🏷️ Basic Information

Make:

Dodge

Model:

Ram Truck

Year:

2008

Market Segment:

Full-Size Pickup Truck

Platform:

DR/DH/D2

Generation Code:

Third Generation (2002-2008)

👋 Introduction

Positioning:

The Dodge Ram Truck of this generation solidified its position as a formidable competitor in the heavy-duty and light-duty pickup truck market, known for its robust build, powerful engine options, and increasingly refined interior features.

Competitors:

Ford F-Series, Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra, Toyota Tundra

Design Philosophy:

The third-generation Ram truck (2002-2008) featured a distinctive, aggressive styling with a large crosshair grille. It offered a wide range of configurations, from work-oriented to luxury-oriented trims, and introduced significant technological and powertrain advancements.

Powertrain Offerings:

The availability of the potent 5.7L HEMI V8 and the legendary 5.9L/6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel engines were major selling points, catering to both performance and heavy-duty towing needs.

📋 Manual Details

Engine Variants Covered:

3.7L Magnum V6, 4.7L Magnum V8, 5.7L HEMI V8, 5.9L Cummins Turbo Diesel (pre-2007.5 model year variations), 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel

Model Variants Covered:

All Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, 3500 series trucks

Repair Topics:

Comprehensive A-Z, all major repair topics

Estimated Pages:

Over 2000 pages (typical for comprehensive factory service manuals of this era)

Type:

Factory Service Manual / Workshop Manual

Language:

English

Format:

PDF

📖 Manual Coverage

Powertrain:

Engine mechanical, lubrication, cooling, fuel, ignition, exhaust, emissions, engine control systems (ECU/PCM), manual transmission, automatic transmission, transfer case, driveline, axles, driveshafts

Chassis:

Suspension (front and rear), steering system, braking system (ABS, hydraulic, parking brake), wheels and tires

Electrical:

Body electrical, charging system, starting system, lighting, instrument cluster, audio systems, power accessories (windows, locks, mirrors), trailer wiring, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), wiring diagrams

Body And Interior:

Body panels, doors, windows, seats, dashboard, HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning), interior trim, safety restraint systems (SRS - airbags)

Maintenance:

Scheduled maintenance, fluid changes, filter replacements, lubrication, inspections

Diagnostics:

Symptom-based troubleshooting, diagnostic trouble code (DTC) interpretation, component testing, electrical system diagnostics

Repair And Rebuild:

Engine overhaul, transmission overhaul, brake component replacement, suspension component replacement, steering system repair, electrical component repair, body panel repair

Installation And Adjustment:

Component installation, alignment procedures, timing adjustments, calibration procedures

Depth:

Expert-level detail, suitable for professional technicians and advanced DIY enthusiasts. Includes specifications, procedures, diagnostics, and component information for complete repairs and overhauls.

📊 Manual Specifications

File Type:

Portable Document Format (PDF)

Searchability:

Text-searchable PDF allowing for quick lookup of specific topics and components

Quality:

High-resolution scans ensuring clarity of text, diagrams, and illustrations

Binding:

N/A (Digital Format)

Paper Type:

N/A (Digital Format)

⚙️ Engine Specifications

3.7L Magnum V6:

Displacement: 3.7L (226 cu in), Configuration: 90-degree V6, Bore x Stroke: 3.72 x 3.34 in, Compression Ratio: 9.6:1, Horsepower: 215 hp @ 5200 rpm, Torque: 235 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm, Block/Head Material: Cast Iron Block, Aluminum Heads, Fuel System: Multi-port Fuel Injection (MPI)

4.7L Magnum V8:

Displacement: 4.7L (285 cu in), Configuration: 90-degree V8, Bore x Stroke: 3.98 x 3.57 in, Compression Ratio: 9.0:1, Horsepower: 235 hp @ 4500 rpm (early models) to 310 hp @ 5650 rpm (later models), Torque: 290 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm (early models) to 330 lb-ft @ 3950 rpm (later models), Block/Head Material: Cast Iron Block, Aluminum Heads, Fuel System: Multi-port Fuel Injection (MPI)

5.7L Hemi V8:

Displacement: 5.7L (345 cu in), Configuration: 90-degree V8, Bore x Stroke: 3.92 x 3.58 in, Compression Ratio: 9.6:1, Horsepower: 345 hp @ 5000 rpm (early models) to 360 hp @ 5600 rpm (later models), Torque: 375 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm (early models) to 390 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm (later models), Block/Head Material: Cast Iron Block, Aluminum Heads, Fuel System: Multi-port Fuel Injection (MPI), Special Features: HEMI (High-performance Electronic Multi-point Ignition) with Multiple Displacement System (MDS) on some models.

5.9L Cummins Turbo Diesel (Pre-2007.5):

Displacement: 5.9L (359 cu in), Configuration: Inline 6-Cylinder Turbo Diesel, Bore x Stroke: 4.02 x 4.72 in, Compression Ratio: 17.3:1, Horsepower: 305-325 hp, Torque: 555-610 lb-ft, Fuel System: Electronic Unit Pump (EUP) or Common Rail (late models)

6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel (2007.5-2008):

Displacement: 6.7L (409 cu in), Configuration: Inline 6-Cylinder Turbo Diesel, Bore x Stroke: 4.21 x 4.88 in, Compression Ratio: 17.3:1, Horsepower: 350 hp @ 3000 rpm, Torque: 610 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm, Fuel System: High-pressure Common Rail (HPCR), Emissions: Equipped with Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)

3.7L Mpg (Estimated Highway):

17-19 MPG

4.7L Mpg (Estimated Highway):

15-17 MPG

5.7L Hemi Mpg (Estimated Highway):

14-16 MPG (with MDS)

Gasoline Injection Type:

