Skidplate Reviews...

[3.0L AUDI A4]

Here are some pics... and my thoughts...

Well, First off It was a good idea to think of because some states require a front plate and when show cars from those states want to show, then they could easily take off the front plate. However this is not 100% true. It is kind of hard to unscrew the bracket from the bumper without scratching the bumper but is is possible with enough patience.

NOTE: I have the OETTINGER Front bumper which may stick out a lot further than stock which I believe it does about half inch but I am not 100% Positive.

I had to build up the piece that screws into the bumper with a couple rubber washers for it to stick out further.

I am currently in school for Business Management however I do have a second major in Civil Engineering Technology and I do mechanic work on the side so If I were to design a "skidplate" I would make it possible to remove easier and install easier so we could put the bumper cap back on while at car shows.

Something Winston could have designed up could have been a piece just like a quick coupler that we use on our air compressors or something of that nature so we could easily install it and remove it without having to screw it all the way out while you are at a show waiting to be judged.

Overall I do recommend it if you DO NOT want to drill those ugly holes on your front bumper, however I don't like the fact that the plate is now offset kind of blocking the fog light. Having a plate not mounted on the center front of the car also looks a bit ricer-ish but it is a lot better having to pay a license plate violation every other week....

[T0M3K]

That's creative, I never thought about that what I bought my car w/o front bracket. Even if I knew that I would still resort to front mounted plate. If I showed you pictures of my bumpers you would know (hate NYC drivers). But overall, very cool idea. And nicely done.

[3.0L AUDI A4]

Haha... I work in Brooklyn everyday I know how ppl park over there.. A few days ago I was eating pizza at a restaurant and watched and a pickup truck parallel park and hit the cars on either side of him about 20 times each before he got close enough to the curb... it was insane!

[A4 TSCHUSS]

I would pay a fine every week before I put something like that on my car. My honest opinion is that look hideous not being in the center which everyone is accustomed to. Thank god I live in a good state like Florida who dont make us deal with all that bull shit like emissions and front plates

[Maverick]

Your car sucks lol!!!

nice addition

[layzie]

i wouldnt have put a plate on.

[absolutegtr]

front plate

no emissions

[3.0L AUDI A4]

Ok boys and girls this is a skidplate review thread... not a thread stating whether or not you like a front plate or not. So PLEASE stay on topic so we can use this thread as a reference for members who live in states which require a front plate!!!

[DELUX]

Hmm I dunno. I think that makes the car stick out more than not having a front plate at all. I've been over 2 years without the front plate with no problems.

I also thought about doing Avanteix's magnet setup. I'll wait until I get noticed and then I'll worry about it. As far as I know it's not something you can get pulled over for, and I don't really speed much on the highways so I don't get pulled over.

[kwimberly]

It's definitely a neat idea (and if the inventor wants to patent it, send me a PM!), but it reminds me of how antique cars displayed plates - something about the way it sticks out so prominently. Center would look so much better, but I understand that the novelty of the item is in using the existing tow point.

I wonder if some sort of linking system similar to how coupler key rings or a wrench socket works - with the little ball bearing. There should never be a force pulling against it, so it wouldn't have to be too tight.



It really is a great idea - I wonder what else you could mount there - swing-out grill, Spy Hunter gun mount, etc.

[jojoampt]

+1 i said the same thing not long ago. i dont see how it looks any better than having it in the center. i do however understand the convenience of being able to remove it for shows and stuff; but for day to day use i think it looks way worse than just mounting it in the center.

I would pay a fine every week before I put something like that on my car. My honest opinion is that look hideous not being in the center which everyone is accustomed to. Thank god I live in a good state like Florida who dont make us deal with all that bull shit like emissions and front plates

[a2gtinut]

i think it is not that great idea. if you put some pressure on the plate, then braket will bend and end of bolt will damage paint on the bumper.
Nice idea but ....

[AudiA4_20T]

yo I was gonna come to Middletown tonight to hang with some bitties but Im not anymore... How old are u again? u mite know them

[geoshu]

I am siding with the Skidplate. Of course, I am biased because I recieved a $120 ticket for having my plate in my windshield, and I dont want to drill my bumper to mount it in the center.

I installed mine today, see pics below. I bought a cheap black frame for it too to match the upper and lower grills. And I have no photography skills whatsoever, I could mess up a photoshoot with a disposable camera, so comment on the plate, not photograpy skills (or lack thereof).

[LampyB]

good idea, but i really dislike the off-center look. i won't buy one because of this. anyone know of another company that sells a removeable front plate mount without using screws?

[S14-8E]

I think the reason to get the skidplate is just because you don't want to drill any holes on your front bumper and don't want to get any tickets. The ticket cost more than the skidplate. It's not a spoiler or front lip, it won't make your car look better. I think the car without the front plate look the best.
The people who lives in somewhere don't require front plate, or never get a ticket about not having a front plate, they won't understand.

[LampyB]

i've had several parking tickets for not showing a front plate. i now put the front plate on my dashboard and haven't had a problem since. i'm sure there are other products out there that fit onto the center of the bumper, thus looking better IMO. i know it isn't for looks, but but if it outwardly makes the car look bad i'd rather find something else.

