my 1997 is a short bed,whae i bought it it had traction bars and i wondered why,well i've figured it out.when i put a heavy load you can see the frame flex between the cab and the bed.i've seen other short beds the same way.it has a two pieced frame,and mines not the only one.i've seen other short beds that way.can somebody tell me if this factory.my friend keeps telling me it's been wrecked but i've seen to many goin down the road all bowed up to believe it's a patch job.it looks stock.

 

all 2nd gen dodges have two piece frames don't know why but they do

 

There is no such animal as a 97 Shortbox diesel.....it was not even offered.

 

theres got to have been a short bed offered in 1997 cause when i looked it up in kellys blue book one of the options was short bed.

 

there wanst not on a cummins

 

my friend has a short bed 97

 

does your friends have a pieced frame also?

 

dont really know never looked at it that hard

 

i'm thinkin the all do.

 

That is wrong...there was NO shortbox diesel in 97 model year. If you have a Dodge diesel that is a shortbox and it was made in 97 - its still classified as a 98.