[Renegade174]

How do you install the Front License Plate Bracket?

The dealership where I purchased my JRT didn't install the front license plate bracket - I mistakenly thought it would be simple thing to do myself after I received my new registration ... BUT ..

My dealer is over 30 miles away ... I'm still waiting for a rely to my email requesting instructions. I'm sure the local dealership will require me to make an appointment and will charge me to install it.

Annoyingly, I found the package was torn open. There wasn't an instruction sheet. The package contained the front license plate bracket, 8 short screws and a "tool" that does not match the screwheads (The tool looks more like a spare tool to open the My Sky panels). I'm not sure if any parts/screws/bolts are missing.

There are no markings on the bumper as to where the screws should go. I'm concerned that the screws are rather short. I'd prefer to put in longer bolts with a locking nut, but I'm worried about drilling into the bumper (What drill bit should I use - is the bumper just plastic or is there metal behind it?), and whether I'd be able to reach behind the bumper to attach the washers and nuts.
Is there any chance I'd set off the airbags when drilling into the bumper?

Does anyone have any advice?

P.S. I looked at the Craven Speed device for the Trailhawk, but it bolts under the vehicle and the "extension" defeats the angle of the Trailhawks "approach angle front bumper" - I also suspect the if it hits something, it will be driven up and damage my Jeep.

Bob H.
Renegade174

 

[Malcolm02]

You need to drill some holes in the bumper. I'm not very adept at that sort of thing and didn't want to screw anything up on my new car, so I swung by the service dept of the dealer where I bought it. No problem. It was done in a couple of minutes. They didn't bother to charge me or do any paperwork. For a mechanic with tools it's a pretty trivial job. My dealer is quite close by, though.

 

[Renegade174]

I'd prefer to drill to use bolts & lock nuts ... I'm just unsure of the materials - just plastic or plastic over metal and what type of drill bit to use. I'm also concerned about the potential to set off the airbags. Any advice?

 

[txjeeper35]

Self tapping screws just longer than the ones the dealer sent you. My dealer used .25" self tappers, only 2, and I found out going through my 1st mud hole...left the bracket w/ license plate sitting in the middle of the hole barely sticking out to see. Saw it missing when I got home, went back and saw it shining out from the middle. I went to the local bolt supply and got some longer self tappers, and put 2 in the bottom along with the 2 in top. Used my small dewalt 12 volt max screwdriver. No big deal, just center it up, drill them in, bolt it up.

 

[Renegade174]

Self tapping screws just longer than the ones the dealer sent you. My dealer used .25" self tappers, only 2, and I found out going through my 1st mud hole...left the bracket w/ license plate sitting in the middle of the hole barely sticking out to see. Saw it missing when I got home, went back and saw it shining out from the middle. I went to the local bolt supply and got some longer self tappers, and put 2 in the bottom along with the 2 in top. Used my small dewalt 12 volt max screwdriver. No big deal, just center it up, drill them in, bolt it up.

Any idea as to whether you went through just the plastic of the bumper or through the material (metal) underneath it (can you feel the tip of the screw from behind the bumper)?

 

[Renegade174]

ATTACHING THE FRONT LICENSE PLATE HOLDER/BRACKET ON A JEEP RENEGADE TRAILHAWK (2016) WITH EXTRA HEAVY DUTY BLACK WIRE TIES

I got my registration documents today (I retained my plates) so it was time to put the sticker in the window and put on the front & rear license plates. I'm just not ready, without more info, to put a drill to my new Jeep Renegade Trailhawk. So here's what I did - the final result is pretty "clean" (note due to my bad knees, I took the easy way out an put the "zips" at the top of the the license plate frame - eventually, I'll probably replace the original zip ties and put the "zips" on the bottom):

Center the license plate bracket/holder on the center of the bumper. Find the "space" in the lower grill where the "tube" extending from the license plate holder/bracket goes. Thread 2 (for redundancy) extra heavy duty black wire ties (Lowe's) from behind the top of the bumper on each side of the "post" in the grill (just reach under the bumper and you'll find them as you are feeding them from above). Pass them through the grill "space" , through the "tube" in the license plate holder/bracket, run them across the face of the license plate holder/bracket to the bottom (or top) edge of the license plate holder/bracket and then tighten them down with the "zip" at either the bottom edge (or top edge) of the license plate holder/bracket. Use the supplied screws to fasten your license plate to the license plate holder/bracket over the wire ties (which when tightened will remain flat across the face of the license plate holder/bracket. Cut off the excess wire tie (Trim it almost to the "zip" with a wire cutter or scissors, then I use an old toe nail clipper - as it makes a nice clean cut.)

