🏷️ Basic Information

Make:

Dodge

Model:

Ram Cab Chassis

Year:

2006

Chassis Type:

Cab Chassis

Drivetrain:

4x2

Trim Level Or Series:

DX Family

Vin Chassis Designator:

H

Engine Code Likely:

Various (refer to specific model/options)

👋 Introduction

Vehicle Segment:

Full-size Commercial Cab Chassis

Target User:

Fleet owners, small business operators, upfitters, commercial vehicle technicians, DIY mechanics specializing in heavy-duty applications.

Key Competitors:

Ford F-Series Super Duty Chassis Cab, Chevrolet Silverado Chassis Cab.

Vehicle Purpose:

Designed for vocational applications requiring specialized body or equipment mounting (e.g., utility bodies, service bodies, tow trucks, box trucks).

Manual Value Proposition:

Provides essential technical data and procedures for maintaining and repairing the specific Dodge Ram Cab Chassis configuration, critical for uptime and cost-effective operation.

📋 Manual Details

Coverage Scope:

Complete service, maintenance, and troubleshooting

Specific Areas Covered:

Engine, transmission, drivetrain, suspension, steering, brakes, electrical system, HVAC, body, chassis.

Estimated Page Count:

Extensive (typical for full service manual, likely 1000+ pages)

Type:

Full Service Repair Manual

Language:

English

Format:

Digital (likely PDF), potentially printable

📖 Manual Coverage

Powertrain:

Engine mechanical, engine electrical, fuel system, exhaust system, transmission (automatic and manual), transfer case (if applicable for some configurations), driveshafts, axles, differentials.

Chassis And Suspension:

Front suspension, rear suspension, steering system, wheel alignment, braking system (hydraulic, ABS, parking brake), wheels and tires.

Electrical And Body:

Battery, charging system, starting system, lighting, instrumentation, power accessories, HVAC system, safety systems (airbags, seatbelts), body panels, doors, windows, interior trim, exterior trim, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs).

Maintenance:

Scheduled maintenance intervals, fluid checks and changes, filter replacements, lubrication, belt inspection and replacement, brake pad replacement, spark plug replacement.

Repair:

Engine overhaul, transmission overhaul, differential rebuild, suspension component replacement, brake caliper and rotor replacement, electrical component diagnosis and repair, HVAC system repair.

Troubleshooting:

Diagnostic procedures for common and complex issues, flowcharts, symptom-based troubleshooting guides, wiring diagrams for fault tracing.

Specifications And Tolerances:

Torque specifications, clearances, fluid capacities, resistance values, diagnostic data.

Depth Of Coverage:

Comprehensive: Covers everything from basic fluid checks and filter changes to full engine, transmission, and powertrain rebuilds, including electrical diagnostics and bodywork.

📊 Manual Specifications

Digital Format:

PDF (searchable, printable)

Image Resolution:

High-resolution for clear diagrams and text

Physical Format If Offered:

N/A (digital focus)

Physical Format If Offered:

N/A (digital focus)

⚙️ Engine Specifications

Likely Engine Options:

For 2006, common options included the 5.7L HEMI V8 (345 CID) and potentially a 3.7L Magnum V6 (226 CID), or the 4.7L Magnum V8 (285 CID). Diesel options (like the Cummins 5.9L) were more prevalent in Heavy Duty models, but check specific configurations.

Displacement 5.7L Hemi:

5.7 Liters (345 Cubic Inches)

Horsepower 5.7L Hemi Est:

~345-350 hp @ 5600 rpm (approximate for 2006 models)

Torque 5.7L Hemi Est:

~375-380 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm (approximate for 2006 models)

Engine Block Material:

Cast Iron (typical for HEMI and Magnum V8s)

Cylinder Head Material:

Aluminum (HEMI and Magnum V8s)

Engine Cooling:

Liquid-cooled, pressurized system with fan clutch or electric fan.

Induction Type:

Sequential Multi-Port Fuel Injection (MPI)

Fuel Type:

Unleaded Gasoline (Octane rating as per owner's manual recommendations)

Fuel Pump Type:

In-tank electric fuel pump

🔧 Transmission

Transmission Type Common:

5-speed Manual Transmission (e.g., NV4500 for some configurations) or 4-speed Automatic Transmission (e.g., 48RE for V8 gasoline models).

Transmission Type Optional:

Different automatic or manual transmission variants depending on engine and GVWR.

Automatic Transmission Control:

Electronic control with Torque Converter Lock-up Clutch (TCC)

Manual Transmission Features:

Overdrive gear, dual-mass flywheel (common).

Automatic Transmission Fluid:

Typically ATF+4 (MS-9602) for Chrysler/Dodge automatics of this era. Verify specific transmission.

Manual Transmission Fluid:

GL-3 or GL-4 rated gear oil, specific viscosity (e.g., 75W-90). Verify specific transmission.

