of not having mine installed if I wanted. I went ahead and did it because Berkeley actually will ticket parked cars with no front plate at a meter (even if the meter has time on it). The bracket is ugly, the only good looking one I have ever seen was for our Infiniti FX (it screwed into the tow hook bracket and was removable) but that won't work for the Prius.

    CA is a two plate state but not every state requires both.
     
    #7 Brentley, Jun 17, 2012
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  8. Steve Type-4

    Steve Type-4 Trading HP for MPG

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    This is true for Los Angeles as well, I think parking enforcers were given the green light to ticket plateless folks around 2001 - I learned that the hard way! lol
     
    #8 Steve Type-4, Jun 17, 2012
  9. szgabor

    szgabor Active Member

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    I do not think factory does this. This is done by the DEALER. Some does a better job than other. Remember not all states (in the USA) requires front license plate at all so this is one of the reason no "pre-fab" stuff on the front like on the back :) Not sure about other countries ...
     
    #9 szgabor, Jun 18, 2012
  10. mtbiker53

    mtbiker53 Junior Member

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    Well,you could have 2 'sightly ' holes i guess,which you'd really have if they put in nutplates,the bolts rust,then you twist a big hole in bumper getting them out.
     
    #10 mtbiker53, Jun 20, 2012
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