Note that I also installed a WeatherTech Bumper Frame also.

The good thing about this method is that when I am ready to drill into the bumper - the license plate holder/bracket is already in the perfect position to drill and insert a bolt and lock nut without having to use another hand or tape or whatever to hold the license plate holder/bracket in place.

A little trickier would be to fasten the license plate to the license plate holder/bracket (and the Weather Tech Bumper Frame) with bolds and lock nuts) and then try to feed the wire ties behind the plate before "zipping" them --- A project for another day.

 

[Renegade174]

CORRECTION: You can't "zip" the wire ties at the "bottom edge" of the license plate holder/bracket - as the wire ties go through the "tube" (behind the license plate) of the license plate holder/bracket. You can probably position the "zip" end of the wire ties underneath the bumper where they will be hidden and tighten them without too much difficulty.

 

[rickrocket2]

Hey, All. Anyone know how to remove the lower grill? And, how would you 'bolt' vs 'screw' the plate bracket on.. getting the nuts behind the fascia? thanks!

Rick

 

[lance77tour]

bumper should have dimples embedded in it letting you know where to drill the holes, a bracket should have been with the vehicle that will secure to the drilled holes and a molded piece on the bracket will go on the first row of the grille; unless you buy a vehicle in WI where the dimples arent centered are off to the left A LOT the dealership drills the holes and applies the license plate bracket/plate; bring it to the dealership and say WTF this is not right here are pics of all other 16 trailhawks with plate centered on vehicle, they say oh we can patch up the 4 drilled holes and we can drill new holes but how they want to spend less money the way the grille is (which is wrong) wouldnt allow the bracket to be centered since the grille is also off center A LOT.

 

[jeepBuddy]

Drilling is not required. Someone posted here somewhere about a license plate bracket they found on Amazon. I liked the idea so much that I tried it. here's a link... https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013HP98C/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I used toggle bolts to attach the plate bracket to the grill. First though, I used black Rustoleum "texture" to spay paint the bracket and bolts. Gives them a very OEM look. Then I installed it.

The thought of drilling into my new baby just pained me, this solution worked like a charm. Just finished up a mega road trip, hit speeds of 80, and the plate held.

Here's a close up photo.

 

[Renegade17]

My Sky Key

Hey Guys! Does anyone know an alternative way to open the my sky panel? My car was barely used before I got it but the previous owner took the hex key. The dealer said they would try to get it back but I don't see it happening.

I have tried to look it up online but I have come up with zip. Could I purchase a same size Allen key? If so can someone direct me to a link or let me know an exact size?

Thank you!

 

[JeepWannabe]

Thank you!
I didn't want to drill holes, or pay $95 at the dealership, so I tried your solution. It works very well!

 

[JustinFreitas]

How do you install the Front License Plate Bracket?

The dealership where I purchased my JRT didn't install the front license plate bracket - I mistakenly thought it would be simple thing to do myself after I received my new registration ... BUT ..

My dealer is over 30 miles away ... I'm still waiting for a rely to my email requesting instructions. I'm sure the local dealership will require me to make an appointment and will charge me to install it.

Annoyingly, I found the package was torn open. There wasn't an instruction sheet. The package contained the front license plate bracket, 8 short screws and a "tool" that does not match the screwheads (The tool looks more like a spare tool to open the My Sky panels). I'm not sure if any parts/screws/bolts are missing.

There are no markings on the bumper as to where the screws should go. I'm concerned that the screws are rather short. I'd prefer to put in longer bolts with a locking nut, but I'm worried about drilling into the bumper (What drill bit should I use - is the bumper just plastic or is there metal behind it?), and whether I'd be able to reach behind the bumper to attach the washers and nuts.
Is there any chance I'd set off the airbags when drilling into the bumper?

Does anyone have any advice?

P.S. I looked at the Craven Speed device for the Trailhawk, but it bolts under the vehicle and the "extension" defeats the angle of the Trailhawks "approach angle front bumper" - I also suspect the if it hits something, it will be driven up and damage my Jeep.

Bob H.
Renegade174

Thanks, Renegade174! I'm gonna try this. Is yours still holding up ok? -J

 

[Tamos7]

Drilling is not required. Someone posted here somewhere about a license plate bracket they found on Amazon. I liked the idea so much that I tried it. here's a link... https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013HP98C/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I used toggle bolts to attach the plate bracket to the grill. First though, I used black Rustoleum "texture" to spay paint the bracket and bolts. Gives them a very OEM look. Then I installed it.

