Front license plate removal

[Eric91Z]

OK, I am kind of getting tired of the front license plate on my car and would like to remove it, but there are those license plate screw holes to deal with in the bumper. Has anyone else removed theirs that used the factory mounting? If so, what did you do about the holes? Any clean looking temp fixes that could be done until I had them filled and painted when the I do the spoiler and taillight treatment?

Any and all input appreciated, including pics if you have them.

[Marauderjack]

I made them leave the braket off my car but it still has the "Dimples" for it??!!:argue:

I had a CV that I removed the braket and simply caulked the holes with latex caulk so I could smooth them with water and my finger......when filled to my liking and cured for a couple days I dabbed on a little touchup paint and they were barely noticeable.....especially after a heavy coating of bugs from down here!!:beer:

Marauderjack:burnout:

[TheDonk]

I was able to find some very small plastic plugs at my local
ACE hardware store. They had a small head, black in color,
barely noticeable when installed.

[Zack]

The Ford body shop has what you need

[JACook]

Where the screws went through the bumper cover, the material was raised around the hole.
I just took a small flat screwdriver and worked the ridge back down, then took a Sharpie marker
and 'touched up' the holes. Not too noticeable. Still looks better than the plate.

[TooManyFords]

OK, I am kind of getting tired of the front license plate on my car and would like to remove it, but there are those license plate screw holes to deal with in the bumper. Has anyone else removed theirs that used the factory mounting? If so, what did you do about the holes? Any clean looking temp fixes that could be done until I had them filled and painted when the I do the spoiler and taillight treatment?

Any and all input appreciated, including pics if you have them.
It's a $70 fine here in Cedar Falls if they catch you without it. And they get a lot of cars on this as of late...

Sure wish Iowa would finish what they started and get rid of the front plate. I know the state is talking about it to save something like $300K/yr by doing it. Only local law enforcement that uses it as a money machine are fighting to keep it.

John

[ckadiddle]

I had removed the dealer installed plate bracket leaving two ugly splintery holes in the front bumper. I hoped to have them filled and painted when I ahd front bumper refinished due to scuff marks that I bought the car with. Ford body shop says no can do because of the flexibility of the bumper. I don't notice the holes much because they are at least coated with nice fresh blue paint and clear coat. Been meaning to find some little plugs for them though.

[Breadfan]

Good to know...I was thinking if I removed mine small plastic plugs would look OK, especially if painted before installed. As others ahve mentioned, even a non-touched front bumper cover still has 4 dimples where the holes go, so small plugs will looks very similar.

Here in VA you don't have much of a choice, I know a number of folks who got nabbed without one...

*sigh* license plates are such old-tech anyway. Why not RF-ID tags that beam your VIN to a following LEO at which time his satellite uplink to DMV records automatically provides an output of the vehicles status, owner, tickets, etc.

Sure leave the one on the back for people to have to visually report a crime or spot a wanted vehicle, but no need to muck up the front bumper!

[Eric91Z]

Yeah, I know how Iowa is/can be in regards to front plates. But almost every car I have had, especially my Camaros and Trans Ams have not had front plates and (knock on wood in case I do this), I have only gotten ticketed once and it went with a couple of other things the Trooper wanted to hit my up on (tinted windows, tail light covers, etc).

Can always try it and go back if it becomes a problem. I would like to try the plug idea, but since the car is silver, I have a feeling it might stand out a little more.

[jim geary]

In California it's still the law. Front and back. But is usually left up to discression of officer. Most however will write ticket.

[Eric91Z]

In California it's still the law. Front and back. But is usually left up to discression of officer. Most however will write ticket.


OK, I know what the law is and like my tinted windows, it is one I will consider breaking. Motorcycles don't have to have them, why do cars?

But instead of starting a war or conversation about whether or not this is law, god law, bad law, etc, I am just looking for input on how to fill the holes if/when I decide to remove the front plate.

Thanks,

[crouse]

Front license plates are also mandatory in MN. Saw a Pontiac Solstice in a parking lot the other day. The front plate was mounted dead center on the grill. It completely ruined the look of the car. On a vehicle like that, I would take the chance and not install the front license plate.

[Breadfan]

IMO the choice to run without is up to you - I don't think anyone (atleast I wasn't) is going to go against your decision. I think we're just sorta discussing state-to-state how the rules are.

