I am new to this forum, and recently purchased a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4. It has the 5.2L V8 with auto. It is also a shortbed.

Unfortunately I don't know if it's a Sport or not. What are the best ways to tell between the Laramie and the Sport? The previous owner had the exterior painted, and did not put the labels back on.

Thanks in advance.

 

Are the bumpers and grill the same color as the rest of the body? Thats the first sure-fire way to tell although I guess in theory he could have swapped the bumpers and grille when he did the paint job...but if the bumpers match the body, then most likely it's a sport. The newer sports also have the quad headlight setup (each light assembly has two bulbs as opposed to a single dual filament bulb).

 

 

Its a sport at least.... Laramie SLT is just an option package. Should say right on the side of the truck, behind the door.

 

You could always get a build sheet

 

Looks like it is in fact a sport model...although the black pads on the bumpers throw me off a bit. And 98 must have been one of the last years before they switched to the quad headlights......if it was me, I'd look at having those black parts of the bumper painted or plastidipped too!