2018 RAM 1500 License Plate Anti-Theft Ideas

TheKid7 · Aug 5, 2019

In the past few days, it appears that my rear license plate was stolen. The front plate was left. I doubt very much that there was any way that both of the rear license plate screws worked their way out by themselves. the screws were good and snug when I installed them last November.

I see that Amazon sells a variety of antitheft bolts/screw kits. Has anyone ever used these? If yes, which one do you suggest would best fit my 2018 RAM 1500?

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=license+plate+locking+anti+theft&crid=UKBIA671OD4Z&sprefix=license+plate+lock%2Caps%2C170&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_18

Thanks in Advance.

KC Cryptkeeper · Aug 5, 2019

TheKid7 said:
In the past few days, it appears that my rear license plate was stolen. The front plate was left. I doubt very much that there was any way that both of the rear license plate screws worked their way out by themselves. the screws were good and snug when I installed them last November.

I see that Amazon sells a variety of antitheft bolts/screw kits. Has anyone ever used these? If yes, which one do you suggest would best fit my 2018 RAM 1500?

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=license+plate+locking+anti+theft&crid=UKBIA671OD4Z&sprefix=license+plate+lock%2Caps%2C170&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_18

Thanks in Advance.

Careful all they have done is dumped the hot plate off a stolen truck and put your on it. I had my truck stolen and the switched one plate with another Ram, same year, same color. The lady was laying across her truck so they wouldn't tow it while the checked the VIN to prove her right.

joshuaeb09 · Aug 5, 2019

The ones with the little holes would likely be your best bet as they're kind of a pain to get off without tools. That being said someone could just use a set of pliers to grip them so its only going to be a mild deterrent. The security torx ones are a joke since most people have those these days. I've got a full set in my toolbox after a few vendors started using them to try and prevent "unauthorized" repair.

If you want to be serious about it these things are pretty annoying to get off without the tools, but not totally theft proof.
http://www.platesafelocks.com/

I would also report your plate stolen and get a new set issued from DPS. It's only a few bucks and I've done it several times for a variety of reasons.

Shiva · Aug 5, 2019

I would think for 75cents a couple of carriage bolts with the nyloc nuts at the back side of the bumper would do. Better yet use 8 and do the 4 slots on both plates.
Unlikely they want to screw around laying on their back to get the plate.
Easier to hit the next truck with their battery screw gun.
Zip Zip and gone.

TheKid7 · Aug 5, 2019

KC Cryptkeeper said:
Careful all they have done is dumped the hot plate off a stolen truck and put your on it. I had my truck stolen and the switched one plate with another Ram, same year, same color. The lady was laying across her truck so they wouldn't tow it while the checked the VIN to prove her right.

I reported the stolen plate to the local Police Department this morning. They finally got back with me at around 4 p.m. this afternoon with a Police Report number so that I could get new plates. They said that my plate number is now in some sort of nationwide stolen plate database and they instructed me to go and get new plates ASAP. The license plate office closed at 4 p.m. I plan to go and get the new plates tomorrow sometime.

Plexiglass · Aug 5, 2019

Its very dumb for someone to steal a plate these days (not that it wasn’t before) with all the technology out there. Like the other poster mentioned, the police will likely find a stolen vehicle when they (or a camera) identifies your old plate.

corneileous · Aug 5, 2019

These that Joshua recommended are great. I have 4 pair total for on my rear plate and my front vanity plate. They work pretty much like those cheap plastic screw covers they sell at parts stores but except for one, these are made of stainless steel... two, the caps are threaded on instead of snap on and they are left-hand thread and three, the cap uses a less-popular special tool to take them off. I used those regular security screws below them so hopefully my plate will make them work for it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

TheKid7 · Aug 17, 2019

Recently, I purchased the following. They are now installed on the license plates on both of my trucks.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SBYYQ7K

A mechanically minded person said that Harbor Freight sells a special tool kit that has the key for these. However, the typical person who is stealing license plates only has simple screw drivers. Therefore, these act as a simple deterrent for the average thief.

tap4154 · Aug 17, 2019

They may have stolen it just to get the current year sticker off, then tossed the plate. I've had my sticker stolen, and ever since I score it with a razor in an x pattern after it's on to make removing it in one piece impossible. DMV suggested that when I went to get a new sticker.

WY-Dave · Aug 17, 2019

joshuaeb09 said:
If you want to be serious about it these things are pretty annoying to get off without the tools, but not totally theft proof.
http://www.platesafelocks.com/

The security torx are a fine line above useless.

The platesafelocks are pretty much the best. Few things on their video. First, when sticking the spacers on, stick them on the vehicle not the plate. When you get new plates, you have to hunt up some new ones. And second, some states prohibit putting anything over you license plate, even if it is clear.

