For my mini tubbed 95 Dakota project. I can and may go with a roll pan for the rear. However- Id like a chrome bumper. I like chrome plated steel bumpers for hot rod/muscle cars. Since my truck will no longer perform any truck like duties Id like an attractive rear bumper. Westin Fey among others sells the square traditional OEM type rear bumper the same as what came factory on the 1st gen Dakota. However they claim it fits 1987-2004 Dakotas. So does that mean the rear bumpers are interchangeable between 1st and second generation Dakotas?? If that's the case Id like the OEM sleek rounded edge rear bumper from say- a 2001 Dakota. But will fit correctly on my 1995? I don't really want a squared diamond step OEM style rear bumper. I am willing to buy a bumper for a pick and pull from 97 and later truck just to use for mock up but my local LKQ gets $90 for one. Problem is for $90 all they have is rotted out shells. I'd be willing to mock up a rusted old bumper (not a $90 rotted bumper) and if it fits Ill buy a new one.
This: Claiming it works on 1987-2004:


https://www.americantrucks.com/dakota-fey-diamondstep-rear-bumper-chrome-73000.html?

For a good link leave everything after the ? off.
https://www.americantrucks.com/dakota-fey-diamondstep-rear-bumper-chrome-73000.html?

Done. Thank you!

I've got a factory rear bumper laying in the garage that I'm going to use to replace the bent up bumper on the back of my 2004 Dakota quad cab. I could take a pic of it for you and get some measurements if you'd like. It doesn't look much like the bumper in the link above though. It has plastic covers over the chrome part, much like a Dodge Ram 1500 of the same years would have. The bumper pic in the link above looks more like what a 1995 step bumper would actually look like.

From what I have gathered, the frames on the Dakotas are the same from 90 until the body change in the 2004 range. That said, the sheet metal has definitely changed over that time frame. The bumper may well fit the frame, but it may not match well with the shape of the sheet metal near the rear bumper.

For the record, nearly all aftermarket rear bumper manufacturers have a company specific bumper design that fits several different trucks, then ship the brackets that bolt that bumper to the specific brand and style of truck frame the buyer orders the bumper for. I have installed several aftermarket rear bumpers and this has been my experience. The brackets between the bumper and the frame are what makes the bumper fit a wide range of trucks and years. Just because the bumper bolts on to the truck, that does not mean it compliments the truck's body style.

I don't know the style of bumper you are looking for, but the OEM rear bumpers for a 90 Dakota looked pretty good to me, but they were not chrome. The attached picture is an OEM rear bumper off of a 90 Dakota. The car it is attached to was the experimental stage of my 48 Plymouth coupe when I was considering going with out front fenders.

Thank you but I will go another route.

Thanks for the comments thus far. I like how the 1997-2001 rear bumper is more sleek and less boxy than the years before it. Remember- my Dakatos is now a hot rod and will not perform any truck duties. That's why I am posting if the 3rd gen bumper will work on a 1st gen Dakota. There is another pick and pull near me with lower prices than my local LKQ. I will spend $60 at this place for a bumper from a 97-2001 and see how it fits. I'm certain the bumper wont be usable but it will work for mock up. If It looks complimentary Ill buy a new version of it.