The rear bumper on your 1997 Ford Explorer has an integral hitch that requires a ball with a 3/4-inch shank. The bumper has a Class II capability. For towing trailers more than 3,500 pounds, use a frame-mounted hitch and don't hook the chains to the bumper. If you are shopping for a replacement rear bumper, keep in mind that the 1995-through-1997 Explorer rear bumpers have the license plate mount in them; the 1998-to-2001 bumpers do not.
Remove the tag lamp assemblies from the bumper. Support the bumper, using a jack and block of wood.
Locate the bumper mounting hardware, where the ends of the frame meets the bumper. Remove the nuts, using a ratchet and socket, then remove the bolts from the frame. Remove the bumper from the vehicle, and the spacer if applicable.
If you're replacing the bumper stone deflector, use a drill and a small, metal-cutting bit to drill out the five retaining rivets, and remove the deflector from the vehicle. Hold the new stone deflector in position and install new rivets, using the heavy-duty riveter.
Support the bumper in position and install the bolts. Install the spacer, if applicable, then install and torque the bumper nuts to 84 to 112 foot-pounds, using a foot-pound torque wrench and socket. Install the tag light assemblies in the new bumper.
