I have a 1995 Ram 2500 extended cab, long box, (V10, automatic, 4x4, 8,800 GVWR), that needs a replacement cab. I'm probably crazy, but I'd like to replace it with a 98-02 quad cab. Does anyone know if the quad cab would fit and if the mounts will line up?

 

A LOT changed from 95 to 98 and up. OBDII, and the way the electronics work is totally different, even the frigging gas gauge goes thru the computer. So, you would also need the PCM, and wiring harness from the body-donor truck. Of course, the PCM would be looking for some inputs from your trans, but, yours won't be able to provide it, so, CEL will constantly be on, and you won't get TCC lockup, or O/D. Unless you flash the computer for a manual trans, and then just uses some pressure switches for TCC, and O/D..... Not an ideal solution, but, it works. Also a good possibility that you would need to replace a bunch of sensors, and the coils packs as well, as the connectors may be different. As for the mounts and such.... I *think* they are the same, as I don't think the frames changed.... just grew a couple more doors, on the same length cab. Interiors have a fair few differences as well, the floor is different, where the seatbelts mount is different, along with a selection of other things I am likely missing.

Might be better just to find a 98-?? truck with the engine trans you want, and just drive that.

 

They will how I know is my 01 2500 quad cab has a 96 extended cab

 

He could use everything he has in the newer cab

 

What did you do about seat belts? Or did you use the 98 and newer seats? I believe pretty much everything else will bolt right in.

 

Thanks for the reply HeyYou.. I guess I should have included that I have a complete 1996 V10, transmission, wiring harness, and PCM sitting in my garage for this truck, so it'll be getting an OBDII upgrade; just haven't had the opportunity to lay it up long enough to complete the upgrade. I've already crawled though the wiring diagrams for the 95 and the 96 and it shouldn't be too difficult of an upgrade.

I know that the PCM and harness changed in 98 again and I think the dash got some changes too. My next step was going to be to compare the 96 and 98 wiring diagrams to see if the dash would be compatible or if I would need to make my 95 dash fit the 98 cab. I hadn't considered items like where the seatbelts mount, so thanks for bringing that up.

 

No, your 96 PCM/wiring harness won't work at all on the 98 and up stuff. Too much changed. I don't even know if the 96 PCM has provisions for some of the stuff the 98 and up truck do.......

 

This was all done by the PO he used everything from a 96

 

i am a auto body frame tech with 30+ years of experience.
i don't have the frame specifics. but in my opinion no the cabs will not be a direct swap. if you have fab skills and a welder you might get this to work, depending on you fab skills..
you might run into problems where the longer cab will require a different box also.
the frame will have ears welded to it where the cab bolts to. those ears are in a different place on the 2 frames. yes the frames should be different between the 2 cab styles.
the only way to find out is get a friend and a tape measure and do some comparison measuring. better yet, buy a cheap tram gauge, or make one, for a LOT more accurate measurements.
here is a cheap one on ebay., i use this one at work a LOT....https://www.ebay.com/itm/Killer-Tool...4AAOSwabhUWhdx