I think someone else has already done this, but I thought I'd post my work. I couldn't stand that huge hole in the bumper so I filled it cheap. Looking around at the various options on the retail market, all were just too expensive for what you got.

Went to Home Depot and picked up a 12"x24" section of expanded metal. That and some chrome rustoleum paint and I was out the door for $25. I cut the expanded metal to about 6" by 21 1/2". That allowed me to fold up the metal about 1/2" around all sides.

Installed it this morning with 4 zip ties.

Great improvement. Only modification, I might have gone with the larger expanded metal (larger openings, 3/4" versus 1/4"). Probably would have matched the upper grill better.

BEFORE


AFTER

 

Good work...looks great

 

Looks good but your right... maybe the 3/4 would have matched better!

 

Looks really good. Great idea!

 

nice job! what did you zip tie the grille insert to? i couldn't find anything that would work so i ended up welding a bracket....

 

Looks good. Any close up shots?

 

Nice job!! You would think Ford by now would have come up with a solution for this, especially for states that have only one plate. Of course this might limit the ingenuity of peoples imagination.

 

My front license plate cover mine.

 

Nice... might have to do this.

 

What do you mean by "expanded metal"?

I can't really tell by the photo what it actually is -

Would like to do this to my FX4 - and easy as I would just need to paint it flat black.

Any info or close up pic of the "expanded metal" so I know what I am looking for at the store?

 

Stormtech - If you go to google images and type in expanded metal you'll see a million pictures of the stuff. When you'll see a better picture you'll know exactly what it is. It is used all over the place in all sorts of applications.

It's a great idea and I think it would look great in black to match the surround.

-frozen

 

I don't have any close up shots, but I bent a 1/2" rim around the entire perimeter (bent toward the rear) of the grille. That way I had something to make it rigid so it wouldn't flop, plus it made for handy areas to zip tie. I zip tied it to the license plate bracket holes, both top and bottom. I'll try to come up with a close-up photo.

I agree, black would have also looked nice too.

Expanded metal is basically just that. I think they cut slices in a sheet and then pull on the ends. When the sheet is "expanded" you get those nice diamond shaped openings. Home Depot sells it where you get the bar stock steel and aluminum. Comes in 1/4" and 3/4" hole size.

 

Here's some close-ups . . .

Overall of grille


Zip tied to lower license plate hole


Zip tied to upper license plate bracket

 

Thanks for the info guys - definitely going to pick up a piece next trip to Lowe's.

Will post up a pic when I do it.

 

Just an update . . .

I was initially concerned that the rough edges of the expanded metal may rub the inside of the plastic on the bumper. You know, with the wind buffeting it and all. Looks like its pretty solid in there and doesn't move around much. No scratches yet. Got a couple of compliments from guys at work on it. Thanks for the positive feedback here as well.

Ranger413