🏷️ Basic Information

Make:

Dodge

Model:

RAM 3500

Year:

2004

Market Segment:

Heavy Duty Pickup Truck

Body Style:

Pickup Truck

Generation:

Third Generation (DR/DH/D2)

Generation Years:

2002-2009

👋 Introduction

Vehicle Segment:

Heavy-duty pickup truck, designed for commercial use, towing, and hauling heavy loads.

Key Competitors:

Ford Super Duty F-250/F-350, Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD/3500HD, GMC Sierra 2500HD/3500HD

Vehicle Purpose:

Ruggedness, towing capacity, hauling capability, diesel powertrain for torque and efficiency.

📋 Manual Details

Product Type:

Owner's Manual

Format:

Digital PDF

Language:

English

Coverage Scope:

Factory Original Information

Estimated Pages:

Approx. 300-400 pages (typical for this vehicle's owner's manual)

📖 Manual Coverage

Driver Controls:

Steering wheel, pedals, shifter, parking brake, cruise control

Instrument Cluster:

Gauges (speedometer, tachometer, fuel, temperature, oil pressure), warning lights, telltales, message center

Climate Controls:

HVAC system operation, temperature, fan speed, air direction, A/C, recirculation

Entertainment Systems:

Radio operation, CD player, audio settings, speaker configuration

Lighting:

Headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, fog lights, interior lighting, headlight aiming

Locks And Security:

Door locks, power locks, keyless entry, ignition system, anti-theft system

Seating And Safety Restraints:

Seat adjustment, seat belts (operation, adjustment, maintenance), airbag system overview, child seat LATCH system

Driving Operations:

Starting the engine, shifting gears, towing information, driving in various conditions (weather, road surfaces)

Customer Assistance:

Warranty information, contacting customer service, roadside assistance

Cleaning And Care:

Exterior cleaning, interior cleaning, upholstery care, glass cleaning

Maintenance And Specifications:

Scheduled maintenance, fluid types, capacities, general specifications, recommended parts

Engine Compartment:

Identification of major components, fluid checks, basic inspections

Engine Oil:

Oil type, viscosity, change intervals, capacity

Battery:

Battery location, maintenance, jump starting procedure

Fuel Information:

Fuel type recommendations, fuel tank capacity, refueling procedure

Air Filter:

Air filter type, replacement intervals

Part Numbers:

Identification of key maintenance parts (e.g., filters, spark plugs - though less relevant for diesel, may list glow plugs or fuel filters)

Refill Capacities:

Engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, washer fluid, fuel tank

Lubricant Specifications:

Engine oil viscosity and API service classification, transmission fluid type, differential fluid type, grease specifications

Accessories:

Trailer brake controller, power outlets, auxiliary inputs

Basic Maintenance:

Checking fluid levels, tire pressure, lighting operation, wiper blade inspection

Jump Starting:

Detailed steps for safely jump-starting the vehicle

Tire Changing:

Procedure for changing a flat tire, including jack placement and spare tire operation

Refueling:

Correct procedure for adding fuel, including diesel fuel considerations

Depth:

Owner-level operation, maintenance, and basic troubleshooting

Diagnostic Capability:

Understanding dashboard warning lights and error messages

Repair Guidance:

Limited to user-replaceable items and basic checks, not comprehensive repair procedures

📊 Manual Specifications

File Type:

Portable Document Format (PDF)

Searchability:

Likely text-searchable if OCR was performed during digitization

Digital Quality:

High-resolution scan of original factory manual

Delivery Format:

Instant Download (Digital File)

Original Medium:

Printed book

⚙️ Engine Specifications

Engine Type:

Turbodiesel

Engine Displacement:

5.9L (359 cu in) Cummins Turbo Diesel

Engine Code:

Various, but typically associated with the ISB engine family from Cummins.

