Segment:
Full-size pickup truck
Target Audience:
Owners and independent repair shops seeking detailed technical information for maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of the Dodge Ram 1500/2500/3500 trucks.
Key Competitors:
Ford F-Series, Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra, Toyota Tundra.
Manual Value Proposition:
Comprehensive factory-level repair and maintenance data, essential for accurate and efficient servicing. Covers all powertrain and chassis configurations offered in the specified years.
Vehicle Strengths Era:
Renowned for robust chassis, powerful Magnum V8 and Cummins diesel engines, and a comfortable ride for a full-size truck.
Vehicle Years:
1999, 2000, 2001
Engine Options:
3.9L V6 Magnum, 5.2L V8 Magnum, 5.9L V8 Magnum, 8.0L V10 Magnum, 5.9L Cummins I6 Turbo Diesel
Body Styles:
Regular Cab, Club Cab (Extended Cab), Crew Cab (4-door)
Drive Types:
2WD (Rear Wheel Drive), 4WD (Four Wheel Drive)
Estimated Page Count:
Over 2000 pages (typical for complete factory service manuals of this era)
Type:
Official Factory Service & Repair Manual
Powertrain:
Engine mechanical (all variants), cooling system, fuel system, exhaust system, ignition system, starting system, charging system, engine control systems (PCM/ECM), manual and automatic transmissions, transfer cases, driveshafts, axles, differentials.
Chassis:
Suspension (front/rear), steering system, brakes (front/rear, ABS), wheels and tires.
Electrical:
Body electrical systems, lighting, instruments and gauges, HVAC, power accessories (windows, locks, mirrors, seats), audio systems, trailer wiring, onboard diagnostics (OBD-II), wiring diagrams, fuse and relay locations.
Body:
Body construction, exterior trim, doors, hood, tailgate, bumpers, glass, interior trim, seats, airbags.
Maintenance:
Scheduled maintenance intervals, fluid checks and changes, filter replacements, lubrication points, tire rotation and inspection.
Diagnostics:
Troubleshooting guides, symptom-based diagnostics, fault code interpretation (OBD-II), diagnostic tool usage, circuit testing.
Repair:
Component removal, installation, overhaul, and replacement procedures for all major systems. Torque specifications for critical fasteners.
Specifications:
Tightening torques, fluid capacities, clearances, pressure specifications, electrical specifications.
Depth:
Comprehensive, covering everything from basic maintenance and fluid changes to complex engine and transmission overhauls, electrical system diagnostics, and body repairs. Includes detailed step-by-step instructions and schematics.
Engine 3.9L:
3.9L (239 ci) OHV V6 Magnum. Horsepower: ~175-180 hp. Torque: ~220-230 lb-ft. (Speculative figures for this era)
Engine 5.2L:
5.2L (318 ci) OHV V8 Magnum. Horsepower: ~220-230 hp. Torque: ~290-300 lb-ft. (Speculative figures for this era)
Engine 5.9L:
5.9L (360 ci) OHV V8 Magnum. Horsepower: ~235-250 hp. Torque: ~330-345 lb-ft. (Speculative figures for this era)
Engine 8.0L:
8.0L (488 ci) OHV V10 Magnum. Horsepower: ~300-310 hp. Torque: ~450-455 lb-ft. (Speculative figures for this era)
Engine 5.9L Cummins:
5.9L (359 ci) OHV I6 Turbocharged Cummins Diesel. Horsepower: ~215-235 hp. Torque: ~420-460 lb-ft. (Speculative figures for this era, with variations for HO engines)
Fuel Delivery:
Multi-port Fuel Injection (MPI) for gasoline engines; Direct injection with rotary injection pump for Cummins diesel.
Ignition System:
Distributorless Ignition System (DIS) or Coil-on-Plug (COP) depending on engine and year. Electronic ignition.
Fuel Type:
Unleaded gasoline (Octane rating as per owner's manual), Diesel fuel.
Standard Transmission:
5-speed manual (NV3500/NV4500) for lighter duty models; 4-speed automatic (42RE/44RE/46RE/47RE) for most gasoline engines. Heavy-duty applications may have different manual options.