The thought of drilling into my new baby just pained me, this solution worked like a charm. Just finished up a mega road trip, hit speeds of 80, and the plate held.

Here's a close up photo.

I tried this method on my 2016 TH and it worked great! My installation looks almost identical to the picture jeepBuddy provided. The hardest part for me was waiting the 1 hour for the paint to dry before attaching it to the front bumper.

 

[9th Gear Fan 1937]

How do you install the Front License Plate Bracket?

The dealership where I purchased my JRT didn't install the front license plate bracket - I mistakenly thought it would be simple thing to do myself after I received my new registration ... BUT ..

My dealer is over 30 miles away ... I'm still waiting for a rely to my email requesting instructions. I'm sure the local dealership will require me to make an appointment and will charge me to install it.

Annoyingly, I found the package was torn open. There wasn't an instruction sheet. The package contained the front license plate bracket, 8 short screws and a "tool" that does not match the screwheads (The tool looks more like a spare tool to open the My Sky panels). I'm not sure if any parts/screws/bolts are missing.

There are no markings on the bumper as to where the screws should go. I'm concerned that the screws are rather short. I'd prefer to put in longer bolts with a locking nut, but I'm worried about drilling into the bumper (What drill bit should I use - is the bumper just plastic or is there metal behind it?), and whether I'd be able to reach behind the bumper to attach the washers and nuts.
Is there any chance I'd set off the airbags when drilling into the bumper?

Does anyone have any advice?

P.S. I looked at the Craven Speed device for the Trailhawk, but it bolts under the vehicle and the "extension" defeats the angle of the Trailhawks "approach angle front bumper" - I also suspect the if it hits something, it will be driven up and damage my Jeep.

Bob H.
Renegade174

Even after reading through this thread I thought I would add, even at this late date:
a) I have a 2018 Latitude FWD, dealer sent me off w/o installing the front license plate frame. I went back a few days later and watched them do the work, no charge. They used self-tapping screws and a drill with a screwdriver bit to attach the license plate and frame to the car in two quick operations (one "operation" per screw). So when I finally have to change license plates I will simply remove and replace two self-tapping screws. When I do that both the license plate and the frame will come off together. They did not mount the frame with, for example, bolts, and leave it to me to attach the license plate to the frame. As I understand it, there is an aluminum "substitute bumper" behind the large black plastic piece, and that is what the self-tapping screws went into. I confess to being a little worried about the steel screws being intimately attached to the aluminum bumper outdoors and the potential for an electrolytic reaction degrading the physical attachments.
b) I have heard of people driving their car ten years w/o a front license plate, and no problem.

 

[flyguy172r]

How do you install the Front License Plate Bracket?

The dealership where I purchased my JRT didn't install the front license plate bracket - I mistakenly thought it would be simple thing to do myself after I received my new registration ... BUT ..

My dealer is over 30 miles away ... I'm still waiting for a rely to my email requesting instructions. I'm sure the local dealership will require me to make an appointment and will charge me to install it.

Annoyingly, I found the package was torn open. There wasn't an instruction sheet. The package contained the front license plate bracket, 8 short screws and a "tool" that does not match the screwheads (The tool looks more like a spare tool to open the My Sky panels). I'm not sure if any parts/screws/bolts are missing.

There are no markings on the bumper as to where the screws should go. I'm concerned that the screws are rather short. I'd prefer to put in longer bolts with a locking nut, but I'm worried about drilling into the bumper (What drill bit should I use - is the bumper just plastic or is there metal behind it?), and whether I'd be able to reach behind the bumper to attach the washers and nuts.
Is there any chance I'd set off the airbags when drilling into the bumper?

Does anyone have any advice?

P.S. I looked at the Craven Speed device for the Trailhawk, but it bolts under the vehicle and the "extension" defeats the angle of the Trailhawks "approach angle front bumper" - I also suspect the if it hits something, it will be driven up and damage my Jeep.

Bob H.
Renegade174

 

[flyguy172r]

4 self tapping screws 1/4" come with bracket. just center plastic bracket in center of bumper. you can use screwdriver with pressure or electric drill. to put plate on bracket, you again need self tapping screws, but this time you want 1" screws. center plate and attach to brackett the same whay you attached holder..