Anyone mount their front license plate using Sto N Sho bracket?

[mkhuffman]

Mike, when you get a chance. Would you mind please a couple pictures from underneath. I would like to see how that attaches. Most appreciative. Glenn

Here you go...

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[Glen]

Here you go...

Hey Mike. Thanks for going above and beyond. I have to ask though. With just that one bolt, is it fairly stable, strong? I really like the look, its location. But I was curious how it mounted to the car.

 

[ChasingCoral]

I have had the license plate mounted for about a week now. Everything works except strangely last night as I slowed down at stoplights I got the beeping from the front sensors. It only did it a couple times and then stopped, so not sure if it had anything to do with the license plate.

This was the reason we had to add extensions to the Craig's Custom Bracket, universal model. Some people were getting these beeps at stoplights all the time.

 

[ChasingCoral]

Here you go...

What is that bolt attached to? Are you using an existing bolt?

 

[Cabel]

I don't think I trust the tape option. I have heard of plates falling off that were taped. I would be willing to put a hole under the bumper lip where it cannot be seen without laying down on the ground.

I have my GT with no holes and no front plate. Since the tags are temporary, I have a little time to figure this out. Vinyl seems like it will get destroyed by rocks, so a plate is needed I think.

I really, really don't want a front plate at all. The car looks so good without it. Maybe I will take a chance like others have.

Mike,

I just ordered a vinyl sticker on reflective white for my Maryland tag number. My GT PE didn't come with a front license mount installed, since I purchased it out of state in PA. I had it printed just slightly under-sized, about 5.5"x11". That will fit just under the front "Pony" and the crease at the top of the bumper, which the GT's front facia's have, but the other models do not.
Some members of my local British car club have even gone so far as to print European sized (long and thin, like 4"x14") license decals that "sort of" look like a Maryland plate (has the Maryland flag on it) and haven't had a problem with the police, as long as they had the original front plate in the car with them. I think the police where at least impressed that they where trying to meet the intent of the law, while not damaging a "collector" car.

 

[mkhuffman]

Hey Mike. Thanks for going above and beyond. I have to ask though. With just that one bolt, is it fairly stable, strong? I really like the look, its location. But I was curious how it mounted to the car.

What is that bolt attached to? Are you using an existing bolt?

Yes, it is an existing bolt. In addition to the bolt, there is high strength adhesive attaching the bracket to the car. Of course I would not trust just the adhesive, so the bolt is a good thing. The adhesive helps keep the bracket from moving side to side.

It seems to be more than strong enough to hold the assembly. The bracket itself is very light - probably aluminum.

 

[mkhuffman]

I just ordered a vinyl sticker on reflective white for my Maryland tag number. My GT PE didn't come with a front license mount installed, since I purchased it out of state in PA. I had it printed just slightly under-sized, about 5.5"x11".

I purchased a standard size vinyl plate and attached it to a plastic plate holder, then attached it to the bracket just like a license plate would. I covered the vinyl with a clear license plate cover because I think rocks will eventually destroy the vinyl and leave a big mess. Also, I really like how the plate looks mounted down low. Nothing on the front of the car is covered up.

Another cool thing about the Sto-n-go is how easy it is to remove. I will take it off when going through a car wash, and when I want to take pictures without the plate. Not sure when else I may want to remove it, but all you have to do is pull the little spring loaded piston, and slide the bracket out. Easy peasy.

On a side note, I think using vinyl instead of a regular plate may have reduced the chance of sensor errors. I had the car beep at me a couple times when I was using a aluminum plate, but after I replaced it with vinyl, the beeping has not recurred.

 

[MyLittlePony2022]

Here you go...

Thanks for sending this out @mkhuffman. A picture is worth a few post of the thread to try to determine what it really looks like installed. I plan to order one when I get my MME in a few months if I can keep the dealer from drilling the holes, which I will ask them to not do in writing a few times. My question is do you think this could be locked to prevent removal? Perhaps, drill a hole through the bracket and post (tap it) and put a bolt through it. I probably will not take mine off and I just want to keep the local kids from doing the same.

 

[MyLittlePony2022]

I purchased a standard size vinyl plate and attached it to a plastic plate holder, then attached it to the bracket just like a license plate would. I covered the vinyl with a clear license plate cover because I think rocks will eventually destroy the vinyl and leave a big mess. Also, I really like how the plate looks mounted down low. Nothing on the front of the car is covered up.

You got me interested. The vinyl looks good idea to keep the sensors from going off, but I do not want to mount it to the car. Mounting to the bracket sounds good. Send a picture of vinyl plate on the car, please.

