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Front License Plate Bracket

6552 Views 15 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  sprite
I was warned yesterday by one of Honolulu’s' finest for not having a front license plate. So I guess I will have to install one. Problem is that in Hawaii, there is no law against having incorrect plates on a motor vehicle, and the car thieves and racers put bogus plates on their vehicles to deter identification. HPD cannot site them because it is not against the law, right now (legislature is working to fix that, I am told), so HPD is starting to crack down on any infractions.

The factory front license plate bracket curls around the vertical sides of the license plate, i.e. the license plate actually slides in from the top (or bottom). Those sides prevent a regular license plate frame from fitting over the license plate.

Has any one modified the bracket to fix that - maybe cut off the rolled over sides? Looks to me like the design was some engineer’s nightmare to structurally strengthen the frame. Of course the mounting of the bracket to the front spoiler is also a work of art - 3 pot metal lag screws into the plastic front spoiler - through 3 sponge rubber washers that compress into nothing when the screws are tightened. We call that J-U-N-K.

Maybe I'll just tough it out and see what happens. In my first 500 miles I have been tailed 3 times by HPD. Never happened in my old black F150. Of course I am kind of wound up in 2nd gear trying to stay under the speed limit in a 25-MPH zone with my 456 rear end. Maybe it sounds like I am ready to launch. Wait till I change the exhaust system and it really buzzes.
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I know in certain states they will give you a break if you stick the plate on the front dash. But maybe they figure you for a speed demon.
Kaholo

I am with you ....I have yet to put mine on....Cant stand the idea of drilling into anything on this truck...... I actually used zip ties to attach the front plate when I took it in to get an inspection!! ;)


patrick
what about dbl sided tape?

The stuff they use to install ground effects?
Wonder how much the fine is? If is minor maybe paying it once or twice a year if you get caught might be an option.It isn`t a moving violation so it won`t count against your license.



The problem in Hawaii right now is, that there is no law requiring you to have the DMV legally issued plates on a your vehicle - so thieves and street racers put altered or stolen plates on their vehicles to delay or prevent identification, and HPD cannot site them for a specific violation. All you have to have is (any) plate on the front and (any) plate on the back.

I know, as we say "Only in Hawaii". Supposedly the State Legislature is working on a bill to make it illegal to display "other" plates on a vehicle. Parenthetically it is still legal to eat dogs and cats here (some say black dog tastes best - better than red or silver), and we finally tested our Amber Alert system last Monday - last state in the union to do so).

Because of legal problem, and what the thieves and street racers are doing, HPD is now going to pay special attention to vehicle license plates (coconut wireless info from a cousin's cousin, bra).

It's not the site or the fine that bothers me -the officer is only doing his/her job, I just don't like to be pulled over and stopped in heavy traffic for investigation. Begs to have a Drunk or Ice user hit you from behind. (Paranoid - No, I know their out to get me).

Thanks to everyone for your support and ideas. Even my wife said "I hate that front license plate, it junks up that beautiful front end - wait a year and see what happens", but I think I am out of viable options.

It maybe time to get out the trusty old hack saw and whack the offending end pieces off the front license plate bracket, and then slap on some Por15 to keep it from rusting.

Of course, I bought my truck on the 8th of January and have not received the new plates from DMV yet. Dealer told me last week, that the State of Hawaii forgot to reorder plates and ran out, but "they will be here any day" . No need rush Bra.
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I'm with you, Kaholo. I hate the front license plate holder, I wish that I told them no when they asked me at the dealer if I wanted it on. :mad:
But they are sticklers around here for **** like that and I did not want to invite a traffic stop. I did order new tags, VPRRAM, which should help ease the pain some, but I am still trying to come up with a solution to the ugly bracket. VELCRO? :D
Kaholo said:
The problem in Hawaii right now is, that there is no law requiring you to have the DMV legally issued plates on a your vehicle - so thieves and street racers put altered or stolen plates on their vehicles to delay or prevent identification, and HPD cannot site them for a specific violation. All you have to have is (any) plate on the front and (any) plate on the back.

I know, as we say "Only in Hawaii". Supposedly the State Legislature is working on a bill to make it illegal to display "other" plates on a vehicle. Parenthetically it is still legal to eat dogs and cats here (some say black dog tastes best - better than red or silver), and we finally tested our Amber Alert system last Monday - last state in the union to do so).

Because of legal problem, and what the thieves and street racers are doing, HPD is now going to pay special attention to vehicle license plates (coconut wireless info from a cousin's cousin, bra).

It's not the site or the fine that bothers me -the officer is only doing his/her job, I just don't like to be pulled over and stopped in heavy traffic for investigation. Begs to have a Drunk or Ice user hit you from behind. (Paranoid - No, I know their out to get me).

Thanks to everyone for your support and ideas. Even my wife said "I hate that front license plate, it junks up that beautiful front end - wait a year and see what happens", but I think I am out of viable options.

It maybe time to get out the trusty old hack saw and whack the offending end pieces off the front license plate bracket, and then slap on some Por15 to keep it from rusting.

Of course, I bought my truck on the 8th of January and have not received the new plates from DMV yet. Dealer told me last week, that the State of Hawaii forgot to reorder plates and ran out, but "they will be here any day" . No need rush Bra.
PM me before you go any further!

Quick
What about putting the plate in the lower bumper area behind the honeycomb grill ?


Maui is so laid back I have seen several cars with wheelie bars driving around!!! Last night at the track there was a old sixties chevy all tricked out with every racing deal on it, lowered, huge blower coming out of the hood, giant phat slicks, wheelie bar, roll cage, etc.. etc... etc... and it had HI plates on it.....the dam thing was street legal :eek: It was running in the 10's!!!!! Very cool....there was always a crowd around the car it was so sweet looking!

patrick
I installed the front plate. I did the same thing on my Z06. Don't like it either but had too many close calls and pullovers with the Z06...one time with pretty good amount of beer in me...got lucky and then bit the bullet and now driving both with front plates. With the huge front end on the SRT, it's like driving a billboard just asking a cop to make his day. Feel much better I'm in compliance even though it taints the "look".
Quick question to anyone that is using the Factory front license plate bracket.

Is my 05 the only one that has a formed metal wrap around on both sides of the plate (keeps a nice license plate frame from fitting over the license plate) ??

Did you modify the bracket so that a frame fits better ??

Did 04’s have the same bracket ??

Part number on my bracket is 5029499AA. Don’t mean to be anal retentive, but this thing is really pissing me off. Bad enough that I have to use a front plate in the first place, and then DC supplies this POS.
Same bracket with my 2004...strictly functional...nice engineering job!! Atleast my Z06 has a built-in holder instead of a screw-on.
A marvelous piece of engineering :eek: Same here!!! :(
Is a front license plate required in Florida?
No front plate in Florida, matter of fact when i got my truck they already screwed a dealer plate to it. I had them replace the entire bumper to eliminate those damn holes.
Was thinking that some sort of adhesive magnet/ or undermount bracket could keep you from drillng into it. Not sure ...good luck
Good news :)
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