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2019 Forester Sport CVT
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160 Posts
Discussion Starter · #1 ·
So i noticed there are no drill holes in the front bumper for the license plate. I kind of want to keep it pristine but im going to need to a front license plate holder here in CA. Do you guys know if there are license plate relocator for the 2019 Forester already made? If not, can you guys recommend one that will fit? Thanks.
 

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2019 Forester Base CVT (SOLD)
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354 Posts
Fozzie - I got mine at the Subaru dealer. Cost $25 or $30, but I bought it during the sales process and they installed it during prep.
 

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2019 Forester Sport CVT
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160 Posts
Discussion Starter · #7 ·
Just an update, so it looks like the 14-18+ was too short. I spoke to Grimspeed and they said the previous gen 08-14 would work since its longer. I bought it and it works.
 

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2019 forester sport
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4 Posts
Just an update, so it looks like the 14-18+ was too short. I spoke to Grimspeed and they said the previous gen 08-14 would work since its longer. I bought it and it works.
I too bought a '19 forester and need to think about a front license plate. I don't want to drill holes so im trying to look for alternatives. @17FozzieXT, Can you take a picture of your plate setup? I'm very curious
 

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2021 Forester Sport CVT
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24 Posts
No license plate bracket for the front bumper?

There was no bracket when I got the car, I figured I could just get one but apparently they're on backorder. Every place I've checked doesn't have them. so, am I allowed to just screw the license plate into the slight dimples? Not sure if that's the right thing to do or not
 

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2012 Forester 2.5X
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1,382 Posts
Amazon version looks clearly less nice than the Grimmspeed one, but the price difference is significant.

Tysforester, mine is screwed into the two little dimples, not what I like but how it came from the dealer.
 

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386 Posts
This is a classic "solution in search of a problem" scenario. If your state requires front plates, screw them into the bumper. It's the simple, easy, and cheap solution. Who could possibly care if there are two small holes in the plastic of the bumper. They would be in use so you can't see them and if you move to a one plate state you can easily fill the holes with plastic goop if you are OCD.
 

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2019 Forester
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668 Posts
There was no bracket when I got the car, I figured I could just get one but apparently they're on backorder. Every place I've checked doesn't have them. so, am I allowed to just screw the license plate into the slight dimples? Not sure if that's the right thing to do or not
Yep, That's what the dimples are for.
 

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2019 Forester
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668 Posts
I should have included: A round head nyloc nut as a spacer will offset the plate from the paint till the desired bracket arrives. No scratches
 

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2019 Forester Sport Auto
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152 Posts
I live in Ohio and they just passed a law to stop using the front license plate but it doesn't go into affect until July 2020. My Forester is less than one month old and I really don't want to drill holes in my bumper just for one year. Here's something I found on Amazon that goes into the front tow hole and supposedly fits a Forester. I don't know if the 2018 and 2019 use the same length tow bar so I'm going to message the seller and see if they know if it'll fit a 2019 Forester.

Amazon.com: JGR Racing JDM Car No drill Tow Eye Front Bumper Tow Hole Hook License Plate Mount Bracket Holder Relocation Kit For 2013-2016 Scion FR-S 2015-2016 Subaru WRX/WRX STi Forester Impreza Toyota 86: Automotive
 

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2015 2.5i Premium CVT
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249 Posts
Amen to the state of Ohio for changing that law.

I will warn you about the “cheap” imitation brackets out there. It seems that the swing arm (to adjust the plumb and level of the plates) are extremely fragile and it is a kinda high stress point easy to break. I went through two in less than six months because the bracket broke at the post - a somewhat yoke affair. I think the fact it is a single place of contact with a fairly large mass hanging from it with vibration and wind load, makes the pot steel crack easily.

I have now had a “real” GrimmSpeed bracket for over a year and, while more expensive, has proven to be higher quality and far more robust. That and they know their products and can answer your questions.

eBay/Amazon sellers just want the sale...
 
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