Taking Off Front License Plate??? - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

jdinh127 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-14-2003, 01:53 AM

I just gotta 03 tundra and want to remove the ugly front license plate.... However, the dealer drilled in the license plate to the car. How can I find a solution to the holes that will appear once i remove the license plate? Is there a plus that I can purchase that will match the car?? Help!!! Thanks fellas

rn039 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-14-2003, 02:09 AM

I have seen civics and other vehicles with some sort of color matched "plugs" that fill those dreadful holes. They are out there, it's just a matter of where.

jdinh127 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-14-2003, 02:25 AM

actually i use to have a 2000 honda prelude and had purchased the plugs from the dealers. I called Toyota and they didnt know what I was talking bout......

rn039 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-14-2003, 04:33 AM

hmmmm

All I can say is....good luck

03TundraTRD · #5 (**permalink**) 08-14-2003, 06:24 AM

The only way to cover it up is to use body filler and repaint it. The plugs you guys are talking about won't work cause it's DRILLED through the bumper. Cost should be $150 if you take it to a body shop. And less than $100 if you have a spray gun and know what you are doing or hae a friend do it.

RitcheyRch · #6 (**permalink**) 08-14-2003, 06:25 AM

Might want to leave the ugly plate on since is against the law to not have it installed on cars registered in CA.

03TundraTRD · #7 (**permalink**) 08-14-2003, 06:58 AM

I am not sure in Cali but you here in Guam you need two plates but what I do is leave the front plate in the truck next to me so in case a cop pull's me over I can just put it on the dash since I DO have a plate in front.

peid · #8 (**permalink**) 08-14-2003, 09:55 AM

I don't have a front plate but my holes are between the gap in the bumper.

If you have holes in the front part like I think you do, just put a black bolt in there. It won't be the best but it is better than having holes or spending $100+ to fill and re-paint.

Yes, it is illegal in a lot of states to have only one plate including mine. I just get a fix it ticket and plead dumb. "Huh, you must have two plates up here? I just moved from down south and we only needed one plate! Sorry Officer, won't happen again."

Always get a fix it ticket, no fine or anything.

RitcheyRch · #9 (**permalink**) 08-14-2003, 10:00 AM

In CA all fix it tickets carry a small $25 fine.

DevinSixtySeven · #10 (**permalink**) 08-14-2003, 10:08 AM

uh...if someone was dumb enough to drill in to your bumper to place the front license plate, they now owe you a new bumper.

there should be two small brackets that bolt (yes, bolt) up inside the opening in the bumper, that allow two license plate bolts to affix the plate to the front of the truck.

the brackets may be slightly different from 00 (mine) to 03 (yours), however the placing and design is the same judging by the pics dianne has of the 03s on the lot at carson. alls you need to do is remove the plate, then hunt with a 10mm(? maybe it was 12mm) wrench up inside the opening over the brackets and ease the bolts out.

hope this helps...

-sean

bloodypulp · #11 (**permalink**) 08-14-2003, 06:17 PM

03's don't have brackets. the screws go directly into the plastic. plastic trim fasteners could work, but still kind of ghetto.

in CA, i've been lucky with the missing front plate...never got a ticket for it. but i have received tinted window tickets.

jdinh127 · #12 (**permalink**) 08-14-2003, 06:54 PM

o man, so really no solution unless you pay big bucks for two tiny holes?? Im not worried about the fix it tickets at all

pomfret · #13 (**permalink**) 08-16-2003, 01:27 PM

I told the dealer I didn't want the truck if they drilled those two freaking holes in the bumper cover. Drilling into and mounting the plate up against the bumper.... I don't think so. The plate sits in one of the storage boxes under the rear seat.

I've played tennis right next to a police station, and not one officer has said anything to me yet (except "nice truck").

Ticket or not... I'm not drilling those holes. I'll fab up some ugly bracket first if I have to.

file014 · #14 (**permalink**) 08-19-2003, 10:58 AM

.

Simias · #15 (**permalink**) 08-19-2003, 11:18 AM

the sequoias are the same. holes in the bumper.

have never had my front plate on and haven't been stopped yet (knock on wood). basically i just left it as is and you can hardly tell (see my photos) that the holes are even there, so i wouldn't worry about it.

btw, in regards to those plugs (you'd have to fab your own), it might bring more attention to the holes. hondas have hole plugs that come w/ the rides (had a civic) that just popped into place, but toyotas don't so don't know any other option that filling and painting it.

you've got a tight ride, so don't let those tiny holes bother you.