Holes in Bumper

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iammilo

New Member

May 25, 2005

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Jul 8, 2005

#1

• Jul 8, 2005

• #1

I picked up my GT from the dealer yesterday and noticed that they had their dealer plate attached to the front of the car. Two screws held the plastic frame in place in the center of my front bumper.

I asked if they had drilled the holls in the bumper because it seemed unlikely that Ford would drill holes in an otherwise unblemised paint job. They insisted that it came from the factory like that, and that they would never do such a thing. They pulled the plate off, and I'm now left with two grubby holes...that weren't even drilled very well since there's a bit of plastic shagging the edges of each of them.

Is the dealer blowing smoke, or are the cars actually sent out from the factory like that? If the dealer drilled my car I'm going to demand a new bumper, but I was banging my head against the wall yesterday because I didn't know if they were telling the truth or not. I'm thinking they might have been full of it, because when I pressed for the third time, the salesman said "You can hardly notice it." Maybe it's just me, but that spells guilty in my book.

 

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05Stangster

New Member

Mar 31, 2005

113

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Austin, Texas

Jul 8, 2005

#2

• Jul 8, 2005

• #2

Yes, the GT bumper does have two very, very small holes for which you can attach a plate. However, when inserting the screws into the holes while attaching the front plate - the holes become much bigger than when sent out of the factory. ie it's like two pin holes that let you know exactly where to mount the plate. Bummer! I still have not put a plate on and won't until I get ticketed.

 

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SP_51-F1

Member

Oct 26, 2004

41

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6

Austin

Jul 8, 2005

#3

• Jul 8, 2005

• #3

Mine has 2 little tap holes, but you would have to drill them out, (could probibly use the screw) to get a screw in there. I will try to get a pic at lunch if you would like.

 

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stanmckinney

10 Year Member

Mar 30, 2005

1,188

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49

Jul 8, 2005

#4

• Jul 8, 2005

• #4

You would have never noticed it had the dealer not installed his plate. I now tell my dealer if he installs his plate I won't buy the car. That gets his attention.

 

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iammilo

New Member

May 25, 2005

18

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Jul 8, 2005

#5

• Jul 8, 2005

• #5

Figures. I requested that they not put any dealer marks on my car, so they didn't put a sticker on the back. They were cool about that, but after they brought it back from the wash, it had a plate. I bitched at them (nicely) and they pulled it off, but the holes look like ass now.

I'm going in to have the seat fixed (doesn't tilt forward...came like that from factory), so I'm going to raise a little hell and see if I can get them to correct the problem. Should be fun.

 

Blk05Retro

Member

Mar 31, 2005

99

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6

Katy, TX

Jul 8, 2005

#6

• Jul 8, 2005

• #6

I told the sales person a few times before it came in, not to drill and attach the plate. Mine didn't have the pin holes, it was more like a small raised spot. You can feel it, but its not noticable until you get up close.

 

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ScarlettStang

New Member

Apr 10, 2005

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0

So Cal

Jul 8, 2005

#7

• Jul 8, 2005

• #7

www.bumperplugs.com

 

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Mike McRann

New Member

Sep 23, 2004

21

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0

Jul 9, 2005

#8

• Jul 9, 2005

• #8

iammilo said:

I picked up my GT from the dealer yesterday and noticed that they had their dealer plate attached to the front of the car. Two screws held the plastic frame in place in the center of my front bumper.

I asked if they had drilled the holls in the bumper because it seemed unlikely that Ford would drill holes in an otherwise unblemised paint job. They insisted that it came from the factory like that, and that they would never do such a thing. They pulled the plate off, and I'm now left with two grubby holes...that weren't even drilled very well since there's a bit of plastic shagging the edges of each of them.

Is the dealer blowing smoke, or are the cars actually sent out from the factory like that? If the dealer drilled my car I'm going to demand a new bumper, but I was banging my head against the wall yesterday because I didn't know if they were telling the truth or not. I'm thinking they might have been full of it, because when I pressed for the third time, the salesman said "You can hardly notice it." Maybe it's just me, but that spells guilty in my book.

Click to expand...

