Dealer drilled front grill- options?

[Bolter]

Mine came from the plant like that. I saw it come off the trailer that way. I asked why I wasn't involved in that decision and was told that the plant had to do that for states with front plates. Not sure that is true, but I didn't have a choice. Watching to see if you get any other info.

My dealer didn't touch the front of the truck and I'm in a front plate state.

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[Skip]

My dealer didn't touch the front of the truck and I'm in a front plate state.

My wife was there taking pictures when it came off the truck. It was filthy, looked like it had been driven off road and through mud puddles. The front license frame was on it already. I really don't know the answer or what to say, but my dealership did not install it, that I am sure.

 

[RoLyMa27]

My wife was there taking pictures when it came off the truck. It was filthy, looked like it had been driven off road and through mud puddles. The front license frame was on it already. I really don't know the answer or what to say, but my dealership did not install it, that I am sure.

Man that sucks! How many miles were on it? EDIT: I think you might have good chance of getting the grill replaced, because if I'm not mistaken the plate holder is not supposed to be mounted to the grill. The little trim piece under the grill with the two dimples is the top mount for the bracket not the bottom!

 

[Skip]

Man that sucks! How many miles were on it?

4 miles. I will hold off until I leave MD to do anything with it. Hopefully will be in Tenn before summer.

 

[Hoss360]

Holes are definitely not there from the factory... but it does have indentations to show where to drill. So glad that Ohio got rid of the front plate requirement

 

[BadAss bronco dude]

So when I picked up my First Edition the dealer had drilled 2 holes into the piano black metal of my front grill for their cheap ass license plate holder. Didn't ask me or warn me beforehand. Said they "had to" because a front plate is required in Maryland (tho not in my state.) I am so pissed I can't even talk to them yet. Do I have a case for demanding a new undamaged grill from the dealer? From Ford?
Anyone have any ideas for how to handle this?

The plate holder for mine was in the rear cargo area in the compartment for the jack. Still in the plastic bag. Ca requires front plates also... But the did not put it on.

 

[Roll Sound]

The plate holder for mine was in the rear cargo area in the compartment for the jack. Still in the plastic bag. Ca requires front plates also... But the did not put it on.

Mine too. In its bag with the bolts and screws.

 

[Channels321]

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure it is only 2 holes on the lower painted are (still sucks) not top 2 grill holes, those just hold the plate on..On my last car I just plugged them with body panel fasteners that I painted to match. Could hardy even tell they were there

Here are some pics of my fix on my Bronco. It was pretty overcast so pics are not the greatest, but I think it is barely noticeable unless you're looking for it. The holes are not a huge deal for me, but figured I would share.

Used 1/4" bumper plugs, painted to match. Cheap and easy fix.

 

[TX-Hans]

Has anyone come up with a really good way of removing the burl of raised plastic caused by the screw going into the trim piece so that the painted plug fits flush?

 

[Roll Sound]

Has anyone come up with a really good way of removing the burl of raised plastic caused by the screw going into the trim piece so that the painted plug fits flush?

Countersink bit. Spin it with your fingers, not in a drill.

 

[OregonMike]

My dealer didn't touch the front of the truck and I'm in a front plate state.

Same here.

In Oregon, you get a trip permit and they mail you your plates later, so maybe that's why for me. My dealer left the bracket and screws in the glove box. I didn't even think to ask about it. The messed up thing about the included bracket is you can't put the month and year stickers in their proper place on the plate without the tabs at the bottom blocking them.

I bought one of the BuiltRight brackets. Easy install, no holes.

 

[vesuvan]

So when I picked up my First Edition the dealer had drilled 2 holes into the piano black metal of my front grill for their cheap ass license plate holder. Didn't ask me or warn me beforehand. Said they "had to" because a front plate is required in Maryland (tho not in my state.) I am so pissed I can't even talk to them yet. Do I have a case for demanding a new undamaged grill from the dealer? From Ford?
Anyone have any ideas for how to handle this?

It's worse than I thought. The holes left after carefully removing the cheap plastic plate holder are extruded and very noticeable. Dealer won't replace front bumper. So should I take it to a different dealer to have their service dept plug and paint? Or would I get a better result if I take it to a dedicated body shop? Would a third party shop even have access to Ford touch-up paint?

 

[‘21OBX]

It's worse than I thought. The holes left after carefully removing the cheap plastic plate holder are extruded and very noticeable. Dealer won't replace front bumper. So should I take it to a different dealer to have their service dept plug and paint? Or would I get a better result if I take it to a dedicated body shop? Would a third party shop even have access to Ford touch-up paint?

Is the black part of the grill ok then? Honestly I would not be happy with plugs on that color. A body shop can sand fill and paint that no problem and make it look like it never happened. You might be paying for it yourself but I’d at least try to talk to the general manager and see if they will cover a body shop to fix it. Get an estimate or two first. Body shops mix their own paint with formulas from a paint company touch up even from ford will look like doo doo. Have it repaired and painted properly. It’s sucks but I couldn’t stand to see that on my new vehicle.

 

[vesuvan]

Is the black part of the grill ok then? Honestly I would not be happy with plugs on that color. A body shop can sand fill and paint that no problem and make it look like it never happened. You might be paying for it yourself but I’d at least try to talk to the general manager and see if they will cover a body shop to fix it. Get an estimate or two first. Body shops mix their own paint with formulas from a paint company touch up even from ford will look like doo doo. Have it repaired and painted properly. It’s sucks but I couldn’t stand to see that on my new vehicle.

Sound advice! Will get some quotes. I live in a rural area so not sure I should trust local body shops. May take it to the nearest "city" for a quote. Hate trusting Google with the outcome of a First Edition repair. Will post pics of repair. Thanks-

 

[‘21OBX]

Sound advice! Will get some quotes. I live in a rural area so not sure I should trust local body shops. May take it to the nearest "city" for a quote. Hate trusting Google with the outcome of a First Edition repair. Will post pics of repair. Thanks-

You can always look for a ford certified shop or dealer with a body shop. I absolutely agree with you should be comfortable with the shop you use. I have not looked on how the front of my bronco comes apart. If I could remove that part and drop only that off that’s the route I would take. The Bronco is new to everyone. To me if I take it apart I’m going to take my time and be careful. Plus it will save you at least an hour of labor. Working in a body shop I’ll tell you dust gets in everything. We used to wrap a soft top in plastic the minute it came in the door. I can’t guarantee everyone will do that. I no longer work as a body tech but if I ever had to take my bronco in I would wrap and tape plastic over my soft top and plastic windows before I dropped it off. But I’m a picky SOB.

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