1500 to 2500 4th gen bumper swap using NSB brackets

[GRKN]

I’ve never liked the look of 09-12 1500 bumpers and always liked the 2500 bumpers so as soon as I found someone makes brackets to make the swap I did it. Found the 2500 bumper for $150 on FB marketplace. One thing I was set on was keeping tow hooks if at all possible, since 1500 frames are narrower they either won’t line up with the frame or won’t line up with the bumper. I found some on eBay for 2500s that are offset a bit, kind of split the difference so it’s not perfectly lined up but pretty close and they’re definitely not budging. Just had to drill 2 holes on each side through the NSB bracket and the end of the frame, and I had to get new bolts.

Before with stock bumper:



Northspec built brackets





Some pics showing what I did with the tow hooks for any wanting to do it themselves





And the result. It honestly looks better in person, my truck is a terrible example being so low. I’ll post more pics in the next couple weeks when I get it lifted a bit.



Chose to leave the valance off at least for now, looked terrible with as low as it is. I cannot wait to get this thing off the ground lol. Super happy with the results though. Looks way better and provides a great spot for a light bar. All in it was about $700 for bumper, brackets, tow hooks, light bar, the fillers under the headlights and a couple misc things. A little more then I had hoped but I love the look. Would definitely be cheaper without adding the tow hooks and light bar.

And I’d anyone was wondering the 30” curved eBay bar is crazy bright lol. Got a killer deal on it

 

[GTyankee]

2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Fog Lights sit horizontal
2500 Rams are still horizontal

1500 Ram 2013 & newer fog lights sit vertically


2016 Ram 1500

 

[monkist]

I’ve never liked the look of 09-12 1500 bumpers and always liked the 2500 bumpers so as soon as I found someone makes brackets to make the swap I did it. Found the 2500 bumper for $150 on FB marketplace. One thing I was set on was keeping tow hooks if at all possible, since 1500 frames are narrower they either won’t line up with the frame or won’t line up with the bumper. I found some on eBay for 2500s that are offset a bit, kind of split the difference so it’s not perfectly lined up but pretty close and they’re definitely not budging. Just had to drill 2 holes on each side through the NSB bracket and the end of the frame, and I had to get new bolts.

Before with stock bumper:

View attachment 522057

Northspec built brackets

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Some pics showing what I did with the tow hooks for any wanting to do it themselves

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And the result. It honestly looks better in person, my truck is a terrible example being so low. I’ll post more pics in the next couple weeks when I get it lifted a bit.

View attachment 522064
View attachment 522068
Chose to leave the valance off at least for now, looked terrible with as low as it is. I cannot wait to get this thing off the ground lol. Super happy with the results though. Looks way better and provides a great spot for a light bar. All in it was about $700 for bumper, brackets, tow hooks, light bar, the fillers under the headlights and a couple misc things. A little more then I had hoped but I love the look. Would definitely be cheaper without adding the tow hooks and light bar.

And I’d anyone was wondering the 30” curved eBay bar is crazy bright lol. Got a killer deal on it

View attachment 522069

Amazing, thank you so much for sharing this! We are in the same boat, I also feel the same way about the bumper on my 2012 1500 and planning to do the same swap using NSB’s brackets - looks amazing!

I really appreciate the fact that you shed some light on the front tow hooks, been trying to figure that one out for quite some time now but found nothing substantial.

So you mean I could get any factory 2012 2500 front tow hooks (eg. the 68171791AA) and just drill the holes you did and that’s all? Of course I would not use them for towing, just for the looks.

You also mentioned you would lift the truck, was yours factory on these pics? If so, how much lift did you do? How much lift do you think I would need to achieve the same height as on a 2500? Wheel size would stay the same, was only thinking about a 2” front leveling first but I wonder if that would do the trick.

Thanks for the info!