I have a 1997 Ram 1500, 5.9... Can the hose that connects the left and right fuel rails, behind the carb , be replaced ? This hose feels very rigid but has been there forever. mine has been chewed on by a squirrel and is spraying fuel ! The rails are fine. can i put gas line and clamps on , to replace it??? Thanks

 

Yes, the hose can be replaced with a section of fuel injection hose and two fuel injection hose clamps. You will need to carefully cut off the old hose and replace it with the section of fuel injection hose. Be careful, as some of the fuel injection rails are brittle.

 

Be really careful though, the fuel rails on the 97 were plastic.... and break easily.

 

Another option might be to find some metal fuel rails with a good crossover line off another truck or SUV (Durango) at a pick and pay salvage yard. 5.9 and 5.2 fuel rails should be the same.

 

Didn't the fuel line attachment point change gender over the years??? Also, the 97 plastic rail doesn't have the test port either. Another reason to replace it.

 

I think the fuel line attachment point did change, but not sure what year(s) that affected. Also, not sure what years the metal fuel rails were used.. I seem to recall that my metal fuel line connects on the driver's side of the fuel rail, as I replaced all of the fuel lines on my truck.

 

I think 97 was the ONLY year they used the plastic rails, and the fuel line always attached on the drivers side there, but, I think it switched from male to female (or vice versa) at some point?

 

As HeyYou said, 97 was the only year for the plastic rails. That was also the division point for the change in the input line.

If you do go with a junkyard fuel rail from a different year make sure to follow the fuel line down to the frame rail slightly under the cab. You should find one of those spring loaded quick release fittings that requires a tool.
From what I've seen that fitting didn't change through the years, only the fuel rail end.