The front bumper on a 1998 Ford Ranger is made from steel and is chrome on the outside. It has black plastic trim along the center of the bumper and a black plastic lip on the bottom of the bumper. The '98 Ranger bumper is simple to replace; the task can be done in less than 30 minutes by just about anyone. A few common tools are needed, as is a helper to hold the bumper in place for installation.
Take off the old bumper first. Get underneath the front end of the Ranger and find the row of 12-millimeter bolts along the back side of the top of the bumper. Remove them using a ratchet and a12-millimeter socket.
Locate the two metal bracket arms that extend from the bumper to the frame of the Ranger. There are two 14-millimeter bolts holding each bracket arm to the frame. Have someone there to hold the weight of the bumper before you remove the bolts and nuts, because the bumper will fall down once the bolts are removed. Remove them with a ratchet and 14-millimeter socket.
Hold the new bumper up to the Ranger's front end and guide the metal bracket arms to the frame. Line up the holes in the arms and on the frame. Insert the 14-millimeter bolts into the holes and tighten the nuts on the back side of them using the 14-millimeter socket and a ratchet.
Insert and tighten the row of 12-millimeter bolts along the top edge of the back side of the bumper using a ratchet and 12-millimeter socket.