Based on pictures I've seen of cars coming off the truck at the dealerships nothing in attached to the front (or rear) bumper.
During dealer prep they install the license plate frames and the dealers paper advertisment where the plates go.

When I picked up my 05 Mustang at the dealer the frames and advertisment had already been placed on the car, and to be honest it didn't bother me since license plates are required here in CA and I don't need any tickets...even the 'fix it' kind.

 

one50npump

New Member

Apr 16, 2005

2

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0

Kansas City, MO

Jul 9, 2005

#9

• Jul 9, 2005

• #9

the dealer did it. only 2 small dimples from the factory to show where to put screws..

 

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psycho

New Member

Jul 2, 2005

0

0

0

Jul 9, 2005

#10

• Jul 9, 2005

• #10

i work at a dealership and no htye dont come from the factory with holes drilled. they do come with the tiny dot so u know where to put the screws. we install them when they come in. i dont anyhow cuz i would not want the tag or holes in my bumber either. so i just leave them in the car so customer can put on if they want.

 

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my05gt

New Member

Jun 26, 2005

9

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0

Creedmoor, NC

Jul 9, 2005

#11

• Jul 9, 2005

• #11

My dealer has already told me they won't put a sticker or holes in my new car, they do however use a license plate frame which I am OK with

 

FIRE GT

New Member

May 10, 2005

8

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0

Jul 9, 2005

#12

• Jul 9, 2005

• #12

Your dealer is full of it...
Comes from the factory with tiny dimples for the screws. I told my dealer no front plate, no dealer stickers. I said ok to a rear license plate frame - which I promptly removed....

 

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my05gt

New Member

Jun 26, 2005

9

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0

Creedmoor, NC

Jul 9, 2005

#13

• Jul 9, 2005

• #13

My dealer has been honest with me, got me what I wanted, and happens to sponser our local mustang club. He can display the frame on my car -- for now -- until a better frame comes along

 

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getnmineinjune

New Member

Apr 6, 2005

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Jul 10, 2005

#14

• Jul 10, 2005

• #14

ScarlettStang said:

www.bumperplugs.com

Click to expand...

Thanks for the link but...ROFL. $24.95? Try home depot with about 20 cents in your pocket!!

I'll post my black ones soon.

 

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stanmckinney

10 Year Member

Mar 30, 2005

1,188

5

49

Jul 10, 2005

#15

• Jul 10, 2005

• #15

Capitalism at its best.

 

bronco78

Member

Jul 9, 2005

88

0

6

Jul 13, 2005

#16

• Jul 13, 2005

• #16

So no one has found and bought, or made a plate holder that mounted to someplace other then the center of the bumper????? Seems some aftermarket company would have something by now? Oh well, I guess I'll just have to fab my own mount.. I have to have a front plate.. But I'm not drilling two big holes in my otherwise flawless bumper.. That and it will impede air flow to the Rad.. if mounted as designed.. Silliness.

 

GT-03

Member

Dec 12, 2003

630

1

16

Jul 18, 2005

#17

• Jul 18, 2005

• #17

In states which have a front plate, aren't dealers required to install them?

In states which don't have a front plate (like PA ), I would too be mighty upset if the dealer installed one of their own ad plates.

 

turrizt

New Member

Oct 18, 2004

70

0

0

Jul 27, 2005

#18

• Jul 27, 2005

• #18

Yea my front bumper has no holes drilled in it either... I didnt even notice
the dimples...

As for the back, I gotta install my metal plates asap. Do I have to drill that little hole out to get a self tapping screw in there or what?

help please........... I dont want to mess up my ride by drilling unnecessarily.

Thanks,
Wil.

 

bronco78

Member

Jul 9, 2005

88

0

6

Jul 28, 2005

#19

• Jul 28, 2005

• #19

turrizt said:

Yea my front bumper has no holes drilled in it either... I didnt even notice
the dimples...

As for the back, I gotta install my metal plates asap. Do I have to drill that little hole out to get a self tapping screw in there or what?

help please........... I dont want to mess up my ride by drilling unnecessarily.

Thanks,
Wil.

Click to expand...

I would (did) pre drill a pilot hole before installing the plate screws, even if of the self tapping type. This helps to get the hole, and screw in straight and on center,,,,so the plate hangs straight. .