I don't know if this should be a DIY, since I didn't really do anything special... but if the mods want to move it, that's fine...

I decided when I bought our f-sport that I would not drill into the front bumper.

I opted to purchase a Grimmspeed License Plate Relocation kit.

I had seen on my other future cars site, that someone had re-used their tow hook cover and drilled out a hole in order to still have the cover functional and not be a unsightly hole where you could see the inner bumper and foam.

It is on the ft86club forum: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...ighlight=plate

Our tow hook cover is not so straight forward and for some, dependent on the color, may look less than perfect.

So I took a 3/4 inch drill bit, and drilled out a starter hole in my tow hook cover. I then used a dremel mini drum sander and widened the hole little by little, going back to the car and fitting to the relocation bolt. Once I had the proper "oval" shape, I ensured proper torque of the relocation bolt. Installed the mounting brackets per manufacture instructions and being particular, ensured the plate was level. I have attached pictures and hope they speak for themselves, but will of course answer any questions anyone might have.

This was a weekend of change for me, with the F-sport color change key cases:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...or-change.html

Johnny
__________________
2014 Lexus IS 350 FSport Ultra White / Rioja Red / Mark Lev / BSM
K&N drop in Air Filter │Grimmspeed License Plate Relocator
Coming Soon... Plasti-Dip Emblems │TRD Body kit

2014 Monogram Whiteout Scion FR-S (Ordered 1/12/14))

1985 Toyota Corolla GT-S Red Hatchback (AE86) 157k miles
1987 Toyota Supra Turbo Pearl White (MA70) 101k miles

 

Continuation...

 

And finally, its installed...

 

Not really a fan of the offset look, but looks like it turned out nice and it will showcase the spindle grill in its full glory. Can you take a pic further away to get a better perspective?

 

I can appreciate your effort and all - I WILL NOT DO THAT to the front of my car.
I'll just pay the $42 fine in NJ if pulled over and write it off as a 'donation' to the town. Chances are going to be there will be 'other' reasons if I get pulled over and this would be an 'add on'.

I have three cars (2010 Camaro SS, 2012 MazdaSpeed 3, and the 2014 IS350 RWD F-sport) all without from plates. So far so good and I don't drive like an a-hole to attract attention...(not implying you do)

 

I will take the pic tomorrow when it's light out...

I got pulled over once for being a little too fast and they were going to tag on the extra, but got away with a warning since it's a brand new car, lucky me... Thanks for the kind words, nonetheless... If I weren't going back to California and if I didn't live in Virginia, in which both states require front plates, I would have just not put one on...

Ironically, my next car, 2014 Monogram FR-S, the TRD Body kit already accounts for the front plate...

Johnny
__________________
2014 Lexus IS 350 FSport Ultra White / Rioja Red / Mark Lev / BSM
K&N drop in Air Filter │Grimmspeed License Plate Relocator
Coming Soon... Plasti-Dip Emblems │TRD Body kit

2014 Monogram Whiteout Scion FR-S (Ordered 1/12/14))

1985 Toyota Corolla GT-S Red Hatchback (AE86) 157k miles
1987 Toyota Supra Turbo Pearl White (MA70) 101k miles

 

this is a very good idea, I might copy that from you! thanks!

 

This is the best solution. I saw this on a M3 and once I get a ticket in CT for not having a front license plate. I will buy and install the mechanical version with a switch.

http://www.hidetheplate.com

 

to OP. I like it, it does look cleaner with the cover. Props to you!

WTF, that **** is sick!

 

Glad to see you finally did this Johnny. Good effort.., ill have to think of something so that it's a bit more clean. Probably another 2-3 weeks before my plates will come so I'll give it a try then.

 

I would love to get this if I was into the car show scene, but since it's my wife's car and I still have yet to decide on a final front spoiler/lip, I didn't want to drill into the bumper or underside... yet... but yes, I do like this concept.

I am still on the lookout for a rubber grommet to act as a seal and to clean up my "oval" cuts... My first attempt at a rubber seal was to use a clear baby nipple, but needed to enlarge the hole even more... and I didn't want the ghetto look, although you can see by my "steady" hand that you can see it's not a perfect circle...

Imitation is the greatest form of compliment...

Thanks and your welcome...

SIDE NOTE: I am glad to see that there are many people unopposed to thinking outside the box... This idea came out of the fact that I didn't want to lose the tow cover... at the same time, hide the inner bumper...

Thanks everyone...

 

I will be replicating this when my car comes on. Thanks for the ideas Johnny.

 

So... after much dilemma...
I just couldn't stand that the circle I cut wasn't "straight".

I went to Home Depot and I found a rubber grommet... fitted it to the hole and voila, a very clean looking install that would make a factory proud...


Now the only question would be, do I plasti-dip it white to match or leave it black?

Thanks for all the comments, hope this will help others...Johnny
__________________
2014 Lexus IS 350 FSport RWD Ultra White / Rioja Red / Mark Lev / BSM / VGRS
K&N drop in Air Filter │Grimmspeed License Plate Relocator

2014 Monogram Whiteout Scion FR-S (Ordered 1/12/14))

1985 Toyota Corolla GT-S Red Hatchback (AE86) 158k miles
1987 Toyota Supra Turbo Pearl White (MA70, MKIII) 101k miles

 

hey, that doesn't look half bad Johnny! Much cleaner than before. looks good bro! still waiting to test my idea, i'll report back in a couple weeks.

and to answer your question, i don't think anyone will walk up to it to see the back of your plate, so i would leave it as is.. but if you're OCD about it, then by all means go ahead and color match

 

whoa drilling that hole is scary, that cover is like $50-60 from sewell