Stock rear plastic bumper damage and fix

[crenca]

So I noticed yesterday that my stock rear plastic bumper was hanging a bit low and was about 3/4 inch farther away from the vehicle on the passenger side. I figured I dragged it (scuffs on the underside were unremarkable however) when I went on a trail ride this weekend and because of the recent rains it was no longer a level 4, more like 5-going-on-6 with many ill placed boulders (we dragged a handful out of the way).

I removed the bumper today and found the metal inserts for the bolts had been striped out of the plastic on the passenger side:

They are supposed to be flush like on the driver:

In any case I used a rubber mallot and then a regular hammer to pound them flush again. Seemed like it will hold, if they work themselves out again I will try some sort of adhesive.

Most of my time was spent reinserting the tag light power connector, the plastic did not want to "click" back together, even though I was careful not to break the tab when I disconnected it. I suspect these connectors are really one time use designs...yet more cheapness/minimal quality from Ford. I ended up using electrical tape to hold it together.

Well will see how this goes, but I'm shopping rear bumpers in any case. I just don't want to relocate my tag to the spare (or anywhere else - I like the looks/practicality of the stock location) so options are limited.

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[Mjasi3]

yeah. those connectors really suck. did an aftermarket replacement muffler, and had to takeoff the bumper. One side I couldn't get the wiring clips to click back together. Took about half an hour. its also in a weird place to see and maneuver.

 

[23BDBigSean]

So I noticed yesterday that my stock rear plastic bumper was hanging a bit low and was about 3/4 inch farther away from the vehicle on the passenger side. I figured I dragged it (scuffs on the underside were unremarkable however) when I went on a trail ride this weekend and because of the recent rains it was no longer a level 4, more like 5-going-on-6 with many ill placed boulders (we dragged a handful out of the way).

I removed the bumper today and found the metal inserts for the bolts had been striped out of the plastic on the passenger side:

They are supposed to be flush like on the driver:

In any case I used a rubber mallot and then a regular hammer to pound them flush again. Seemed like it will hold, if they work themselves out again I will try some sort of adhesive.

Most of my time was spent reinserting the tag light power connector, the plastic did not want to "click" back together, even though I was careful not to break the tab when I disconnected it. I suspect these connectors are really one time use designs...yet more cheapness/minimal quality from Ford. I ended up using electrical tape to hold it together.

Well will see how this goes, but I'm shopping rear bumpers in any case. I just don't want to relocate my tag to the spare (or anywhere else - I like the looks/practicality of the stock location) so options are limited.

DV8 license plate relocate
I got one of those for the same reason, didn’t like how it covered my spare

 

[ocwill1]

So I noticed yesterday that my stock rear plastic bumper was hanging a bit low and was about 3/4 inch farther away from the vehicle on the passenger side. I figured I dragged it (scuffs on the underside were unremarkable however) when I went on a trail ride this weekend and because of the recent rains it was no longer a level 4, more like 5-going-on-6 with many ill placed boulders (we dragged a handful out of the way).

I removed the bumper today and found the metal inserts for the bolts had been striped out of the plastic on the passenger side:

They are supposed to be flush like on the driver:

In any case I used a rubber mallot and then a regular hammer to pound them flush again. Seemed like it will hold, if they work themselves out again I will try some sort of adhesive.

Most of my time was spent reinserting the tag light power connector, the plastic did not want to "click" back together, even though I was careful not to break the tab when I disconnected it. I suspect these connectors are really one time use designs...yet more cheapness/minimal quality from Ford. I ended up using electrical tape to hold it together.

Well will see how this goes, but I'm shopping rear bumpers in any case. I just don't want to relocate my tag to the spare (or anywhere else - I like the looks/practicality of the stock location) so options are limited.

my daughter got hit in the rear end and ripped her plastic bumper off. Was able to score an OEM rear steel bumper from ebay for ~$500, take off with no damage.. License plate is located in same spot on steel as the plastic..

 

[23OBX2.7]

Check recyclers

 

[Phil B]

I broke the drivers side wire connector trying to get it to click and lock. Had the same problem with the passenger side, instead of forcing it, I used some dielectric grease and it solved the problem.

 

[crenca]

I broke the drivers side wire connector trying to get it to click and lock. Had the same problem with the passenger side, instead of forcing it, I used some dielectric grease and it solved the problem.

So I had my silicone lube spray sitting right next to my connector cleaner spray (which is basically just alcohol). At one point I ended up accidentally grabbing the silicone lube...connector slid right in

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