Hi all, I just bought my first dodge and wanted to introduce myself and ask a question. The truck I bought is a 2001 Ram 1500 SLT, 5.2L V8, 5 speed, extended cab, and short bed. It came with a gigantic diamond plate steel front bumper that must weight close to 300 lbs. and weighs the whole front of the truck down. Its not really my style so I wanted to replace it with a stock bumper. The dealership quoted me $1043 to do the job ($600 of which was for a new bumper). Naturally, I said no thanks and ordered a repro unit with upper and lower pads.
My problem is I cant find any pictures or info about how it bolts to the frame. With the custom unit, it looks like if there were mounting brackets/arms, they are long gone. Does anyone know a web site or book that would have an assembly diagram for the front bumper to frame? Also, knowing what type of bolts to get would be very helpful. Basically, I need to find out all the items that go between the frame rails (or wherever they bolt up) and the actual chrome bumper.
Its not a great picture, but here is a nighttime shot of the front bumper. Its a little over 1MB for the dial-up users.
http://www.blackwellprojects.com/images/DSC00585.JPG

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Andrew in VA

 

Oh my god, I so want that, you should give it to me

Also most aftermarket bumpers use the factory mounts, but I'll look in my chiltons book in the morning and see what it says

 

The factory bumper has brackets(2) upper and lower on the frond, and crossbraces(2) on on each side of the bumper that mount to the frame. I just replace my bumper this winter because I was in an accident and i got a brand new one off E-Bay for less than $250(including shipping)...i would do that unless you are really trying to save money..the only thing my new bumper did not come with is the inserts in the front of the bumper(plastic) where the stock fog lights mount, I didn't care for them so i bought billet inserts for it...If you need any more help or info I would be glad to help, I could also give you the user I bought the bumper from on E-bay!

 

Ok, so I need to order 2 brackets and 2 crosspieces to complete the install. Is there a good web company to order that stuff from? I'll browse around, but Im always open to suggestions. Also, the chrome bumper and pads that I got were from ebay, which cost $223 with shipping. Its comparable to most of the prices I have seen for this stuff so far.
Thanks for the replies so far!

 

Try a local junkyard then you are sure the brackets are oem.