Hi I have a 1996 Ram 1500 2wd 5.9 and im going to be converting the body over to a 4wd frame. I'm buying a 1998 Ram 1500 4wd 5.2 this weekend but the body is absolute trash it only has 58k on it and the frame is mint. I'm transferring the bsody off the 1996 and putting it on the 1998. I know im going to have to cut a hole for the 4wd shifter and some other little modifications. I went around to different trucks and measured all the body mounts and other stuff and everything came up the same.

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions or if anyone had done this before.

I bought the 96 for $1600 and had it painted a couple months ago so the body is pretty nice and I'm buying the 98 for $600 so not a lot of money involved.

Thanks

 

Have to use the dash, and interior wiring from the 98, as some things changed that year. Have to have the PCM re-flashed to run the larger motor. (unless you leave the 5.2 in there......) Engine/trans wiring harness might be the same...... might be best to just use the 98 wiring all the way around.

While you have the dash out, change the heater and evaporator cores......

Many many many other little minor details that you will encounter along the way. Don't expect to accomplish this swap in a weekend.

Where ya at? I might be interested in some of yours "spares".

 

Makes sense, do you think the computer out of my 1996 5.9 work in the 98 because i am putting the 5.9 in it.

I'm in Massachusetts how bout you ?

Thanks

 

Ooops. You are out of range. I am in michigan.

No, the PCM from the 96 won't work. Too much changed between 96, and 98. According to popular theory, the dealership should be able to reflash the PCM for you. Supposedly....... Keep in mind, you are going to have some title fun as well. I think the VIN is attached to the dash? Since you are changing that as well, you will have to use the 98 title...... the VIN in the PCM will at least match the dash.... (and anything else that cares about it.... electrical wise anyway....) Actually, you might be able to just get a tuner from Hemifever (PM him right here on this site...) just let him know what you are doing, and I think he just might be able to fix you right up for the 5.9.

 

where abouts in Mass.....im down in the fall river area