posted 03-31-2006 09:14 AM                  

My 2 cents........don't worry about it at all until you get pulled over, THEN do something about it. Worse case scenario, I would think, would be a 'fix-it' type ticket, and you will probably find that you won't be hasseled about it. I've never had one on mine and it's been over 4 years now, been 30,000+ miles through lots of different states, and no one's pulled me over yet. Where I live (Wisconsin) requires front plates too.

My Opinion ONLY

posted 03-31-2006 12:01 PM                  

quote:

---

Originally posted by elambeth:
I appreciate what you guys are saying, but with all due respect... I tend to drive fast and somewhat outside the legal limits. Anything I can do to decrease the chance of getting pulled over for some minor technicality, could save me a lot of money in other kinds of tickets.

---

posted 03-31-2006 01:04 PM                  

http://www.prowleronline.com/ubb/Forum6/HTML/001606.html

if interested, send Paul a "p.m." or email.... might take him a few days to get back to you, but he will....

posted 03-31-2006 02:53 PM                  

quote:

---

Originally posted by elambeth:
My prowler never had a front license plate holder, but now I live in a state where front plates are required. Rather than mount something to the body, . . .

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by GRROWL on 03-10-2002 10:27:
This is my first post, so be kind.

GRROWL is a 2000 Yellow Prowler. I have benefitted from the online discussion boards from day one (June 2000) and figured it's time to give something back.

It always bothered me that they drilled into the bumper to mount the front plate, so at least there was some benefit when (out in left field at Office Depot, away from all other cars) some kid zipping around in a BMW snagged the bumper from behind and folded it into the grill. Those front bumpers really collapse when hit from behind.

Soooo, while I was waiting for the new bumper to arrive, I did a post-mortem on the old one. Being off of the car and upside down on the workbench, it sure seems that Plymouth designed the bumper to take a front license plate mount the way I will describe below.

Came back to edit and add a picture:

But first, a plug - and a thank you. As I said, I have benefited from this board in the past and ordered a new replacement bumper at a SUBSTANTIAL savings - THANKS, ALLEY CAT - those guys at John Youngblood Motors are phenomenal - and to get Mopar parts at such a discount is unheard of. Anyone interested should do a search for "cheap parts" posted by Alley Cat (by way of coincidence, my wife's pet cat is named Alley Cat).

Back to the subject:

Under the bumper, there is a recess approximately 1/2" deep and 1" wide with a row of pop rivets. The rivets attach 2 layers of plastic (front and back of bumper shell) to an aluminum box-beam. The location of the plate looked best (at least to me and to my wife - she's not particularly fond of GRROWL, and I'm not particularly fond of Alley Cat - her pet, not the POA member) centered under the directional signal. Coincidentally, two rivets are equally spaced from the centerline of the signal with matching holes on the top of the box beam, which is EASILY accessible by removing the directional signal (2 screws as if you were replacing the bulb).

This is a CHEAP, GOOD and NO COMPROMISE solution. I believe that the end result is PERFECT (providing, of course, that the law requires you to have a front plate to start with).

I dug the following out of my scrap box:

1 pc - 1" x 2" aluminum angle, 9" long
2 pc - 1/4" x 1-1/2" hex bolt
2 pc - 1/4" acorn lock nuts

This is really starting to sound much more complicated than it is. This is a 15-minute job requiring only an electric drill with a 1/4" bit and a portable belt sander or grinder. Here's the procedure:

----------------------

1. Drill out the 2 pop rivets below the directional signal (all drilling is with a 1/4" bit).

2. Remove the directional signal as if you were replacing the bulb, just let it hang. Drop in 2 bolts (1/4" x 1-1/2") down through the holes you will find behind the signal and out through the pop-rivet holes.

3. Find a piece of 9" long 1" x 2" angle in your choice of materials. Contour the 1" edge to match the front curve of the groove under the bumper (the 2" face will then be hanging down at the rear.

4. Center the bracket below the light opening, drill 2 holes to match the new bolts (should be 5" apart, but check), and bolt on.

