posted 03-10-2002 10:27 AM                  

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:

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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!

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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 03-10-2002 02:34 PM                  

BTW - KenG is right, AC is on his way back from California and as soon as he sees this he will want to copyright it - so beat him to the punch!!!! OH - and you better copyright both right and left handed models of it

posted 03-10-2002 08:07 PM                  

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posted 03-11-2002 08:23 AM                  

Plan to road trip that Bad Boy( your car) to MD, we live about 20 miles from each other! I take pics for you and you can post them. Plan on the Louisville trip in May! We have a "cat-o-van" going there and would love to have you join us.

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posted 03-11-2002 05:25 PM                  

Yes, I actually built this - went without a hitch (having the old one to tear apart certainly helped to plan what to do ahead of time).

If I had it to do over again, the only thing that I would do differently is make a paper pattern of the front contour and hole locations. I would especially suggest this if you are doing this with the bumper still on the car and working from below. I free-handed the curves until it fit. With a paper pattern, I would have just sanded (ground) to the line and the holes would have been easier to locate than using a scribe through the holes.

posted 03-14-2002 09:32 PM                  

Your idea looks painless to me, but since Az doesn't require a front plate and you did the leg work for me on this one () I'm going to let you have the patent rights. Of coarse, feel welcomed to cut me in for lets say 10% of the incoming royalities, and my lawyer Al Bendover can do the legal paperwork for you (us). My guys, Marty Usher and Prowler Keith, can handle the distribution for us, another plus for you. WELCOME TO THE POA, my new friend!

The name for this will be: GRROWL/AC Front License Plate Mounting System and carries the ALLEY CAT STAMP OF APPROVAL

The phone will be ringing soon!!

posted 03-16-2002 08:03 PM                  

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Richard Jackson

posted 11-25-2003 09:25 PM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by FreeorDie2:
I need to fabricate the same kind of setup for a front plate, but I didn't have as much luck at our local Home Depot. I asked for aluminum angle iron and they showed me 8 foot bars of aluminum. I asked for angle brackets and all they could show me were items for holding up shelves. I would be grateful if someone could help me with the right words to say or a better place to find an aluminum angle bracket!!

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posted 11-25-2003 11:21 PM                  

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Mickey
1997 Plymouth Prowler #156
Custom car cover
Mopar front splash guards
Real Rod stainless steel transmission cooler cover
Mopar Trailer hitch and harness
Real Rod weekender
1992 Plymouth Grand Voyager SE
Longhorn scratches
Boomerschlobber

posted 11-26-2003 08:35 PM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by FreeorDie2:
Thanks guys. I found the angle aluminum just where you said it would be at Home Depot. Of course, they only had it in 8' lengths, and only 1x1 (or 2x2, etc), but it cost next to nothing. I ended up doing it a little different from Grrowl's instructions, but it worked fine. Cut a 9" piece and trimmed it to fit under the bumper. Then mounted the original plate bracket to it. Everything else was the same. Worked like a champ. It seems real sturdy and looks great. Thanks again for your help!

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Glad it worked for you. Using the original plate bracket is consistent, I couldn't use mine since it was damaged when the bumper was whacked, so I used a clear cover to stiffen the plate. BTW, how was it on the "Difficulty" scale?

-GRROWL