DIY: Front license plate bracket Install

AK370Z · 04-11-2009, 12:00 AM

Yup; After getting pulled over by the police, I realized I really don't need any extra attention from the cops. Installation was pretty straight forward. Thanks to Socal 370Z for taking some pictures of the License plate bracket.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socal 370Z

Nissan >PP+EPM-T15< 96212 1EA0A

well, since the J-nuts are very thin, I had to go to HomeDepot to pick up some washers and good quality "small length" screws. I also picked up some rubber washers so that I can put it between the bracker and the front bumper. This way if if someone backs into my license plate, my paint won't be scratched. Rubber washers are NOT thin but I used a blade to slice them thin

Here are some pictures:

Please disregard by bent license plate

. I am getting a new plate for the car soon.

BTW, if you have two owner's manual (old and new version), feel free to check the instructions (just for fun) in the old manual . They actually want you to drill again on to the bumper to fasten the bracket. I was like

. That's when I opened the newer manual.

spearfish25 · 04-11-2009, 11:15 AM

Be forewarned to use short length screws. Long screws will dig into your front molding...thanks to my dealer for messing that one up.

trema · 04-11-2009, 12:07 PM

Two things I noticed, because my dealer, evidently, wasn't as careful as I would have hoped.
1) Yes, long screws will damage the front of the car
2) That J-nut is stupid. It's wider than the plate-holder is deep, so it prevents the plate-holder from sitting flush with the front of the car. I need to get ahold of some short screws and different, thinner nuts to hold my plate in place.

AK370Z · 04-11-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

Be forewarned to use short length screws. Long screws will dig into your front molding...thanks to my dealer for messing that one up.

Exactly. That's why I went to HomeDepot to find the shortest length screws and so be safe, used some washers. My screws back end never made out of j-nuts

chibbell · 04-12-2009, 05:11 AM

Not too terrible, but I am trying to get away without one for a while. So far, so good. Though I have had a few cops look at me sideways when Synchro Rev started doing it's thing.

Synchrorev + stop light + cop = unwanted attention

I could just hear them thinking, in the most Southern accent possible, "Son, just what in the sam hell do ya think yer doing?"

trema · 04-12-2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AK370Z

Exactly. That's why I went to HomeDepot to find the shortest length screws and so be safe, used some washers. My screws back end never made out of j-nuts

With the J-nuts clipped in, the mount doesn't sit flush with the front of the car... I wonder what's wrong with mine

AK370Z · 04-12-2009, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trema

With the J-nuts clipped in, the mount doesn't sit flush with the front of the car... I wonder what's wrong with mine

That's normal. Mine doesn't sit flush either. If you look at the top pictures, you'll see there's no J-nuts installed

Musashi · 04-12-2009, 01:46 PM

Just installed mine. These South Jersey Cops having nothing better to do!

batman_4 · 04-13-2009, 03:15 PM

slap my plate on only when im gonna be traveling out of my city or at night when i know im going to have a beer or two at night.

SOLISIMO · 04-13-2009, 03:30 PM

Florida rocks

spearfish25 · 04-13-2009, 09:31 PM

I used a Dremel to grind down the J-nuts.

keioh · 05-09-2009, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AK370Z

That's normal. Mine doesn't sit flush either. If you look at the top pictures, you'll see there's no J-nuts installed

I'm just trying to install my front plates. The "J nut" is just too thick in the back and gets in the way for the License Plate Bracket to mount flush with the front bumper.
How did you secure your license plate screws to the Plate Bracket without the J nuts?
Went to the Dealer and the Service dept was closed and other people had no clue.
Any help would be appreciated.

thanks.

AK370Z · 05-10-2009, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keioh

I'm just trying to install my front plates. The "J nut" is just too thick in the back and gets in the way for the License Plate Bracket to mount flush with the front bumper.
How did you secure your license plate screws to the Plate Bracket without the J nuts?
Went to the Dealer and the Service dept was closed and other people had no clue.
Any help would be appreciated.

thanks.