[CyberPMG]

i now put the front plate on my dashboard and haven't had a problem since.

Not the safest thing to do. In the event of an accident, the plate becomes a flying blade that can slice through just about anything (arms, legs, heads).

The car does look the best with no license plate. Unfortunately, there are areas in the country that does enforce the law requiring front plates. Using the tow hook socket is a solution that doesn't require drilling holes.

If it bugs you that the plate is not centered, then look into using magnets on the back of the bumper. Also get some felt between the plate and the front of the bumper to avoid any scratching.

Those appear to be the only options (the plate in the dash doesn't count).

[[email protected]]

The Skidplate towhook piece were only tested on certain bumper treatments due to lack of time and access to cars with all of the various front bumpers out there.

From your pictures it does look like a tight fit so we can make you a slightly longer bolt to help with this.

i think it is not that great idea. if you put some pressure on the plate, then braket will bend and end of bolt will damage paint on the bumper.
Nice idea but ....

There are two rubber stoppers included in the kit that are supposed to be attached to the BACK of the Skidplate to prevent the bolts from ever contacting the bumper.

The Skidplate was made for those people that need to run a front plate but also need a simple way to detatch it for a show/photoshoot. If you are waiting to be judged then just how much time do you need to remove the unit? With a minimum tool set of a screwdriver and allen key it would take no more than 10 minutes.

To those that don't like the placement of the unit... feel free to design a better semi-permanent front plate mount and I'll buy one.

I'm not 100% happy with the location but complaining that it 'looks bad off centered' is pretty lame considering that you know that the towhook is used.

I would rather to not run a plate at all but after getting 4 no front plate tickets it gets tiresome arguing the tickets in court and sooner or later I'm going to get the same judge I got last time and my defence argument isn't going to work again.

[[email protected]]

It's definitely a neat idea (and if the inventor wants to patent it, send me a PM!), but it reminds me of how antique cars displayed plates - something about the way it sticks out so prominently. Center would look so much better, but I understand that the novelty of the item is in using the existing tow point.

I wonder if some sort of linking system similar to how coupler key rings or a wrench socket works - with the little ball bearing. There should never be a force pulling against it, so it wouldn't have to be too tight.



It really is a great idea - I wonder what else you could mount there - swing-out grill, Spy Hunter gun mount, etc.

The reason such a coupler was not used is due to the fact how you would remove the plate if we also wanted the plate to sit as flush to the bumper as possible?

You would not have enough room to push the unit in to release the ball bearing mechanism if you have the rubber stoppers, which are there to prevent screw to bumper contact, in place.

If this issue can be solved then making a coupler style attachment piece would not be hard since each towhook piece is individually CNC machined.

[B6Lovin]

I know this idea is kinda out there -- but for the quick disconnect thing, I thought of it like this in my head.

in the picture you quoted above, the piece on the left bolts into the tow hook spot just like the tow hook would. the other piece would have the plate section attached to it... the obvious problem being that when attached -- you wouldn't be able to get your hand in to disconnect it.

the solution? maybe find a way to attach a hinged ring much like the keyring in the picture to the actual sliding part of the disconnect, and then place it so that you can pull on it from the other side of the piece the plate attaches to (i've tried to depict this in the drawing below... sorry for the shitty MS paint skillz. hahaha) that way all you have to do is undo the 4 screws holding the plate on, pull, and BAM the whole thing comes out and you just unscrew the other half. should take no more than 1 or 2 minutes max. and for when the plate is on, the "ring" folds down and into a little recessed spot or something so that it's tucked neatly out of the way

[[email protected]]

I assumed the original request for the coupler was to be able to detach the plate without having to remove the license plate and 4 bolts that attach it.

If you are going to take the plate off to remove the unit then the difference between pulling the ring and unscrewing the hex bolt to detach the main plate is minimal at that point. You would still need an allen key or some type of tool to help remove the towhook bolt.

[B6Lovin]

well there's always the option of double-layering the part where the plate attaches and hinging it at the top so that it folds up to reveal the quick disconnect. I'm sure things like this would greatly increase the cost of the unit, and to me the design is fine as is. I'm just throwing out ideas for the people who aren't happy with what's here already.

[[email protected]]

I am sure there is a coupler style connection that can be used but trying to find a cost effective way of doing it is the challenge.

[a2gtinut]

double sided 3m tape works better.

[orangelmo]

I guess its some what better that its "not the easiest" thing to take off. Due to some of my friends' plates being stolen I'd welcome the more difficult uninstall of the Skidplate. I'm sure its not high of an occurance however it does give you something to think about.

[S14-8E]

I think some city require the license plate bolt on the car, cops will still give you a ticket if your plate only use tape, magnet or velcro to hold it in place.
I agree that, there must be some better design to install/uninstall it easier/faster. However, if I pay $60, and i could remove it within 5 minutes (unscrew 5 bolts in total). I don't think I want to pay $100 just because I could remove it in 2 minutes since I don't need to install/uninstall this thing everyday.

[[email protected]]

We have made a new bolt length to clear the Oettinger front bumper.

I'm having it test fitted on a couple of cars and if it works out as planned then I will send you a replacement unit to exchange with the one that is too short.