Front License Plate Bracket using a Rail Tie

[toedrag]

I'm in a state that required front license plates the last time I checked, so I came up with this little design, which was inspired by apk919's Bracket and Cegan09's bracket.

Here it is in case anyone else wants to improve it or make use of it:
Everything purchased at my neighborhood Big Orange store.

qty 1, 4x4 Rail Tie - $2.49 (in the fencing/decking hardware). Don't ask me why it's called a Rail Tie. I'm going off what the receipt says.
qty 2, Washer - $0.10 (on fastener isle in a drawer)
qty 1, M8 x 1.25 Hex Bolt - $0.53 (on fastener isle in a drawer)
qty 1, Lotus Federal License Plate Bracket with screws/nuts - $0

Here's a picture of what the Orange Store calls a Rail Tie:


1. Cut 1 leg of the Rail Tie off. I used a Roto Zip with a metal cutting blade.


2. Measure up about 1/4 inch from the bottom of the larger piece that's left over after cutting, and drill a hole to accommodate a screw
3. Measure up about 1 inch from that hole and drill another hole


4. Line up the Lotus Bracket against the Rail Tie, but keep the Lotus Bracket about 1/4 inch lower than the Rail Tie. Mark the hole locations or lightly drill enough to show a mark on the Lotus Bracket
5. Separate the Lotus Bracket and Rail Tie and finish drilling the holes
6. Optional: On the Lotus Bracket, cut off the 4 screw ends sticking out. RotoZip powers through these in about 15 seconds. This isn't absolutely necessary, but I did it because if the License Plate gets hit by car or something else of significant mass, it won't poke 4 new holes in my clam.


7. Optional: Paint the Rail Tie, Hex Bolt end, and 1 washer black. I did since I had a can of black rustoleum nearby.
8. Take 2 screws from the Lotus ziplock bag and connect the Lotus Bracket to the Rail Tie. Tip: put the Torx end facing the Bumper, which leaves the
end of the screw behind the license plate.


9. Mount the assembly to the Tow Hook mount. The order I used was M8 x 1.25 Hex Bolt - Washer - Bracket - Washer - Tow Hook Mounting Hole
10. Mount the License Plate to the Lotus Bracket with the screws from the ziplock bag.

Done. It feels incredibly sturdy and costs around $5 in materials. Finished Pics will be on the next post since I've reached the 5 attachment limit on this post.

You can, of course, change the hole locations on the brackets to reposition the license plate higher or lower. I chose to keep the bottom of the plate relatively in line with the bottom of the clam. It might sacrifice some airflow, but it's probably not enough to matter on the street, and I'd remove the plate for anything else.

Finished Pics upcoming in a minute or two....

[lotusforsale]

Velcro, 3 minutes. Job done.

[toedrag]

Here are the finished pics. Water spots will be taken care of tomorrow night

[toedrag]

What I like about this design is:
-The Rail Tie is a thick enough gauge that it won't easily bend and deform under normal driving conditions
-The Rail Tie is preformed and I don't have to bend it manually
-There is plenty of clearance between the Rail Tie and clam. You could add weather stripping to the back if you really wanted to. I actually bought some, but I don't think I'll use it. It'll take a very significant force to send the license plate into the clam, and if that happens, I likely will have bigger problems.