Front License Plate Question??

Hola-
I'm trying to solve the age-old conundrum of trying to mount a front license plate to a 2021 Trail Limited Ed. (cuz I have to in the lame, circling-the-drain state of Colorado) and wondered about zip tying it to the grill, as shown in this photo I found on the internet. My concern is that it could cause problems with air intake and engine cooling. Anyone run their 4Runner like this and can reassure me that this is the way to go? Sure would be an easy fix if it won't cause issues. Thanks for any help you can offer. Doug Dillingham Ohio City, Colorado

 

Welcome

 

Genuine Toyota License Plate Bracket (Front) 75101-04011 | eBay

 

I should have specified that I'd like to not drill into the valence if I don't have to. Thanks for the link to the bracket though!

 

Poke a bunch of holes in the plate for airflow?

 

You want something like this:

License Plate Holder Front Bumper Mount Bracket Compatible with Toyota 4Runner 5th gen N280,Crown,Mirai,No Drilling Installs in Seconds Front License Plate Bracket

https://www.amazon.com/Compatible-4...e+bracket+5th+gen+4runner,aps,104&sr=8-8&th=1

 

Not mounting one is certainly an idea that every bone in my body wants to adopt, but obviously I wouldn't love driving around always wondering if every cop I pass is gonna give me a high-dollar ticket. But, I will have to mull that one over.

 

The valence is sacrificial once you take your Trail Edition on trails Here's a site to get a vinyl decal made with your plate, that you can stick on your valence: https://adhesivereplica.com/ Beware it costs almost as much as a replacement valence

 

It's just a cheap piece of plastic, not a Jaguar E Type or Toyota 2000GT. I wouldn't lose sleep over drilling into it for the OEM bracket linked above.

 

I haven't had a front plate since I bought mine new in 2016.

Stick it to the man.

 

I havent ran a front plate for 35 years, on a dozen vehicles. And have never had a single issue.

EDIT- I did get pulled over in my TSX 15 years ago, that had a rear plate "cover" on it. Because retard cops do like to fish. But ive never, ever ran a front plate since getting my driving license, and never had a issue.

 

Welcome

 

Funny, my wife got pulled over driving my vehicle with a clear license plate cover and got a ticket. We went to court and it took the judge about 30 seconds to kick it and scold the cop. Law is the plate must be visible from 50’. We went with pics.

 

Yep. I'm in NY and I haven't put a front plate on any of my vehicles in over a decade. I have zero desire to drill holes in my hard earned money. When I order and/or buy a new vehicle I give the dealer strict instructions not to go near the front bumper. I have never once gotten stopped or ticketed. If I eventually get nailed it will be well worth the $50 ticket.

 

Yes sir. Know exactly how ya (or your better half) feel or felt. I commend all those in blue. Not a hater at all. But, there is times, where they use and in my opinion, abuse the "i couldn't see it" or what have you. My buddy got dragged over, on his way to work, not speeding, nothing, but because even though his little light for the rear plate did work, ..... I guess Cop so and so, "could not" see it well enough, or what have you. Its horse shit. But.....
Or, you where to close to the left or right line, tint may be to dark, yadda yadda" . They just want to get many over on the side of the road, THEN the bullshit starts. Smells like, whatever, this that and the other. Again, I am not a hater, just wish they would actually use their time for something worth a damn.

 

Welcome from Arizona!

 

I haven't had a front plate since new and not once did I get hassled for it. All depends on the cops that you pass and how much they care about that! Take a chance I say!

 

I live in a state that requires it. But, as others have mentioned, your essentially blocking air flow. Just suck it up and mount it correctly.

 

Again, depends on where you live. Around here you would get a "fix it" ticket. Meaning you have to fix the problem - then take your vehicle to the appropriate agency so they can verify the fix was done before the ticket is abated.

 

Why?

are you planning on leaving soon to a area that doesn’t require a front plate? Do you expect CO to remove the front plate requirement soon?


If the answer it no to both questions just use the factory plate mount. When I see people in areas that require a plate but use some sort of “workaround” I notice it makes it look strange and sticks out more.

Also it’s not some sort of exotic car that could cause the value to go down if mounted. It’s just a Toyota.

I hate that I have to use the front plate in my area but I do it to be more of gray man status. I don’t like to give extra reason for the man to pull me over. I also do t want to hat to take a day off work for a fix it ticket

 

I got the fix-it ticket. The insistence on the front plate is due to the red light and toll violation cameras which identify your car by the front plate.

 

This. If the cop pulls you over, he may invent other problems like window tint, chopped exhaust, tire poke, unused hitch ball sticking out of receiver, parole violations, dead hooker in the back...

 

That's a bad system. They could never cite vehicles from the 21 states that don't require a front plate.

 

My experience as a fellow Coloradan is to put on your front plate. Living in the western part of the state, it has not been an issue. But I have gotten the fix-it warning when traveling around and east of Denver. I just put on the above-mentioned Toyota license plate holder and that was that.

 

Also include your physical appearance in your calculations if it’s relevant.

I’m figuring you could monitor temps if you’re worried about it but I’d worry more about the zip ties over time, being in the sun and all that.

There’s some mount out there - might not be 4Runner-specific - that mounts plates to grilles by slipping through and is secured to a piece on the other side of the grille. might be worth looking at that and also give you some extra space between the back of the plate and your grille.

 

Have you been following me?

 

Because I doubt they do. My assumption would be the Judge would tell the officer to GTFO out of his court room if they started citing other state vehicles. Yes I have seen stuff like this before and the cops don’t want to make a judge mad.

 

Air goes around the license plate just fine. It wont make you overheat.
I did an LED light bar behind the grille in my 2012 4R and posted it on here back years ago and everyone wanted to crucify me saying it was going to make my 4R overheat and blah blah blah. I tested it one afternoon in 2016 going up the Cajon pass at 106 degrees in mid August, cars were overheating everywhere and the upper part of the pass headed to Barstow was almost a parking lot. The right 3 lanes were literally cars stopped with the hood up and by the time you got to the top it was only 1 lane running because cars were stalled / stopped / going so slow. I made it to the top no problem with no overheating issues. I was on my way to Beatty Nevada for a desert race and drove thru Death valley at i believe 115-116 and also didnt have any overheating issues or even see the temp climb.

pic of my light bar in my 4r for example, everybody saying it would block the airflow is dumb, air goes around it just fine.

 

All states are different, but you can get a red light camera ticket from just the rear license plate as well.

Some take pictures of your face and/or front plate. Some aren't allowed to.

Nevertheless, rest assured the registered owner will be mailed a ticket should you run one.

 

Front license plates are FUGLY!!! I don't run one although it's required in my state. No tickets yet...