Some states have the rule but rarely enforce it. Others have the rule and are a real pain about it. VA seems to care since I know they'll ticket for it...

Some states don't require front plates which pretty much proves to me they are useless. :)

[merc6]

Good to know...I was thinking if I removed mine small plastic plugs would look OK, especially if painted before installed. As others ahve mentioned, even a non-touched front bumper cover still has 4 dimples where the holes go, so small plugs will looks very similar.

Here in VA you don't have much of a choice, I know a number of folks who got nabbed without one...

*sigh* license plates are such old-tech anyway. Why not RF-ID tags that beam your VIN to a following LEO at which time his satellite uplink to DMV records automatically provides an output of the vehicles status, owner, tickets, etc.

Sure leave the one on the back for people to have to visually report a crime or spot a wanted vehicle, but no need to muck up the front bumper!Ever since they installed those "yellow light cameras" the 30 day tag underground sale has increased. Thats my only arguemant on why not having a front one on. Other is a few cars we called in had no tags at all. They were a tinted license plate frame with a piece of white cardboard.

[Marauderoz]

I Purchased my silver birch bumper plugs on bumperplugs.com.

Color is perfect and they fit nice and tight.

[Pat]

Honda (ugh) also has what you need.

[Marauderoz]

Before I purchased my plugs from bumperplugs.com, I ordered them from Honda.

Unfortunately, the Honda silver is off and the plugs do not fit right.

[JACook]

I Purchased my silver birch bumper plugs on bumperplugs.com.

Did you have to enlarge the holes in your bumper cover?
My front plate holder was just sheet-metal-bolted to the cover.

[Eric91Z]

I Purchased my silver birch bumper plugs on bumperplugs.com.

Color is perfect and they fit nice and tight.


That's great. Do you remember what color of silver you went with?

[Marauderoz]

The paint is Ford Silver Birch. (OEM) (color match is perfect)

The holes did not have to be enlarged.

[Eric91Z]

The paint is Ford Silver Birch. (OEM) (color match is perfect)

The holes did not have to be enlarged.

I finally found their cross reference chart. The Ford Silver Birch Metallic cross references to their Artic Silver Metallic on their main color page.

Just placed my order.

[Eric91Z]

Oh, I forgot to ask here. Will have I 4 holes or just 2?

[Breadfan]

Oh, I forgot to ask here. Will have I 4 holes or just 2?

There were 4 dimples on the bumper cover. So I'm guessing 4 holes but at the same time some dealers may have only used two....still I'd plan for 4.

[JACook]

Oh, I forgot to ask here. Will have I 4 holes or just 2?
Easy enough to take a look behind the license plate to see how many they used.
Mine had two sheet metal bolts through the face of the bumper cover, and two more up underneath.

[SergntMac]

Eric...If your home state issues two plates, mount and display both.

Like you, I do not wish to invite any "war" over this, but I cannot (will not) tell you how many times a missing front plate helped me recover a stolen vehicle, or, gave me probable cause to get into a criminal's trunk and glovebox, and his "life" thereafter.

Dude...Save yourself a lot of pain. Wear what the State tells you to wear.

[Bigdogjim]

I don't which I enjoy more? A thread about front plates or the old S/C, oil threads:rofl:

[Bigdogjim]

However I will add this note..........

I am moving into a state the requires front plates and I WILL NOT PUT ONE ON THE MARAUDER!

[jimlam56]

I had removed the dealer installed plate bracket leaving two ugly splintery holes in the front bumper. I hoped to have them filled and painted when I ahd front bumper refinished due to scuff marks that I bought the car with. Ford body shop says no can do because of the flexibility of the bumper. I don't notice the holes much because they are at least coated with nice fresh blue paint and clear coat. Been meaning to find some little plugs for them though.

The body shop dude is wrong.
Magindat's friend Terry filled mine up last May; you cannot see where they were anymore.
It did require taking the bumper cover off, but we were done and the cover back on within a few hours.
Maybe Magindat can chime in and tell you what product was used, I believe it was made by 3m.

[jimlam56]

There were 4 dimples on the bumper cover. So I'm guessing 4 holes but at the same time some dealers may have only used two....still I'd plan for 4.
True.
My silver one was factory installed with 4 rivets (ugh)
The blue one was dealer installed with only two screws, but not a pretty sight backing out self tapping screws out of a blue plastic bumper...

