Has anyone installed the front license plate bracket without the plastic rivets?

[TheNeedForSpeed]

I need to install the front license plate bracket which means drilling into the bumper. Not a huge deal for me so I don't really care for aftermarket no drill offerings. I don't have a rivet gun and would like to be able to take the bracket off once in a while to clean everything behind it. Has anyone used nuts and bolts instead? It seems hard to reach behind the bumper to tighten things down this way. Anyone have other ideas how I can secure the front bracket while still be able to easily take it off?

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[boe757]

understand your reluctance, no choice in MN must be displayed so I used the included rivets, it does require a slightly larger rivet puller. The bumper is clearly marked -as to location. I did not consider using removable fasteners, until this post. Check for a fastener called a rivnut

install a couple in scrap to judge the results

 

[unclerunkle]

Why clean behind it? I just can't see that being a regular thing. Maybe one every few years but then why not just replace the plastic rivets? Here is a kit from Harbor Freight that I used which worked well and contains extra plastic rivets. https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-riveter-with-40-industrial-strength-poly-rivets-97757.html

Here's a 30% off coupon valid until tomorrow: https://go.harborfreight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/182413_56838912.png

 

[dhill59]

Or like this with wire ties. No drilling required.

 

[TheNeedForSpeed]

understand your reluctance, no choice in MN must be displayed so I used the included rivets, it does require a slightly larger rivet puller. The bumper is clearly marked -as to location. I did not consider using removable fasteners, until this post. Check for a fastener called a rivnut

install a couple in scrap to judge the results

Rivnuts seems like a good option. Not sure if I want to create my own tool to install it and the actual tool isn't cheap for something I'm likely going to do once.

Why clean behind it? I just can't see that being a regular thing. Maybe one every few years but then why not just replace the plastic rivets? Here is a kit from Harbor Freight that I used which worked well and contains extra plastic rivets. https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-riveter-with-40-industrial-strength-poly-rivets-97757.html

Here's a 30% off coupon valid until tomorrow: https://go.harborfreight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/182413_56838912.png

Is that only rivet gun that will fit the plastic rivets? I originally thought I could just get the cheap $5 tool https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-riveter-set-38353.html but it looks like it might be too small?

Or like this with wire ties. No drilling required.

I do like this one. Are the zip ties good enough that it doesn't rattle or move about?

 

[clearviewx]

If it's a requirement of the state, why didn't the dealer install it?

 

[dhill59]

Rivnuts seems like a good option. Not sure if I want to create my own tool to install it and the actual tool isn't cheap for something I'm likely going to do once.


Is that only rivet gun that will fit the plastic rivets? I originally thought I could just get the cheap $5 tool https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-riveter-set-38353.html but it looks like it might be too small?



I do like this one. Are the zip ties good enough that it doesn't rattle or move about?

Rivnuts seems like a good option. Not sure if I want to create my own tool to install it and the actual tool isn't cheap for something I'm likely going to do once.


Is that only rivet gun that will fit the plastic rivets? I originally thought I could just get the cheap $5 tool https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-riveter-set-38353.html but it looks like it might be too small?



I do like this one. Are the zip ties good enough that it doesn't rattle or move about?

Rivnuts seems like a good option. Not sure if I want to create my own tool to install it and the actual tool isn't cheap for something I'm likely going to do once.


Is that only rivet gun that will fit the plastic rivets? I originally thought I could just get the cheap $5 tool https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-riveter-set-38353.html but it looks like it might be too small?



I do like this one. Are the zip ties good enough that it doesn't rattle or move about?

Rivnuts seems like a good option. Not sure if I want to create my own tool to install it and the actual tool isn't cheap for something I'm likely going to do once.


Is that only rivet gun that will fit the plastic rivets? I originally thought I could just get the cheap $5 tool https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-riveter-set-38353.html but it looks like it might be too small?



I do like this one. Are the zip ties good enough that it doesn't rattle or move about?

no tattles

 

[Lane]

Mine has the plate holder installed in the lower black part of the bumper cover using #14 x 1-1/2" long sheet metal screws.

I know the exact size because I just had to buy a couple more of them. Thse screws are sizable enough that they look like lag bolts. With the proper size pilot hole drilled in the bumper plastic, these screws hold solidly - without the need for a nut on the backside.

The plate bracket itself has holes in it other than the holes where the metal license plate attaches to it. But these screws go through the plate holes and secure both the plate and plastic bracket to the bumper. Removal is quick and easy, and the pilot holes in the black plastic of the bumper are minimally visible.

I added the bottom screws just to hold down the bottom of the plexi plate cover - they only screw into the plate bracket itself and not the bumper.

I'd normally assume that every dealer or the factory itself would install it this way, but it sounds like that's not the case.

 

[athertonbt]

Rivnuts seems like a good option. Not sure if I want to create my own tool to install it and the actual tool isn't cheap for something I'm likely going to do once.


Is that only rivet gun that will fit the plastic rivets? I originally thought I could just get the cheap $5 tool https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-riveter-set-38353.html but it looks like it might be too small?



I do like this one. Are the zip ties good enough that it doesn't rattle or move about?

Zip ties have the tensile strength to hold entire cars together here in East Tennessee...
We have a Mitsubishi dealer here in town, so you get to see some real hillbilly ingenuity on these old Mirages.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

We have a Mitsubishi dealer here in town, so you get to see some real hillbilly ingenuity on these old Mirages.

A friend here in Ark. has an old Mirage with a billion miles on it. Apparently, his is immortal.

 

[Senior Master Ford Guy]

These might be similar to the above mentioned "rivnuts", but Ford uses what are commonly called " scrivets" on many trim panels. They are basically a plastic rivet but with a plastic crew in the center than can be unscrewed and reused. Your Ford dealer may even have them in stock. In addition, on your Maverick if you look at the edges of the inner fenderwell liners on the front wheel opening there are similar fasteners to these "scrivets" that have a center that you can just push in and it spreads the rivet for securing, then you can just lift the center back out for easy removal and they also are reusable. Once again your dealer may have these also, and if not at least you have a reference to tell the parts guy what you are looking for and where they are located.

 

[MaveLick]

My dealer used screws on only one of the Fords that I bought from them recently. I'm very certain that it was something elase on/behind the bumper for each screws. I think they only used two screws not three and the screws seemed to be heavily coated for rust proofing. I often use 3M tape at the edge of the bracket to help preventing scratches from the bracket. I applied several coats of many kinds of wax before I reinstalled the bracket because I was not planning to pull the bracket out just to clean the area behind it.

 

[Blueskies]

I need to install the front license plate bracket which means drilling into the bumper. Not a huge deal for me so I don't really care for aftermarket no drill offerings. I don't have a rivet gun and would like to be able to take the bracket off once in a while to clean everything behind it. Has anyone used nuts and bolts instead? It seems hard to reach behind the bumper to tighten things down this way. Anyone have other ideas how I can secure the front bracket while still be able to easily take it off?

This 3M product works great.. used it on my Maverick and is secure even in the car wash..’

 

[jpv74]

Ya my dealer rammed the large screws right into the bumper right in front of me without a care in the world. I am not happy with this solution. Why didnt Ford include a dang spot to mount the plate?

 

[jpv74]

Not too mention my plate is installed up higher on the actual bumper. I dont mind that location but the holes are literally in my bumper. The lower mount seems to be blocking the radiator a little bit.

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