I’ll answer my own question: front hitch from my 98 E250 does fit my 2012 E250, kinda. Bolt holes line up in the frame (have to enlarge two). You need to remove the plastic front splash guard and can’t reinstall it as the hitch occupies the same space. The plastic bottom of the front bumper does interfere with the receiver, but can be pushed up enough that you can get a drawbar in (you could also permanently notch the plastic to make room). The biggest issue I’m having is that the hitch sits too far back now since the 2008+ front end is longer, so I’ll need to get a hitch extended. Not sure if newer style hitches account for the longer front end or not.