1998.5-2002 Dodge 5.9L Cummins Exterior Parts

The exterior of the 1998.5-2002 Ram 5.9L Cummins

These are second-generation Dodge Rams, the trucks with the big-rig styling and the dropped-fender hood. The Cummins was only offered in the 2500 and 3500. Cab choices were the regular cab, the Club Cab and, from 1998, the Quad Cab, whose smaller clamshell rear doors made it the first extended-cab pickup with four doors. Late-1998 and 1999 Sport models got their own front end, with a restyled bumper, quad-beam clear-lens headlamps and a body-color grille. Wheelbases run from 118.7 to 154.7 in depending on cab and bed. One more thing about 2002: the Ram 1500 moved to the third generation that year, but the 2500 and 3500 carried over unchanged, so a 2002 Cummins truck still wears this body.

What changes from truck to truck

Exterior parts for this generation split by cab style, bed length, Sport versus standard front fascia, and 2500 versus 3500. Beds came in 6.5 ft and 8 ft lengths, but the 2500 regular cab and every 3500 were long-bed only, and the Club Cab 2500 offered a choice. Every second-gen 3500 is a long-bed dual-rear-wheel truck, so anything that touches the bed or rear fenders on a 3500 has to account for the dually fenders. Front-end accessories have to match the Sport or standard fascia.

Stock bumper or roll pan

The parts here change how the rear of the truck is finished. A roll pan takes the place of the rear step bumper with a smooth panel. The Big Hitch Products BHP6000 is steel and comes with a license plate light kit, so the plate stays lit after the swap. The sled stops are built around that roll pan, in a version that clamps on below it and one that clamps on behind it. For the plate itself, there's a flip-up license plate bracket and a license plate mount bracket. If you're going to a roll pan, plan the plate mount and lighting at the same time.

What we carry

The exterior parts in this collection come from Big Hitch Products: the BHP6000 steel roll pan with license plate light kit, listed for 1994-2002 5.9L Cummins trucks; the BHP3000 clamp-on sled stops for below the roll pan and the BHP3001 version for behind it; the BHP4001 flip-up license plate bracket; and the BHP4009 license plate mount bracket. Engine and maintenance parts for the same truck are on our Cummins hub.

Fitment notes

Only the roll pan names a year range in its title, so confirm the brackets and sled stops on each product page. Before you order, answer three questions: which cab, which bed length, and is it a 3500 dually? Don't use a 2002 Ram 1500 as a reference for body parts; it's a different generation from the 2002 2500 and 3500. Verify by VIN when in doubt, or use the fitment checker on the product page.

Frequently asked questions

Is a 2002 Ram 2500 the old body or the new one?

The old one. For 2002 the Ram 1500 moved to the third generation, but the 2500 and 3500 were carried over unchanged. A 2002 Cummins truck takes second-gen exterior parts.

What's the difference between the two sled stops?

Where they mount. The BHP3000 clamps on below the roll pan and the BHP3001 clamps on behind it. Pick the one that matches how your roll pan sits on the truck.

How do I tell a Sport front end from a standard one?

The late-1998 and 1999 Sport models got a restyled bumper, quad-beam clear-lens headlamps and a body-color grille. If your truck has that front end, order front accessories that list the Sport fascia.

Which bed length do I have?

A 2500 regular cab and every 3500 were built with the 8 ft long bed only. A Club Cab 2500 could have either the 6.5 ft or the 8 ft bed, so measure it before you order bed accessories.

Not sure what fits? Call the shop at the number in the header, or use the fitment checker on any product page. We install everything we sell.