[tomtea]

Hey M2C owners! I was in the market to find a solution for a front license plate relocation kit (necessary evil in CA) that didn't use the tow hook. There are a few out there (carbonio, sto-n-sho, show-n-go, etc.) but I wasn't entirely happy with those options.

So in hopes of rigging something together, I found a way to mount a front license plate using existing mounting holes. And IMHO, this looks better than any of the ones currently on the market.

There are 2 screws underneath the center of the M2C front bumper are 7 inches apart. CA plates have holes that are 7 inches apart. Turns out all we need are some Home Depot 4 inch corner brackets ($3) and some nuts & screws ($2) to make an OEM looking mount.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt...5309/202033899

https://www.homedepot.com/p/M6-1-x-1...4928/204283630

https://www.homedepot.com/p/2-Pieces...3688/204274145

The center of the bumper has more ground clearance than the sides, so it's unlikely to be ripped off. There is plenty of space and zero chance the backs of the screws will ever touch the bumper. I wrapped the brackets in painter's tape to protect the paint. Enjoy!

[arciga18]

Need a full front pic

[tomtea]

Full front pics

[Poochie]

I much rather just suck it up and install the OEM front plate mount, than partially block off the flow of air to the radiator..

But that's just me.. 🤷🏻

[akkando]

I don't agree this looks better than others products you mentioned, and your solution blocks more airflow that was designed into the car so it's less functional too.

[19x]

^^^ Agreed. Less than optimal solution IMO.

[flybigjet]

Probably best to be used to clear a "fix-it" ticket. Put it on, get signed off, remove it.

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by flybigjet

Probably best to be used to clear a "fix-it" ticket. Put it on, get signed off, remove it.

Well, In my state, they don't care if you're Jesus himself, with the Holy Cross sticking out the back window of his Accord, if it's doesn't have a front plate, they'll write a summons and the city will uphold it.. The end..

So good for, if you can pull that off..

[19x]

Originally Posted by Poochie

Well, In my state, they don't care if you're Jesus himself, with the Holy Cross sticking out the back window of his Accord, if it's doesn't have a front plate, they'll write a summons and the city will uphold it.. The end..

So good for, if you can pull that off..

This.

There’s no such thing as a “fix it” ticket in many states. IL is one of them. Once you get ticketed, you have to pay and there is no arguing it. End of story. Some states will even ticket you if the plate is too high or too low, as is the case in the OP’s photo.

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by 19x

This.

There's no such thing as a "fix it" ticket in many states. IL is one of them. Once you get ticketed, you have to pay and there is no arguing it. End of story. Some states will even ticket you if the plate is too high or too low, as is the case in the OP's photo.

Preach!

I got a ticket before simple because my inspection and registration sticker was lined up, vertically, on top of each other; they have to be placed horizontal..

And another one because the dealer's license plate frame was a little too ambitious. So F-ing draconian-like.


Section 402(1)(a) of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law states that front (and rear) license plates must be "securely fastened so as to prevent the same from swinging and placed, whenever reasonably possible, [COLOR="DarkRed"]not higher than forty-eight inches and not lower than twelve inches from the ground".[/COLOR] There is no indication as to how far off from center it must be mounted.[1]

[19x]

Originally Posted by Poochie

Preach!

I got a ticket before simple because my inspection and registration sticker was lined up, vertically, on top of each other; they have to be placed horizontal..

And another one because the dealer's license plate frame was a little too ambitious. So F-ing draconian-like.


Section 402(1)(a) of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law states that front (and rear) license plates must be "securely fastened so as to prevent the same from swinging and placed, whenever reasonably possible, not higher than forty-eight inches and not lower than twelve inches from the ground". There is no indication as to how far off from center it must be mounted.[1]

Yep, how sad is that..

IL, CA, and NY are the worst states to own a car. They'll freakin nail you for the dumbest shit, including not having a city sticker centered properly on your windshield (true story). People in Florida have no idea how lucky they are. Great tint law, no front plate, no emissions, no state income tax, and CCW reciprocity in most states.

[tomtea]

I don't think it significantly impacts the airflow to the front radiator, I've been driving around in 100° temps, and the oil temp needle sits around the same spot as it did prior to installation, but I don't have anything scientific.

Take it for what it's worth. It's a good 100% drill-less $5 on/off solution.

Thanks for the feedback everyone!