Got a new 05 Smoke Max SE at the end of Dec. so just wanted to say HI! Been lurking for a little while now finding out about the gen6 cars and was going to get one sometime in 05 but the tranny decided to die in my 91 Max so that made the decision for me (by the way, anyone want to buy a 91 Max for parts in the LV, NV area?)

Anyway, my question has to do with the license plate mounting and any frames that you all are using. Are you using the cheapo screws that came with the car or have you replaced them somehow with something more substantial like threaded inserts or nuts, and used bolts to secure them. I have ordered a pair of Weathertech ClearCover license frames but have not received them yet. I just got my plates and put them on the car but had ordered the frames without looking at the mounting (I guess I thought they would be somewhat like the 91 car, NOT ). So, any creative secure way you all have found to mount plates/frames?

Thanks for the answers,
Daryl

 

I took the plate and mounting bracket off the front since it kills the look of the car and instead of the chrome bolts the dealer put in the rear I bought these plastic black ones from AID. I think they look better. I don't like frames, I like the look of the plate by itself.

 

#1 welcome to the Smoker's Club. I myself have an '04 in Smoke. I guess in LV, the plates are not mounted in the front? My plate frame of course has 2 ridiculous holes drilled into the front bumper. I also have smoked covers on them. I had gone to Pep Boys and found some bolts that actually came witha special allen wrench to take them off with. Nice little safety feature and not expensive. Good luck and welcome

 

The chrome phillips screws that came with my '04 are fairly hefty. I sanded the heads so paint would hold and spray painted them black. I didn't bother to switch to allen screws this time, as I have a special plate that would be a little too conspicuous to interest most thieves.

If you use a frame on the rear, get one which will hold itself against both the front and rear edges of the bottom of the tag, else it will rattle when you close the trunk.

As with others, it sort of annoys me when the dealer drills out the front bumper holes and mounts his dealer ad tag. Especially as I live in a one tag (rear) state, meaning the holes are still there after removing the dealer ad tag.

 

Smoken'04,

My car is registered NY. I only live in Nevada in the winter time. I don't know for sure if NV state law requires a front plate. NY does but I don't care. It makes the car look like crap!

I had the holes drilled in the front. I use the mount for my EZ pass when I go on trips.

 

Im not mounting my license plates til the cops make me!!

 

Amen!

Even if I get pulled over I give the police a story that someone broke it when hit my car or something like that!

 

Thanks for the welcome Smoken'04, and thanks to everyone else for the comments. I guess I will have to see when I get the frames what I will do to mount them more securely.

Also, NIKV69, I know that NV does require you to have the front plate (if you are a resident) because they will pull you over (NHP has done this with me driving my bosses brand new, in 2001, Chevy Suburban, no plates yet and he took the front dealer placard off). In fact they may pull you over anyway just because!

By the way, doesn't the car already come with the front plate holder installed? That would mean the holes are already there correct? Just wondering.

Stay safe,

Daryl

 

Thanks Daryl!

No NHP will ever take me alive!

The dealer installs the front license plate mount.

 

When I first got my Max, I didn't put the plate on the front. Though the holder was there, I hated the look of the plate there. So I had it in the right side of my windshield. Had it there for about 2mths and got stopped. He asked why it wasn't mounted and I told him Nissan just replaced the holder and haven't gotten the chance to put it back on yet. Funny thing was he didn't mention anything about al of my windows being tinted at 20% when I had to lower the window to talk to him. Since then I did install it onto the frame with the smoke plate cover and it has grown on me. The cover hides it a little being tinted and all. Since my uncle is a Sgt in a neighboring town, I don't need the hassle at faily parties

 

I have a Weathertech Clearcover frame in the back. It is very secure and I really like the look of it. My Max came with a mount in the front for a plate so I just put my plate on with a smoked cover. Doesn't look too bad IMO. I live in IL and they require a front plate. I was stopped too many times in my Grand Prix GTP for no front plate. I'm done with the hassles.

 

Hey dopestar129, thanks for the info. Did the frame come with hardware (and did you use it) or did you use the screws that came with the car? TIA for the reply.

Stay safe,
Daryl

 

I was really bummed to find that my dealer mounts front plates on all of thier new cars EXCEPT the Z, you can see 2 little divits where you are supposed to mount the front plate but I guess the Z being the sports car in the family, he is exempt. I asked the dealer about this and he said the cars come that way from the factory... A couple of buddies of mine bought Audi's and had the same issue, when they asked the dealer they said they would wait for the next shipment and then just switch bumpers for him, pretty nice of the dealer but I didn't think I wanted my new car to have parts being swapped from the start, that leads to rattles mis matched parts etc...
Well my delaer lies to me and it is probably better off. I ended up finding plastic plugs that fit perfectly into the holes, bought some touch up paint and waalaa no more holes...I agree that front plate looks gross on there. It is required in Ca. but I have never run a front plate in 16 yrs, and never been cited (I shouldn't have said that...)

One more thing I never understood why people buy weatherguards for their license plates? License plates hold up fine in any weather condition just as well as the car itself. I see more plate covers that are faded and yellow and gross than ones that look nice...anyone feel free to clarify.

Sorry for the run on post...

 

Hey jsmithsole, having been pulled over by NHP I don't want to take the chance so I will put the front plate on. In Hawaii (where I am originally from), I had black frames with a plexi piece that I thought looked pretty good and they are still on my now dead 91 Max and they still look OK, just some rock nicks and bug hits. Not too bad for 14 yrs.

Stay safe,
Daryl

 

jsmithsole,

I am pretty sure the dealer will not drill the holes if you ask. My dealer knew I didn't want the plate and he asked me. I had him drill them anyway since I like to put my EZ-Pass there when I travel and then take it off.