Dodge›RAM 1500, 2500 Pickup›2004›4.7L V8/dodge/ram-1500-2500-pickup/2004/4-7l-v8/
DR platform

2004 Dodge RAM 1500, 2500 Pickup — 4.7L V8

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 RAM 1500, 2500 Pickup 4.7L V8. Covers both the standard and High Output 4.7L V8.

Engine 4.7L V8Transmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2004 Dodge RAM 1500 and 2500 pickups share the DR platform and are equipped with the 4.7L V8 engine paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission, achieving EPA ratings of 13 mpg city, 17 mpg highway, and 14 mpg combined, while requiring 6.0 quarts of oil with a 10W-30 or 5W-30 viscosity specification per API standards. This model year represents a notably problematic entry in the RAM lineup, accumulating 580 total owner complaints with Power Train issues emerging as the primary concern across both the half-ton 1500 and three-quarter-ton 2500 variants. The vehicle's reliability record is further marked by nine separate recalls, indicating systemic issues that prospective owners and researchers should consider when evaluating long-term ownership costs and maintenance requirements.

Model year20042003

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque135 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy13/17/14 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 65 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP265-70R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB alt 04781452BF
Engine air filter68441763AA alt 05029703AA
Fuel filter52021983AB discontinued · alt 04897498AA
Spark plug68303918AA
Battery56028472AC alt BB65F121AA
Front wiper blades55077100AE
Serpentine belt53032037AM alt 05037206AE
Thermostat68174083AA alt 05037344AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length228.7 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height79.5 in
Wheelbase127.2 in
Curb weight4482 lb
Track (front / rear)66.9 / 65.7 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined13 / 17 / 14 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 135 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0-25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4
Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.5
Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5.5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs8.5 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts130 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts35-45 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs21 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)110.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts135 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts155 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts135 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug30.0-40.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug30.0-40.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub175 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub185 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque20 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity6.00 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeSP-15
Oil Capacity6.00 oz

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature192-199 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)56.0-60.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure25-110 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle130 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket22 ft-lbs / 24 ft-lbs / 11 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle145 ft-lbs / 250 ft-lbs
OtherDUAL REAR WHEELS / SINGLE REAR WHEELS
Torque Caliper to Bracket22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle100 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9020 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat M8 Bolts with a suitable locking and seal adhesive. Coat threads with clean engine oil. · Bolts 1-10

115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
235.0 ft. lbs.; Bolts 11-1435 ft. lbs
118.0 ft. lbs.; Bolts 1-1018 ft. lbs
390 degrees90 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Install the bedplate retaining bolts, making sure to place the stud bolts in the correct location, Torque the bolts in the sequence shown.

1Tighten bolts A - L to 40 ft. lbs.40 ft. lbs
2Tighten bolts 1 - 10 to 25 in. lbs.25 in
3Turn bolts 1 - 10 an additional 90 degrees.90 degrees
4Tighten bolts A1 - A6 to 20 ft. lbs.20 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 15,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 6,000 miEngine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 12,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 15,000 miEngine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 18,000 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (replace)
At 90,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 miBands (adjust) · Power Steering System (drain & refill)

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 2004 Dodge RAM 1500, 2500 Pickup top in one area — the power train, 95 of 580 reports (16%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 9 recall campaigns target the power train, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 48 of the reports describe a crash and 6 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the power train 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.

9
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
39
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
8
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
580
Owner complaints
48 involved a crash · 6 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 580 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train95
Air Bags79
Steering72
Suspension49
Steering,Suspension41
Structure25
Engine & Engine Cooling17
Electrical System16

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 9 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V770000Air BagsReported 03/12/2014

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500, 2004-2005 Dodge Durango, 2005 Dodge Dakota, 2005 Dodge Magnum and 2005 Chrysler 300, 300C and 300 SRT8 vehicles… Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. For vehicles that were sold, or are currently registered, in Florida…

11V350000Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod AssemblyReported 06/07/2011

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 3500 CAB CHASSIS 4X2, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIE ROD ENDS FOR RELATIVE ORIENTATION AND REPLACE THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD AS REQUIRED AND PERFORM A FRONT END TOE ALIGNMENT AS NEEDED. THIS SERVICE 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
1012322024-10-29Power TrainPlate - Planetary
S22080001362022-07-09Electrical SystemSecurity Module Lock Out After Entering the PIN to Unlock The Wireless Control Module…
S22080001362022-07-09Electrical SystemSecurity Module Lock Out After Entering the PIN to Unlock The Wireless Control Module…
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…

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 1500, 2500 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 65 batteryVehicles taking 6.0 qtDR-platform vehiclesEngine oil filter 05281090ABEngine air filter 68441763AAFuel filter 52021983ABSpark plug 68303918AA

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2004 RAM 1500, 2500 Pickup 4.7L V8 take?

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

Does the 2004 RAM 1500, 2500 Pickup have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 4.7L V8 get?

EPA figures are 13 city / 17 highway / 14 combined mpg.