tow hook license plate bracket

[zlarson]

after i filled the holes in my grill i needed a place to put my license plate. i wanted it to be somewhat easy to remove. I decided to make a bracket that would bolt onto my tow hook. i used the oem license plate frame and $2.12 worth of stuff from Home Depot.

I bought two of these:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2766/4301562759_ce63817c78.jpg

cut a portion of one off (used later):
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2718/4301564139_b2c87b2737.jpg

bent the other one at a 90 degree angle:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2685/4302314016_29e5676154.jpg

i bolted these two pieces to the license plate frame like this:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2734/4302315288_2040a0ca86.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4301568231_1f07770d7c.jpg

in the previous pics you can see the big hole i drilled for the main bolt. the piece that i cut away at the beginning is going to be used as a bolt surface under the tow hook:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4302317940_17af82681f.jpg

here its is bolted on (please ignore the zip ties. i need to get some small bolts):
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4302319218_a9bbe58d80.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2429/4301571109_7bc722f9df.jpg

it might not be the prettiest thing when you look at the back but it gets the job done.

the only thing i might consider changing is using stronger metal for the brackets or putting a stack of washers between the two plates on the main bolt. the metal bent a little when i was cranking down on it when i bolted it on the first time.

link to all the hi-res photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zachlarson/sets/72157623277543750/

[MurA1]

Cool idea! I would maybe instead of using washers use a smal piece of tubing or pipe.

[iadubber]

getting rid of the zip ties would clean up the look in a hurry.

[zlarson]

getting rid of the zip ties would clean up the look in a hurry.

yeah, like i said in the original post, please ignore those. hopefully i can swing by home depot this week and get some proper bolts.

[vrjetta98]

They have the magnetic ones that just slip off to on the tex

[zlarson]

They have the magnetic ones that just slip off to on the tex

what?

[vrjetta98]

You put magnets behind ur bumper then you have a metal bracket that sticks to it for your plate. and it is on and off way quick.

[turboA4]

You put magnets behind ur bumper then you have a metal bracket that sticks to it for your plate. and it is on and off way quick.
I saw a couple reviews on those and people had issues with scratching...but it does seem cool


I like this idea...very nicely done!

[dubrpwr]

nice idea, but you could get a small L-bracket and bolt it to your plate holder and then just use a bolt and some washers to tie to your tow hook. It wouldn't stick out as far and wouldnt look so massive behind the plate either.

If you do the magnet trick you could put some black duct tape over the magnet and that will keep it from scratching..

Or just go without a front plate altogether..

[Turbo_powered]

Just make sure you keep the proper tools in your glovebox to remove your bracket for if/when you dump it in a ditch. Be decent to tow truck drivers. You don't want them fuckin up ur car.

[SiliconRane]

Why does this state require a plate in the front . . . i am going to keep my Oklahoma Plate . . .

[twooly]

Why does this state require a plate in the front . . . i am going to keep my Oklahoma Plate . . .

Just remember after having your primary residence in the state for more than a year you have to get a plate for that state or you can get fined.

[SiliconRane]

Just remember after having your primary residence in the state for more than a year you have to get a plate for that state or you can get fined.

Military exemption FTW.