DodgeRAM Pickup19978.0L/dodge/ram-pickup/1997/8-0l/
BR platform

1997 Dodge RAM Pickup — 8.0L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1997 RAM Pickup 8.0L.

Body TRUCKEngine 8.0L

The 1997 Dodge RAM Pickup 8.0L is a BR‑platform truck powered by the 8.0‑liter V10, which calls for 7.0 quarts of oil and accepts either 10W‑30 or 5W‑30 API‑rated lubricant. With 13 recorded recalls and a total of 1,200 owner complaints—most frequently citing power‑train issues—the model reflects the broader reliability pattern of the RAM line, where complaint numbers rose to a high of 33 in 1999 before dropping to a low of just 8 in 2000. Positioned before that peak, the 1997 example sits in the earlier, relatively steadier portion of the 1995‑2002 complaint history, indicating a modest complaint level compared with the later surge.

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 Note the factory fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 belt53010303AC alt 53010304AB
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 weight4654 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 Capacity4 Pints,
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity7.5 Pints, non_mvc
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings45 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 TypeSP-20
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 Resistance13.3-15.7 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure50-60 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle38 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle38 ft-lbs
OtherHeavy Duty
Torque to Knuckle38 ft-lbs
OtherLight Duty / Heavy Duty
Torque to Knuckle38 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle38 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.001 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 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · 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 miPCV 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.

In the immediate surrounding federal record years, 1995 logged only 9 complaints and zero recalls, while 1998 recorded 20 complaints and also zero recalls. The 1997 model therefore falls in a period of comparatively modest complaint volume, preceding the 1999 peak of 33 complaints and the later 2002 figure of 24 complaints. The 1997 target year shows the highest complaint concentrations in Power Train (148) and Service Brakes, Hydraulic (147), with 89 crash‑related complaints and 60 fire‑related complaints also recorded. The data does not specify a root cause for these complaint categories. Given the low overall complaint count, absence of recalls, and the pattern of fewer issues than later years, the 1997 Dodge RAM Pickup can be considered a reasonable purchase, provided the buyer addresses potential power‑train and brake service concerns.

13
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
139
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
6
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,200
Owner complaints
89 involved a crash · 60 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,200 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train148
Service Brakes, Hydraulic147
Structure86
Air Bags60
Tires58
Steering55
Engine & Engine Cooling54
Fuel System, Gasoline53

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08E050000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/08/2008

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF… Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 139 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 1997 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 1997 RAM Pickup have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 13 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.