I have a 2001 Ram 1500 5.9l gasser but it has a 1996 rear in it and the emergency brake cable doesn't fit. Is the only difference between the 1996 and 2001 rear the location of the parking brake in the backing plate or is there other differences? Can I just switch the backing plate or do I need to move the whole drum assembly from the 2001 over to the 1996? The pinion broke on the 2001, that is why it is not in the truck now.

 

I think the wheel cylinders are different as well. Measure the bolt patterns for the backing plates, if they match up, swap the whole assembly. Brakes and all.