I can't believe I'm actually posting this, but here's the story...
Have a '99 F150 Lariat, in NY, so the truck cam equipped from the factory with a front license plate frame. Well, the wife pulled into the driveway yesterday and I noticed the plate was hanging and bouncing a little, so I took a look and saw one half of the mounting bracket was broken. Aaaaah, no problem...just get a new one from a local AID auto or such, but let me take the broken one off before I lose the plate. Well, upon crawling under with a socket set ready to take the top brackets off, I am astounded to see the plastic riveted right to the steel bumper! Can't be - must be lack of light - probably a torx head....got a little surface rust, right? Wrong. Anyway, am I wrong is asking why in God's name would they steel rivet the plastic frame to the bumper?!? This has to be something that breaks often for people, so do I now have to drill out the rivets in the front bumper just to change the frame?! That said, due to the design of the front of the truck, I guess I have to get a replacement frame from Ford as well to get it to mount right. Sheesh. Before I go drilling my truck, is this right or was it really late on a Sunday and my brain was not in gear when I looked at this?
Thanks
PS - hmmm, since my window sticker said "front license plate frame - N/C" (no charge), what do you think my chances are of the dealer giving me a another for free? (joke)