Vehicle Segment:
Heavy-duty pickup truck, designed for towing, hauling, and demanding work applications.
Primary Competitors:
Ford F-250 Super Duty, Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, GMC Sierra 2500HD.
Durability And Capability:
Known for robust construction, powerful engine options, and significant towing and payload capacities.
Utility:
Designed for work and commercial use, offering practical features and a focus on functionality.
Target Audience:
DIY mechanics, professional technicians, fleet owners, and enthusiasts seeking detailed repair and maintenance information.
Benefit:
Empowers users to perform accurate diagnostics, efficient repairs, and proper maintenance, saving time and money.
Engine Mechanical:
Full coverage including disassembly, assembly, inspection, and repair of all engine components.
Engine Management:
Diagnosis and repair of fuel injection, ignition, emission control systems, and powertrain control modules (PCMs).
Transmission Automatic:
Repair and overhaul procedures for automatic transmissions, including torque converter, valve body, and planetary gear sets.
Transmission Manual:
Repair and overhaul procedures for manual transmissions, including clutch, gearbox, and drive shaft components.
Drivetrain:
Front and rear axle service, differential repair, driveshaft balancing, and universal joint replacement.
Suspension:
Front and rear suspension component diagnosis, replacement, and alignment specifications (incl. coil springs, leaf springs, shock absorbers, control arms, ball joints, tie rod ends).
Steering:
Power steering system repair, steering gear box adjustment and replacement, and steering column service.
Brakes:
Complete brake system diagnosis and repair, including ABS, disc and drum brake components, hydraulic lines, and parking brake.
Electrical System:
Wiring diagrams, troubleshooting electrical faults, starter, alternator, battery, lighting, and accessory circuits.
Body Interior:
Body panel repair, interior trim removal and installation, door and window mechanisms, and seat adjustment systems.
Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning HVAC:
Diagnosis and repair of HVAC system components, refrigerant handling, and climate control operation.
Exhaust System:
Exhaust manifold, catalytic converter, muffler, and pipe replacement and repair.
Routine Maintenance:
Oil changes, filter replacements, fluid checks and top-offs, tire rotation, and inspections.
Troubleshooting Diagnostics:
Systematic fault finding for common and complex vehicle issues with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) and symptom-based troubleshooting.
Component Repair Rebuild:
Detailed step-by-step instructions for disassembling, cleaning, inspecting, repairing, and reassembling major vehicle components.
Replacement Procedures:
Guidelines for replacing wear items, damaged parts, and upgrades.
Wiring Diagrams:
Comprehensive, detailed electrical schematics for all vehicle circuits.
Torque Specifications:
Precise torque values for all fasteners to ensure proper assembly and prevent damage.
Special Tools:
Identification and usage instructions for specialized tools required for specific repair procedures.
Depth Level:
Comprehensive: Covers everything from basic maintenance to full engine and transmission rebuilds, and advanced electrical diagnostics.
Engine Option 1:
8.0L (488ci) Magnum V10 OHV
Engine Option 2:
5.2L (318ci) Magnum V8 OHV
Engine Option 3:
5.9L (360ci) Magnum V8 OHV
Engine Option 4:
5.9L (359ci) Cummins Turbo Diesel I6 OHV
V10 Horsepower:
Approx. 300-310 hp @ 4000 rpm
V10 Torque:
Approx. 450-455 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm
Cummins Horsepower:
Approx. 180-215 hp @ 2500 rpm (depending on variant)
Cummins Torque:
Approx. 420-460 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm (depending on variant)
Fuel Delivery Gasoline:
Multi-point fuel injection (MPI)
Fuel Delivery Diesel:
Direct injection, Bosch rotary injection pump (VE or P7100 depending on specific Cummins model/year variant)
Engine Coolant Capacity:
Refer to manual for specific engine fill amounts (typically 14-18 quarts with 50/50 mix).
Transmission Option 1:
4-speed Automatic (46RH/47RH/48RE depending on engine)
Transmission Option 2:
5-speed Manual (NV4500 for diesel, Getrag 5-speed for gasoline)
Transmission Fluid Automatic:
ATF+3 or ATF+4 (refer to manual for specific fill requirements)
Transmission Fluid Manual:
GL-4 or GL-5 gear oil (specific viscosity recommended in manual, e.g., 75W-90).
Transfer Case:
Part-time 4WD system with manual or electronic shift-on-the-fly engagement.
Wheelbase:
Varies by cab and bed configuration (e.g., 134.7 inches for Regular Cab Short Bed, 164.7 inches for Crew Cab Long Bed).
Overall Length:
Varies by configuration (e.g., 216.5 inches for Regular Cab Short Bed, 246.5 inches for Crew Cab Long Bed).
Width:
Approx. 79.1 inches (excluding mirrors).
Height:
Approx. 75.7 inches (depending on configuration).
Curb Weight:
Varies significantly by configuration and engine, typically ranging from 5,500 lbs to over 7,000 lbs.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Gvwr:
Ranges from approximately 8,800 lbs to 10,000 lbs or more depending on configuration.
Bed Length Options:
6.3 feet (standard bed) and 8.0 feet (long bed).
Oil Change Interval:
Every 3,000-7,500 miles or 6 months, depending on engine type (gas vs. diesel) and driving conditions (refer to manual for exact recommendations).
Transmission Fluid Change:
Every 30,000-60,000 miles for automatic transmissions, or as specified by service bulletin. Manual transmission fluid inspection typically every 30,000 miles.
Coolant Flush:
Every 30,000-100,000 miles or 2-5 years, depending on coolant type (e.g., conventional vs. HOAT).
Fuel Filter Replacement Gasoline:
Every 30,000 miles.
Fuel Filter Replacement Diesel:
Every 15,000-30,000 miles (critical for Cummins engines).
Engine Oil Viscosity Gasoline:
5W-30 or 10W-30 (refer to manual for specific engine and ambient temperature).
Engine Oil Viscosity Diesel:
15W-40 API CI-4 or CH-4 (or equivalent) for Cummins.
Cummins Injection Pump Problems:
Early models with VE pumps can experience wear; P7100 is generally more robust but requires specialized knowledge.
Transmission Hard Shifting Automatic:
Can be caused by worn valve bodies or low fluid pressure.
Suspension Wear:
Ball joints, tie rod ends, and bushings can wear prematurely due to heavy loads.
Radiator And Hoses:
Aging components can lead to coolant leaks or overheating.
Rust And Corrosion:
Common in older trucks, particularly in areas exposed to road salt.
Dodge Truck Legacy:
Dodge has a long history of producing durable and capable trucks, establishing a strong reputation in the work and commercial vehicle market.
Second Generation Launch:
The second generation Ram trucks (BR/BE platform) were introduced in 1994, representing a significant redesign with a distinctive 'big rig' styling.
Year Specific Updates 1996:
Introduction of the 8.0L V10 Magnum engine option, increased towing capacities.
Year Specific Updates 1997:
Minor refinements, potential updates to transmissions or electronic systems.
Manufacturing Locations:
Primarily Saltillo, Mexico, and Warren, Michigan, USA.