Front license plate mounting location

Dws3511

Sep 07, 2021

I live in Texas and we are required to have front license plates. I hate the mounting location that Ford picked to install the license plate holder on the new Broncos and I have been dreading installing it. After a week of thinking and trying to come up with a solution, this is what I came up with. The license plate holder that came with my Bronco is supposed to be mounted up on the painted piece in between the bumper and grill, which required drilling holes in the paint (Picture 1). Not! So I played around with the bracket over the weekend and found that if you put it centered on the bumper below where it is supposed to go, it will fit the contour of the bumper. I really did not want to drill into the bumper either but I had to choose the lesser of the two evils. Here are some pictures of the process and the end result. I hope this will help someone out there who is facing the same problems.

ResidualGenius

Last edited by a moderator: Sep 07, 2021

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Sep 07, 2021

I think you'll be moving the plate somewhere else. You unfortunately just covered up your front pre-collision radar (rectangular box in your second picture). See the last warning on page 262 of your owner's manual. I realize your license plate is not snow or ice, but a piece of galvanized sheet metal in front of the sensor can't be good. Sorry.

Paleos, Deano Bronc

Sep 07, 2021

Oh crap, I did not realize that. Thank you so much for letting me know. I will definitely check into it and change it. Sorry everyone.

Paleos

Sep 07, 2021

TX here as well and I ended up buying a bracket from this thread

https://thebronconation.com/forums/threads/front-license-plate-bracket-alternative.6247/
It will be here today and will install and take some pics for the thread. It is a bit low, and would need to be removed for heavy off-roading, but I think it will be good for the 80% road time.

BN 0232 Bronco "Skwach" - 4 Dr FE, Lightning Blue, MIC/NP
New acquisition - Ranger Lariat Tremor, Rapid Red "Quake" (Skwach's little brother)
Other fun stuff: Honda Pioneer 1000 dirt toy (Need hitch!)

Sep 07, 2021

Dws3511
I live in Texas and we are required to have front license plates. I hate the mounting location that Ford picked to install the license plate holder on the new Broncos and I have been dreading installing it. After a week of thinking and trying to come up with a solution, this is what I came up with. The license plate holder that came with my Bronco is supposed to be mounted up on the painted piece in between the bumper and grill, which required drilling holes in the paint (Picture 1). Not! So I played around with the bracket over the weekend and found that if you put it centered on the bumper below where it is supposed to go, it will fit the contour of the bumper. I really did not want to drill into the bumper either but I had to choose the lesser of the two evils. Here are some pictures of the process and the end result. I hope this will help someone out there who is facing the same problems.

You completely blocked the radar sensor, so not going to work

WT HOSS 4dr 2.7 MIC Lux Tow
7/16/20 Res -- 1/22/21, 10/8/21 Order -- 3/24/22 VIN -- 5/9/22, 5/23/22, 5/16/22, 6/6/22, 6/17/22 Build 7/15/22 Delivered

Sep 08, 2021

I got this shackle mounted plate holder that goes on one of the two frame mounted recovery points of the heavy duty bumper. You can change how the plate attaches to avoid blocking the radar and the little round sensors for collision avoidance.

Kentrol Shackle Mounted License...

Outer Banks, 4dr, Velocity Blue, soft top, Lux, 2.7L, rear locker, HD bumper/bash plate, tow package, roast leather
Build Date: 8/18/21
Replacing my Black 2013 Mustang GT Premium

Deano Bronc

Jun 28, 2023

Unfortunately the dealer installed my plate bracket and didn't warn that they would run self-tapping screws thru the front grill to install it.

I've purchased and installed a plate relocation bracket, but now I have ugly holes on the front grill on a brand new vehicle due to the dealer and/or Ford's terrible design choice.

Micahman, Jakob1972

Jul 03, 2023

Pygar

Jul 03, 2023

EBG

Where did you get that bracket? Please

Jul 05, 2023

Jhd29
Where did you get that bracket? Please

It's just a piece of angle iron I had lying around. About 10" long, drilled it to match the 3 Torx bolts in the bumper opening and for the 2 license plate bolts, and spray painted flat black. Cost = free. Time = about 20 minutes (+ paint drying time).

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