If you want to make it a total PITA for a thief, get the 3M moulding tape and it will never come off without destroying the tag. I had a buddy who did that and there is no way anyone could have reused that tag.

KnurledNut · Aug 18, 2019

The plate screws are just attached to plastic. The back is open. Best option, and most economical is to drill it out and use a thru-bolt. As mentioned, a nyloc will work. It'll just spin unless they can get behind it which means laying on the ground, having multiple tools, and taking way too long.

TheKid7 · Aug 18, 2019

tap4154 said:
They may have stolen it just to get the current year sticker off, then tossed the plate. I've had my sticker stolen, and ever since I score it with a razor in an x pattern after it's on to make removing it in one piece impossible. DMV suggested that when I went to get a new sticker.

I am in Texas. Years ago they got rid of the license plate sticker. The annual windshield tax sticker has the license plate number on it.

tap4154 · Aug 18, 2019

TheKid7 said:
I am in Texas. Years ago they got rid of the license plate sticker. The annual windshield tax sticker has the license plate number on it.

Interesting. How do folks feel about having to put an big sticker on their windshield?

bigred90gt · Aug 18, 2019

tap4154 said:
Interesting. How do folks feel about having to put an big sticker on their windshield?

It’s not that big of a sticker. We’ve always had an inspection sticker, with the registration formerly being a sticker on the plate. Then they switched to a window sticker so we had 2 stickers in the lower left corner. Now they’ve combined the stickers so there’s only 1. I don’t even notice the sticker.

tap4154 · Aug 18, 2019

bigred90gt said:
It’s not that big of a sticker. We’ve always had an inspection sticker, with the registration formerly being a sticker on the plate. Then they switched to a window sticker so we had 2 stickers in the lower left corner. Now they’ve combined the stickers so there’s only 1. I don’t even notice the sticker.

I don't think I'd appreciate having to put a new sticker in the windshield every year. Just seems to make more sense to have it on the license plate on the back, where the cop following you can easily see if it's registered currently or not. Our toll road transponder just changed from being a big plastic thing to being a small sticker, but it's tiny.

KSH · Aug 18, 2019

joshuaeb09 said:
The ones with the little holes would likely be your best bet as they're kind of a pain to get off without tools. That being said someone could just use a set of pliers to grip them so its only going to be a mild deterrent. The security torx ones are a joke since most people have those these days. I've got a full set in my toolbox after a few vendors started using them to try and prevent "unauthorized" repair.

If you want to be serious about it these things are pretty annoying to get off without the tools, but not totally theft proof.
http://www.platesafelocks.com/

I would also report your plate stolen and get a new set issued from DPS. It's only a few bucks and I've done it several times for a variety of reasons.

Looks like all you'd need is a paper clip to unscrew that cap. Really expensive and pointless.

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tap4154 · Aug 18, 2019

Interesting, here in California they say drug addicts are stealing license plates so they can scrape off the sticker and sell them for like 25 bucks. Maybe I will get some of those security screws.

https://abc30.com/drug-addicts-stealing-license-plates/3910573/

JoeCo · Aug 18, 2019

tap4154 said:
I don't think I'd appreciate having to put a new sticker in the windshield every year. Just seems to make more sense to have it on the license plate on the back, where the cop following you can easily see if it's registered currently or not. Our toll road transponder just changed from being a big plastic thing to being a small sticker, but it's tiny.

In NY we have 2 on the windshield, registration is good for 2 years and inspection is every year. Bit of a pain but you get used to it, and doesn't really bother me while driving. Although if you aren't used to it, I wonder if it would bother someone.

tap4154 · Aug 18, 2019

JoeCo said:
In NY we have 2 on the windshield, registration is good for 2 years and inspection is every year. Bit of a pain but you get used to it, and doesn't really bother me while driving. Although if you aren't used to it, I wonder if it would bother someone.

You would think in CA, with the "nanny state" attitude here, we'd have annual or biennial safety inspections, but we don't. Just smog checks every 2 years after the vehicle is over 4 years old, and a new sticker on the plate each year (different color each year to make it easy for cops to know you're currently registered).

The windshield stickers would bug me, not just because they look bad and take away some visibility, but IMHO they just belong on the license plate, not on the vehicle itself. Don't understand the reasoning behind making folks put them on your windshield. You already have the VIN on the dash, which can be compared to the license plate to make sure the plate is on the right vehicle, and the sticker has a number as well. People who steal a sticker can only get away with it until they're pulled over, and the number is checked.

crash68 · Aug 18, 2019

Just wait till the politicians running the states decide that everyone needs to have digital license plates. They're like $700 now but once they are mandated the price will skyrocket.
In case your wondering they can update the information displayed on the plate in near real time. They won't be much good to steal either.

2018 RAM 1500 License Plate Anti-Theft Ideas

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