📐 Dimensions

Wheelbase Options:

Multiple options available depending on GVWR and intended body length. Typically ranging from 139 inches to over 200 inches.

Cab Configurations:

Regular Cab (2-door) is most common for cab chassis, Crew Cab (4-door) might be available on some configurations.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Gvwr:

Varies significantly by model. Light Duty (e.g., 4500 series) up to Heavy Duty (e.g., 5500 series). Range from ~10,000 lbs to over 19,500 lbs.

Curb Weight:

Highly variable based on configuration, engine, and GVWR. Typically starting around 5,000-6,000 lbs.

Front Axle Rating Farr:

Specified by GVWR, important for upfitting considerations.

Rear Axle Rating Rarr:

Specified by GVWR, crucial for payload capacity.

🛡️ Safety Features

NHTSA Overall Rating:

Likely good for its class, but specific ratings for cab chassis can vary and are often focused on the cab structure itself, not necessarily full crash-test scenarios like passenger vehicles.

IIHS Ratings:

Focus on frontal offset and side impact protection for the cab.

ABS:

Standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

Traction Control:

Likely available Traction Control System (TCS).

Airbags:

Driver and front passenger airbags.

Seatbelts:

Three-point height-adjustable seatbelts with pretensioners.

💡 Technology Features

Radio Options:

Basic AM/FM radio with CD player, optional Sirius Satellite Radio. Higher trim levels might offer more advanced audio systems.

Display Type:

Simple, analog gauge cluster with a basic digital information center. No large touchscreens on standard models.

Cruise Control:

Standard on most trims.

Parking Assist:

Rear parking assist sensors may have been optional.

Auxiliary Input:

An auxiliary audio input jack might be available on higher-trim models or as an option.

Bluetooth:

Unlikely to be standard for 2006 models; may have been an aftermarket addition or a rare factory option on premium packages.

🔧 Maintenance

Oil Change Interval Gasoline:

Typically 7,500 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first, for synthetic blend or full synthetic oil. Consult manual for specific oil type.

Transmission Fluid Change Interval Auto:

Around 30,000-60,000 miles depending on usage and fluid type. Heavy-duty use may require more frequent changes. Verify with manual.

Engine Coolant Flush:

Typically every 30,000-60,000 miles or 2-4 years, depending on coolant type.

Air Filter Replacement:

Inspect every oil change, replace as needed or per manual recommendation (e.g., 15,000-30,000 miles).

Spark Plug Replacement Hemi:

Often around 100,000 miles for iridium-tipped spark plugs used in the HEMI engines.

Engine Oil Type 5.7L Hemi:

SAE 5W-20, API Certified (refer to manual for precise certification requirements and capacity).

Engine Coolant Type:

HOAT (Hybrid Organic Acid Technology) antifreeze/coolant, typically Mopar OAT or equivalent. Check manual for specific color and type (e.g., pink).

Brake Fluid Type:

DOT 3 or DOT 4, depending on system requirements.

Power Steering Fluid Type:

ATF+4 or specific Mopar power steering fluid. Verify with manual.

Hemi 345 Common Concerns:

Lifter tick (sometimes related to oil viscosity/pressure), manifold heat shields, potential piston slap on cold starts (often cosmetic).

Transmission Issues Common:

Wear in the automatic transmission's valve body or clutch packs with high mileage/heavy use, potential for torque converter issues.

Suspension And Steering:

Ball joint wear, tie rod end wear, steering box play, especially in vehicles used for heavy-duty work or towing.

Electrical Gremlins:

Various minor electrical issues can arise with age, such as faulty sensors, window regulators, or interior lighting. Wiring harness integrity is crucial for vocational vehicles.

📚 Vehicle History

Dodge Truck Legacy:

Dodge has a long history of producing robust and capable trucks, evolving from the original Dodge Power Wagon to the modern Ram line.

Ram Lineage:

The Ram nameplate became a separate division (Ram Trucks) in 2010. Prior to that, it was part of the Dodge brand. The 2006 model falls within the 'Third Generation' Ram (DR/DH/D1) platform, which saw significant redesigns in 2002.

Cab Chassis Purpose:

Cab chassis models have always been a crucial part of the Ram lineup, catering to the commercial and vocational market where customers build specialized vehicles upon a factory-provided chassis and cab.

Manufacturing Location Typical:

Saltillo, Mexico (Stellantis North America's primary truck assembly plant for many years).

🏆 Awards & Recognition

Motor Trend Truck Of The Year:

The Dodge Ram line has historically been recognized by publications like MotorTrend, although specific 'Cab Chassis' awards are rare. The 2006 model was part of a generation that received praise for its styling and capability.

Kbb Consumer Ratings:

Typical ratings for this era of Ram trucks would generally reflect their workhorse capability and robust construction, with some noted areas for potential maintenance.

Emission Certifications:

Compliant with EPA and California ARB emission standards for the 2006 model year. Manual will detail specific emission control system components.