Lude Generation

Gavin 86 wrote:here is a simple write up on how to install a square numberplate using a tilt bracket on a 4th gen. using one of these brackets you can also mount the numberplate pretty flush. there are other methods of mounting the plate such as using numberplate stickers or screwing it directly to the bumper. if like me you have a smoothed front bumper then this guide is probably the neatest way of mounting the square plate.

i hope this guide is of use to someone.

~ please read the guide fully before attempting this modification.
~ no drilling of the bumper required.
~ it is illegal to fit a jdm sized plate to a uk car, so uk square plates only people unless you have an import.


time scale:
5 - 10 minuets

items required:
- jdm tilt bracket (about £18 off ebay)
- 4x m6 bolts allan key head
- 4mm allan key
- 2x 10mm spanner
- tape measure
- pencil
- center punch
- hammer
- drill and sharp drill bits 5mm & 6.5mm
- uk square numberplate
- m6 tap and wrench (optional)
- mugen numberplate bolts (optional)

assuming you have removed the number plate and bracket and have smoothed the original screw holes. either by bungs or body filler and touch up paint.

first you need to obtain one of these. search for jdm tilt bracket. they are stainless steel and of good construction. they are universal so dont be fooled by sellers listing them for certain makes and models

i got mine from ebay, it was about £15. they seem to have gone up in price though unless i got a bargin.
next you will need to modify it slightly. start by removing the two bolts holding the bracket halves together. these are m6 bolts so use your 10mm spanners.
go to the front bumper and look at were the original numberplate was mounted under this location there should be two captive m6 nuts.
this photo should point you in the right general direction i forgot to take a photo of the nuts #-o. the captive nuts, holes to fill.


measure the distance between the nuts making sure to go off the centers. you need to transfer this measurement on to one half of the bracket
coming in 12mm from the rear edge. hole locations should be here somewere


center punch and drill to 6.5mm (slightly larger will be fine). it should look like this


then using two m6 allan bolts mount the half bracket like this


hard part is now done, bolt the other half back on the bracket. shiney


line up your square plate and mark the rear of it at roughly the height you want. drill the plate with your 6.5mm drill in the location you want the bolts. carefully hold the bracket on the back of the plate. i used masking tape to hold it on square.
pencil through plate on to your bracket. center punch the marks and drill out to 5mm then carefully tap out using the m6 tap. if you dont want to use this method drill out to 6.5mm and use some m6 nuts but i figured this would be kind of awkward when the plate was in the way.

bolt every thing back together. its easier to put the half bracket on the car first and set the tilt you require. then mount the plate on the car i used mugen bolts but you can use m6 allan blots and washers.


if you want to keep to the letter of the law paint the bolts black or white depending on were they are on the plate.i didnt bother and have not had any trouble but thats not to say you wont. how my bolts look


the finished look


apologies for image quality, photos were taken using my phone.