Curious about license plate with FFR license hardware?

[Jacob]

Curious how most deal with fitting a license plate .... it’s obvious there isn’t enough room between it and the trunk latch.

[Bobby Doug]

I used the FF mounting hardware and notched my license plate on the bottom. Probably not legal but after 2400 miles and after being followed by the men in blue/tan/etc a few times. I don't worry about being pulled over. The notch is no different than the license plate trim rings I see all the time. If you do a search about it you will find other solutions to the problem.

[Jeff Kleiner]

For anyone else who missed it the first 6 or 8 times:

With no modifications the plate hangs over the trunk handle like a Backdraft, meaning that you have to reach up and behind to twist the handle:

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/Mk4%207276/100_2380.jpg

I got looking at the light assembly, did some measuring and decided that if I could tuck an uncut plate up under the lamp hood it would clear. The light bulb holder has a stud to hold the hood and lense that is not centered vertically:

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/Mk4%207276/100_2368.jpg

By drilling out the rivets that attach it I could flip it over and move it up 3/8". This put the stud back into the same position in relation to the hood (notice the blue marks which were down are now up). I drilled the rivets out of the insulator card and moved it upwards 3/8" also:

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/Mk4%207276/100_2373.jpg

Next I cut a slot in the back of the lense which will allow the plate to slip up inside the lamp housing and reassembled the unit:

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/Mk4%207276/100_2374.jpg

Finally I cut a length of aluminum stock and attached it to the existing mount then drilled holes which will hold the license plate about 1 1/8" higher:

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/Mk4%207276/100_2377.jpg

All done! An uncut standard size (12" by 6") license plate now tucks up behind the lamp housing, clears the handle and remains illuminated:

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/Mk4%207276/100_2382.jpg

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/Mk4%207276/100_2394.jpg

Hope that helps!

Jeff

[Jacob]

Thanks, it does help...I’ve been thinking of cutting an oval from the plate and just let the handle go thru that oval, but as “down the road” issues are concerned, there are many bigger issues in front of that! Worst that can happen is to get tabbed for defacing the plate...think I can talk my way out of that!

[Jdav]

My solution: http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?23204-JDav-s-MK4-9028-Build-Thread&p=304905#post304905

[Packer fan]

Does anyone put one on the front?

[JIMOCO]

Here is what I did. Also incorporated back up lights into the license plate frame.82847

[edwardb]

For anyone else who missed it the first 6 or 8 times...

Way more than that. You're being generous. :p

[BB767]

Here is what I did. Also incorporated back up lights into the license plate frame.82847

I like that! Have you got a source for that frame? Thx.

[JIMOCO]

BB767, I got the frame and LEDs at Pep Boys.

[Doug @ Forma]

We separated the plate mount from the light and mounted the plate below the trunk. Probably makes the license light less effective, but we're not too concerned about that. :D

Not the clearest picture, but you should be able to see what's going on.

82871

[Jacob]

Here is what I did. Also incorporated back up lights into the license plate frame.82847

Good to see it work, that’s how I was gonna approach!

[BEAR-AvHistory]

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=14742&pictureid=57285

Looked at the ideas posted & tried to simplify the process.

I notched the top of the plate slightly with a nibbler & cut a slot in the light lens.

Instead of flipping the internals I ran thin edge guard along the inside of the plate cut to insulate it.

Left the FFR cross piece that the plate screws to stock & ignored the screw holes

Used Silicone sealer to bond the plate to the cross piece & filled the lens cut seam with clear silicone.

[frankb]

This is how I made mine fit:

I first bored a hole in the plate point centered at the latch handle centerline. I then cut the area below the hole allowing the plate to slide over the handle. The hole size allows the plate to rest over the base of the handle. The plate frame hides most of the slot below the hole. You can see how it looks in the attached photo. Note that on the Arizona plate there is no info in the bottom center where this mod is.

82899