Remove front license plate bracket to install grille

[Fordy55]

I just ordered billet grilles off ebay and to install the lower bumper grille I need to remove the license plate bracket in the front. Does anyone know how to do this? I took off the license plate and they are two weird screws and I have no idea how to take them out...

Please help... Thanks!

 

[stockcarracer]

Drill them out. They are Normally rivets not screws

 

[Fordy55]

Would I be able to put it back in after I install the grill? Here in NJ we are required to have a front license plate.

 

[stockcarracer]

I took mine to a friend at a body shop and had him use ford factory rivets to put it back on. Might call a body shop and ask how much to put it back before you take it off. The rivet gun for those cost around 50 bucks.

 

[jad2411]

I used one like these on my GF's 02:
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Not sure if it'll work on yours...

 

[zerodevil]

my explorer had the front plate bracket held on by christmas tree connectors, they are a simple buy at any automotive shop(and ford sells specific ones too!), just pull them up a little iwth a knife and pull them out with some pliers. Post some pictures when your done bud!!

 

[djwhoo2005]

christmas tree connectors? i like the idea.. please advise

 

[djwhoo2005]

will christmas tree connectors work for an 02 license plate.. and be secure? please advise..

 

[NHarris]

Heres what I used (picture below). It still holding the license plate to this day, even after some good off-road time

http://www.lowes.com/pd_138198-37672-881191_4294934474+5003696_?productId=3012764&Ntt=fasteners&Ntk=i_products&pl=1&currentURL=/pl_Less%2BThan%2B$1_4294934474%205003696__s?Ntk=i_products$Ntt=fasteners
And so you see how good it fits...here's a picture of my X, after the license plate holder was re-installed.

And to remove it, I just got a nail-puller broke the top of the rivets, then the backs just fall out through the bottom of the bumper.
Front bumper still looks good after that.

 

[djwhoo2005]

All done

ended up using wall anchor mounts!! Lol. The holes I boared out were not pretty. IMG_1565.JPG
thanks

 

[NHarris]

Post a picture of the finished product.
If you tried to, I don't see a picture. You'll have to use imageshack, photobucket, etc.

 

[djwhoo2005]

picture of eddie dirty with new grill

http://yfrog.com/9eimg1565dj

which do i choose for picture to post? i chose link but there is direct lick forum code.. etc..

anyhow.. i got the grill on.. though some of the flat black paint is chipped on top of the front of a couple of the bars. i assume some flat black touchup paint will do.

 

[djwhoo2005]

give this a try



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/4537/img1565d.jpg

<a target='_blank' title='ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting' href='http://img338.imageshack.us/i/img1565d.jpg/'><img src='http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/4537/img1565d.jpg' border='0'/></a>

Uploaded with <a target='_blank' href='http://imageshack.us'>ImageShack.us</a>



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

[NHarris]

Grille looks good!
Good Looking explorer too

I found for uploading to this website, the direct url works best. (imageshack)

 

[armysoldier30263]

after reading and seeing all yalls pictures ... i realize that mine is already lowered to the bottom part of the bumper .. does anybody know if some came stock this way?

 

[djwhoo2005]

Yes. My 2002 Explorer came stock with license plate on bumper. In order to install bumper grill I had to drill out the rivits and reinstall it the "stock" way. Or I'd have holes in my bumper

 

[jackofhearts]

Thanks for your help

heres what i used (picture below). It still holding the license plate to this day, even after some good off-road time :d

http://www.lowes.com/pd_138198-37672-881191_4294934474+5003696_?productid=3012764&ntt=fasteners&ntk=i_products&pl=1&currenturl=/pl_less%2bthan%2b$1_4294934474%205003696__s?ntk=i_products$ntt=fasteners
and so you see how good it fits...here's a picture of my x, after the license plate holder was re-installed.

and to remove it, i just got a nail-puller broke the top of the rivets, then the backs just fall out through the bottom of the bumper.
Front bumper still looks good after that.

thanks for the help , i was in a parkinglot and some kids were hanging around my truck when i came closer they ran and i saw what they did , they rid the plate and bracket off , thanks for the help