How ugly are the holes behind the license plate bracket?

sbbamafan · January 15, 2022

The dealer put on the front license plate bracket before I bought the truck. I am thinking about drilling the rivets out and removing it but dont know what I will be left with. Has anybody done it? I figure I can put short carriage bolts in the holes or chrome caps to fill them but I would really like to know ahead of time what I might be dealing with. I don't want to have to replace that entire chrome piece below the bumper...although I would not mind knowing the part number so I could get the cost if entirely necessary.

redwngr · January 15, 2022

Used to be a different trim piece to put on in place of the front license plate mounting.

We require front plate here.

GM still forces this option for deliveries to front plate destinations.

VK3 License plate kit, front (will be forced on orders with ship-to states that require front license plate)

Presumably that means they still have the alternate trim piece available.

Might be worth checking one of the on-line parts companies, or wander up to a nearby dealers parts counter.

Edited January 15, 2022 by redwngr

luke1333 · January 15, 2022

Most likely have to replace that piece that has holes in it so it won't look tacky imo

avalanched · January 16, 2022

I live in a front plate state (VA) but bought the truck in a non-front plate state (NC). When we picked up the truck the from plate bracket wasn't on, so they sent one of the techs to the parking lot to install it. It was a quick drill and screw operation. He was done in literally two minutes. I think it was just a couple of holes and some self tapping screws.

WeGone · January 16, 2022

I also live in Ga I'm surprised the dealer installed it, unless they just wanted to add a dealer tag (not cool). Guess I was lucky mine came in the truck not installed.

Edited January 16, 2022 by WeGone

Transient · January 16, 2022

They're is a cheaper fix. Go to Lowe's and head into the hardware department. There are a bunch of drawers filled with specialty hardware. A few drawers are labeled AUTOMOTIVE. In one of them is black plastic push pins that have a slight curve to the heads. You can always paint the heads to match since you mentioned chrome. Insert them into the holes and 9 out of 10 people wouldn't even notice.

sbbamafan · January 16, 2022

9 hours ago, WeGone said:

I also live in Ga I'm surprised the dealer installed it, unless they just wanted to add a dealer tag (not cool). Guess I was lucky mine came in the truck not installed.

Although I am in GA, given how low truck inventories are and the fact that pretty much all the dealers around here wanted huge 'market adjustments' added to the cost, I ended up buying from a dealer in Wisconsin. I had a fantastic experience and would absolutely buy from them again. After I had 'issues' with shippers jacking their prices after I had commitments, the dealer even took the truck to O'hare and met me and I drove it back to Atlanta. They said they do that all the time at no cost. In fact, they were doing multiple vehicles the same day that were headed all over the country.

sbbamafan · January 16, 2022

I guess I am just going to have to drill the rivets to see what I am working with. If it is too ugly, I will put it back on.

Flatus · January 16, 2022

Why not leave it there and put a tag of some kind on it? You have a favorite college team or a fan of beef?

smooth68 · January 16, 2022

6 hours ago, sbbamafan said:

I guess I am just going to have to drill the rivets to see what I am working with. If it is too ugly, I will put it back on.

I’m in the same boat and trying to decide if I want to remove the front bracket or just buy a sports/car related plate and install. Here is the look of push pins from another owner