DIY 2nd Gen No-Drill Front License Plate Bracket for Under $5

This is an experimental thing I've done. Funny enough, it does require a drill—but no holes in your bumper. You guys will have to tell me if it's either redneck genius or stupid. It's not been tested long term yet.

(Only tested on '12-'15 model).

It involves two U-bolts for around $4 and the lower valence area of the bumper. Optionally, get four nyloc nuts to secure it better and some sticky felt or rubber to protect from rubbing. If you opt for felt or something else but have none around, probably going to be a bit more than $5.

I walked around the big Home D for a solution to the no-drill front license plate situation that didn't involve tacky zip ties (they also rot in the desert heat). I couldn't find any guides when I spent all of 10 seconds googling for one. I also couldn't justify the $80 universal solutions to mount a flimsy plate. In the screws and bolts section I found a pipe U-bolt for $1.77 plus tax.

Disclaimer: if you decide to copy this method, your state may have laws about altering your license plate (even adding mounting holes). Your risk, mate. From what I've read and seen, simply don't obscure the lettering.

Feel free to share any of your own alternative creations.

Home Depot: 2 x Part #119537, bin #386, 1 1/2" Pipe U-bolt by Everbilt
Online link
It's just over 4" long (bumper gap to fill is around 3.9").

The included nuts don't really secure very well so I also got four nyloc nuts sitting around the house and stacked them on top. They are 5/16"-18. Online link to them. They should also be available at Home Depot individually (keeping the cost under $5)—and you can also test fitment while there.

This can be done in a variety of ways I imagine, but this is what I did (rocket science levels of engineering):

1. Measure out the spot for holes, then drill them with a 5/16 drill bit (drill the edges a tiny bit extra so the U-bolts don't catch).

2. Put something on the back of the plate to protect the paint from rubbing. I used three 1" stick-on felt furniture sliders on the top portion since it's paint, and some one-sided sticky felt (1") for added rub protection.

3. Put the brackets in place (you can reach under the bumper just barely to maneuver them). They go outside of the two columns adjacent to the very center column.

4. Put the freakin' plate on.
Added bonus: I used some Rust-Oleum matte black so it didn't stick out too much.
Obviously, do this before you put the thing on.

5. Success. Feels solid, there's a tiny bit of play if you push hard enough but the felt I opted for has good friction. Double-sided 3M rubber might also be a good option.

 

Good idea. Can’t say I’ve seen that befor!