Front license plate bracket bumper damage!

[amschind]

mine was loose/broken from the factory and the dealer would not fix it.
Unfortunately, CA requires a front LP.

Even worse, the factory bracket blocks airflow to the aftercooler. I can't grasp why Ford would bother with the expense of designing, building and installing an aftercooler only to prevent the heat rejection fluid (ambient air) from flowing over the aftercooler fins with an obstruction (the plate holder). Why not just have solid pipes straight from the turbo outlets to the intake manifold?

I know that Ford's engineers know how a heat exchanger works (I own a Powerboost), so the explanation that I am left with is that the combination of too many variants of the truck coupled with too many design teams but no overarching project lead results in decisions that a mechanically savvy high-schooler would find laughable.

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[jasonkosi]

I can get an $85CAD fine if I pull it off. I hate the damn front plates!

I ran no front plate for 2.5 years on my previous vehicle, never had an issue with the Mounties. Although we do have a large number of Alberta registered vehicles around that don’t require it, so maybe that helps with camouflage lol. I still doubt any officer would pull you over for the sole reason of having no front plate, maybe if you were stopped for something else they might tack it on.

 

[Shane150]

I ran no front plate for 2.5 years on my previous vehicle, never had an issue with the Mounties. Although we do have a large number of Alberta registered vehicles around that don’t require it, so maybe that helps with camouflage lol. I still doubt any officer would pull you over for the sole reason of having no front plate, maybe if you were stopped for something else they might tack it on.

Front license plate to me is stupid but I am not taking a chance when it is mandatory!

 

[Tnker]

I literally haven't ran a front plate in a decade, not once have I cared that it's illegal and nobody has ever made more than a passing comment about it. The state I live in now doesn't require front plates thankfully but the last state I lived in did. I've gotten more attention from tinted windows than no front plate.

I also haven't gotten my truck inspected (safety or smog) since the pandemic and nobody has mentioned it. In that time period i've even been pulled over several times and not a single cop has bothered to even look.

 

[crazywayne311]

i got the same damn damage. it chaps my ass but i guess i should have known to deal with it sooner or later.
Its required in our state but i dont like running them bc most manufacturers will drill holes. this at least clips on so i was fine with it. guess i let it stay on too long.

 

[DadBald]

Same here. Got my truck used and it had a front plate for 3 years. Took it off and it looks way better, but there's definitely some scratches there

 

[Larrymoe]

I think the issue is that certain parts of the truck are absolutely going to take cosmetic damage unless you keep it in the garage. As an example, I just pulled my front "valence" off and may replace it with a slightly taller piece of steel extending up from the front bumper. I am also going to get clear wrap on the front of the hood, similar to the fronts of the tow mirrors, where the rocks from I20 are particularly vicious. My front license plate is held on with a pair of carriage bolts that hare mostly there to hold the intercooler intake in place, so I think my current strategy is "hope that Texas abandons the front license plate law".

I think that a conscious choice of "Apply some kind of durable protection" vs "live with some scratches and dings" is good for your mental health.

Agreed. They are trucks after all.

 

[Larrymoe]

And, judging by most people's truck owning habits on this site, is anyone going to even own their truck long enough for rust to develop?

Half serious, half

 

[DadBald]

I hear what you're saying. I bought it from a guy like that But I intend to either 1) drive the truck into the ground at 250,000mi+, or 2) sell it when my cam phasors and turbos and hybrid battery and motor all blow up at once.

 

[Babbage]

And I did the Builtrite brand, again easy install and solid!!
https://builtrightind.com/products/ford-license-plate-mount-ford-f-150-2021

Ditto - plus 40% of your inter-cooler is no longer blocked!

 

[SonarChief]

Ditto - plus 40% of your inter-cooler is no longer blocked!

And while it is not been measured as to the gains of HP if any, it certainly only helps!

 

[jhelrey]

Judging by the pictures, this looks like a 2.7, 3.5 issue, not a 5.0.

 

[Babbage]

Judging by the pictures, this looks like a 2.7, 3.5 issue, not a 5.0.

The 5.0 bumper will also get scratched. Also plate relocate will help a 5.0 radiator.

 

[jhelrey]

The 5.0 bumper will also get scratched. Also plate relocate will help a 5.0 radiator.

I screwed mine on due to the car wash removing it several times. Mine does not contact the bumper.

 

[Babbage]

like drywall screws? where did you mount it?

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