[mmlehcim]

Hello Ford Focus ST owners! I am a new Focus ST owner. Just like most of you guys, I don't like the idea of actually drilling the bumper of my car to mount the bracket that came with the car. I have been lurking around to see how you guys mounted your front license plate on to your car and i did not see anything that is as simple as my idea. The thing is that i have these things:

So I need your opinion. What if I drill my grill, install two of these bad boys, and use it as the mounting point? What do you guys think?

These are similar, if not the same as the one that is used to mount the rear license plate. I can also use a backing plate to support the license plate so it doesn't bend, a lock nut to lock in the license plate to the bolt/screw, and also was thinking of using a longer bolt/screw to make sure it reaches in.

Any comments is much appreciated.

Thanks guys.

 

[AgtDALLAS]

Haven't seen it done but could be an option. If you have a 2013 or 2014 then the mod in the link below is the way to go. It requires a little drilling but barely noticeable when the plate is off

http://www.focusst.org/forum/focus-...cense-plate-frame.html#/topics/9555?_k=nd45dm

Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk

 

[BetaDnB]

Just use the factory mount. Who care's about a couple small holes in the bumper? It's just a piece of plastic. What's the difference if you drill through the bumper or the grill? No matter what you do you're going to leave holes somewhere.

 

[Cowlynz]

Check this out: http://www.focusst.org/forum/focus-st-appearance/9555-muddy-s-quick-release-custom-license-plate-frame.html

 

[UnfocusedST]

This is what I did.

http://www.focusst.org/forum/showthread.php?p=1025737

Sent from another garage.

 

[EVH]

Or this: http://www.focusst.org/forum/focus-st-guides/13080-low-buck-front-licence-plate-mount.html

 

[AK2112]

Just use the factory mount. Who care's about a couple small holes in the bumper? It's just a piece of plastic. What's the difference if you drill through the bumper or the grill? No matter what you do you're going to leave holes somewhere.

The factory mount for 2015+ cars really looks bad

 

[Blackula]

The factory mount for 2015+ cars really looks bad

Politely disagree, haven't seen anything look better. Some other spots seem to block intercooler or radiator more, factory spot is in front of crashbar.

 

[BetaDnB]

The factory mount for 2015+ cars really looks bad

How so? It has a shallow profile where the bumper sticks out furthest, is conformed to the shape of the bumper, is nice and centered, and doesn't block a bit of airflow to the radiator or intercooler.

Politely disagree, haven't seen anything look better. Some other spots seem to block intercooler or radiator more, factory spot is in front of crashbar.

^^^this guy knows.

 

[Lou64]

How so? It has a shallow profile where the bumper sticks out furthest, is conformed to the shape of the bumper, is nice and centered, and doesn't block a bit of airflow to the radiator or intercooler.



^^^this guy knows.

View attachment 197329

The lines of the hood, the bumper lines, the headlights, they all draw your e....wtf? There's a license plate.

It's an eyesore. Luckily I don't live in a fascist police state.

 

[brian60]

The lines of the hood, the bumper lines, the headlights, they all draw your e....wtf? There's a license plate.

It's an eyesore. Luckily I don't live in a fascist police state.

I am SOOOOOOOOO glad we don't have front plates in PA.

 

[AK2112]

Yeah, it looks bad. The Ford mount that comes with the car is large and it sticks out awkwardly.

I had it on my 15' for a while.

Until I took it off and was much happier.

 

[brian60]

Yeah, it looks bad. The Ford mount that comes with the car is large and it sticks out awkwardly.

I had it on my 15' for a while.

View attachment 197449

Until I took it off and was much happier.

View attachment 197457

Although it looks awful also, I don't mind images of STs with the plate mounted below the Driver's side headlight (or pass side I suppose).

 

[UnfocusedST]

13-14 has it right in the middle of the grill looks horrible. I do like the 15+ placement better. However I don't like holes in the painted plastic.

Sent from another garage.

 

[AK2112]

13-14 has it right in the middle of the grill looks horrible. I do like the 15+ placement better. However I don't like holes in the painted plastic.

Sent from another garage.

At least the one in the middle of the grill is lower profile.

Plus, you could put a tinted plate cover on it to hide it in the grill a bit more.

 

[brian60]

At least the one in the middle of the grill is lower profile.

Plus, you could put a tinted plate cover on it to hide it in the grill a bit more.

Something about tinted plate covers add such a nice look to a license plate. So glad I got one for my rear plate.

 

[BetaDnB]

The lines of the hood, the bumper lines, the headlights, they all draw your e....wtf? There's a license plate.

It's an eyesore. Luckily I don't live in a fascist police state.

...anyway... This thread is about the plate location for those of us who require them. Nobody asked for an opinion of the states that require them.

 

[mazui]

I have a bracket from Craig's Custom Brackets for when I need to run a front plate. I always install mine on the passenger side of the lower inlet, by attaching it to the underside of the bumper cover. The bracket sets the plate far enough forward that airflow can still get behind it. I have not noticed any appreciable difference in charge air temps or coolant temps with the plate installed in this location versus no front plate.

Lucky for me though, I don't have to run a front plate most of the time. Perks of having the car registered in a different state from my residence

 

[CaliJoe]

I didn't like putting the front mount on either but here in Cali it's a must. I don't know but to me the plate looks best in the center, I tried a bunch of different places up there and kept going back to the center, it just looks out of place to me. But thats just me. Where ever you like it is good with me, I'm not here to judge :cool2:

 

[minibear453]

I didn't like putting the front mount on either but here in Cali it's a must. I don't know but to me the plate looks best in the center, I tried a bunch of different places up there and kept going back to the center, it just looks out of place to me. But thats just me. Where ever you like it is good with me, I'm not here to judge :cool2:

I've been running without a plate for now, and have been lucky so far. Any idea what's the penalty for not having a front license plate? I'm thinking of going with the well nut idea, I don't like the speaker grill one because it just seems a little less permanent.