Can anyone think of a legitimate reason why a 1996 Dodge Ram would have the rear suicide doors on the quad cab? An option that to the best of my knowledge wasn't offered until halfway through 1998.

 

Your bang on about suicide doors not being offered until 98.5

 

Someone did a cab swap.

 

Here's the kicker, the seller is reporting that the VIN is the same on the cab and the frame and the title, which states 1996.

Is it possible to do a cab swap and to change the VIN plate on the cab? I thought it was tamper proof.

 

I think it is attached to the dash?

I would check the vin, verify that it is indeed a 96, (10th digit would be "T"). There were no 96's made with the rear doors. Ask him if he got it that way.

 

Cab swap, seller has wrong year, forged VIN, error on the title/DMV, etc.

I'd be tempted to email dodge and see what it was when it left the factory. See if what you have is even close.

Email here, request a build sheet. Quick turn around time in my experience.

http://www.dodge.com/webselfservice/...ull&category=U


There are also lots of little ways to tell the difference between early and late second gens-one of the quick ways is the location of the cup holders. Early (94-98) had them at the top of the dash, in a truly horrible spot. Later years (98.5-01) moved them down below, under the radio and closer to the floor.

http://www.allpar.com/model/ram/1994-ram.html

 

Seems Walker makes the Magna-Flow cats..... Translates to part number 445295 for MF. Them fellers ain't cheap.

 

It looks like whoever owned this truck did an extensive build on it. The owner I purchased it from didn't have the details, it was done by the original owner before he bought it. I'd be willing to bet they did a cab swap and cut out the cab corner with the VIN and welded it onto the new cab, because the VIN is certainly a 1996. It has a 1996 dash (with the cupholders over the radio), but has the 1998.5+ overhead console (disconnected, I assume it needs engine management to run the computer for fuel economy, etc, but the 12v doesn't have the engine management to support it).

I have the original dealer sticker, it was ordered with every available option in 1996. I couldn't find the VIN on the frame, it wasn't under the passenger side downward facing as I expected it to be. Any ideas where else to look to ensure the frame matches the cab?

 

HeyYou, I think you posted in the wrong thread there.