Front License Plate Installation

[SlipperyPete]

Any one who has installed their own front license plate bracket I would appreciate some input. In the manual it says to drill a .20 inch (5mm) hole where the two dimples are. This seems like an awfully big hole for the screws they sent me. Just wondering, what size bit did you use? Also did you get a couple circular disks with a retaining style clip on the back? (Not sure how to discribe them, other then they look a little like a plastic washer on the front, have about a 1/4 inch plastic piece coming out the back that is split down the middle so when you push it in a hole they will spread back out as a retaining clip.) Can't figure out what these are for, dealer said I would need them to install the bracket? Thanks in advance...

[BigJoe_Titan]

Originally Posted by SlipperyPete

Any one who has installed their own front license plate bracket I would appreciate some input. In the manual it says to drill a .20 inch (5mm) hole where the two dimples are. This seems like an awfully big hole for the screws they sent me. Just wondering, what size bit did you use? Also did you get a couple circular disks with a retaining style clip on the back? (Not sure how to discribe them, other then they look a little like a plastic washer on the front, have about a 1/4 inch plastic piece coming out the back that is split down the middle so when you push it in a hole they will spread back out as a retaining clip.) Can't figure out what these are for, dealer said I would need them to install the bracket? Thanks in advance...

Been a while since i installed mine, but I have the 4x4 off road package. Mine
came with some large self starting screws. I started with a small bit and moved up to match the screw. I don't have a tag on the front yet, but I do have the
extra plastic looking retaining nuts and screws that I didn't use, Not sure if they are used if tag bracket mounted directly the the plastic or to mount the actual tag when you put one on. Wished i was at home, I will try to take pictures tonight and show you how I mounted mine. It looks fine.

BigJoe

[Albert1234]

The bit specified in the owner's manual is definitely too large. I think I used a 1/8" bit but I don't remember. You're only drilling through plastic. Just use a bit that is smaller in diameter than the screw. My plastic holder came with two small black screws but no other plastic pieces. I had to ask the dealer for two screws to mount the license plate into the holder.

[bestatchess]

Just make the dealer put the bracket on. They have to do a little something.

[rrumaner]

Originally Posted by bestatchess

Just make the dealer put the bracket on. They have to do a little something.

That is what I did. I even went back and made them put on my real plates and remove the temporary ones even though it would have taken me all of a minute to unscrew the old ones and replace them.

For $40K the dealer is going to be doing a lot of those little simple things for me. If I could I would get them to follow me around and open and close my doors for me for that price.

[SlipperyPete]

Thanks for the input, I'll just start with a smaller bit and work my up if need be. As far as the dealer option, it's like a 450 mile drive back to where I bought it from so I think I'll take care of this one but it was really stupid of me not to make them take one off another vehicle on the lot and install it. Guess the excitement of getting it on the road had me pre-occupied. Oh well, I can always count on you guys for that little extra help I'm not getting from the dealer. Thanks again...

[speed]

I don't see how the front mounts will work at all on my truck. Seems to me the black spacers that screw into the plastic are not nearly long enough to allow the plate to hang anywhere near verticle since the front skid plate is in the way.

I've left my front plate off, but I'm sure I'll get stopped for it eventually.

[mtbendo]

Originally Posted by speed

I don't see how the front mounts will work at all on my truck. Seems to me the black spacers that screw into the plastic are not nearly long enough to allow the plate to hang anywhere near verticle since the front skid plate is in the way.

I've left my front plate off, but I'm sure I'll get stopped for it eventually.

Do you have the Offroad package? If so, the skid plate has another set of dimples in it where the holes are supposed to be drilled to match the plastic mounting plate. Do you have both the plate and the inserts? It looks like the plate will lean forward when mounted. I'w waiting for my plates to come before I drill anything.

[CHEK6]

I went to the dealer to put on my plate bracket because I could see it needed some engineering with the skid plate in place. The dimples in the skidplate put the plate at a wierd angle. The Sales guy said no problemo. The service guy said NO CAN DO. We have to call the factory. I Laughed. NO CAN DO indeed. I went home, put the thing where it belonged (make sure it is centered) Marked with a punch. Drilled with a titanium bit, starting small and working up. Had it mounted in 20 minutes. Then went back and showed the service guy how. New truck to me.. New truck to them. It looks perfect. Easy to do.
Good Luck,
Chek6

[mtbendo]

Originally Posted by CHEK6

I went to the dealer to put on my plate bracket because I could see it needed some engineering with the skid plate in place. The dimples in the skidplate put the plate at a wierd angle. The Sales guy said no problemo. The service guy said NO CAN DO. We have to call the factory. I Laughed. NO CAN DO indeed. I went home, put the thing where it belonged (make sure it is centered) Marked with a punch. Drilled with a titanium bit, starting small and working up. Had it mounted in 20 minutes. Then went back and showed the service guy how. New truck to me.. New truck to them. It looks perfect. Easy to do.
Good Luck,
Chek6

Did you use just the plastic plate or the inserts as well?

[CHEK6]

I used the plastic plate brackett supplied but went to the hardware store and got 4 stainless panhead screws and with nylon lined locking nuts. You just have to be careful not to drop a nut behind the skidplate. You could fish it out if needed but it is easier to be super careful not to drop it to begin with. I honestly couldnt see how that bracket would line up to the factory dimples on the skid plate.
Good Luck!

[SlipperyPete]

I installed mine last night and used the factory dimples, did pretty much the same thing, started with a small bit and worked my way up. Think when all was said and done I had put a couple 3/4 inch holes and installed the little plastic washers. Don't see how these were supposed to help the installation, as they are flat and tilt the plate further down. Need to call Nissan to see if there was supposed to be a different bracket for the Off Road package?

[CHEK6]

Slipperypete,
Do you have the skidplate? Mine must be different. When I lined the bracket up with the dimples in the skidplate, the bracket was tilted about 45 degrees. I had to place the bracket on the skidplate in the right position and put the holes there. Maybe I just looked at it wrong. My dealer couldnt figure it out. Looks good to me. anyway, cheers.

[BigJoe_Titan]

Originally Posted by CHEK6

Slipperypete,
Do you have the skidplate? Mine must be different. When I lined the bracket up with the dimples in the skidplate, the bracket was tilted about 45 degrees. I had to place the bracket on the skidplate in the right position and put the holes there. Maybe I just looked at it wrong. My dealer couldnt figure it out. Looks good to me. anyway, cheers.

I am forwarding a couple of pictures of mine. I have the skip plate. Sorry truck is dirty with the pollen. Also truck in garage. will back out this weekend and see if I can get better shots

[SlipperyPete]

Chek6, yes I do have the skidplates and yes it is tilted using the factory dimples. Kind of bugged me until I got in the truck and realized I can't see it from the drivers seat so not so worried about it