The provided document is an installation manual for the STO N SHO™ (Patented) front license plate mounting system, specifically designed for 2014-2016 Cayman/Boxster GTS models (SNS 87). This device allows for the temporary removal of the front license plate, primarily for aesthetic reasons or to prevent damage during certain activities.
Function Description
The STO N SHO™ is a two-part system consisting of a base plate and a license plate holder. The base plate is permanently mounted to the vehicle's bumper, while the license plate holder, which carries the actual license plate and an optional frame, can be easily attached or detached from the base plate using a spring-loaded pull pin mechanism. This design allows vehicle owners to display their front license plate when required (e.g., for legal compliance) and remove it quickly when desired (e.g., for car shows, track events, or car washes) without leaving unsightly holes or mounts on the bumper.
Important Technical Specifications
- Compatibility: Specifically designed for 2014-2016 Porsche Cayman/Boxster GTS models. The model number is SNS 87.
- Mounting Hardware:
- License Plate Mounting Screws: (4) 6mm x 12mm Phillips head screws and 6mm nuts (requiring a 10mm wrench).
- Base Plate Mounting Screws: (1) 6.3mm x 20mm screw with 3M tape and an alcohol pad for surface preparation.
- Tools Required for Installation:
- 10mm socket with ratchet (1/4-inch drive recommended, but 3/8-inch drive can be used with caution).
- Phillips screwdriver.
- 10mm wrench.
- 1/8-inch drill bit and drill.
- Ground Clearance Impact: The bracket lowers ground clearance by approximately 1/2 inch. This is an important consideration for drivers, especially when navigating steep driveways, parking stops, or high curbs.
Usage Features
- Easy Attachment/Detachment: The license plate holder slides into tubes on the base plate and is secured by a spring-loaded pull pin. To remove, the user simply pulls the ring on the pull pin outward and slides the holder off. To reattach, the holder slides back into the tubes until the pull pin locks into place.
- Aesthetic Preservation: Allows for the removal of the front license plate, maintaining the vehicle's clean aesthetic, particularly useful for car shows or photography.
- Damage Prevention: The removable design helps prevent damage to the license plate or bumper in situations like automated car washes, track driving, or when encountering obstacles that might otherwise snag a permanently mounted plate.
- Adjustability: The installation process includes steps to ensure the base plate is centered and square to the bumper. After initial installation, minor adjustments to the license plate's level can be made by pulling the pin, sliding the plate out slightly, and rotating the frame as needed.
Maintenance Features
- Lubrication Requirement: The rods and spring-loaded pull pin mechanism require periodic lubrication with WD-40 or any other silicone-type spray lubricant. This is crucial to prevent the pull pin from failing or the rods becoming difficult to remove or reinsert.
- Regular Maintenance in Harsh Environments: In areas with salted or sanded roads during winter, lubrication should be performed on a regular basis to ensure proper function and prevent voiding the warranty.
- Cleaning: The mounting surface for the base plate must be clean of all debris before installation, using the supplied alcohol pad, to ensure proper adhesion of the 3M tape.
- Limited Lifetime Warranty: Big Mike's Performance Parts (BMPP) offers a limited lifetime warranty to the original purchaser, covering manufacturing defects in material and workmanship for the life of the product.
- Exclusions: The pull-pin is excluded from the lifetime warranty and is covered for a period of 1 year (12 months) from the date of purchase.
- Conditions for Warranty: The warranty is valid only if all required maintenance (specifically, lubrication of the rods and pull pin) is performed.
- Voiding the Warranty: Failure to perform maintenance, improper use or handling (including accident, mishandling, improper installation, abuse, negligence), or repairs by unauthorized parties will void the warranty. The warranty is also void if the product was not purchased from an authorized dealer or reseller.
- Remedies: In case of a defect, BMPP will, at its sole option and expense, repair or replace the product. Shipping costs for replacements outside the U.S. or Canada are the responsibility of the purchaser.
- Limitations: The warranty does not cover costs for removing or transporting the product for service or installing a replacement product. It also explicitly disclaims responsibility for incidental or consequential damages, except where prohibited by law.
The STO N SHO™ system is designed for users who value both the legal requirement of a front license plate and the aesthetic appeal of their vehicle, offering a practical solution for temporary removal. Its installation requires basic tools and adherence to specific steps to ensure proper alignment and secure mounting. Regular maintenance of the pull pin mechanism is essential for its longevity and to maintain warranty coverage.
Need help?
General
To Next Page
