Mouting front license plate bracket

[BMD]

How are the front plate brackets mounted on these, I purchased the bracket but it didn't have any hardware or instructions, and just want to get some info before just opening things up. Should there be some sort of padding between the two to keep from scratching the bumper?

 

[2Trux]

Mine was just screwed into the bumper cover.

 

[extra-medium]

Rivets

 

[BMD]

Does it go just to the bumper cover or go through to the metal bar behind the cover?

 

[xlt03]

Only the cover. In CA, we're a two plate state. Dealership parts department has the plastic rivets specific to your vehicle and likely have the special rivet gun to loan for use in the parking lot. This is how it works at dealership I use.

 

[Sweersa]

Does it go just to the bumper cover or go through to the metal bar behind the cover?

I installed mine about a month or so ago. It never had one before, so the bumper had no holes for mounting.

It's not supposed to go through the metal bumper, just the plastic cover. Loosen the plastic bumper (Doesn't need to be removed) so you can deal with the fastening hardware for the bracket on the inside of the plastic bumper. Set your license plate bracket onto the plastic bumper cover (it's shaped to fit onto it) then position and measure so the license plate bracket is centered, then mark through each of the mounting holes on the bracket, re-check, then drill through the plastic bumper cover. They use plastic rivets at the factory and the dealership, but I used screws with nuts on the other side. Washers are a good idea too, and/or loctite. I didn't use loctite, and it has been holding up fine so far.

I also installed two front tow hooks at the same time, so I had the bumper all apart anyways for that.

 

[BMD]

Looks good, is there a write up on those tow hooks, sounds like something I'd be interested in.

[MENTION][/MENTION]

I installed mine about a month or so ago. It never had one before, so the bumper had no holes for mounting.

It's not supposed to go through the metal bumper, just the plastic cover. Loosen the plastic bumper (Doesn't need to be removed) so you can deal with the fastening hardware for the bracket on the inside of the plastic bumper. Set your license plate bracket onto the plastic bumper cover (it's shaped to fit onto it) then position and measure so the license plate bracket is centered, then mark through each of the mounting holes on the bracket, re-check, then drill through the plastic bumper cover. They use plastic rivets at the factory and the dealership, but I used screws with nuts on the other side. Washers are a good idea too, and/or loctite. I didn't use loctite, and it has been holding up fine so far.

I also installed two front tow hooks at the same time, so I had the bumper all apart anyways for that.

 

[BMD]

Found a write up, where did you get the parts? ebay?

 

[Sweersa]

Found a write up, where did you get the parts? ebay?

You can get the Ford bracket on eBay, Amazon, Rock Auto, etc. Mounting screws withs bolts at a place like Ace Hardware