Jeep Garage  - Jeep Forum banner

License plate area pads

6K views 10 replies 8 participants last post by  lstowell 
#1 ·
I am assuming all wk2s come with those rubber pads at the bottom of the license plate area? Top area accepts two screws to hold the plate in place. No holes for the bottom of the plate. Instead there are two stick on pads, seemingly there to protect the paint from where the plate might rub.

At first I was not really a fan of the way they cause the plates to stick out from the body a bit. But I guess they serve a purpose. But my question-anyone know where to buy this (mopar) part? My dealer said he could get me the "kit" with them in it. But that also includes screws, which I don't need. Reason I ask: My 2013 does not have the pads on it. Thought I might add them to my 2013.
 
#2 · (Edited)
You can buy the pads at Home Depot. They are with the bumper pads. I use them around the house. However, I bought some plastic license plate nuts and bolts and used 2 of them thru the bottom holes of the plate and the dealer license frame. Then I carefully cut the excess bolt off the back.. protects the paint and eliminates frame/plate rattle.
 
#3 ·
The rear license plate mounting method on the Jeep is not very well thought out.

I have clear plate covers on mine. I also use the lower plate screws to fasten the cover. My plate doesn't even contact the bumper pads and I didn't care for that. I found that the soft plastic covers used on battery terminal posts fit perfectly over those bumper pads with a little trimming. That adds enough height to contact the bottom of the plate and makes the whole thing more stable.
 
#5 ·
MDBones: you hit on something I forgot to mention. Even though those pads are really thick, the license plate still does not touch the pads? So weird. I guess they should have make the top parts (that accept the screws) as thick as the license pad.

My first attempt I kept turning the screws until the plate finally touch the pads. But then I realized by the point the plate was no longer even. Top part was noticeably close to the metal than the bottom was. Again, like you said, poorly thought out design.

My question--do they all come from the factory with the pads already stuck on? Or do the dealers put them on? My parents have a 2014 Overland and it does not have the pads.
 
#6 · (Edited)
Yes, the lower square foam pads are factory installed, or they're supposed to be. That's where the design is poor... when the plate is properly fastened at the top, the bottom of the plate doesn't come close to touching the pads. And you shouldn't have to bend the plate to make that happen.

You probably could hunt around and find a larger piece of high density foam like the factory pads are made of so the bottom of the plate makes proper contact.
 
#7 ·
My wife's Overland did not come with the pads, I put a nice license plate frame on it and used 3M trim tape between the frame and the car (out of sight). Works good, no more rattle and the tape will come off with a little heat if necessary. My state is a "sticker" state so we keep the plates for the life of the car.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top