I bought a 2000 Legacy Ob from out of state. Our state requires front plates, but I cannot even see any mounting holes for a bracket.

 

Anyone with a similar year go and ideas? I don't want to just drive screws into the bumper. Doubt they would hold very long anyway.

On the Saab 9-2x's we used to sell they just bolted right to the bumper. There were two small dimples that marked the spot where you drill the holes.

 

On my wagon the plate is bolted right to the bumper. On my sedan the bracket is so small it might as well not be there.

Just don't ream out the holes when you tighten the screws and it will hold just fine.

I do see two small dimples. Are those for a bracket to screw in?

Mmmyyyyeah probably not. Hold the license plate up to them I bet the holes will line right up.

 

If you're really dead set against putting holes in your bumper, you can make some brackets from stuff at lowes that will reach up under the bumper to the reinforcement behind the cover. I did that on my Lincoln. Had to drill some holes in the reinforcement, but it was aluminum so it was easy. I think Subaru's use plastic so it's even easier.

Going through this on my 2004 LGT. It has the dimples also but I can't bring myself to mow screws right in to the front bumper cover. So far I haven't been pulled over but now that I've said that I better make a bracket too:grin:

Well how do the dealers prepare them in states with front plates/

 

Do they install some kind of bracket?

Our 2001 Outback came with a mounting bracket made of plastic and included 4 screws. We only have a rear plate in Delaware but the wife wanted her University of Delaware Alumni plate on the front. I did hesitate to put the screws through the bumper at those dimples but did anyway. The plastic there is pretty thick so the screws had plenty of bite.

 

Here is the link to the part number.

On the 2nd gen legacy the bracket attaches under the bumper where it curves down into the radiator area. So you don't see screw hoes if you pull it off. You could easily use some angle iron to make a bracket like that. Or just not run one....

Imagine putting holes in the bumper of THIS CAR, with a $3,900 matte finish paint option, just to mount the front license plate bracket.

I told the guy he should just pay the ticket IF he ever gets one on one of the half dozen or so drives he would take the car out of the garage for in a years time.

Yes it was destined to sit in a garage, while he spent most of his time in NYC.

Guy said mount it anyway.

 

I'm trying to find a pic of the setup I made for my Lincoln but I think it was on my old hard drive that got wiped out. I can take another one tomorrow to show what I did.

Our 2001 Outback came with a mounting bracket made of plastic and included 4 screws. We only have a rear plate in Delaware but the wife wanted her University of Delaware Alumni plate on the front. I did hesitate to put the screws through the bumper at those dimples but did anyway. The plastic there is pretty thick so the screws had plenty of bite.

 

Here is the link to the part number.

 

If I understand correctly, it has 4 screws to mount it to the bumper? Where do the other 2 screw into, besides the dimpled area on the front of the bumper?

I'd just wander down to the local dealer and see what they have. Usually on their parts diagram it will show how it is attached. Or go down to your local junk yard and check them out. Other than that if you see a car similar to yours in a parking lot just go take a quick look on how things are attached.

Somebody already answered it a few posts back. The dealer has a $35.00 kit that screws in to the front bumper cover. Other than that it looks like you are on your own to design a bracket that mounts from underneath.