DodgeRAM Pickup19968.0L/dodge/ram-pickup/1996/8-0l/
BR platform

1996 Dodge RAM Pickup — 8.0L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1996 RAM Pickup 8.0L.

Body VANEngine 8.0L

The 1996 Dodge RAM Pickup, built on the BR platform and styled as a van, is powered by a robust 8.0‑liter engine that requires 7.0 qt of oil with a 10W‑30/5W‑30 API viscosity rating. This model year sits within the broader 1995‑2002 reliability window, a period that saw the highest owner complaints in 1999 (33 complaints) and the lowest in 2000 (8 complaints), yet the 1996 RAM itself logged 1,091 total complaints—primarily concerning service brakes and hydraulics—while also receiving 15 recalls. In sum, the 1996 RAM’s reliability record reflects a vehicle that performed well in terms of mechanical build but faced notable brake and hydraulic issues that researchers should consider when assessing its long‑term durability.

Model year199919981997199619951994

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity7.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque130-160 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 27 · 750 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory fuel filter, front wiper blades and serpentine belt are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. 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 27 · 750 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeLT225-75R16DOEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter53004383AC
Fuel filter04798825AD discontinued
BatteryBB27F101AA alt BB34U900AA
Front wiper blades55076910AA discontinued
Serpentine belt53010286AB discontinued · alt 53010277
Thermostat52028185AC alt 53021051AB

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length240.2 in
Overall width79.5 in
Overall height71.7 in
Wheelbase154.7 in
Curb weight4493 lb
Track (front / rear)66.9 / 66.9 in

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 7.0 qt of 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 130-160 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-10-9-4-3-6-5-8-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity7.6 Pints,
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity7.5 Pints, non_mvc
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity7.0 qt

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings45 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts135 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts135 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 70, MT: 55 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 40 ft-lbs; Upper: 16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts16 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)6010
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket6010
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle6010
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket6010
Lug Nuts130-160 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug35.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug35.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub180 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-10-9-4-3-6-5-8-7-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug TypeQC9MC4
Spark Plug Gap0.045 in
Spark Plug Torque30.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.00 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Oil Capacity7.75 oz
Standard BCI Group Number27
Standard BCI Cranking Performance750 cca
Standard BCI Group Number27

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum54.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)44.0-54.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance13.3-15.7 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure50-60 psi

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle38 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle38 ft-lbs
OtherLight Duty / Heavy Duty
OtherHeavy Duty
Torque to Knuckle38 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.005 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.26 in / 1.578 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
143.0 ft. lbs.43 ft. lbs
2105.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120 ft. lbs., Step 2: 8520 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 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 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 6,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 7,500 miFuel Line (inspect) · Power Steering Line (inspect)
Every 18,000 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 24,000 miAir Injection System Air Pump Filter Element (replace) · Bands (adjust) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · PCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 miBattery (replace) · PCV Valve (inspect)

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.

The federal record traces an escalation from 9 complaints in 1995 to a peak of 33 in 1999, followed by volatility that includes the generation's sole recall in 2002. The 1996 model registers 201 hydraulic brake complaints, 162 powertrain complaints, 91 crash complaints, and 41 fire complaints—volumes that substantially exceed the total annual complaint counts for 1995 (9), 1998 (20), and 1999 (33). Notably, the data specifies zero recalls for 1995, 1998, 1999, and 2000, with the first recall appearing only in 2002, though it does not specify the recall status for 1996. Given that these complaint volumes represent a statistical spike relative to adjacent model years, the 1996 model presents a higher-risk proposition within this generation.

15
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
121
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
10
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,091
Owner complaints
91 involved a crash · 41 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,091 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic201
Power Train162
Engine & Engine Cooling82
Suspension63
Electrical System59
Structure49
Steering48
Tires42

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 121 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
08-049-202020-04-22Electrical SystemCharging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…
31005192019-11-20StructureUse of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…
31006192019-11-20StructureRepair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC…
31003192019-11-20StructureUse of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…
31-006-192019-11-20StructureRepair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC…

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 Pickup. 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 1996 RAM Pickup 8.0L take?

7.0 qt of Above 0 F: 10W-30 API, Below 32 F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1996 RAM Pickup have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 15 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.