License Plate vs. Skid Plate problem...

DaveS · 06-01-2004, 11:22 AM

My CC SE (4x4, Off-Road, Big Tow) had a brush guard, installed by the dealer, when I chose to buy it. I asked to dealer to remove the guard, as I didn't want it. They did - but neglected to re-install the tow hooks, skid plate, and tighten the bumper mounting bolts (leading to a bad squeak).

2 trips to the dealer later, everything is back on the truck, BUT the front skid plate hides the bottom 2/3 of my front licence plate. I didn't notice until I got home from the dealer. They have told me there is no fix for this problem, and just suggested I remove the front plate, which I really don't mind doing, but it is technically ILLEGAL in California.

Has anyone else come across this problem?? Any suggestions??

- Dave in San Diego

bestatchess · 06-01-2004, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveS

My CC SE (4x4, Off-Road, Big Tow) had a brush guard, installed by the dealer, when I chose to buy it. I asked to dealer to remove the guard, as I didn't want it. They did - but neglected to re-install the tow hooks, skid plate, and tighten the bumper mounting bolts (leading to a bad squeak).

2 trips to the dealer later, everything is back on the truck, BUT the front skid plate hides the bottom 2/3 of my front licence plate. I didn't notice until I got home from the dealer. They have told me there is no fix for this problem, and just suggested I remove the front plate, which I really don't mind doing, but it is technically ILLEGAL in California.

Has anyone else come across this problem?? Any suggestions??

- Dave in San Diego

Drill the top lip of the skid plate and mount the plate holder to the skid plate. That is how mine was delivered from the dealer. I would imagine that your dealer knows this.

smoketitan · 06-01-2004, 11:34 AM

yeah what he said, that is how mine was delivered in cali

DaveS · 06-01-2004, 11:45 AM

Thanks for the good tip - I'll try that tonight, but I will need to remove the skid plate to get my license plate off - do I need any special tools to do so?

Skid plate is aluminum - easy to drill, right?

Here's a pic of the beast...

- Dave

cshepherd · 06-01-2004, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveS

My CC SE (4x4, Off-Road, Big Tow) had a brush guard, installed by the dealer, when I chose to buy it. I asked to dealer to remove the guard, as I didn't want it. They did - but neglected to re-install the tow hooks, skid plate, and tighten the bumper mounting bolts (leading to a bad squeak).

2 trips to the dealer later, everything is back on the truck, BUT the front skid plate hides the bottom 2/3 of my front licence plate. I didn't notice until I got home from the dealer. They have told me there is no fix for this problem, and just suggested I remove the front plate, which I really don't mind doing, but it is technically ILLEGAL in California.

Has anyone else come across this problem?? Any suggestions??

- Dave in San Diego

Just from reading your description of the trips necessary to get things right from your dealer, I have to assume the following: They don't know what they are doing!

My truck has the off road package as well and my dealer drilled the lip of the skid plate as instructed by the instruction sheet supplied by Nissan on how to do such things. I found this instruction sheet in the cab of my truck after I took delivery. My suggestion would be for the dealer to call Nissan and get the instruction sheet so that they don't look like morons in the future by installing partially obstructed license plates!

cshepherd · 06-01-2004, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveS

Thanks for the good tip - I'll try that tonight, but I will need to remove the skid plate to get my license plate off - do I need any special tools to do so?

Skid plate is aluminum - easy to drill, right?

Here's a pic of the beast...

- Dave

Dave,
do you have a pic of the front end of your beast? It would be a good grin to see what your dealer considers proper installation.

DaveS · 06-01-2004, 11:57 AM

I'll take a pic of the truck on my lunch break and post it in about 90 minutes -I bought the truck from Mossy Nissan in Oceanside in February. They re-installed the skid plate right over the top of the license plate without saying a thing to me. You'd think the mechanic would have thought it was a bit weird!

Does anyone have a pic of exactly where their license plate is mounted on the ski plate?

- Dave

bestatchess · 06-01-2004, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveS

do I need any special tools to do so?

Skid plate is aluminum - easy to drill, right?

- Dave

Drill, drill bits, center punch, hammer, tape measure, marker.

Measure to get proper centerline on skid plate and plate holder and plate holder mounting height. Center plate holder, mark location of holes with marker, center punch hole locations so the drill won't skitter, drill small pilot hole, drill to correct size.

rrumaner · 06-01-2004, 12:17 PM

Here is a shot of mine - you should be able to see the plate and I have the skid plate as well.

titaniack · 06-01-2004, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveS

I'll take a pic of the truck on my lunch break and post it in about 90 minutes -I bought the truck from Mossy Nissan in Oceanside in February. They re-installed the skid plate right over the top of the license plate without saying a thing to me. You'd think the mechanic would have thought it was a bit weird!

Does anyone have a pic of exactly where their license plate is mounted on the ski plate?

- Dave

There are 2 dimples on the skid plate for drilling. They're very obscure so look closely. I would suggest you get the kit for mounting this so not to create a situation where the wholes are drilled too large. You start with a small bit then a bit larer until you drill a whole that is 1/4 inch (I think). In the kit are the mounting (thingies) that go into the drilled wholes then the screws go into those to hold the bracket, etc. The instruction are there as well to tell you what bit to start and stop with.

cshepherd · 06-01-2004, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveS

I'll take a pic of the truck on my lunch break and post it in about 90 minutes -I bought the truck from Mossy Nissan in Oceanside in February. They re-installed the skid plate right over the top of the license plate without saying a thing to me. You'd think the mechanic would have thought it was a bit weird!

Does anyone have a pic of exactly where their license plate is mounted on the ski plate?

- Dave

Yep, here are a couple of pics...

GB Titan · 06-01-2004, 12:46 PM

I used to have a license plate on the front of my skid plate until it got ripped off when I was in a mud run (I won it, might I add!). I wish the plate could be mounted above or slightly behind the skid plate to avoid it from being the first thing to contact the mud/snow/etc.

DaveS · 06-01-2004, 01:57 PM

I promised a photo earlier, but it'll have to wait until tomorrow. Our office camera is out on loan to someone, but check back tomorrow for some giggles at my goofy-looking licensed plate!

- Dave

mtbendo · 06-01-2004, 09:09 PM

Check the dimples on your skid plate first before drilling. I'm a bit anal about those things and they where offset to the drivers side by about 1/4". I also drilled the holes about 1/8 to 3/16 above the dimples so the plate would not tip forward as much and add a little bit more clearance.

BTW, the factory screws were not big enough, at least I didn't feel comfortable with my plate hanging from them so I went to the hardware store and got some bigger stainless steel screws. I think they were no 12s., 1 1/4". I ended up replacing all the plate screwing including the back plate with the longer screws

mtbendo · 06-01-2004, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cshepherd

Yep, here are a couple of pics...

Interesting... Your mounting plate is different... And looks to fit better... Dang it!