Most of the change came about for the 99 model year. That's when they went to quad headlights, and the bumper changed. For earlier models, the only changes were what color the bumpers/grill were.... It's actually an advantage, as any aftermarket accessories for a non-sport, will fit.

 

You pretty much have an SLT with body color bumpers and grille.

All the special changes happened in 99 with dual bulb headlights and plastic bumper covers. 99 was also the year when the foglight position on the Sports went to the outside.

 

Thanks for that. I do like that I have the body colored bumpers, but since both front and rear are damaged I think I will replace them with '99 bumpers.

I can't decide if I like the dual lamp headlights enough to buy a new set and mess with the wiring and such. Maybe if I 'break' one during the bumper change I will 'justify' the purchase. I already know I'll need the foglight assemblies to go with the bumper.

 

With the 99+ Sports there is a substructure behind the bumper cover, I have a feeling it would be a pain to swap, but I dunno.

As for the headlights, the 99+ Sport headlights are very good compared to the single beamers. You'll have to cut a little bit of metal out of the fenders on both sides but it shouldn't be too terrible.
LMC truck offers a conversion harness for the single beam trucks that converts it into a dual beam.

 

Thanks, I figured there would be a sub structure under the front bumper. There are usually plenty of 2nd Gen Rams being parted out on Craigslist and I assume the sub structure is the same for a standard 1500 as it is for a Sport. I'll use a used sub structure from a 1500 and a new '99 bumper for a Sport.

The fender mods would be easy I assume. Nothing I haven't done in the past.

Sorry OP, got the thread a little hijacked.

 

now you know what a sport looks like

well a later model sport anyway.. and it has the quad hi-beams and fog lights directly under the headlights.

it's even a 5.9! not the same 5.9 though...2 less cylinders, larger in size, and inline instead of V config.

 

There isn't a substucture on a regular Ram, only the Ram Sports. The Ram SLT, the bumper IS the substructure.

 

Even on a '99 SLT it wouldn't have the same sub structure as a '99 Sport? That will complicate the used parts process a little bit but still very doable. I'll just have to find a salvaged Sport to get the parts from.

 

Nope. The substructure is the bumper, and it's ugly from what I remember. lol
You could get the substructure from the newer truck, then find a truck that has a good Sport cover or get one off LMC or eBay.