Front bumper Quik-latch install

I just wanted to post a basic how-to on how I installed push-button latches. There are a ton of counterfeit/cheapo off brand products, I chose to stay away from them and order the real stuff.

Pointers I have after installing them.
1. remove the inner fender liners, if you have a CAI, remove the filter.
2. Get larger washers like I have pictured if using the hole I used, it's obvious why you need larger washers. I got stainless washers but I recommend thicker washers that wont bend when tightening the nuts
3. Buy and use locknuts for the outside nuts and use a dab of blue threadlocker.
4. Put a dab of blue threadlocker on the pushbutton nut.
5. Drill a larger hole than needed on the plate to give plenty of room for the pushbutton rod to pass through.

Here's what I got: I chose to use only two buttons, one for each side.

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I installed the bumper and scribed the hole that I wanted to cutout of the oem plate. I chose to retain the plate so i could use the studs to help align the bumper correctly.

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I used a step drill to drill a perfectly round hole and made it larger than i needed. I ended up using a carbide burr to open the hole up even more afterwards. See tip #5

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Here you can see the pushbutton stud installed in the factory hole in-between the two studs. That large hole is why you need larger OD washers.

I used both supplied regular nuts to set the studs up.

Use a dab of something on the end of the bit to help accurately mark the inside of the bumper for drilling. You can use anything, toothpaste, PTFE paste, anything that will stay on the tip of the stud. You need to extend the stud longer than it will be installed so it touches the inside of the bumper. make sure the bumper is installed correctly (tabs under the headlights aligned correctly.)

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Can you see the small dab of ptfe paste made by the stud? Thats your perfect drill mark!

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Measure your pushbutton on the threaded area. This is the step drill size i drilled my hole to.

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Put painters tape over the area that will get drilled so you dont chip your paint while drilling. Use a small drill bit to drill a perfect pilot hole!

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Hole drilled
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Button installed. Add a dab of thread locker on the threaded portion just incase.

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The fun part is now over and next requires a bit of patience but isnt that bad. Following tip #1 will make this process alittle easier.

Right now you just need to get the length of the stud and orientation in the hole correct so it puts enough tension on the bumper. I left the stud slightly lose so it could slide around with a minor amoutn of force.

I then installed the bumper and snapped the pushbutton onto the stud. If it isnt fastening the you need to lengthen the stud so it reaches the button correctly. If the stud is to long the bumper wont sit all the way against the fender like your used to see it.

This just requires a bit of patient but overal isnt that bad. Once you get the length correct take the studs outside normal nut off and put your locknut on with a tad bit of thread locker.

Dont tighten the stud all the way, leave it slightly loose like earlier, install the bumper and once the postion of the stud is correctly aligned and secured to the push button then tighten the locknut. having. I did it snug but like i noted in tip# 2, if you dont use a thick washer it may bend alittle.


End result

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I think it turned out failry clean and seems to be plenty secure with only one pushbutton per side. I contemplated doing two per side replacing the oem studs with push buttons but i figure I'll give this the ol college try. Seems to be nice and secure to me, i'll report back if I have issues.

As always if you have questions please feel free to ask!

Thanks for looking,
Troy

great write up!
i would like to do this to mine as its on my trailer quite a bit. would make life a breeze.

Looks great! But.....why?? Do you remove your front bumper cover regularly or what?

Nadra said:

Looks great! But.....why?? Do you remove your front bumper cover regularly or what?

Click to expand...

My bumper has to come off to load on the trailer. Now it pretty much doesn’t require tools other than a Phillips screwdriver and only takes a few minutes.


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Ahhhhhh...right on man. Nice install.

nicely done!

might have to consider that before I get my new bumper painted. It might make like a lot easier to get on a trailer as mentioned along with the fact that my power pipe and charge pipe in the pass side fender makes it a real bitch to get in there

Can’t wait to install mine!


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These things are great! I have an OG set I’ll find a use for and go with these newer small black ones.
I’m pretty sure Ford is using these on the new GT500, so will be cool to see how/if they change on an OEM application.
Going to do the hood also?
-J