Optional Transmission:
4-speed automatic (47RE) commonly paired with Magnum V8s and the 8.0L V10. 4-speed automatic (47RH - electronic control) for Cummins Diesel. 5-speed manual (NV4500) for heavy-duty applications.
Transfer Case:
Part-time 4WD system with manual or electronic shift (e.g., NP231, NP241, NV241DHD). Full-time 4WD options available on some models.
Wheelbase Range:
Approx. 131-165 inches (depending on cab and bed configuration)
Bed Lengths:
Approx. 6.5 ft (standard) and 8 ft (long bed)
Curb Weight Range:
Approx. 4,500 - 6,500 lbs (depending on configuration and engine)
Towing Capacity:
Varies significantly by model (1500, 2500, 3500), engine, and axle ratio. Can range from ~7,000 lbs to over 10,000 lbs.
Infotainment Systems:
Basic AM/FM radio, cassette player, CD player (optional). Basic speaker systems. Manual climate control. No advanced infotainment or touchscreens on base models.
Driver Assistance Features:
Limited driver assistance features common for the era. Primarily focused on basic operation and safety systems like ABS.
Connectivity Options:
Minimal connectivity. Optional auxiliary inputs for audio. Trailer brake controller provisions on higher trims/options.
Oil Change Interval:
Typically every 3,000-7,500 miles or 6-12 months, depending on oil type and driving conditions (refer to manual for specifics).
Transmission Fluid Change:
Recommended every 30,000-60,000 miles for automatic transmissions, depending on usage. Cummins diesel transmission fluid may have different intervals.
Spark Plug Replacement:
Varies by engine; e.g., 3.9L/5.2L V6/V8 Magnum may have intervals around 100,000 miles with platinum plugs. Cummins diesel has glow plugs with specific service intervals.
Engine Oil Gasoline:
SAE 5W-30 or 10W-30 for most Magnum gasoline engines (verify with manual). API certified oil.
Engine Oil Diesel:
SAE 15W-40 Heavy Duty Diesel Engine Oil meeting API CI-4 or CH-4 specifications (Cummins).
Transmission Fluid Auto:
ATF+4 (Chrysler spec) or equivalent for 4-speed automatics. Verify specific transmission type in manual.
Transmission Fluid Manual:
API GL-4 or GL-5 gear oil (viscosity as specified in manual).
Coolant:
Ethylene glycol-based antifreeze with corrosion inhibitors. Typically a 50/50 mix with distilled water. Mopar OAT (Organic Additive Technology) or HOAT (Hybrid OAT) specified coolant.
Common Wear Items:
Ball joints, tie rod ends, u-joints, brake wear, exhaust system components, fuel pump failures, water pump leaks.
Common Diesel Issues:
Lift pump failures, injector issues, VP44 injection pump (on early 5.9L Cummins), exhaust manifold cracks, EGR system maintenance (if equipped).
Common Gasoline Issues:
Intake manifold gasket leaks (V8), spark plug thread issues (on some Magnum engines), distributor/coil pack issues.
Dodge Trucks Legacy:
Dodge has a long and storied history in the pickup truck market, known for durability and towing capability. The Ram nameplate was introduced in 1981.
Second Gen Ram Facelift:
This 1999-2001 period represents a significant facelift for the second-generation Ram, introduced in 1994. Key updates included a revised interior, updated powertrain management, and minor styling tweaks.
Powertrain Updates:
Introduction of the more powerful 5.9L Cummins HO (High Output) engine and improved transmissions during this generation.
Manufacturing Location:
Primary assembly was at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Warren, Michigan, and Saltillo Truck Assembly in Saltillo, Mexico.
Industry Accolades:
The Dodge Ram platform has historically received various awards from automotive publications for performance, capability, and value within the truck segment.
Consumer Satisfaction:
Consumer satisfaction ratings vary, with the Cummins diesel variants often scoring highly for powertrain durability and performance. General reliability can be mixed depending on specific components and maintenance history.
Emissions Certification:
All vehicles conform to EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB) emissions standards for the respective model years. Manual includes diagnostic procedures for emissions-related components.
