lower front bumper removal

I'm having a hard time finding the right info- anyhow, after 3 years of my license plate scraping up the lower/center of my front bumper (black part), I'm wondering if that part comes off of the front bumper and how to do it. I'd probably remove and replace if that part was cheap enough, otherwise, I'd remove and paint it black to restore it.

Either way- has anyone removed that portion and can tell me how?

Circled in Yellow.

Thanks!

 

Gotta cut it out. Molded into the bumper cover

 

That's what I thought too- but then I see things like this: Part 11- but I cannot find a way to remove it.

 

Also, if you take your license plate off you may find the actual paint is peeling from where your plate is mounted to the bumper...at least mine is

 

I put large rubber washers behind it to help stop that- there's like 1/8" from the bumper cover to the plate. But vibration and car washes have pushed the bottom into that black part and now it looks like crapola. I'm thinking of simply spraying it with plasti-dip as I think that will hold better and last longer than regular spray paint.

 

Damn, good idea with the rubber washers. I'm a little too late though lol

I always though about painting/dipping that lower valence black instead of that grey color.

 

https://www.usoffroad.us/store/bump...-2012-2015/tacoma-2012-15-winch-mount-bumper/

Problem solved.

 

If only I had $500 to blow- oh and then the cash for a winch.

 

You can take the lower valance out without cutting.There are several push tabs (molded into the part#11) and additional blue plastic clips holding it on.

 

It will be much easier to remove it if you already have the front bumper cover off. In fact, I don't think youd be able to have access to all the tabs without taking the front bumper off. Once the bumper is off, it just takes a little finesse, a good flat head screwdriver, and some patience.

 

Bed liner.

 

there's that option as well

 

I just did this to replace that piece for a friend who managed to bump into a wood wall and bust all the clips on the lower valance. Here is a short version of what you need to do:

Remove the grille-Two 10mm bolts on top and two plastic pop-up clips then the grille pulls away from the front of the truck.

Remove the bumper cover and lower valance:

Remove three plastic clips on the top of the bumper cover. Remove six 10mm bolts on the bottom of the cover and remove one bolt under each wheel well and remove one tricky little clip in each front wheel well. Move the cover out from the front of the truck and disconnect the wiring to the fog lights if you have them. You are now holding the bumper cover in your hand.

To remove the lower valance:

There are 5 blue clips that hold on the lower valance and a whole bunch of tabs along the top that have to be released then it slides right out.

If you go slow and clean parts the first time you do this it will take an hour. Do it a second time without cleaning and it will take you 20 minutes. There are videos on youtube and step by step instructions with pictures on the web that will show you how its done.

Two other points, I created a thread here on TW asking if anyone had a spare lower valance they might have taken off when they installed an aftermarket bumper and I received multiple responses, some from several who only wanted shipping costs and one that was kind enough to let me have it and since I was traveling near his house I even picked it up from him and saved shipping costs. You might try a similar thread. And second, a bit of self promotion here, I do sell brackets that will eliminate the problem of the plate rubbing. Sale threads are linked below in my signature if you are interested.

And finally, if this is something you decide to do, be careful of the two clips under the wheel wells. They are a little tricky as you only need to use a flat blade screwdriver and need to move them just a quarter turn in one direction or the other, then they are ready to be pried out. If you twist them too much the little plastic piece will break and you will have to buy a whole new clip for about $6.50 each.

 

thank you!

I'd love a plate bracket but I've now got some nice big holes where the dealer screwed the plate in and some discoloration from the rubber washers I used to keep it away from the bumper.

 

I understand. This is not a pressure sale tactic, just passing along info gathered from experience. You can clean up the front typically and either use some small hardware store plastic plugs and use some touch up paint to color match them, or you can use some seam sealer or even paintable silicone to fill in the holes then touch up paint over the seam sealer/silicone.

 

Has anyone figured out a way to remove this without removing the bumper?
Obviously the four lower clips are easy to pop out. I simply cannot see the remaining ones that go around the sides and the top. If I can pop it off I'll paint it black and then reinstall.

 

I don’t think it is possible. The aluminum bar that sits behind the bumper cover blocks the rest of the clips you need to get to. But removing the bumper cover is really very easy and goes much quicker than you might expect. I would encourage you to give it a shot, I think you will be surprised at how easy it is.