Other than engine hp/tq changes, the fact that the '97s came with hydroboost brakes, and the obvious new interior in the '98s, are there any other differences between these years? I remember someone saying that the 98's used weird bolt sizes n such because it was the transition year to the 24v. Anything else?

 

driveshaft's? I know my 94 has a one piece, but DFO's who has a 96 reg cab dually has a 2 piece.

 

hp and tq are not just a rating difference, there are differences in the pumps, higher hp from the factory have more potential then the 160 hp pumps and so on, the 160 pump also has a stutter. early 94's did not have cats. the auto transmission changed in 96 I believe, correct me if I'm wrong.

 

I'll confirm the Auto went from a 47RH in 95 to a 47RE in 96.

Chris

 

The driveshafts depend on the wheel base. I dont know if you both have the same truck, but a reg cab has a 1 piece and an ext. cab has a 2 piece. At least this is what I was told, I could be wrong.

 

we both have the exact body style, reg cab dually, same bed length to.

 

Incorrect..
In 96 some trucks will utilize the 47RH's and I do not think the change over was complete until mid year that year.

Other differences were..
-98 was the first option year for the Quad Cab and a short bed.
-98 was the first year to include 4wheel anti-lock brakes.
-98 was also the year you kinda got a mixed mash of parts.....
Example-a 12v truck with 24 valve badges from the factory.Sport trucks with SLT Ram2500/Cummins Turbo Diesel badges(they were chrome instead of color matched).12v trucks out in the East with the lower HP EGR based P-Pumps.12v 53 blocks are common with late build dates.Different size bolts holding the same part down.
-99 was the last year for the "optional extended cab" as the Quad Cab became standard.
-2000 was the first year no extended cab trucks were available.
-2000 the NV4500 was still available.
-2001 the NV4500 was dropped for the NV5600.
-2001.5 was the first for 4 wheel disc brakes on all trucks.
-2002 was the year they dropped the CAD on the trucks.

Paint colors and schemes which disappeared mid year..
1996-1997-Had waterfall two toned paint available on SOME colors but not all.Waterfall paint was the top one color and the sides another usually cut with a think and thin pin stripe.
1996-Had Aqua Blue Pearlcoat which was rarely used on Sports.There are some about but very few and far in between.
1999-Solar Yellow-This marked the first venture into wild colors but it was available on 1/2 tons ONLY.ZERO diesels were built with this color in 1999.
2001-Amber Fire Pearl coat-One of Ma Mopars biggest mistakes and one of the nicest colors they did.It was used a little on Sport trucks and NEVER used on a dually from the factory.It was dropped mid year for Light Almond Metallic which was a very low build color for that year.
2002-The Intense Blue Pearlcoat was dropped from this year.In its place was Patriot Blue Pearl and Graphite Metallic both rarely used on Sports and during the mid year they were dropped as available colors for Sports.There were some built in Sports in those two colors,but not many.

There are those who say the 24v motor was not available until January of 1998 when in fact Map Mopar had built 7 trucks,all Flame Red Sport SB Quad Cabs,to take to shows and dealerships to display the new motor.They were supposed to be destroyed when done and in fact 5 of the 7 slipped out of the gate and are in the publics hands.One of those trucks is here in Eastern PA.It has a October 1997 build date and has the 24v motor.It is side badged with the normal 12v Sport badging even.It was bought with all the original paperwork from the original owner from the day he bought it.

I know I went a tad past the years you wanted but that is some of the things I have learned through many years of looking and listening.I have been searching and scouring the internet for years for a 2001 Amber Fire Pearlcoat Sport Diesel 4x4.I have found three in the years and been a tad slow and missed out on all of them.I'll find one when I am least expecting it,thats how it usually happens LOL.....Andy

 

^Wow excellent post! I didn't know a lot of that stuff. That makes me wonder how many '98 12v's I passed up when I was looking for my truck. I'd find a '98, but then look at the badge and if it said "24 valve Cummins Turbo Diesel" I'd pass.

 

Its always best to stop and look,one may never know what he/she may have missed by passing one up.I have a dealer friend who just traded in a 96 Black over Silver Waterfall Paint 3500 ext cab automatic truck today.Just goes to show one never knows what may pop up or be out there.....Andy