MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Appearance Related => Topic started by: conrank on July 17, 2018, 01:27

Title: License plate upgrade
Post by: conrank on July 17, 2018, 01:27
Thinking about changing my plate from the standard one. Was initially thinking square black with white/silver lettering, or at least square. Would a square one fit exactly where the original ones (front & back) goes, or is there things that would need doing? Was also thinking about a stick on plate on the front bonnet, would there be annoying holes etc if I was to get rid of the front plate completely?
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: Ardent on July 17, 2018, 09:54
On the rear you will need infills for a sq plate. Have part numbers at home.
I have stick on on front.
Yes couple of holes that need filling for a smooth look.
I hate the bogo front plate holder. Completely spoils the line of the grill area.
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: conrank on July 17, 2018, 12:32
Quote from: Ardent on July 17, 2018, 09:54
On the rear you will need infills for a sq plate. Have part numbers at home.
I have stick on on front.
Yes couple of holes that need filling for a smooth look.
I hate the bogo front plate holder. Completely spoils the line of the grill area.

100% agree!!! Do the stick on ones damage The paintwork. Also, could you post a pic? Would love to see!
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: dan944 on July 17, 2018, 13:12
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180717/82434be5077a3ec35bf0fdb7772604bd.jpg)
I hated the plate holder and this is the best I could come up with. It's a metal plate. Still reflective so still legal tender(ish).
But I also swapped to a PFL front number as I preferred it.
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: Ardent on July 17, 2018, 18:35
Front wise. Mine is the 1st pic here.
https://www.mr2roc.org/forum/index.php?topic=65246.msg765370#msg765370

Scroll down next is Bernie showing sq rear with bling.
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: Ardent on July 17, 2018, 19:17
Direct shot just now.
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: Ardent on July 17, 2018, 19:52
infil part numbers
T52163-17020
T52164-17020
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: Ardent on July 17, 2018, 20:04
Some different views
http://jason-addison--street-life.blogspot.com/2016/04/mr2-leica-m9-summitar-bokeh.html (http://jason-addison--street-life.blogspot.com/2016/04/mr2-leica-m9-summitar-bokeh.html)
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: conrank on July 17, 2018, 23:12
Quote from: Ardent on July 17, 2018, 20:04
Some different views
http://jason-addison--street-life.blogspot.com/2016/04/mr2-leica-m9-summitar-bokeh.html (http://jason-addison--street-life.blogspot.com/2016/04/mr2-leica-m9-summitar-bokeh.html)

Looks great mate, thanks so much!!
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: Bernie on July 18, 2018, 07:28
On the front yes there are 2 holes where the holder fixes I went with a 3m Dual Lock tape and a legal size letters cut down plate stuck on

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180718/56244262c48a8dff615f852b8fd6f2a3.jpg)

Rear is Jap size with Zunsport grilles

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180718/c2746a3a0220856d8a1ef9ec469ec6fa.jpg)
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: Ardent on July 18, 2018, 17:13
Simpliy loveleah
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: dn on September 18, 2018, 23:02
Quote from: Ardent on July 17, 2018, 19:52
infil part numbers
T52163-17020
T52164-17020

Any idea where to source these? Toyota UK parts centres carry them?

Ones on eBay are rather expensive!
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: Ardent on September 19, 2018, 12:27
Got mine from toyota.
They are expensive for what they are.
But would look poo without them.
£11.50ea from memory.
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: dn on September 29, 2018, 02:25
Quote from: Ardent on September 19, 2018, 12:27
Got mine from toyota.
They are expensive for what they are.
But would look poo without them.
£11.50ea from memory.

Lovely, thanks! I ordered a set from Toyota, just under £30 inc tax - picking up tomorrow hopefully.

Do you happen to know the size of the rear plate you have, and the size of the lettering?
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: Carolyn on September 29, 2018, 13:19
Problem is that these cars were not designed to have a front number plate.

There IS a genuine Toyota solution, though.

It's called a TRD stage 2 bumper.
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: Ardent on September 29, 2018, 20:01
Quote from: dn on September 29, 2018, 02:25
Quote from: Ardent on September 19, 2018, 12:27
Got mine from toyota.
They are expensive for what they are.
But would look poo without them.
£11.50ea from memory.


Lovely, thanks! I ordered a set from Toyota, just under £30 inc tax - picking up tomorrow hopefully.

Do you happen to know the size of the rear plate you have, and the size of the lettering?
13x7" stock Uk lettering.
Would have preferred the Japanese font but could not source at the time.
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: Smithy on January 11, 2020, 18:25
Quote from: Ardent on July 17, 2018, 20:04Some different views
http://jason-addison--street-life.blogspot.com/2016/04/mr2-leica-m9-summitar-bokeh.html (http://jason-addison--street-life.blogspot.com/2016/04/mr2-leica-m9-summitar-bokeh.html)
your car looks amazing Jason. I think you have set a benchmark for me to aim to. And I'm defiantly going to try and find the stick on front number plate and square rear plate too.
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: Ardent on January 11, 2020, 19:21
@Smithy
Thank you for the kind words. Sabine will appreciate it.

If have read from the top you'll notice a couple of little jobs that need to be done along the way.
Couple of infills at the rear for the square plate.
And some manufacture/assembly holes to be filled at the front.

Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: Gaz mr-s on January 11, 2020, 22:23
Quote from: conrank on July 17, 2018, 01:27Thinking about changing my plate from the standard one. Was initially thinking square black with white/silver lettering,

Since no-one else has said, a black plate would be illegal. Cops wouldn't like it, & it wouldn't pass an MOT.
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: Ardent on January 11, 2020, 22:41
No doubt true.

So far have resisted.

But, would look the mutts nutts.
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: Smithy on January 14, 2020, 21:04
I've just ordered a self adhesive front plate for Mo from POLAR AUTOMOTIVE CLASSIC NUMBER PLATES for £22.
they do a wide range of options so worth a look if your wanting a change.
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: Ardent on January 14, 2020, 22:27
Looking forward to seeing that
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: Smithy on January 20, 2020, 11:09
I have my new stick on front number plate. Any tips Jason for getting it on straight and without bubbles? I guess you only get one chance at it.
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: Ardent on January 20, 2020, 12:43
I followed the instructions that came with it. I also trimmed it down as much as I dare to make it a small as possible.
As soft as they they are, there are two curves on the bumper and trying to bend a flat rectangular shape into curves too can create a Ripple or a bubble.
I made a small Mark at the top of the plate to act as the centre to helpline up with the centre badge. Although you only get one chance, that chance does last for a few seconds because you are wetting the area down with soapy water so that the plate will slide, it then really is down to just eyeing it in. Then use a credit card or something similar to work out an air bubbles.
Depending what type of plate you have, you may need to leave it for a bit before peeling off a backing paper
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: Smithy on February 3, 2020, 09:04
Front licence plate fitted. A few bubbles that need some attention but I'm pleased with it. I didn't really like the front plate and the way it hung down over the grill. now with it higher its given Mo her smiley face back.
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: Ardent on February 3, 2020, 19:30
Quote from: Smithy on February  3, 2020, 09:04Front licence plate fitted. A few bubbles that need some attention but I'm pleased with it. I didn't really like the front plate and the way it hung down over the grill. now with it higher its given Mo her smiley face back.
Well played.
So much better than those awful after thought number plate holders. Completely ruin the line.
How much happier does she look now.
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: SV-3 on February 3, 2020, 19:43
Quote from: Ardent on February  3, 2020, 19:30
Quote from: Smithy on February  3, 2020, 09:04Front licence plate fitted. A few bubbles that need some attention but I'm pleased with it. I didn't really like the front plate and the way it hung down over the grill. now with it higher its given Mo her smiley face back.
Well played.
So much better than those awful after thought number plate holders. Completely ruin the line.
How much happier does she look now.
The bubbles make it look AERO(yum-yum)dynamic :)
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: Smithy on February 4, 2020, 16:12
Quote from: SV-3 on February  3, 2020, 19:43
Quote from: Ardent on February  3, 2020, 19:30
Quote from: Smithy on February  3, 2020, 09:04Front licence plate fitted. A few bubbles that need some attention but I'm pleased with it. I didn't really like the front plate and the way it hung down over the grill. now with it higher its given Mo her smiley face back.
Well played.
So much better than those awful after thought number plate holders. Completely ruin the line.
How much happier does she look now.
The bubbles make it look AERO(yum-yum)dynamic :)

Oh yes very good. now I'm thinking of a zunsport front grill to finish off her smile. what you think?
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: househead on February 4, 2020, 16:17
Those grilles look pretty cool imo but they're a bit expensive especially if you want the full set front and back.

I did find a howto somewhere a while back that shows how to DIY one. I'll try and dig it out.
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: Smithy on February 4, 2020, 22:46
Oh yes please. Yes they are expensive but I think they really look good but still understated imo
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: Ardent on February 4, 2020, 23:12
didn't take long for moditi's to strike ;)
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: jvanzyl on February 20, 2020, 21:47
Hey guys- need to replace my front number plate as it's unlikely to pass mot. (Cracked)

I like the idea of the square one- do you just put screws in them to hold them in place or do you need a specific holder?

Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: Ardent on February 20, 2020, 22:05
one for @Carolyn I know she has a square plate up front, But, I also recall her front bumper is not bog standard either.

Some mickey mouse thing ;)   :o    ;D

TAXI!

@jvanzyl
If you get right down to the front mesh area, there is a small panel that is held by a couple of screws. I don't know if it is some sort of access panel or for tiny number plates. Do Japenese cars have front plates?
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: jvanzyl on February 20, 2020, 22:27
Quote from: Ardent on February 20, 2020, 22:05one for @Carolyn I know she has a square plate up front, But, I also recall her front bumper is not bog standard either.

Some mickey mouse thing ;)   :o    ;D

TAXI!

@jvanzyl
If you get right down to the front mesh area, there is a small panel that is held by a couple of screws. I don't know if it is some sort of access panel or for tiny number plates. Do Japenese cars have front plates?

Interesting! I shall have to have another look when I get my old bumper back off Dave.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F124004323002

This link clearly shows the license plate attachment for square plates..
Title: Re: License plate upgrade
Post by: Ardent on February 23, 2020, 18:57
@jvanzyl

Have cropped in for ref. Might be too small. But would look the muts nuts.
mesh.jpg