How you mount your license plate can change both how your Datsun Z looks - and functions! Your Datsun 240Z, 260Z, or 280Z, with its special look and historic beauty, needs a little extra care. You should definitely think carefully about where to place the plate, what bolts and screws to use, and also what type of license plate lights to choose.
You might even want to try no-drill options for people who don't want to put holes in their bumper (but who need a front license plate in a more restrictive state).
Let's jump right in and talk about some of these things.
Disclaimer: This article is authored by a member of the Skillard community and reflects their personal views, not necessarily those of Skillard. We welcome your feedback and corrections in the comments to help us continually improve this content.
Table of Contents
Choose The Best Mounting Location
First, it's always good to pick the best place for your 240Z, 260Z, or 280Z license plates when you think about the choices for both the front and rear plates.
For the front, you have a few options: the standard center mount, the offset mount, and the windshield mount. Each has its own ups and downs.
The center mount has a balanced look but might mess with airflow. The offset mount can help with airflow to your radiator and may not look the best to everyone. The windshield mount is a temporary fix keeping the plate out of the way - just make sure to check local laws as it's not legal everywhere. You see these all the time in California - windshield mounts are illegal, so you might as well just not have a front license plate at all! But other states may allow this just fine.
Maybe you're driving a specific model - if so, you can get a perfect reproduction mount. These special order items take about 3-4 weeks to deliver and come with no returns or refunds, and they make sure your car looks authentic. Another good choice is the air dam with a front license plate slot. The urethane material is pretty tough. You could easily drill through this to mount one.
Often, you should think about the 240Z-G front number plate mount. It almost hides completely when installed and fits in a recess in the ZG bumper - it attaches with two screws preserving your car's clean lines. You might use windshield mount suction cups as a temporary fix. Again, always check the law first.
Part of this includes wanting to mount under the front blinkers: bumper mounts, vinyl-coated magnets, or custom fabrications can do the job. Custom fabrications let you match the mount to your needs. Think about them needing some skills and tools.
Remember that for the rear license plate, the standard center mount is usually the best decision. It meets legal requirements and is easy to install. Think about how each option can affect airflow for the front plate and match your style, and It's easy to install for both.
Pick The Right Hardware
When you put your rear license plate on a Datsun Z, you need to pick the right hardware for a secure fit. You need your license plate brackets, bolts, screws and a strong frame. Remember, the right size and type of hardware will keep your plate attached while you drive.
It's helpful to start with screws standardized for those 240Z, 260Z, or 280Z models - usually 6 mm in size. You can also choose fine or coarse versions within the ISO standard. Often, these screws fit into the holders or temporary plates that come with your car and make things line up correctly. Try to look for screws pointy enough to easily go through the front shroud but not too long. Long screws can damage sensors behind the mounting area. You might be able to find some fitting screws at Lowe's and Home Depot or even online.
Next, are you thinking about the bolts and brackets? You should know brackets are needed because they get the plate to stay on the car and also avoid rattling when you drive. So, make sure your brackets match the size of the plate and the mounting area on your car. It's important to remember bolts must fit both the bracket holes and the 6 mm screws. You might want to check the S30 model specs and talk with trusted suppliers if you're unsure about these sizes. It's actually helpful to look for brackets designed specifically for your vehicle.
Is a license plate frame needed? No, not necessarily, but while it's not mandatory, you should realize a strong license plate frame (like ours!) has a few benefits. You know it protects the edges of your plate, reducing wear over time. A frame also gives your plate a more polished look. There are many frame options, from easy designs to those with extra features like anti-theft mechanisms or LED lighting.
Also, finding the right hardware is pretty easy, but it needs a bit of attention to detail. Often, you should make sure all parts work well with your 240Z, 260Z, or 280Z. So, check the OEM specs and some trusted aftermarket parts that enthusiasts who love their Datsun Z cars recommend.
What Are Your Lighting Options?
Maybe when you think about how to make sure your Datsun's license plate is properly lit, you should look into your lighting options. A working license plate light is important for both legal compliance and nighttime visibility - it's! Let's break down your choices here.
Well, first, pick OEM light assemblies designed to fit perfectly with your Datsun. One option is to stick with OEM options to make sure you get the right compatibility and meet legal standards for brightness and visibility. But remember, these original parts can be pretty expensive and might not give you the same brightness as newer solutions. Remember how often people had to change tail light bulbs on cars back in the day? Well, LEDs don't have that problem, and an LED upgrade can keep them shining for a very long time.
When you think about aftermarket options, they can give you better performance and cost savings compared to OEM parts. Just to give you an example, the Skillard license plate light upgrade for the Datsun 240Z, 260Z, and 280Z replaces the OEM lights and gives a more modern and tough finish.
It includes CNC-cut aluminum parts and comes with two LED lights that are brighter and clearer than the stock halogens. You can even install it easily with included black rivets to get a sleek and finished look that will make sure the lights fit snugly and work properly.
Are you curious about the cost and ease of installation? Maybe aftermarket solutions like the Skillard upgrade are usually cheaper and easier to install as compared to getting OEM replacements that might need more labor and come with higher part costs. Did you know the Skillard kit promises better lighting while also giving your 240Z, 260Z, or 280Z a cleaner look with its aluminum finish? I very recommend that you check it out!
