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Options to eliminate the front license plate support

Discussion in 'Prime Accessories and Modifications' started by rschlegel, Apr 9, 2023.

  1. rschlegel

    rschlegel Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    2004 Prius
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    I plan to buy the 2023 Prius Prime and have been thinking about what I could do about that hideous front license plate support that is thoughtlessly moulded into the plastic bumper. It probably reduces mileage by 0.5 mile/gallon.

    I came up with a couple of options:
    1. Professionally cut it out, leaving a rectangular or elliptical hole, creating a large air intake to cool the radiator, assuming it is directly in front of the radiator.

    2. After professionally cut it out, filling it with a piece of identical plastic and some seam filler, and retaining the curvature of the bumper, sanding and painting it.

    Thoughts anyone?
     
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Option 3: sleep on it?
     
    Bob P. and xliderider like this.
  3. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    You may want to check your states' regulations. My state requires a front license plate - got ticketed for not having one once.
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    I looked; his state doesn’t require front plate. Still, if car is ever resold on a state requiring front plate…
     
  5. rschlegel

    rschlegel Junior Member

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    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
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    If I ever sell it to someone from a state requiring a front license pate, the buyer can easily drill 2 holes in the plastic bumper and mount the license, with or without a license plate frame.
     
    TgrXtrm and Mendel Leisk like this.