[Eric91Z]

Well, looks like my plugs order may be in vain. Went out this morning and took the plate out of the holder. In there, there are 4 holes with rounded black caps in them, but no screw, bolt, etc that would be mounted to the bumper. Kind of looks like the screws are mounted from the back side of the bumper in to the bracket, but I can't find any way to get behind that part of the bumper to check. There is a metal brace right behind there.

Anyone elses like this?

EDIT: OK, was able to just barely see the bottom 2 pieces from behind the bumper, but no way to reach the top 2 without pulling the bumper from what I can tell. Anyways, these seem to be a install once and forget about it kind of thing. The have a metal rounded head with a little recessedhole in the middle. The other side (that you can see on the back side of the bumper) is a little metal pole with a mushroom shaped head. There is a plastic piece between that mushroom head and the bumper that is kind of flowered out behind the bumper holding it there. Not something you can twist off, pull out, etc without damage to the bumper. Might try and drill it out from the rounded head side or dremel if I can get a little cut-off wheel in there. We check later when I have more time. Otherwise I guess the plate will stay right where it is.

[Black 04]

True.
The blue one was dealer installed with only two screws, but not a pretty sight backing out self tapping screws out of a blue plastic bumper...

Mine was also installed with 2 self tapping screws, and the best part the dealer didn't even install it straight.:mad2: Now I have 3 holes were I needed to correct it.:mad:

[JACook]

The have a metal rounded head with a little recessedhole in the middle. The other side (that you can see on the back side of the bumper) is a little metal pole with a mushroom shaped head. There is a plastic piece between that mushroom head and the bumper that is kind of flowered out behind the bumper holding it there.
Pop rivets. :(

You will need to drill them out. Best to use a drill bit that's a bit larger than the shank of the rivet,
that way once you get through the head, it just pops off.

Be forewarned though- Once you get into them a bit, they will want to turn with the drill bit.
Best if you can get a pair of longnose Vise Grips on the backside to hold them from turning.

On the plus side, the holes in your bumper cover are probably cleaner than mine were...

[Marauderoz]

My plate was also secured via rivets.

All you have to do is drill them out.

[Eric91Z]

My plate was also secured via rivets.

All you have to do is drill them out.

Charging the drill batteries as we speak.

[Agent M79]

Has anyone figured out yet how to mount one of these with drilling through the bumper?

I am going to try to figure that out and set it up like the front plate on my wife vehicle. It was some kind of bracket that mounted under the bumper and came up over it to hold the plate.

[Eric91Z]

Has anyone figured out yet how to mount one of these with drilling through the bumper?

I am going to try to figure that out and set it up like the front plate on my wife vehicle. It was some kind of bracket that mounted under the bumper and came up over it to hold the plate.

I would be up for this. That way, fill the factory holes and have the front plate off the cars at shows and stuff, and then back on for everyday driving. Wonder if the Corvette guys have something? I should check my MAD Corvette catalog when I get the next one.

[MarauderMike03]

dude if you decide to take it off, let me get it from you, i just got an 03 marauder and the bracket is cracked. Shoot me an email ok

Mike (new guy on the block)

[Eric91Z]

dude if you decide to take it off, let me get it from you, i just got an 03 marauder and the bracket is cracked. Shoot me an email ok

Mike (new guy on the block)

I will let you know what I do. If I can drill out the rivets without damaging the bracket, I will let you know.

[Eric91Z]

Well, finally getting around to putting pictures up, but I got the license place and holder pulled off the front, did some buffing of the whole front bumper, and couple coats of Zaino on the front.

Then, put in my 4 new plugs from Bumperplugs.com. Pretty nice match. Finally getting around to putting up some pictures:

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/1/3/5/093006028.jpg

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/1/3/5/093006038.jpg

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/1/3/5/093006037.jpg

I am pretty happy with it.

[Shora]

Mine was also installed with 2 self tapping screws, and the best part the dealer didn't even install it straight.:mad2: Now I have 3 holes were I needed to correct it.:mad:

If you take out the front plate then make a fourth hole and plug them up. Four holes will look much more balanced than three.

[Shora]

Looks much better than the Front License Plate IMO. Those plugs remind me of the ultra-sonic parking sensors that are used on many of the newer cars. Maybe, someone will fill the holes with said sensors and BAM! add a semi useful mod to the car.

[jimlam56]

Looks good Eric!
To fill in the holes is a pita, you did all you could do without taking that step.
Nice Job.