Will a front bumper that fits a 1999 Tacoma fit my 1996?

Hey, I'm looking at swapping front bumpers with a guy that has an aftermarket front bumper on his '99. Do the mounting brackets for the front bumper on a '99 match the mounting brackets and such on a '96?

 

No. 95-97, 98-00, and 01-04 all have different front end designs. The 95-97 frame horns are significantly shorter than the 98-00 frame horns.

As a result you can’t use a bumper made for a 1999 on a 1996.

It also depends on what type of bumper it is and how it mounts.

 

Interesting. I wonder why Toyota did this?

 

Thank you for the details! Just what I needed to know. Looks like I'll be waiting to get an offroad bumper then.

 

Ask how it mounts, if it mounts to where the tow hooks are it might fit.

 

Front end facelifts and redesigns. Aesthetics.

 

Makes sense.

 

So, just for reference, the CBI site has this to say about their bumpers:

I would think that you could do a similar cut/weld and get it to fit.

 

Should say 98-00, 97 is part of the original first design. 98-00 had completely unique frame horns which is why you have to cut and weld. I have to cut and weld new frame caps to attach my Relentless Fabrication bumper.

 

Yeah, I did that for a friend of a friend a few months ago, too. He had a 4runner, don't remember the year. He did the cutting before I got there and I just helped weld in the end caps.

NWtrailinnovations also says something about 1996-2004 tacomas, and how the 98-2000's need modification. The way it's written, it implies the 95.5-97 don't need modification, but I'm sure that's not right either.

I just mean that if you're going to be cutting and welding anyway, just cut it and weld it, lol

 

almost all aftermarket bumpers are made to fit 95-97 and 01-04 without modification so more than likely it will fit

 

Right but if it’s made for a 98-00 it might not fit.

We’d have to see what kind of bumper it is first.

 

Thread revival. What about a factory 1995-1997 bumper on a 2001-2004? Anybody done it?

 

anything is possible if you do it right. Take the idea to a fab shop or do it yourself with a welder