 

[mkhuffman]

Thanks for sending this out @mkhuffman. A picture is worth a few post of the thread to try to determine what it really looks like installed. I plan to order one when I get my MME in a few months if I can keep the dealer from drilling the holes, which I will ask them to not do in writing a few times. My question is do you think this could be locked to prevent removal? Perhaps, drill a hole through the bracket and post (tap it) and put a bolt through it. I probably will not take mine off and I just want to keep the local kids from doing the same.

Due to the design of the bracket, it will naturally be easier to remove than a standard license plate bracket with four screws instead of one. I guess you could lock out the spring piston, but I doubt the kids would even know there is a spring piston and would just rip it off if they want it. Or unscrew the one screw and then rip it off. A swift stomp down on the bracket would probably break it off the bumper.

The kids in your neighborhood sound horrible.

You got me interested. The vinyl looks good idea to keep the sensors from going off, but I do not want to mount it to the car. Mounting to the bracket sounds good. Send a picture of vinyl plate on the car, please.

I will take some pictures and provide links for how I did that. It looks like a real license plate when it is covered with the protective plastic, which was the goal because I don't want the law too interested in me when I am a law follower. Except for speed limits, which are really just guidelines.

 

[@SARANED]

Sometimes the law is absurd. How about death penalty for a second offense?

First offense that will cut crime in half. No second offenders.

 

[mkhuffman]

You got me interested. The vinyl looks good idea to keep the sensors from going off, but I do not want to mount it to the car. Mounting to the bracket sounds good. Send a picture of vinyl plate on the car, please.

I purchased two kinds of plastic license plate covers: a flat one to put the vinyl simulated plate on, and a curved one to cover up and protect the vinyl plate.

The flat one:
Zone Tech Clear License Plate Shields - 2-Pack Novelty/License Plate Clear Durable Flat Thick Shields - Walmart.com

The curved one:
Auto Drive Universal License Plate Cover Unbreakable Clear Dome - Walmart.com

The bolts that come with the Sto-n-go are not long enough to go through both covers and attach to the bracket. I have a bunch of old bolts I have collected over the years and found four that were long enough to work.

In your case you may need to go to Home Depot with the nuts and find ones long enough to hold everything together. If I did that, I could get some bolts lightly longer than the ones I used as they are just barely long enough. You can see they do not protrude from the nuts, and they really should.

Good luck!

 

[MyLittlePony2022]

Due to the design of the bracket, it will naturally be easier to remove than a standard license plate bracket with four screws instead of one. I guess you could lock out the spring piston, but I doubt the kids would even know there is a spring piston and would just rip it off if they want it. Or unscrew the one screw and then rip it off. A swift stomp down on the bracket would probably break it off the bumper.

The kids in your neighborhood sound horrible.



I will take some pictures and provide links for how I did that. It looks like a real license plate when it is covered with the protective plastic, which was the goal because I don't want the law too interested in me when I am a law follower. Except for speed limits, which are really just guidelines.

@mkhuffman Thanks, I appreciate the narrative on the bracket as well as the vinyl plate information. I am keeping the vinyl in my back pocket, if the standard aluminum plate causes issues with the sensors. I can buy a authorized vinyl plate (sticker really) in California. They are legal and approved. Normally people stick them on the front of the car bumper but I do not like that look. I like legal too. Keeps me out of trouble.

I live in a safe neighbor hood with good kids. The "kids" I was referring to are the ones that seem to mess with your car when you park it somewhere else. I always put tamper proof screws in my license plates so they do not walk off. I have my original '67 mustang rear plate grow legs and it was a pain to deal with the DMV. Learned from that. I agree that if they want the plate, they will get it by stomping on it or ripping it off. I figure I can deter most people. If they want it, they will get it regardless.

 

[mkhuffman]

@mkhuffman If they want it, they will get it regardless.

It is so easy to pop it off. If you are in an area where you are concerned about theft, take it off. I think it would be a pain to do it every day, but since that is not the case, taking it off is what I would do. Nobody can steal it if it isn't there.

 

[SWO]

Mike,

I just ordered a vinyl sticker on reflective white for my Maryland tag number. My GT PE didn't come with a front license mount installed, since I purchased it out of state in PA. I had it printed just slightly under-sized, about 5.5"x11". That will fit just under the front "Pony" and the crease at the top of the bumper, which the GT's front facia's have, but the other models do not.
Some members of my local British car club have even gone so far as to print European sized (long and thin, like 4"x14") license decals that "sort of" look like a Maryland plate (has the Maryland flag on it) and haven't had a problem with the police, as long as they had the original front plate in the car with them. I think the police where at least impressed that they where trying to meet the intent of the law, while not damaging a "collector" car.

Do you have a picture of how it turned out? I live in MD as well and am considering this.

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