Dodge›RAM Pickup›1998›5.2L V8/dodge/ram-pickup/1998/5-2l-v8/

BR platform

1998 Dodge RAM Pickup — 5.2L V8

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 RAM Pickup 5.2L V8.

Engine 5.2L V8Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1998 Dodge RAM Pickup, built on the BR platform and equipped with a 5.2L V8 paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission, represents a robust full-size truck of its era, with EPA fuel economy ratings of 12 mpg city, 17 mpg highway, and 14 mpg combined, and a 5.0-quart oil capacity using 10W-30 or 5W-30 viscosity per API standards. This model year experienced 20 total owner complaints, with structural concerns emerging as the primary issue—a relatively modest complaint volume compared to the model's historical range spanning 1995 to 2002, where complaints peaked at 33 in 1999 and reached their lowest point of 8 in 2000. Notably, the 1998 RAM carried zero recalls, suggesting that any deficiencies present did not rise to the level warranting manufacturer intervention. Positioned between the complaint extremes of its generation, this model year offers a middle-ground reliability profile for researchers assessing the truck's service history within the broader BR-platform lineage.

Model year1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque130-160 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy12/17/14 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 27 · 600 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 Note the factory fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 · 600 CCAOEM · verified

Tire size6400 GVWROEM · verified

Wheel / rim9 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	05281090AB
Engine air filter	53004383AC
Fuel filter	04798825AD discontinued
Spark plug	68308887AA
Battery	BB27F101AA alt BB34U900AA
Front wiper blades	55076910AA discontinued
Serpentine belt	53010303AC alt 53010304AB
Thermostat	52028185AC alt 53021051AB

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	240.2 in
Overall width	79.5 in
Overall height	71.7 in
Wheelbase	154.7 in
Curb weight	4795 lb
Track (front / rear)	66.5 / 66.9 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	12 / 17 / 14 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.0 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 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	7.6 Pints,
Differential Gear Oil	75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	4 Pints,
Differential Gear Oil	75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	7.5 Pints, non_mvc
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings	45 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	135 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head Steps	Step 1 -
Engine Flywheel Bolts	55-60 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Main Bearings	85 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	30 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)	6010
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket	6010
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle	6010
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket	6010
Lug Nuts	130-160 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	30.0-40.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	30.0-40.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	180 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	200 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Champion
Spark Plug Type	RC12LC4
Spark Plug Gap	0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque	30.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	2.00 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	SP-10
Oil Capacity	8.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	27
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	600 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	27

Service checks

Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	192-199 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	54.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	44.0-54.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	10.8-13.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	100 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure	30-80 psi

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle	38 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	38 ft-lbs
Other	Heavy Duty
Torque to Knuckle	38 ft-lbs
Other	Light Duty / Heavy Duty
Torque to Knuckle	38 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	38 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.001 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

6 ft. lbs. ( 1 ft. lb. at a time.), step 2: bolts: 5-12: 6 ft. lbs., step 3: all to 6 ft. lbs., step 4: all to 12 ft. lbs., step 5: all to 12

6 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the 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 mi	Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 18,000 mi	Brake Linings (inspect)
Every 24,000 mi	Bands (adjust) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · PCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	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 required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter 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 needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The 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 1998 Dodge RAM Pickup recorded 20 complaints — more than double the 1995 model's nine but below the generation's 33-complaint peak in 1999 — while recalls remained at zero across 1995–1999 and investigations dropped from two in 1995 to none in 1998–1999. Technical service bulletins held steady at 12 for 1998, comparable to the 10–12 range seen in adjacent years. The 1998 complaint profile centered on Structure (four), Air Bags (three), Power Train (two), and Fuel System (one), with one crash and one fire complaint noted. Complaints surged sharply from 1995 through 1999 before collapsing to eight in 2000, placing 1998 on the ascending limb of a distinct mid-generation spike rather than at its worst point. The absence of recalls or investigations in 1998 is favorable, but the elevated complaint volume relative to the generation's low-water marks suggests above-average risk. This is a below-average year to buy within this generation; prioritize a thorough pre-purchase inspection focused on structural integrity and air bag systems.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

1 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’95’98’99 ’00 ’02

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 20 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure4

Air Bags3

Power Train2

Fuel System, Gasoline1

Seat Belts1

Engine & Engine Cooling,Power Train1

Electrical System,Exterior Lighting,Latches/Locks/Linkages,Vehicle Speed Control1

Steering1

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 12 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
9002849	2014-09-03	Equipment	Part Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission…
0801003	2003-04-25	Seat Belts	SEAT BELT CINCH BAR SERVICE FOR VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2004 MODELS. *TT
1400203	2003-04-11	Fuel System, Diesel	DIESEL FUEL TRANSFER PUMP DIAGNOSIS. *TT
0801001	2001-05-25	Electrical System	SUBJECT REGARDING AIRBAG / CLOCK SPRING SERVICE FOR VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2002 MODEL…
082700	2000-09-29	Air Bags	SUBJECT REGARDING NON-DEPLOYED AIRBAG HANDLING PROCEDURES. *TT

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.

Group 27 battery Vehicles taking 5.0 qt BR-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 05281090AB Engine air filter 53004383AC Fuel filter 04798825AD Spark plug 68308887AA

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 RAM Pickup 5.2L V8 take?

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

Does the 1998 RAM Pickup have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 5.2L V8 get?

EPA figures are 12 city / 17 highway / 14 combined mpg.