Just checking in, but the front bumper dimensions on the Explorer and Sport, same? Looking to upgrade my Sports front bumper in the same year range. With a better style of oem.

 

The mounting locations should be the same but sometimes you have to worry about the stuff around the bumper if different trim was used. What I do when I have any doubt is go to the u-pull-it yard and swap parts from one model to my model to verify the fit. Sometimes you have to change brackets. Hollander Interchange doesn't always cover what fits, unless the part number is the same across the various models and model years. For example, Hollander Interchange won't tell you that seats from a Ranger or Explorer (or Mustang, Escort, Taurus, etc.) of a wide range of model years will fit in an Aerostar. But they will fit if you look to see that the holes line up. You might have to tap extra holes that are already there in the bottom of the seat frame. You just need to gather some empirical evidence (aka, trial and error) to be sure.

As a first cut, go to hollanderparts.com and search on the part you need. It will return parts from models/years that will interchange, but only if the part number is the same or was offered as an option. And you'll find who in your area has the bumper. I found a set of bumpers and a fender and header panel with the same paint code using hollanderparts.com. One trip to one yard that was close to me and I scored big. No guesswork what they had. A lot of the yards (the smart ones) will post a picture of the door sticker so you know paint code, trim, engine code, tranny code, rear axle code, etc. It's a great site.