Attaching Front License Plate?

[Ken in San Diego]

You may recall that we are the family that was driving 1978 vintage autos till we got this new T & C.

Well, I never had one of these foam/plastic (or whatever they are?) bumpers before now. So how do you attach the front license plate?

There are two little dimples in the front bumper that line up with the top two holes in the license plate. Does one just drill those out and use a sheet metal type screws to hold the license plate?
What type of material is behind those dimples?

The license plate would extend down far enough that it would block some of the air flow to the components behind (? radiator, air conditioning evaporator, aux tranmission cooler, oil cooler w tow package?).

Checking the owner's manual and the service manual so far, I have not found any mention of attaching the front license plate.

I think (but am not sure) that California requires that the front license plate is displayed. I need to observe cars on the streets to see if it is present on most cars.

Thanks for any information that you can provide on this topic.

[blupupher]

I just use some self tapping screws and screw them in, no predrilling or anything. The bumpers are a plastic compound with a foam inner core. No problems with airflow.

[Hokiefyd]

There is a proper license plate bracket for attaching the front plate. That bracket gets installed on the bumper, and then you mount the plate to IT. I would highly recommend procuring the bracket. I can take a photo of ours if you don't know what I mean.

[blupupher]

Really? I have never seen a bracket for one.
You can see the holes where mine is mounted. They are just screwed straight into that on mine.

[DSMLVR]

Here is a picture for you. Please excuse the bugs. This was day 4 of a 6 week crosscountry trip in 2002.

[Hokiefyd]

Thanks DSMLVR. Our 2003 has the same bracket.

[blupupher]

Ahh, OK, I have seen those before, just never really paid attention to it.

[Hokiefyd]

Our '06 GC SE (at work) does not have a bracket. But it's a federal vehicle, so it does have a front plate. The plate is just drilled to the bumper. From all the automatic car washes I've driven it through, the brushes have lifted up on the edges and bottom, which are not secured to the vehicle (only the top holes are used) and have bent the plate by pulling up on it. Hard to explain. But I would definitely recommend the bracket.

In NC, vehicles are not required to have a front plate, but our '03 (POV) had the front bracket when we bought it. I first took it off, but the drilled holes were unsightly, so I put the plate back on and bought a "Virginia Tech" plate for the front.

[Ken in San Diego]

Well last week, I went to my closest Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep dealer (Rancho) to get the front license plate bracket and some "splash guards".

The parts man told me that the bracket had been discontinued and that the new part consisted of two screws.

If you know of a source for the front bracket, I would appreciated your help.
Thank you in advance for sharing your knowledge.

[Bernard Feltzer]

If the vehicle was purchased new, the 2 screws are in the glove compartment. The factory throws the 2 screws on the front floor mat on driver's side. New vans don't use the bracket.

I used 2 smooth head phillips stainless screws from the hardware store.
The screws that came with the van had sharp edges, when I walked around the front of van, my brand new $60 fashion jeans got torn at knee, like a knife slit the cloth.

You can purchase a bracket, fancy or plain at Wal-Mart or AutoZone.