Front plate holes in bumper on Tahoe...

KMeloney · June 20, 2002

Hey folks,

I'm in PA, so I don't need a plate on the front of my Tahoe. From the factory, the truck has two holes drilled in the front bumper, a square-faced plastic insert in each hole, and a screw in each insert. The truck is Light Pewter Metallic, the inserts are white, and the screws are gray.

Well, it looks like crap.

Can anyone tell me if the plastic inserts can be pushed out of the bumper or something? (I haven't crawled under the front to see what I'm dealing with yet.) Or, short of puting on a plate or having the holes filled and painted at a body shop, anyone have any other ideas for making the holes less obvious?

If I can somehow get the inserts out, I plan on throwing some black plastic plate screws in the existing holes. At least there's plenty of black on the vehicle, and the screw heads will be smaller (less obvious) than the current set up.

Thanks!

-Kirk

BIFFY · June 20, 2002

Kirk,

Those inserts will just pop out - I carefully pried mine out with a small screwdriver.

I'm not using my front plate either (although I should), and tried to paint the plastic inserts black (to match my paint color). It looked OK (less noticable than the screws or just holes), but the paint isn't sticking to well. I may have to try something else.

Barry

Cyclic · June 20, 2002

Just go to a import motorcycle shop and buy some large head button head allen bolt like what are used for a fairing and thread them into the plastic. Looks great.

Speide · June 23, 2002

I would just put a beauty plate up there if it was me.......

KMeloney · June 24, 2002

Just go to a import motorcycle shop and buy some large head button head allen bolt like what are used for a fairing and thread them into the plastic. Looks great.

Hmmm...Don't know a darn thing about motorcycle farings (or the bolts that hold 'em on). Can you give me some more info on what the heads of them look like? Are the hexagonal with press-in "caps" that cover the heads or something?

Oh, and to the previous poster, I suppose beauty plates aren't really my thing... Or, I'd want to keep changing them to the lastest one I like (which could get tedious). Just looking to keep things as clean as possible up there.

Thanks!

-Kirk

ClipperSkipper · June 24, 2002

Jees its' a high class problem since most new vehicles

have no provision for front tags. The reference to the HD shop is that there are small black trim buttons available

in order to occupy the holes and keep the water out.

There is a front plate delete option which you needed to order

otherwise, for the single tag states.

Have a great one!

Cyclic · June 25, 2002

Just head on down to your local Honda/Suzuki/ect shop and ask to see what they have for button head allen screws or fairing bolts. If you need to see what the look like just look at the fasterners holding on the fairings of sport bikes. They have a wide but thin head, using an allen wrench. Most are chrome or stainless some can be had in black or other colors. Just talk to the parts guy he will help you out.

Tucson_02Silverado · June 29, 2002

Try some chrome plated carriage bolts.

Somewhere....I remember seeing a folding step that bolted in place of the front plate.

...just found one, but I don't think it'll bolt to "rounded" bumpers without at least spacers.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/productnoitem.jht...950&BQ=jcw2

I know I've seen ones made from thick aluminium, but those too were on older type "flat bumpers"

jpendlum · July 3, 2002

This is easy, I did this to my Silverado. Go to Target or Walmart and look for license plate cap screws in the auto department. $2 I found a set with chrome caps and they fit perfectly over the holes. Can't really see it unless you're looking close.

If you want to get really good, you could have the wholes filled in and have it re-chromed

I've also seen them at the auto parts stores.