1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Fastening the license plate

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by dr_rock, Jan 16, 2012.

  1. dr_rock

    dr_rock Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2011
    28
    1
    0
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    :(Hi. I'd like to install 2 screws in my new Prius to hold the lower edge of the plate. Is there any precaution I should be aware of concering drilling into the rear door? What about potential for rusting? Not sure why Toyota doesn't have 4 holes prepared for this already.
     
  2. Judgeless

    Judgeless Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2009
    1,821
    255
    0
    Location:
    Cleveland, OH
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I would not drill into the metal. That is asking for rust.

    I put fake bolts on mine. It is nut and a bolt. The back of the bolt is cut off. This is a bad pic because of all the salt in Cleveland.

    [​IMG]
     
  3. dustoff003

    dustoff003 Blizzard Brigade #003

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2010
    1,371
    335
    0
    Location:
    Waianae, HI (Oahu)
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Why? Precautions do not know once again, why do you want to make holes in your new car?, The hatch is made from Aluminum there could be a potential problem of dissimilar metal corrosion unless you use Aluminum fasteners. If you look at the top the hardware they thread into threaded inserts covered by the tape in the picture below. Why not four holes because it is not necessary. You should have two foam bumpers shown in picture below and if the existing two fasteners are tightened correctly your plate should be secure and rattle free.

    IMG_0996.jpg
     
  4. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2010
    4,539
    1,433
    9
    Location:
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    That panel is aluminum so rust won't be a problem. Toyota didn't put 4 holes there because it would have cost a few cents more.

    Here's one way to add two tapped mounting holes.
    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...-rear-license-plate-installation-gen-iii.html
     
  5. dustoff003

    dustoff003 Blizzard Brigade #003

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2010
    1,371
    335
    0
    Location:
    Waianae, HI (Oahu)
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Five
  6. Judgeless

    Judgeless Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2009
    1,821
    255
    0
    Location:
    Cleveland, OH
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Here is a much better pic of the same plate with out all the salt.

    [​IMG]
     
  7. dustoff003

    dustoff003 Blizzard Brigade #003

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2010
    1,371
    335
    0
    Location:
    Waianae, HI (Oahu)
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Your lower hardware is only securing your cover to the license plate, not actually securing the plate and the cover to that hatch right?
     
  8. Judgeless

    Judgeless Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2009
    1,821
    255
    0
    Location:
    Cleveland, OH
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Correct. It is more cosmetics then to secure it.
     
    1 person likes this.
  9. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2005
    4,067
    687
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
  10. stream

    stream Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2008
    2,977
    452
    14
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Agreed--not necessary.
     
  11. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2010
    3,961
    2,609
    0
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Disagree. With only two screws, the license plate rattles significantly. I solved this by attaching adhesive felt pads to the bottom area of the plate. These pads are commonly sold for placement on chair legs to prevent scuffing hardwood floors.
     
  12. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2009
    5,683
    952
    124
    Location:
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    There should already be two form bumpers on the license plate area from factory. Didn't your car come with them?