Jeep Patriot Forums banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

License Plate Micro-Mod

Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 28 Posts

todde702

· Registered
2008 Jeep Patriot Sport
Joined
·
6,409 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hey all, I just got my Patriot Thursday night. The dealer installed my new plate on it with their plastic plate frame and I was surprised the rattling racket it was making on my cruise home. I guess the sales guy didn't want to risk the screw driver slipping as he didn't fully tighten the top screws. Thats when I noticed there weren't any bottom screw holes and the bottom edge of the plate (and frame) just rested on the body. And everytime I closed the tailgate, it would make a bang sound. So I came up with a crafty way to fix this slight oversight on Jeep's part.


I went to Pep Boys and bought a pack of these Body-Tite! Rubber Bumpers (Part # 45621 5/8" x 1/2"). They were $3.99.

Then I removed the plate and plastic frame, ditched the frame, then put these in from the backside on the two lower holes. Viola! No more plate rattle and the rubber should protect the paint for a long time.

They seem to match the spacing distance pretty well. They're a little tight getting them in but a little spit and some twisting/pulling action and you're done!
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
I tried at first to use their frame. They didn't put a body decal on the truck like most dealers do so I figured a plate frame was a decent way to advertise (and one I could live with). Problem was the bumpers wouldn't hold through to the thicker plastic frame, and because of that, it still banged when I shut the tailgate.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
Ah, that was going to be my next series of posts. I took one of the Jeep.com gallery images and started messing with it in photoshop. I remember the older cherokees used to have some cool body graphics on them and I thought I'd reproduce some of that look onto the patriot. I'll go start the thread now and upload the images I have so far.
 
#7 ·
When the Pat comes in to the dealer from the factory there is a little bag taped to the rear cargo area on the driver side that has the four plate screws and two foam pieces. The dealer must have thrown the foam away instead of sticking it on where the rear plate goes.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#9 ·
Thanks for this tip...we don't get plates here in Ca for several weeks, and using custom frames from our local Chamber of Commerce, notice the "slapping" while closing the gate. Tightening the screws didn't seem to help. I was about to install some foam and velcro, but will try this fix!
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#12 · (Edited)
My caliber had the rubber stops on it when i got it (the one thing my dealer did right) but i noticed that their frame always banged against the plate, so I took the frame off. Later on I installed some clear plate covers on both the front and rear plates to help protect the cheap plates that Ontario is going with now. And the cover and the plate made quite a noise, so I took a velcro sticker (with both sides of the velcro stuck together) and cut it in half, and installed it in between the plate and the cover at the bottom of the plate right under the screw holes in the plate. The white velco is not obvious and i dont have a single rattle!
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
Cool! I'm glad people are finding this useful! I wish the dealer had left me the factory accessories for me to install, but this worked out well and is very clean (and reusable).
 
#16 ·
todde702 said:
Cool! I'm glad people are finding this useful! I wish the dealer had left me the factory accessories for me to install, but this worked out well and is very clean (and reusable).
Click to expand...
Great simple solution. I'm going to find some tomorrow.
Thanks.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#17 ·
I used a piece of foam tape between the plate and dealer plate holder (near the bottom, out of sight) to get rid of the rattle.....
Mine already had the foam tape stuck on the door under the plate, so the rattle was coming from the plate/holder banging together. This seems to have fixed it.
 
#18 · (Edited)
Reviving this thread to thank todde for this great suggestion. I found a similar package of rubber bumpers at "O'Reilly's Auto Parts" yesterday for $1.98 (with tax). They fit a little more loosely than what you described, but seem to work just fine. Took about 15 seconds to install and, like magic, I now hear a satisfying *thunk* when closing the hatch rather than that worrying boiiiing. This one is right up there with the black muffler mod.

Edited to add:

According to this http://www.wkjeeps.com/misc/Patriot/TSB/tsb_2302707.pdf there is supposed to be foam tape to prevent license plate rattle but I don't have any either - Old Gent
Click to expand...
My Patriot came with 2 foam squares which had already been installed on the top 2 license plate holes. Nothing was provided for the bottom holes.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#20 ·
I had to order these in specially up here in Canada. Fina;;y got these last week and am pleased with the lack of a "bang" when I close the hatch.

Thanks again to the OP for the great suggestion.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
1 - 20 of 28 Posts
About this Discussion
27 Replies
21 Participants
Last post:
Stevo306
Jeep Patriot Forums
posts
678K
members
55K
Since
2006
Join our community to discuss the Jeep Patriot & Jeep Compass. Find answers to all your Jeep Patriot technical questions.
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Jeep Patriot General Discussion Engine and Drivetrain Newbie Check-In Suspension and Tires Electrical and Audio