99 Ranger, need a front bumper. Will this work??

[mikedd969]

Greetings everyone.

I'm in the process of repairing the front end damage on my "Free Truck" project. It's a 99 Ranger Super Cab 2wd that was given to me absolutely free.

Very little mechanically wrong with it but it was in a collision that beat the front end up pretty good. I've straightened the Core Support and replaced all the "soft parts" (Grille, Header Panel ect) with junkyard parts.

The front bumper was missing when I got the truck, and the mounting brackets that are welded to the frame are all mangled. I got some "new" brackets from my local junkyard, but there are absolutely no (reasonably undamaged) front bumpers to be found. I've been looking for about a month.

So my question is this. Today I came across a couple of 96 (ish) Explorers, both with pristine front bumpers. The bumpers and the mounting brackets look similar. Does anyone know if they would fit my little truck?

I've searched this forum and haven't found any information, most of the bumper threads seem to be about custom off-road bumpers. I could buy a new aftermarket bumper, but with shipping I'd be looking at around $200 and I really need to keep the budget small for this project.

Thanks!!

Mike

 

[Curious Hound]

What is your junkyards return policy? I would guess that those bumpers should work. If they allow returns, I would go ahead and take one of those Explorer bumpers home to try out.

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[mikedd969]

What is your junkyards return policy? I would guess that those bumpers should work. If they allow returns, I would go ahead and take one of those Explorer bumpers home to try out.

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Pretty sure I can return within 30 days, but only for "store credit"..... but then, it's not like I won't be going back for more stuff anyway.

I was just hoping that maybe someone here had already tried this.

 

[don4331]

How 'pretty' do you want your Ranger?

Technically, the Explorer is just over a couple inches wider. So, while it will bolt on, it will look like a borrowed pair of pants - just not quite right.

Putting an Explorer front clip on a Ranger has been done, but there is a fare deal of massaging to pull it off.

 

[mikedd969]

How 'pretty' do you want your Ranger?

Technically, the Explorer is just over a couple inches wider. So, while it will bolt on, it will look like a borrowed pair of pants - just not quite right.

Putting an Explorer front clip on a Ranger has been done, but there is a fare deal of massaging to pull it off.

I was afraid of that. I'm going to take a tape measure with me later this week and check all that.

I still have one more "self service" junkyard in the area to check, and a few "normal" ones. I'm still hoping to find an actual Ranger bumper..... There are 1 or 2 I have found so far, but they all have bends and dings in them...

 

[Drw0392]

I tried using an Explorer bumper on one of my Rangers, if I remember correctly, it was going to take a bit of modification to get it to work. I tried using an Explorer bumper on my Bronco II; same story- modifications would be required

 

[91stranger]

Ebay has one for $132 free shipping and free returns but it doesn't come with the chin valance or anything... Nicer bumpers with the nice valances are 200-300. Might have to find the best looking bumper or shop a wider band of junk yards. You could call them first to see if they even have that year(s) bumper in decent shape. If they want to make a sale they will send one of their runners to go look.

 

[91stranger]

Anyone know if bumpers from the 93-97 body style will fit the 98-00 body style? They look nicer and are slightly cheaper.

 

[Curious Hound]

I’ve got a black painted 93 bumper with valence and brackets if it will fit. Shipping would be a pain though unless you know someone driving through South Carolina

 

[Blmpkn]

Anyone know if bumpers from the 93-97 body style will fit the 98-00 body style? They look nicer and are slightly cheaper.

I read somewhere the only difference is the brackets?

 

[91stranger]

I could make brackets if that's all it is. I always thought the 93-97 body styles were slightly slimmer than the 98+. Maybe they just look smaller... Can anyone measure their front bumper?

 

[Drw0392]

The frame width is the same for both generations. To be sure, I'll measure my front bumper.

 

[Drw0392]

I tried a similar project. It wasn’t a straightforward bolt up affair. Pretty sure I had drill some new holes and modify the brackets to accept the Explorer bumper.