Maybe remember what's important when picking the aftermarket path. Make sure the product matches your S30 and meets local legal rules for brightness and visibility - compliance is a must. If you can't see your license plate at night, you will get a ticket! So, it might be a good time to upgrade those lights and keep the cops off your tail!
Follow Installation Best Practices
If you are in a state or situation where you have to permanently install your license plate to the front of your car, let's talk about the best way to do this.
First, grab your Phillips head screwdriver, your mounting screws, and a drill with a 3/16" bit. You might need it if you have to make some new holes. It's helpful to also grab some painter's tape to mark your drilling points. Next, take a good look at your Datsun and find those mounting places. Check beneath the bumper for pre-drilled holes for your front plate. If you see any rust and debris there, clear those out to make screwing in easier for you.
Make sure to align your license plate with those holes. If they're not matching up, you can use the painter's tape to mark where you need to drill new holes. Use a level and triple-check to make sure they are straight.
You also want to make sure they are good and centered - try the center of your grille as a marker to find the center between your two holes. So once marked, drill the holes in your front bumper and clean them up to avoid rust. It's a good idea to put a little bit of touch-up paint inside any holes that you drill to keep the rust away. Put your plate back, and then use your Phillips head screwdriver. It's best to screw it in just enough to hold your plate without bending it at all.
Move to your rear plate and then check the hatch area of your Datsun Z. Some older models may vary, so find those exact mounting points. Now, are the brackets still good? Think about replacing them if they aren't. You can sometimes find a used pair on eBay. Align your rear plate the same way. If the holes don't match or aren't there, it might be helpful to mark some new places with the painter's tape - but this would be pretty unusual for the rear plate.
Carefully drill through the rear mounting area. Maybe you can put a thin piece of plywood behind it to avoid damage. Clean up any rough edges from drilling to avoid rust. Next, position the plate and use your screws to get it on there. Don't over-tighten - cracking the plastic or damaging the mount isn't good.
Also, you should think about adding a license plate frame for both the front and rear plates for extra protection and a nice look. Pick a frame that doesn't cover any part of your plate to stay on the right side of the law.
Removable And Drill-Less Solutions
You know, when you want to put your license plates on your Datsun without making permanent changes, you have a few choices that don't need drilling and can be removed. Think about no-drill brackets and tow hook mounts, so how do they fit your needs best?
I recommend you pick no-drill front license plate brackets with a tow hook bolt and avoid drilling holes in your bumper so you can keep your Datsun Z looking original. Products like the Universal Bumper Car Frame Mount Adapter let you install stainless steel screw caps and cable ties. You will love the easy setup and removal and that makes it quite helpful for car shows and temporary use. Make sure the tow hook is strong enough to hold the plate definitely securely - like at high speeds.
Also, check out magnetic license plate mounts and zip tie plate mounts as other drill-less choices. A magnetic mount gives a clean look without brackets - just watch out for the magnet's strength and its resistance to speed and road vibrations. Zip tie plate mounts give you a cheap and easy fix - attaching the plate to your grill with zip ties. These are easy to install and remove - they may look less attractive and may not hold very securely at high speeds.
Maybe, choose the Sly Bracket if you want a sleek, non-permanent fix. It fits in the upper area of the grill, as this removes the need to drill into the bumper and preserves the beauty of your S30. But, like other grill mounts, check the attachment's strength.
If you're in California, I think you might want to think about a license plate wrap! This product wraps around the plate, and it gives you a unique, compliant alternative to traditional mounts. It's also helpful for frequently changing plates and getting a more customized look without any modifications.
So, how do you pick the best option? You should balance strength and security with looks and ease of installation. Test the attachment's toughness - like at high speeds, as this will make sure your plate stays in place.
Build Your Dream Car
When it's finally time to mount your plate, it's important to pick the right mounting spot because it can both change your car's look and also how well your car follows the local laws. You can try either a center mount and an offset mount or even a windshield mount - and there's even alternative options in some states like license plate stickers or magnetic mounts.
Each choice has its own pros and cons, so think about them carefully! Better to plan it out first before you start drilling holes, right?
Think about how to light up your license plate, too. You can't just put any bulb behind it and be done since legal rules for brightness and visibility matter. You have choices from OEM setups to more modern, high-performance aftermarket options like the Skillard license plate light upgrade. So, check out aftermarket options because they often give you benefits for cost and easy setup. You get a fresh new look and a lighting upgrade!
You might want to think about the simplicity of removable and drill-free solutions that give you flexibility without harming your car's body. These are perfect for short-term needs if you like DIY projects and want to avoid permanent changes. Just remember to check how strong and secure these methods are and make sure they last through all kinds of driving conditions, and they might surprise you!
I think you should get inspired to take your 240Z, or any Datsun model, a bit further. Skillard has what you need with lots of custom parts. We at Skillard work hard to help with how your Datsun looks and operates. If you need bumpers,aluminum door cards,center consoles,spoilers, or other upgrades, our products are created with care and innovation. Why wait? Go to Skillard.com today, see our full catalog, and then pick the perfect parts to make your car vision come true. Your dream Datsun is a few clicks away!
