HoustonRider

(or whatever they are).... the chrome plates (front and rear).

got them today, thought they were bolt on, but they are more involved than that. Looks like I'm gonna have to remove the front/rear bumpers and install.

No biggy, my parents have owned a bodyshop for the last 37 years, I'm sure tehy won't have a problem doing it. Sure as hell not taking it to the dealer.

I paid $502 OTD for both. Includes SS bolts and back plate for rear.

fmr

good luck with the install -- they will look great. luckily mine came with the 19" wheel package.

HoustonRider

took about 2 hours. rear was easy. I had to pull the front bumper facia off to install the front one, but no big deal.

looks good. I like it.

fmr

good to hear. post some pics when you get a chance.

ivrier

Any chance you could give us a step by step installation? I'm considering in doing the same if I could save an installation fee.

HoustonRider

the rear was pretty straight forward. I marked where I wanted the plate by holding it up, then marking all the holes with a Sharpie. Then, after I checked for clearance, I drilled the eight holes. Remove 4 bolts on the lower bumper lip and slide the new rear plate (the rear plate comes with a rear support plate) in place the best I could. I lined up the rear support plate nuts (already on the plate) with the holes and installed the new bolts one by one. Rear took about 30 minutes or so.

The front was a different story. I placed the new front plate where I wanted it and marked each hole with the Sharpie. The parktronic wires are running dangerously close to where these holes are, so I opted to remove the front bumper cover completely. (this only took about 15 minutes). You can drill the holes before you remove the bumper, but almost impossible to get the nuts on the back. It took me 30-40 minutes to get one on, and it only took me 10-15 minutes to take the whole damn bumper cover off.

1) remove 3 clips inside each wheelwell, then pull wheelwell plastic back. There is ONE screw holding the lower bumper and steel fender together, right where they meet.

2) remove headlight assembly bolt (2 per side) and bolt that ties the headlight assembly to the grill (one is near the blue windshield washer cap).

3) remove clips and 2 screws from across front grill

4) remove all 10mm bolts underneath (one big plastic cover).

5) bumper should come right off. There will be two electrical clips holding the bumper to the car, have someone unplug them if you can while you hold the bumper, or unplug them one at a time.

6) now you can see the holes you drilled (or will drill), install the bolts and nuts.

7) put it all back like you found it

oknish

That is the part where I know I will have problems

ivrier

Thanks so much for the instructions. Freaks me out just thinking of taking off the bumpers and not being able to return them in the correct position. I think I'll leave this to the professionals!

MB500

HoustonRider,

When you bought your front and rear skid plates, did they come with all the bolts? The reason for my asking is because I just received the rear plate but there were no bolts in the box. Just the plate and support bracket. This doesn't look right...

MB500

I did the job this morning and the entire project took me about 4.5 hours. Taking the front bumper cover was extremely easy and once it's off the stainless steel plate install only takes about 45 minutes. I am convinced there is absolutely no way that one could install the front plate without taking the cover off the car first. I don't recommend drilling holes while the bumper cover is still on the car since there is a wire inside the bumper cover that comes extremely close to the drill bit. I had a couple of instances when I had to lift the wire up and pull it out of the way so I wouldn't drill through it. I am 99.9% sure that I would have drilled though the wire and I hadn't taken the covers off first.

The rear plate install took about 1 hour. It was pretty easy to get the mounting bracket behind the bumper cover and with little luck I was able to mount the first two bolts. The rest of install was extremely easy.

My total cost for the front and rear plates was $530.

Hope this helps.

s2kysk

Where did you get the plates for that price? My dealer wanted over $500 for rear.

MB500

My price was 'wholesale' and the dealer is quoting you retail. Some people on this forum have access to the wholesale prices. If you do little search you will find them.