Mounting front License Plate?

[JRG]

Hi all,
So I finally pulled the trigger after looking for almost a year and I bought a 1987 LXI Hatchback from a non-rust state. Zero rust, which is rare if not impossible to find in the Chicago area where I live. This brings me to my question. It never had a license plate mounted on the front bumper (therefore this isn't even a bracket) but I have to here in Illinois.

Original '87 brackets have proven impossible to find, so I have to do something on my own. What is the best way to mount? Has anyone ever had to do this? I see the bumper has 2 bumps in the front center for a plate but I can't tell if that is just for the OEM bracket to situate in, or do I drill it? I think the OEM mount attaches underneath but I'm not sure. Any advice on how to mount? I don't want to drill until I absolutely have to...

[Dr_Snooz]

This is the hardware off my 89.




The large piece mounts to the bumper in this location. The threads are just loose steel tabs. They sit inside the plastic cover and don't mount to anything. If you remove the bolts, they flop around loose inside the cover. Threading the bolts back in is a bit tricky because you have to orient the inserts correctly before it will work.




The support rods mount below in this location.



Hope that helps.

[ShiRen]

I hang mine off just the brackets connected to the crash guard, saves the bumper and I think it looks better lower... it does make me laugh to see it giggling around though.

[Hash_man_Se_i]

I have an NOS OEM front plate bracket for an 88/89 front bumper... no idea if it's the same as an 87 bracket though...

[atariguy]

I use the bracket for a 2007/11 Honda CRV. I bolts right in and looks OEM.