DodgeRAM 4500, 5500 Cab Chassis2008Overview/dodge/ram-4500-5500-cab-chassis/2008/base/
DM platform

2008 Dodge RAM 4500, 5500 Cab Chassis

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 RAM 4500, 5500 Cab Chassis.

Built on the DM platform, the 2008 Dodge RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis models require 12 qt of engine oil with filter at a 5W-40 API CJ-4 viscosity. The reliability profile for this model year is documented with 3 recalls and 10 total owner complaints that prospective researchers should evaluate. With the steering system identified as the top complaint area, the data frames the reliability context for this specific production run.

Model year201020092008

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity12 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-40 API CJ-4OEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 800 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05083285AA. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 · 800 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05083285AA
Engine air filter53034051AB
Fuel filter05183410AA
Front wiper blades55077100AE
Serpentine belt53041138AE alt 53041139AE
Thermostat68534176AA alt 05086740AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length218.9 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height68.5 in
Wheelbase131.1 in
Curb weight4295 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 12 qt w/ filter of 5W-40 API CJ-4 engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.2
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity4.4 Pints,
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity10.8 Pints
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Engine OilSYNTHETIC · 5W-40 · API · MS-10902

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts100 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts32 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)110.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance800 cca
Optional BCI Group Number65 DIESEL
Optional BCI Cranking Performance800 DIESEL cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Engine Compression350
Engine Oil Pressure30 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM2500 rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 44 ft. lbs., Step 3: 6022 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
118
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep If using old bolts, use the following procedure:

144 ft. lbs.44 ft. lbs
259 ft. lbs.59 ft. lbs
390 degrees; If using new bolts, use the following procedure:90 degrees
189 ft. lbs.89 ft. lbs
2Loosen all bolts 360 degrees360 degrees
344 ft. lbs.44 ft. lbs
463 ft. lbs.63 ft. lbs
5120 degrees120 degrees
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 216 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBrake Line (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 15,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 22,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miRadiator Fan Clutch (inspect) · Suspension Shock or Strut (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 67,500 miEGR Valve (clean) · EGR Valve Cooler (clean) · Engine Breather Filter (replace)
At 150,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2008 Dodge RAM 4500, 5500 Cab Chassis dominate in one area — the steering, 7 of 10 reports (70%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 3 recall campaigns target the steering, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the steering pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
39
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
10
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 10 complaints on record, top 3 components.

Steering7
Suspension2
Steering,Service Brakes, Hydraulic1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15V313000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 27/05/2015

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the…

16V352000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 24/05/2016

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 39 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
S1203000003 REV.A2026-06-26Service BrakesTrac-Rite Operation Diagnosis, Chatter, Shudder, Moving From A Stop And Turning
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
90040092021-04-07Power TrainTransmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles…
23-015-202020-04-30EquipmentDisinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RAM 4500, 5500 Cab Chassis. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 RAM 4500, 5500 Cab Chassis take?

12 qt w/ filter of SYNTHETIC 5W-40 API CJ-4 MEETING CHRYSLER SPECIFICATION MS-10902, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 RAM 4500, 5500 Cab Chassis have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.