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Soulrider911

Member Since: 04 Jul 2022
Location: California
Posts: 108

1989 Defender 90 2.5 TD SW Chawton White

A Better License Plate Mount

Hey folks. So as a new Defender ower, and a maker, I always thought it was crazy why the Land Rover engineers and designers did not think to leverage the license place light mount/plinth to ALSO be the actual mount for the license plate? I am sure there was a reason...

However, I am trying to avoid drilling more holes in the back of my Defender. So I took some measurements and jumped into my cad software to see if I could come up with something that could work with the existing Plinth and light.

The concept I have here is a 3mm thick metal mount that would be sandwiched in between the light and the plinth. Additionally, I might cut down my plinth in half so it does not stick out so far. Anyway thought I would share. I have a prototype being made and will report how it goes.

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge 1989 Defender 90
2022 Defender 110 SE
DIY’er | Always learning

12th Jul 2022 5:51pm

boxoftricks

Member Since: 06 Feb 2019
Location: Home Counties
Posts: 747

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Zermatt Silver

Are the plinth fixings strong enough to take the loading and secure enough to stop and vibration/rattle causing damage to the paintwork behind?

12th Jul 2022 6:08pm

Soulrider911

Member Since: 04 Jul 2022
Location: California
Posts: 108

That is a good point. I am yet to inspect the actual plinth. However, the stock one is pretty long... the longer it is the more vibration it could conduct. However, my assumption is it would have to be vibrating a lot to go so far as to crack paint?

Two potential remedies to minimize vibration.

1989 Defender 90
2022 Defender 110 SE
DIY’er | Always learning

12th Jul 2022 6:26pm

Balvaig

Member Since: 19 Feb 2016
Location: Fife
Posts: 729

2016 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 Landmark LE Corris Grey

Most UK licence plates are now stuck on with double sided tape. No need to drill holes, no vibration and generally not much paint damage.

12th Jul 2022 6:28pm

Soulrider911

Member Since: 04 Jul 2022
Location: California
Posts: 108

Interesting, I wish we could do that in the US 1989 Defender 90
2022 Defender 110 SE
DIY’er | Always learning

12th Jul 2022 6:29pm

Retroanaconda

Member Since: 04 Jan 2012
Location: Scotland
Posts: 2637

Why not just screw the plate to the vehicle? You can see the two holes from the original plate in the body panel below your light.

12th Jul 2022 7:05pm

Soulrider911

Member Since: 04 Jul 2022
Location: California
Posts: 108

Right, unfortunately, all those holes don't match U.S plate mount

Here is a prototype my buddy fired off. This would mount directly to the body, and most likely avoid the vibration issue altogether.

Click image to enlarge 1989 Defender 90
2022 Defender 110 SE
DIY’er | Always learning

12th Jul 2022 8:08pm

Retroanaconda

Member Since: 04 Jan 2012
Location: Scotland
Posts: 2637

I’d just drill new holes to be honest, but nothing wrong with a bit of over-engineering 👍🏻

12th Jul 2022 8:14pm

Soulrider911

Member Since: 04 Jul 2022
Location: California
Posts: 108

Totally true. Over-engineering is a bad habit of mine

1989 Defender 90
2022 Defender 110 SE
DIY’er | Always learning

12th Jul 2022 8:25pm

custom90

Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20292

Is there a reason why you can’t use adhesive tape or other form of bonding? (Avoiding drilling holes).

Is it to change it over or is there a specified US law that applies to it? ⭐️⭐️God Bless the USA 🇬🇧🇺🇸 ⭐️⭐️

12th Jul 2022 8:51pm

discomog

Member Since: 09 May 2015
Location: Notts/Lincs Border
Posts: 2526

2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Santorini Black

I read somewhere that you can now wrap license plates in CA. I know these are designed specifically for front bumpers but is this an option for you?

https://licenseplatewrap.com/ Defender 90XS SW
Mini Countryman Cooper S
Morgan Plus 8

13th Jul 2022 7:27am

The Zee

Member Since: 26 May 2019
Location: Salisbury
Posts: 289

2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Indus Silver

Really like the inovation here - drilling holes in the body is something every owner hates doing.

The idea of a bracket, using the plate light plinth, I like. In aluminium would be perfect.

On a side note, I trimed my plate light plinth to the same depth as the 95mm lamp plinth, was really easy to do with a manual mitre saw set at 90 degrees, some masking tape, and a dose of caution. Zaid-M
www.DefencePhotos.com
2014 Defender 110 Utility, 2.2 Puma, Indus Silver
Not just transport more like a religion

13th Jul 2022 8:43pm

Soulrider911

Member Since: 04 Jul 2022
Location: California
Posts: 108

Plastic prototype. So after playing with some materials I think. Plastic-based would be best… The reason is plastic absorbs vibration, and mealy generally conducts it.

Here is my first test. This is PETG, which is a darn strong plastic compound with decent heat tolerance. Going to mount it up and test… see how it goes

Click image to enlarge 1989 Defender 90
2022 Defender 110 SE
DIY’er | Always learning

Last edited by Soulrider911 on 15th Jul 2022 3:21pm. Edited 1 time in total

15th Jul 2022 2:06am

bear100

Member Since: 22 Mar 2010
Location: South Wales
Posts: 1913

2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black

Now That looks awesome!!!

2016 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4 TDV8
2010 110 XS Utility 2.4TDCI
2010 Range Rover Sport TDV8 (gone)
2007 Discovery HSE TDV6 (gone)
1993 110 csw 200 tdi (gone)
1994 90 HT 300 tdi (gone)
1994 discovery 300tdi (gone)
90 hybrid 3.5 v8 (gone)
Range rover bobtail 3.5 v8 (gone)

15th Jul 2022 6:01am

The Zee

Member Since: 26 May 2019
Location: Salisbury
Posts: 289

That looks really well thought out, better than stainless steel, and less likly to create galvanic corosion problems.

Zaid-M
www.DefencePhotos.com
2014 Defender 110 Utility, 2.2 Puma, Indus Silver
Not just transport more like a religion

15th Jul 2022 10:34am

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