1998 Sport headlights

Ok, I'm a little confused and hoping someone can help. I've acquired a 1998 Ram 1500 Sport with a damaged front end (My daughter's old truck). I'm trying to repair it and I'm having trouble finding headlights. It seems that Sport headlights are different than standard ones. But I can't seem to find sport headlights. I've also found hints that the 98 and earlier sport models are the same as standard headlights, but can't confirm. Could someone tell me what I'm looking for and where they might be found?

Also, it seems I'll need a new radiator, would a single row work, or do I need a heavy duty?

95-98 Sports had the exact same front end as the ST/SLTs did, only difference being that it's body color. So, headlights will definitely interchange as they're the same. 99+ Sports saw a front end redesign with different headlights.

As for your radiator, if it were mine I'd go heavy duty.....but that's me. If she's not hauling anything a regular one would be fine.


Might I also suggest deleting the in-radiator transmission cooler when you do the radiator swap. Nothing more than a heater for these trans and it can kill em. Delete that and add another trans cooler and the trans will thank you.

Wahrsuul, there are several other active threads concerning Sport headlights, and a lot of good info there. Short version is 94-01 (02 2500-3500) came standard with single 9004 bulb headlight assy's. 99-01 (02 2500-3500) trucks were available with "Sport" headlamps that had 9007 low beam and 9004 hi beam bulbs, along with the proper wiring for the 4 bulb system. There are "Sport conversion kits" on ebay and many other sites that contain both headlamps assemblies and the conversion harnesses - some even loaded with the bulbs!

BUT - there are also actually different fenders between 94-98 Rams and the 99-newer ones. The early fenders had a round hole behind the housing for the single bulb to clear. 99-newer had an oval opening so either headlamp assy would fit. Replacement fenders all seem to have the oval opening. There are several videos on you-tube showing the inner fender mods necessary to put Sport headlights in early fenders.

So while it isn't as simple as just installing the Sport lights into the early fenders, worst case scenario is that you have to buy the lights, conversion pigtails, and slightly modify the inner fenders to convert to the quad "Sport"system. If you already have to buy fenders anyways, buy the 99-up ones that have the larger openings.

If he does buy the sport mod with the conversion pig tails then I strongly recommend getting a relay kit that also has the conversion built in. The pigtails people supply with these lights is garbage. :/

High beams by them selves in the 99-01 sports are spot light beams and don't throw any light off the side of the roads. I wired mine in so that it runs the high beam filament in the "Low beam slots" at the same time as it runs the high beam filament in the "high beam slots".

My recommendation though, if you want to keep it stock then stay away from the clear lens headlights. Mine created fractals all over the place instead of smooth lighting. lol

Thanks, that's what I was hoping to hear. I'm not looking to upgrade to sport headlights at all, just replace the current ones. Just needed confirmation on what I was seeing.

I got lucky and found a 96 sport in almost the same color at my local pull-a-part. Got the bumper, hood and driver's fender as well as a few other parts. After this weekend, I found I've got to make another run out there - the battery box is broken as well as the fan shroud.

As for the trans cooler, there's already one on the truck, it's between the radiator and condenser, looks factory as it has the pressure connections on it. Trans lines do run to the rad first, then to the trans cooler. Suppose I could bypass the rad part when I reconnect everything. It's not her truck anymore, after crashing it, she let it sit for a while before deciding she needed the $ more. Couldn't get much on CL, so I wound up with it. (If she'd sold it to me months ago when she first said she would, I wouldn't have my '09 now) At the moment, I'm just fixing it as a project, but when it's back to running, I'm not sure what I'll do with it.

Anyone have any experience with the plastic dash covers? The dash on this one is mostly gone. She put a fabric cover on it, but I'm thinking it might need one of those plastic replacement covers. Not sure I'd want to go full dash replacement.

Also, would the 17" or 18" rims off a 4th gen Ram fit this truck? Or maybe the 20" off my '09? It needs tires bad, and I can get a cheap set of the 17", or I could justify getting new rims/tires for mine of I was putting my old ones on the 98.