I did use the j-nuts. The license plate doesn't sit flush when you install them. But it doesn't look too bad. I also put a thin rubber slice so that the end of j-nuts do not rub my paint.

///M-Power · 05-10-2009, 12:36 PM

I'm not sure if you guys are allowed to puncture your plates in the US. But I simply bored holes on my plate where the plate holder screws are positioned and bought longer screws to mount the plate and holder. So plate and holder are held by the same pair of screws.

keioh · 05-11-2009, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///M-Power

I'm not sure if you guys are allowed to puncture your plates in the US. But I simply bored holes on my plate where the plate holder screws are positioned and bought longer screws to mount the plate and holder. So plate and holder are held by the same pair of screws.

thats a really good idea. I haven't aligned the plate with the holes but
I think the holes might get in the way of the letters or numbers.

04-11-2009, 12:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
trema Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 91 Drives: 09 370z K51 R Rep Power: 596	Two things I noticed, because my dealer, evidently, wasn't as careful as I would have hoped. 1) Yes, long screws will damage the front of the car 2) That J-nut is stupid. It's wider than the plate-holder is deep, so it prevents the plate-holder from sitting flush with the front of the car. I need to get ahold of some short screws and different, thinner nuts to hold my plate in place. __________________ 'Lesca'-2009 370z Touring 6MT w/Sports & Nav- Platinum Graphite/Persimmon. FLO,IKP,SCG,TMA

04-13-2009, 03:15 PM	#9 (permalink)
batman_4 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: McAllen Tx. Posts: 1,038 Drives: '09 PW 370Z Rep Power: 367	slap my plate on only when im gonna be traveling out of my city or at night when i know im going to have a beer or two at night. __________________ '09 6spd. Touring: Eibach / SPC / Motordyne / Berk / Z1 / Oneighty / Mines / SSR / Stillen / CFE

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
License Plate Bracket Damaging Our Cars?	TheWeatherman	Exterior & Interior	18	05-10-2013 09:22 PM
DIY: Power Retractable Front License Plate Install	ENT-Z	DIY Section (Do-It-Yourself)	36	09-27-2012 03:20 AM
Please put your front license plate on	AK370Z	North East Region	36	08-24-2009 03:30 PM
Installed front license plate bracket	AK370Z	Exterior & Interior	25	07-12-2009 01:01 PM
Front Plate Bracket	CantZme	Exterior & Interior	4	04-20-2009 09:52 PM

04-11-2009, 11:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	Be forewarned to use short length screws. Long screws will dig into your front molding...thanks to my dealer for messing that one up.

04-12-2009, 05:11 AM	#5 (permalink)
chibbell Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Portland, OR Age: 44 Posts: 65 Drives: 370z Touring Sport Rep Power: 16	Not too terrible, but I am trying to get away without one for a while. So far, so good. Though I have had a few cops look at me sideways when Synchro Rev started doing it's thing. Synchrorev + stop light + cop = unwanted attention I could just hear them thinking, in the most Southern accent possible, "Son, just what in the sam hell do ya think yer doing?"

04-12-2009, 01:46 PM	#8 (permalink)
Musashi Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 357 Drives: 09 370Z 6speed Rep Power: 606	Just installed mine. These South Jersey Cops having nothing better to do!

04-13-2009, 03:30 PM	#10 (permalink)
SOLISIMO Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 510 Drives: TOP SECRET G37S Rep Power: 17	Florida rocks

04-13-2009, 09:31 PM	#11 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	I used a Dremel to grind down the J-nuts.

05-10-2009, 12:36 PM	#14 (permalink)
///M-Power Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Philippines Posts: 9 Drives: 370Z Touring w/ SP Rep Power: 16	I'm not sure if you guys are allowed to puncture your plates in the US. But I simply bored holes on my plate where the plate holder screws are positioned and bought longer screws to mount the plate and holder. So plate and holder are held by the same pair of screws.