BayAreaQ7

When I purchased my S-Line Q7 here in California, the dealer ordered the SUV with out a front license plate bracket. But the front plate is required and I prefer to have mine installed on the SUV, plus I don't want to give the police a reason to pull me over. So, over the last few weeks while waiting for my license plates to arrive from DMV, I've been brain storming on a way to mount a front license plate. I hit the local Home Depot, Pep Boys, and Orchard Hardware store inquiring on what type of materials I could use. Well, below is what I came up with and I have to say it turned out much better than I could have hoped for. It's very sturdy and does not move thanks to the sturdy form fitting aluminum bracket and black rubber bumpers. I definitely like the placement and looks of this custom bracket I made over the OEM one's shown below.

After investigating where I could mount the plate with out obstructing the front grill (my goal was to retain the look of the grill), I noticed there was an aluminum brace (part of the SUV frame I think) underneath/behind the grill where I could mount the license plate frame. This was perfect for mounting the bracket made out of a different piece of aluminum that I picked up at Home Depot. The aluminum piece was about 36 inches long and I bent it / cut it by hand on my work bench vise-clamp to mold it into the shape to match the mounting section. Below are the various pictures I took along the way...

This mod took me about 3 hours to complete. There were a bunch of plastic pieces under the SUV that I need to remove to access the aluminum piece mentioned above.

Also, next week I'll take some pictures of my SUV and new roof racks and post them.

Thanks...


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Sample OEM version of the US version front license plate mount:

<img src="http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll261/elevation71/dsc_1209.jpg">


<img src="http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll261/elevation71/q74.jpg">

Sachsi

I don't have a front plate on either one of my cars and I have never been pulled over (I'm in the Bay Area too).
Nice work!

Jason Teller

Nice DIY

joseaudi

no ticket that cost money. Just stick it on with some double sides tape and get it written off by CHP. No money involved. Nice bracket, but I'd rather drive with the car looking good without a front license plate. That's why i like nevada's laws, no plates and tint okay, yeah!

thrilla from manila

2nd. But methinks rare earth magnets would have been quicker cheaper and easier.

HoustonA5

Although this is a well-done and executed DIY, I am more willing to pay the $20 fine IF I get cited for it. In TX, you would not be pulled over for ONLY having no front license plate. You'd have to be pulled over for something else (e.g. speeding), then the officer would have to tack on the citation.
Case and point, I was pulled over for speeding (83 in a 70) and was not cited for the front license plate by a Texas State Trooper.

All the same, this is a well done, well thought out mod that looks great and doesn't harm the existing look of the car. My A5 just wouldn't be the same without the sweet ***, license plate free grill on the front

QuattroFan02

to keep from scratching the paint.

sam08861

Looks great! Did you use tapping (wood?) screws or machine screws for the part that mounts to the truck?

We have to have front plates in NJ and I just got a Q7 that has the filler for the front. I don't want to give that up and a search brought me here. Thanks again for the great idea and legwork.

LOP

Nice work...might want to consider selling it as a kit for those interested. Powder coating matching color or just black the brackets as an option too...

BTW, do you have the adaptive cruise control and if so, does it interfere at all?

arU4ic

Super nice work. I love it, plus you protect the lower air damn when p-parking. I agree with LOP, you should sell it.