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Front License Plate Solution

24769 Views 16 Replies 11 Participants Last post by  Jesstzn
The 60 day tag is nearly up on my father's 2016 Touring and he wanted me to install the front license plate bracket for him so he could put the required front tag on.

Unlike all previous generations of Civic that bolted via some 10mm bolts to a stealthy location in the front grill, it doesn't look like you can bolt this thing to anything other than jamming screws into the dimples on the front bumper.

Has anyone come up with a solution that doesn't require me mangling up the front bumper?

He's just going to run sans plate for the moment and take a ticket if he gets pulled over for it.
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I took a look at the gallery and it looks like people are bolting it to the dimples.

Gallery: http://www.10thcivicforum.com/forum/all_albums.php

What about those retractable plate holders installed to the underside of the bumper?
In MA and NH, we have to have 2 plates. My dealer installs front plate holders on all models. Ask your dealer, maybe they just forgot to do it.
In MA and NH, we have to have 2 plates. My dealer installs front plate holders on all models. Ask your dealer, maybe they just forgot to do it.
That's not the issue.

Best I can tell is the mounting of the front bracket (which we have) requires jamming two screws into the otherwise pristine front bumper. I do not want to do that.

On the 8th Civic (their last one) the bracket mounted via two bolts through the front grill into a location that did not require you to turn screws into paint.
In this case what I would look into is something that mounts like a tow hook style license plate holder:



Someone creative enough can piece together something similar at the hardware store. Shouldn't be too hard to do that, you'll walk away spending under $10.
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In this case what I would look into is something that mounts like a tow hook style license plate holder:



Someone creative enough can piece together something similar at the hardware store. Shouldn't be too hard to do that, you'll walk away spending under $10.
Yeah, that's exactly what I'm thinking. I have to get the tow hook out and take a look at it, measure the thread pitch, etc and then I bet someone makes a ready made one.
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Post up a picture if you do decide to go with the tow hook method. Think you may be the first to try on the forum.
Yeah, that's exactly what I'm thinking. I have to get the tow hook out and take a look at it, measure the thread pitch, etc and then I bet someone makes a ready made one.
Just make sure you fill those threads up with Loctite, with all the vibration it's going to take on it's going to come loose at some point. Especially if you live in or frequent the typical city that has bumpy roads.
Could u post a picture of the tag straight on and some other angles?
Front plates are installed by dealers in NJ too. Not worried about front bumper, because plate holder hides the holes. I plan on keeping mine till wheels fall off. And if I sell it, will probably be right here in NJ where front plates are required, so no big deal.
Seems like a lot of trouble to go through when the front fascia has a spot in the front that is just begging to have the license pate sit there.
Glad they're not required here in NC. Every new vehicle I've purchased had the front bracket, and I've always removed and discarded them.
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Glad they're not required here in NC. Every new vehicle I've purchased had the front bracket, and I've always removed and discarded them.
Some guys in places that require front plates just take the risk to not run one. From experience and through others I know, it helps if your car is stock, basically not attracting attention... if modified... good luck!
I went ahead and used the front bumper by going to a salvage yard and getting a "full bracket" where the whole license plate can be mounted with all four screws. The license plates are being made so cheaply now days and are so thin that a car wash can take them off even if you have them mounted in a bracket ! I am a history buff so I love old license plates to start with and hate to see these all mangled up. Some of my collectible license plates are here http://www.shoplicenseplates.com
Personally, I wouldn't break the law and risk a fine just to have my car look a little nicer without a license plate on the front. Everyone else has to have one on the front of their car, so by comparison my car wouldn't really be any worse looking.
I went ahead and used the front bumper by going to a salvage yard and getting a "full bracket" where the whole license plate can be mounted with all four screws. The license plates are being made so cheaply now days and are so thin that a car wash can take them off even if you have them mounted in a bracket ! I am a history buff so I love old license plates to start with and hate to see these all mangled up.
Don't suppose you have a picture of your license plate mounted onto your civic?
I made a plate holder for my TL that mounts to the underside of the bumper so you can have it up or down

http://acurazine.com/forums/third-generation-tl-2004-2008-93/hidden-plate-prototype-711369/
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