DIY: RHO Plate Mount for ~ $5
09-18-11, 09:23 PM
#1
DIY: RHO Plate Mount for ~ $5
Hey guys,
So I live in California and got (another... -_-) front plate ticket so I decided to get a tow hook plate mount online. Went online and.... $60???
I looked for other DIYs and found only one tow hook one that looked kinda ghetto and I didn't really want to ziptie it to my lower bumper and make it look like my car had buckteeth soooo...
Here's how to make a RHO tow hook mount for around $5 from parts at your local OSH, Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.
Stuff you need:
- 3/8 Toggle Bolts (qty 2)
- 3/4 2in long PVC pipe. Pick whatever color you want...I got white (white car, white pipe)
- 2 short stubby bolts ( + nuts) that can hold plate to the stock Lexus plate holder without touching the car
1)First, open up the tow hook area (remove the placeholder piece) and place the 3/4 PVC in the hole to make sure that its a pretty good fit.
2) Use a a utility knife and a pair of pliers (or the tools of your choice) and modify the lexus plate holder so that the PVC pipe has a place to sit flush against the plastic of the holder. Like so:
3) Then I took a grinder (you can also use a file but it'll take more time) and grind away the edges of the plate holder. The stock Lexus plate holder is curved to match the curvature of the bumper and I didn't want it hitting the front bumper and scratching the paint.
4) Place the PVC in the space you cut for it on the plate holder and drill 2 holes in the plate holder (on the top and bottom) and run the screws through the plateholder and the PVC and the into the ends of the toggle bolts. (No picture of this...sawwie
5) Then just push the toggle bolts into the hole until you hear them snap into place. tighten the bolts from the side that you can still see until its secure
6)Use the stubby screws and attach your plate onto the holder. This might be a little hard to do since the brackets already on the car.
7) Profit!
So I live in California and got (another... -_-) front plate ticket so I decided to get a tow hook plate mount online. Went online and.... $60???
I looked for other DIYs and found only one tow hook one that looked kinda ghetto and I didn't really want to ziptie it to my lower bumper and make it look like my car had buckteeth soooo...
Here's how to make a RHO tow hook mount for around $5 from parts at your local OSH, Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.
Stuff you need:
- 3/8 Toggle Bolts (qty 2)
- 3/4 2in long PVC pipe. Pick whatever color you want...I got white (white car, white pipe)
- 2 short stubby bolts ( + nuts) that can hold plate to the stock Lexus plate holder without touching the car
Alrighty, lets get started
1)First, open up the tow hook area (remove the placeholder piece) and place the 3/4 PVC in the hole to make sure that its a pretty good fit.
2) Use a a utility knife and a pair of pliers (or the tools of your choice) and modify the lexus plate holder so that the PVC pipe has a place to sit flush against the plastic of the holder. Like so:
3) Then I took a grinder (you can also use a file but it'll take more time) and grind away the edges of the plate holder. The stock Lexus plate holder is curved to match the curvature of the bumper and I didn't want it hitting the front bumper and scratching the paint.
4) Place the PVC in the space you cut for it on the plate holder and drill 2 holes in the plate holder (on the top and bottom) and run the screws through the plateholder and the PVC and the into the ends of the toggle bolts. (No picture of this...sawwie
5) Then just push the toggle bolts into the hole until you hear them snap into place. tighten the bolts from the side that you can still see until its secure
6)Use the stubby screws and attach your plate onto the holder. This might be a little hard to do since the brackets already on the car.
7) Profit!
....