Front number plate plinth

[cj10jeeper]

That’s a real simple plinth to cut the required section from the centre and plastic weld back together.
The only issue is if JLR have altered the honeycomb of the grille in the areas that would be exposed. They would make it harder to conceal.
You really need a picture of the grille without plinth.

 

[scz4]

Found this picture on eBay. Thinking I'll just cut the plinth down this line and see how it looks. Wonder how easy plastic welding is....

 

[cj10jeeper]

Found this picture on eBay. Thinking I'll just cut the plinth down this line and see how it looks. Wonder how easy plastic welding is....

I would do it differently.

Obtain the plate you want to fit, legal spacing, borders, etc. etc. then use this to template the amount to remove for a perfect fit. Take the appropriate 50% amount out each side of the centre line. This way the parts will mate up perfectly to weld together. If you go from one side the complex curves of the plinth won't mate and you'll also have screw hole in the plinth off centre. If toyuo have one use a mitre saw and block or cut off circular saw for clean 90 degree cuts

Plastic welding can be as simple as using a flat soldering iron and blending the plastic across the joint. Use the cut out piece as spare material to strengthen the rear.
Done it many many times

 

[scz4]

Just to confirm, I'd also cut the same from the other side Just the picture didn't allow for that

 

[cj10jeeper]

Just to confirm, I'd also cut the same from the other side Just the picture didn't allow for that

Then you have 2 sets of cuts and joints, not one and if you look at the profile towards the ends it has a thicker profile so wont match-up

 

[scz4]

That doesn't bother me, don't need to see the side of the plinth, never like the look of plinths anyway.

This is my old car.

 

[cj10jeeper]

That doesn't bother me, don't need to see the side of the plinth, never like the look of plinths anyway.

This is my old car.

Sounds like you're all set to go then. Let's see the end result. Has to be better than a standard sized plate

 

[scz4]

Sounds like you're all set to go then. Let's see the end result. Has to be better than a standard sized plate

Open to plastic welding if required, will try the easy way first.

 

[JAGBOB]

Got the front number plate plinth sorted for the short plate. Removed plinth from front grill fixings and cut down for plate size.

 

[MArtyn Veg]

Super neat job! Looks really good

 

[scz4]

Good job! Looks superb. Thanks for the pictures.

Can't wait to do the same

 

[DOC IW]

Got the front number plate plinth sorted for the short plate. Removed plinth from front grill fixings and cut down for plate size.

Nice! Now you’ve got me thinking about changing mine!!!

 

[B8RS4]

Short plates definitely look far neater. I chopped an old shortie plinth from a previous car.

 

[DOC IW]

Got the front number plate plinth sorted for the short plate. Removed plinth from front grill fixings and cut down for plate size.

Would those front grill fixings in your photo also be easy to remove leaving just the hex grill? (ie can it be completely removed to leave the grill as per US specification without a plinth at all?) reason I ask is because I like the look of your short front plate so much that I have ordered short plates myself, I may well change the rear one as well. I have found another option for attaching a front plate to a hex grill….
https://www.bespoke-plates.co.uk/shop/accessories/honeycomb-grille-clips/

 

[DOC IW]

Not for me either. Can't see the point of making a big ugly rectangle even bigger than it has to be.

I agree that the US way without a front plate at all looks way better. For the rear one, the question is do you go small to fit a short personal reg, or do you go big to show it off? I definitely see both options as valid (I may even make mine as small as is legal at some point for a change!) I decided to go big at the moment though, personal choice.

Of course. It's all about personal preferences and it would be a sad world if everyone though the same.
Sad that even Alfa have been made to tow the line and they can no longer have plates fitted off centre at the front

Hmmmm. Following this forum post has got me thinking about what size plates I prefer!!! I have just ordered a pair of short plates. I’m definitely going to change the front one from standard plate to the short one; but I can’t decide on the rear one. I have a plate for all 3 options for the rear one now - big one that fills the space (which is what I currently have on the car), a standard size one, and a short one. What do people think looks best for the rear plate? I can’t decide which I prefer!!!

 

[JAGBOB]

Got the front number plate plinth sorted for the short plate. Removed plinth from front grill fixings and cut down for plate size.

Would those front grill fixings in your photo also be easy to remove leaving just the hex grill? (ie can it be completely removed to leave the grill as per US specification without a plinth at all?) reason I ask is because I like the look of your short front plate so much that I have ordered short plates myself, I may well change the rear one as well. I have found another option for attaching a front plate to a hex grill….
https://www.bespoke-plates.co.uk/shop/accessories/honeycomb-grille-clips/

The fixing on the front grill mesh are held by a screw from the back of the grill. If you get a hammer and hard wood ,if you knock the front plate you should shock it enough to twist it and remove it. the other way is remove or try and get your hand in behind the grill to get to the screw. I think the car will look better with short front and rear plates as I have had lots of positive comment since I fitted short plates.

 

[DOC IW]

Got the front number plate plinth sorted for the short plate. Removed plinth from front grill fixings and cut down for plate size.

Would those front grill fixings in your photo also be easy to remove leaving just the hex grill? (ie can it be completely removed to leave the grill as per US specification without a plinth at all?) reason I ask is because I like the look of your short front plate so much that I have ordered short plates myself, I may well change the rear one as well. I have found another option for attaching a front plate to a hex grill….
https://www.bespoke-plates.co.uk/shop/accessories/honeycomb-grille-clips/

The fixing on the front grill mesh are held by a screw from the back of the grill. If you get a hammer and hard wood ,if you knock the front plate you should shock it enough to twist it and remove it. the other way is remove or try and get your hand in behind the grill to get to the screw. I think the car will look better with short front and rear plates as I have had lots of positive comment since I fitted short plates.

Thanks. I’ll have a look at changing them sometime this weekend if I get chance. I’ll post pictures when done.

 

[DOC IW]

Got the front number plate plinth sorted for the short plate. Removed plinth from front grill fixings and cut down for plate size.

Would those front grill fixings in your photo also be easy to remove leaving just the hex grill? (ie can it be completely removed to leave the grill as per US specification without a plinth at all?) reason I ask is because I like the look of your short front plate so much that I have ordered short plates myself, I may well change the rear one as well. I have found another option for attaching a front plate to a hex grill….
https://www.bespoke-plates.co.uk/shop/accessories/honeycomb-grille-clips/

The fixing on the front grill mesh are held by a screw from the back of the grill. If you get a hammer and hard wood ,if you knock the front plate you should shock it enough to twist it and remove it. the other way is remove or try and get your hand in behind the grill to get to the screw. I think the car will look better with short front and rear plates as I have had lots of positive comment since I fitted short plates.

Took a while and a lot of fiddling but I finally managed to get the front plinth and it’s fixing brackets off (I’ve kept it so as not to get rid of any original parts). I fitted my front short plate using push-in hex grill fittings so there is no plinth at all. I decided to change the big rear plate for a standard size one; I felt the short one looked a bit lost in the space (personal preference after much pondering and trying the different options, but it definitely looks better than the big rear one).

 

[scz4]

That looks superb. Where did you get the hex grill fixings? Got a link? Do they stick to the back of the plate?

 

[cj10jeeper]

Such an improvement to go to a small front and rid of the giant rear plate.
Nice to see how you experimented and got to something you like.