5. Drill 2 holes, 1/4", 7" apart, and bolt on the license plate.

6. Re-install the signal.

Done!

---------------------

Additional (overly complicated) points:

A. No metal-working-specific tools were used in the production of this bracket. The portable belt sander worked well with an emory belt to contour the aluminum angle (which was 1/8" thick, by the way), round all of the corners, and ease the edges. I also used it to sand the faces to produce a "brushed" finish.

B. You could just as well use stainless steel angle (if you can find it); plastic angle; or bend sheet-metal of your choice. You could also attach with pop-rivets (skip steps 2 and 6) or screw into the pop-rivet holes with 5/16" self-tapping screws. Again, this is over-complicating the issue for such an easy (and good) fix.

C. You probably want to stiffen up the plate - I used a clear cover that did the job nicely. You could also use a backer, either the original mount, sheet-metal, plastic or whatever.

I thought of taking pictures, but:

1. I'm new at this, this is my first posting, and this could come later if requested.
2. My wife has my digital camera in FL for the week (watch out, Alley Cat - I'm the Alpha Cat this week).
3. I'm not sure you would see anything since everything is recessed so well.

Interested in hearing any reactions.

Thanks, Prowler Online.

---

posted 03-31-2006 07:22 PM                  

quote:

---

Originally posted by elambeth:
II tend to drive fast and somewhat outside the legal limits.

---

posted 04-01-2006 12:06 PM                  

quote:

---

Originally posted by GenoTex:
if you must have a bracket........ go to this link:

http://www.prowleronline.com/ubb/Forum6/HTML/001606.html

if interested, send Paul a "p.m." or email.... might take him a few days to get back to you, but he will....

---

Here is a link relating to the license plate bracket that Geno mentioned.
http://www.prowleronline.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/011967.html

Good luck!

posted 04-01-2006 12:23 PM                  

If you're required to have it on the front, it might as well look good! So show off that personalized plate!

Send $69.00 total (includes UPS insured shipping) via personal check or money order along with your name and complete mailing address (no PO Boxes)to:

Tectrum Sales
N110 W5450 W. Highland Dr.
Cedarburg, WI 53012

Good luck on whatever you decide. A lot of good info on this thread.

posted 04-04-2006 10:57 AM                    

quote:

---

Originally posted by elambeth:
I appreciate what you guys are saying, but with all due respect... I tend to drive fast and somewhat outside the legal limits. Anything I can do to decrease the chance of getting pulled over for some minor technicality, could save me a lot of money in other kinds of tickets.

If you've got the info on where to get the bolt-on license plate holder, I'd like to take a look at at that too... but I don't want to do any drilling.

---

You think they aren't going to pull you over because you are speeding but, you have a tag on the front. LOL! Not the case and Welcome to Texas.

Just carry the plate with a bent bracket in the trunk. No one ever asks for them (even when pulled over) but, if they do, you can just say it broke off today and you have to go buy a new bracket. Problem solved.

posted 04-04-2006 02:00 PM                  

In Germany/Europe a license plate is mandatory - of course.

I do NOT use one for many years now and got pulled over ONCE.
No ticket. Only: can we (policemen) see the engine and a lot of small talk...and when I started, they (policemen) asked me to push the car ... LOL

I even drove up to policemen and asked for the way in cities and NEVER ever have been stopped for having NO front license plate.

posted 04-19-2006 10:31 PM                  

quote:

---

Originally posted by texasprowler:
i don't run with a plate and i do run fast
if they catch me...

---

The young cop pulled me over as I was pulling away from a Red light. He actually threw his lights and siren on just to pull me over.

He told me to get the front plate mounted A.S.A.P. otherwise he would have to slap his new set of plastic cuffs on me.

Brian

REBELBOB,
Here is a pretty good thread
showing the bracket that Paul
has to offer.
GGROWL has a good alternative
in there as well.
http://www.prowleronline.com/ubb/Forum6/HTML/001606.html