Sequential Multi-Port Fuel Injection (MPI)

Diesel Injection Type:

Electronic Unit Pump (EUP) or High-Pressure Common Rail (HPCR)

🔧 Transmission

Gasoline Engines:

4-speed automatic (42RLE), 5-speed manual (NV3500) for V6; 5-speed automatic (545RFE) for V8s

Diesel Engines:

6-speed manual (G56); 5-speed automatic (48RE) for 5.9L Cummins; 6-speed automatic (68RFE) for 6.7L Cummins

Gasoline Engines:

5-speed automatic (45RFE/545RFE) for V6; 6-speed manual (G56) for some heavy-duty applications

Diesel Transmission Features:

Heavy-duty construction, towing capacity enhancements, specific cooling requirements for automatic transmissions

Transfer Case Types:

Command-Trac (Part-time 2-speed), NV244 (Full-time 2-speed), NV273 (Part-time 2-speed with electronic shift)

📐 Dimensions

Body Styles:

Regular Cab, Extended Cab (Quad Cab), Crew Cab

Bed Lengths:

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

Wheelbase Options:

139.0 in (Regular Cab, short bed), 148.9 in (Quad Cab, short bed), 143.1 in (Regular Cab, long bed), 160.5 in (Quad Cab, long bed), 171.7 in (Crew Cab, long bed) - approximate values varying by configuration

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Gvw:

Varies by model and configuration, typically from 6,050 lbs to 13,500 lbs (for chassis cab and heavy-duty models)

Curb Weight:

Approximately 4,800 - 6,500 lbs depending on configuration and engine

Towing Capacity:

Up to 12,000+ lbs for properly equipped heavy-duty models

Payload Capacity:

Up to 4,000+ lbs for heavy-duty models

🛡️ Safety Features

NHTSA Rollover Resistance:

3-star rating for some configurations (typical for trucks of this era)

Braking System:

Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, some models may have Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)

Traction Control:

Available Traction Control System (TCS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) on some later models

Airbags:

Front airbags for driver and passenger, optional side curtain airbags for front and rear occupants on some models

Seatbelts:

Three-point active belts with pretensioners for front seats, three-point belts for rear seats

💡 Technology Features

Audio Systems:

Base AM/FM/CD players, optional CD/MP3 players, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, available premium audio systems (e.g., Boston Acoustics)

Navigation:

Optional factory navigation system available on higher trim levels

Cruise Control:

Standard cruise control on most models

Parking Assist:

Optional rear parking assist sensors on some models

Trailer Towing Features:

Factory trailer wiring harness, trailer brake controller pre-wiring, trailer sway control (on later models within this generation)

Auxiliary Ports:

Available auxiliary audio input jack

🔧 Maintenance

Oil Change Interval:

Typically every 3,000-7,500 miles or 6 months, depending on engine type, oil used, and driving conditions (refer to manual for specific recommendations).

Transmission Fluid Change:

Every 30,000-60,000 miles for automatic transmissions, depending on service severity; manual transmissions may have longer intervals or be considered 'lifetime' with inspection recommendations.

Coolant Flush:

Every 30,000-100,000 miles or 2-5 years, depending on coolant type (e.g., HOAT or OAT).

Diesel Particulate Filter Regen:

For 6.7L Cummins, passive and active regeneration cycles occur automatically. Manual regeneration might be required in specific conditions, detailed in the manual.

Engine Oil Gasoline 5.7L Hemi:

SAE 5W-20, API SN or equivalent (e.g., Chrysler MS-6395)

Engine Oil Diesel 6.7L Cummins:

SAE 15W-40, API CJ-4 or CK-4 (e.g., Cummins CES 20081/20086)

Automatic Transmission Fluid Atf:

ATF+4 (Chrysler part number 05010051AA or equivalent) for 42RLE, 45RFE, 545RFE, 48RE; ATF+4 or equivalent for 68RFE (refer to manual for exact specification).

Coolant:

Chrysler HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technology) or OAT (Organic Additive Technology) coolant, typically Mopar P/N 05010055AA or equivalent. Mixture: 50/50 with distilled water.

Early 4.7L V8:

Spark plug ejection, cylinder head issues (some models), camshaft lobe wear

Hemi Mds:

Potential for oil consumption and valve train noise related to the Multi Displacement System (MDS)

Diesel Emissions (6.7L):

DPF regeneration issues, EGR valve problems, potential for NOx sensor failures

Suspension And Steering:

Ball joint wear, tie rod end wear, steering gear play, especially in trucks used for heavy-duty applications

Electrical Systems:

Instrument cluster failures, TIPM (Total Integrated Power Module) issues, window motor failures

📚 Vehicle History

Dodge Truck Legacy:

Dodge has a long and storied history in the pickup truck market, dating back to the 1930s. The 'Ram' nameplate was introduced in 1981 and quickly became synonymous with toughness and capability.

Third Generation Ram:

The third generation (2002-2008) represented a significant redesign from the previous generation, featuring a bolder exterior, improved chassis, and a wider array of powertrain options, including the introduction of the 5.7L HEMI and the advanced 6.7L Cummins diesel.

Manufacturing Locations:

Primarily Saltillo, Mexico, and Warren, Michigan, USA

🏆 Awards & Recognition

Truck Of The Year:

Various automotive publications and organizations have recognized Ram trucks for their capabilities and value over the years, though specific 'Truck of the Year' awards for the 2008 model year can vary by publication.

Towing Hauling Leader:

The Ram trucks, particularly those equipped with the HEMI and Cummins engines, were consistently rated highly for their towing and hauling capabilities within their respective classes.

Diesel Engine Certification:

The 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel met strict EPA emissions standards for 2008, incorporating advanced exhaust treatment systems.