Hi Rod,
i have a '96, and thought the same thing, i took a gamble and i bought a series 2 factory bullbar off ebay, which was from a 99, and it fit straight on.
Nissan told me that it wouldn't fit, ARB told me that there was never a bullbar for a series 1, and nothing will fit. well obviously people don't know much apart from the numbers they see on their computer screen.
the only issue i had was getting the right brackets, but when i rang up nissan i just told them that i had a series 2, and then there was no confusion on the matter.