Front Bumper Brackets, 72-93 trucks

I have a '76 W100 and I also have a brand new bumper from Mopar sitting in my shop, but the two will not go together!

Here's the jist: Many years ago, my Dad bought a new front bumper for (then-his) 1976 W100 and never got around to putting it on. Well, I want to put it on this truck now (mine now), and the holes in the bumper are spaced differently than the original, so the brackets that I have do not work. Here is my question: When our dealer ordered this bumper, was it for a later model (81-93?) maybe? The original bumper has bolts spaced approx. 33" wide and 5.5" apart (top to bottom). The new bumper has the same 33", but top to bottom the bolts are only 4" apart. Would brackets off of a newer model, that fit the 4" bumper bolt pattern, still bolt to the frame of my '76? Has a three bolt triangular pattern on the frame for the bumper brackets.

Anyone done this before? Please advise. Thank you!

JS

Do the bumpers look the same? As far as I know the early 80s used the 70s style the first couple yrs.
81-93 had 3 different bumpers.

I am going the other way ...earlier bumper on my '85.

I just went and measured the '79-80 bumper I bought (used, with brackets) and the bolt holes are a little under 5" apart?

Bumper guards cover the mounting holes.

The 81 up bumpers are noticeably different, have a character line about 3" or so down from the top, and I think they are slightly wider, maybe wrap around the fender a little.

Got a picture or a part #?

Is it possible that the bumper is for a van?

The frame ends are all the same as far as I know, 3 bolt triangular, and the brackets will swap.

I haven't installed the earlier one yet, I think I can straighten my '85 one with a little help, and would like to do it before swapping the earlier one I want on there.

Around 82 the bumpers changed and then in 86. Brackets were a little different for the 86 and newer, I know that much.

New bumpe has the character line that the old one does not. Otherwise, dimensionally the same (or close enough), just the spacing of bolt holes on the bumper is different. I wonder if its 82-85 or so? Looks like the bumper in the picture above on the tan truck, albeit without bumper guards. Thanks

JS

so, I'm likely looking for an 82-85 or 86-up bumper bracket set. Thanks for the info, I'll check the local Grab and Go (self-service auto salvage) this week. Thanks again

JS

I removed a front bumper(at the frame) froma a '77, and bolted it directly to my '87 and '88, using the brackets from the '77. same same.

I should still have the front bumper off my '85, ans IIRC it has the brackets. PM me it you need them. It sounds like that's the style of yours.

Quote:

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I removed a front bumper(at the frame) froma a '77, and bolted it directly to my '87 and '88, using the brackets from the '77. same same.

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The bracets mount to the frame with the same 3 bolt pattern.. Its the bolt pattern to the bumpers are different as are the bumpers a slightly different shape..