DIY: Front License Plate Bracket Removal!

[Bubz!]

If you are like me, you will love this thread.

I went out of state to get the exact 2011 Explorer I wanted. Just so happens it has a Front License Plate Bracket on it.

These are installed during manufacturing with plastic rivets.

Here we go!

Tools needed:
-Screw Driver
-Drill w/ assorted bit sizes
-2 Trim Retainers (I bought mine at Advanced Auto Parts)

Remove Plate

Plastic Rivet

Use a Drill w/ a Small Drill Bit to drill out the rivet

After that use a Flathead Screwdriver and pry the Rivet out

After the plate is removed

Trim Retainers

Installed Trim Retainers

Old Rivets

Scratches from the Vibration of the Bracket

NXT!

Bracket

Finished!

Hope this helps!

 

[1995E]

WHOA WHOA. The bracket scratches the paint? D=

 

[esandye]

Now this is a great post! Can't wait to do this to mine when it comes in.

 

[46er]

How about one for removing the third seat?

 

[Joe Dirt]

Awesome writeup, Bubz!

Also- thank you for your service in the Air Force... We are forever indebted!

 

[JDraper]

Looks familiar...

I had slight marks from my license plate holder too. Used ScratchX 2.0 to remove them before waxing.

 

[Bubz!]

yup I cant beleive how good the retainers look once installed. I thought the finish would be slightly off but it isnt.

 

[sm4astan]

Sigh...front plates required in NY, so I'm stuck with the ugly thing. Your mod looks very nice though.

 

[Bubz!]

thanks^^ if anyone is needed a front plate, I'll sell mine cheap!

 

[edge929]

Sigh...front plates required in NY, so I'm stuck with the ugly thing. Your mod looks very nice though.

Ditto........ however I refused to put one on my GTO and have only been pulled over once (by state trooper no less) in 7 years.

 

[FLOffroad]

That looks a lot nicer than the normal 2011 - it's amazing what a little bit can do. It's too bad my 08's molding is body colored so I can't really try this (I guess I could, but I think it would look crappy).

 

[Shoe_Here]

Awesome DIY. Did it tonight. Pics below. Crappy pics but night time and I just put in new bulbs both headlight and fogs so that is really what I took pic is for. Getting the trim retainers tomorrow.


http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y147/shoe_here/DSC_0119.jpg

 

[1tufgt]

Good simple writeup.

 

[jeff59rt1]

Awesome thanks I hate that thing!

 

[cg13]

illegal in ohio to not have a front license bracket! sucks because i hate them! lol nice job though. looks great.

 

[RLWSNOOK]

illegal in ohio to not have a front license bracket! sucks because i hate them! lol nice job though. looks great.

Ugh, I ordered mine in Indiana (I'm from Ohio though) and they forgot to order me a front license plate bracket.

Looks l'm gonna be doing the reverse of this...

 

[JustB_Rad]

I can't believe how big it is compared to the plate. Why is 1"+ of "Gray" space needed...that's the only thing that look rediculous on the whole thing!

 

[baxterdown]

Thanks Bubz! It took me all of 20 seconds thanks to your awesome instructions!

 

[Pas1963]

Bubz,

Thanks for the awesome instructions - didn't take long and looks much better without the bracket and me shilling for the dealership.

Thanks again,

Paul

 

[Bill1234]

Bubz,
Thanks for this. Because of you, I was able to remove the bracket before it had time to scratch the paint