Horsepower Est:

Approx. 305-325 hp (depending on specific calibration)

Torque Est:

Approx. 555-610 lb-ft (depending on specific calibration)

Fuel Type:

Diesel

Injection System:

Common Rail Direct Injection (CRDI)

Glow Plugs:

Equipped for cold weather starting

🔧 Transmission

Transmission Type:

Manual or Automatic

Manual Transmission Options:

NV5600 6-speed manual

Automatic Transmission Options:

48RE 4-speed automatic

Transfer Case:

Part-time 4WD system with available electronic shift-on-the-fly (ESOF)

📐 Dimensions

Wheelbase Options:

Various depending on cab and bed configuration (e.g., 134.1" for Regular Cab Short Bed, 140.5" for Quad Cab Short Bed, 160.5" for Regular Cab Long Bed, 172.4" for Quad Cab Long Bed)

Overall Length Est:

Varies by configuration (e.g., 229.7" to 260.1")

Overall Width Est:

Approx. 79.1" (excluding mirrors)

Overall Height Est:

Approx. 77.9" (may vary with 4WD)

Bed Length Options:

6.3 ft (short bed), 8.0 ft (long bed)

Curb Weight Est:

Approx. 6,000 - 7,500 lbs (depending on configuration)

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Gvwr:

Approx. 10,500 - 11,000 lbs

Max Towing Capacity Est:

Up to 12,950 lbs (properly equipped)

Max Payload Capacity Est:

Approx. 3,000 - 4,500 lbs (depending on configuration)

🛡️ Safety Features

NHTSA Rollover Rating Est:

Likely 3-star or 4-star (typical for trucks of this era, check specific tests)

ABS:

Standard Anti-lock Braking System

Trailer Brake Controller:

Optional integrated or aftermarket trailer brake controller provision

Airbags:

Driver and front passenger airbags

Seat Belts:

Front and rear seat belts with pretensioners

Child Seat Anchors:

LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system in rear seating positions

💡 Technology Features

Audio System Options:

Base AM/FM radio, AM/FM/CD player, optional premium audio systems with more speakers.

Auxiliary Input:

Optional auxiliary audio input jack.

Cruise Control:

Standard cruise control.

Power Outlets:

12V auxiliary power outlets.

🔧 Maintenance

Engine Oil Change:

Typically every 7,500 to 10,000 miles or 6-12 months, depending on driving conditions (consult manual for specific recommendations).

Fuel Filter Replacement:

Recommended every 15,000 to 30,000 miles (diesel specific).

Air Filter Replacement:

Every 15,000 to 30,000 miles or as needed based on inspection.

Coolant Flush:

Initial flush at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000 miles thereafter (for OAT coolant).

Engine Oil Spec:

API CJ-4 or CI-4 PLUS, SAE 15W-40 or 5W-40 synthetic for colder climates (check manual for exact specs).

Coolant Type:

Chrysler/Mopar OAT (Orange) 5/100 Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant.

Transmission Fluid Automatic:

ATF+4 (Automatic Transmission Fluid type 4)

Transmission Fluid Manual:

Refer to manual, often a specific synthetic gear oil like SAE 75W-90.

Rear Axle Fluid:

SAE 75W-90 GL-5 gear lubricant. Limited-slip differential may require additive.

Common Issues Diesel:

Injectors (especially early common rail), fuel lift pump, overheating issues (potentially due to cooling system capacity), EGR valve issues (less common in 5.9L Cummins of this era compared to later models), occasional transmission issues in the 48RE under heavy use.

Oil Filter Example:

Fleetguard LF16035 or equivalent (Cummins filter for 5.9L)

Fuel Filter Example:

Fleetguard FS1000 (water separator/filter) or equivalent.

📚 Vehicle History

Dodge Trucks:

Dodge has a long-standing history of producing robust and capable trucks, particularly for work and heavy-duty applications.

Ram History:

The RAM nameplate was introduced by Dodge in 1981. The 3500 designation signifies its heavy-duty status, designed for greater towing and hauling capacities compared to the 1500 and 2500 series.

Manufacturing Location:

Saltillo, Mexico; Warren, Michigan; and St. Louis, Missouri (assembly plants)

Model Line Status:

The 2004 model year falls within the third generation of the Dodge RAM trucks (2002-2009), which saw significant styling and mechanical updates.