DodgeRAM Pickup19985.9L Diesel/dodge/ram-pickup/1998/5-9l-diesel/
BR platform

1998 Dodge RAM Pickup — 5.9L Diesel

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 RAM Pickup 5.9L Diesel.

Engine 5.9L DieselTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1998 Dodge RAM Pickup, built on the BR platform and powered by the 5.9L diesel engine, uses a 5.0‑qt oil capacity with a recommended 10W‑30/5W‑30 API viscosity and is paired with an Automatic 4‑spd transmission, delivering EPA‑rated 11/16/13 mpg. It falls within a 1995‑2002 model span that recorded 20 total owner complaints, with the peak of 33 complaints in 1999 and a low of 8 in 2000, and no recalls, situating its complaint volume near the lower end of that period. Accordingly, the 1998 model year represents a transitional point in the reliability trajectory of the line.

Model year19991998

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 economy11/16/13 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 Note the factory fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 filter05281090AB
Engine air filter53004383AC
Fuel filter04798825AD discontinued
Spark plug68303921AA alt 68308887AA
BatteryBB27F101AA alt BB34U900AA
Front wiper blades55076910AA discontinued
Serpentine belt53010303AC alt 53010304AB
Thermostat52028185AC alt 53021051AB

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length240.2 in
Overall width79.5 in
Overall height71.7 in
Wheelbase154.7 in
Curb weight4795 lb
Track (front / rear)66.5 / 66.9 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined11 / 16 / 13 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 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 44.0 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) Bearings48 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head StepsStep 1 -
Engine Flywheel Bolts100 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts55 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts25 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug44.0 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 Plug30.0-40.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug30.0-40.0 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
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)200 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug TypeRC12LC4
Spark Plug Gap0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque30.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.00 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeSP-10
Oil Capacity8.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number27
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Optional 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
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)25.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance10.8-13.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure30 psi

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

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
126 ft. lbs., Step 2: 51 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7326 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
16 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 126 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
16 ft. lbs. ( 1 ft. lbs. 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 126 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
144 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60 ft. lbs., Step 3: 9044 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17 ft. lbs., Step 2: 187 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 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) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 12,000 miFuel Filter (replace) · Water Pump (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 18,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect)
Every 24,000 miBands (adjust) · Crankshaft Vibration Damper (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (clean) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Radiator Fan Clutch (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 48,000 miIntake Air Temperature Sensor (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · 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.

In 1998 the Dodge RAM Pickup logged 20 complaints, a noticeable rise from the 9 complaints recorded in 1995 and the 8 complaints in 2000, while remaining consistent with zero recalls that year. The 1998 model sits above the 1999 peak of 33 complaints but below the 2002 spike of 24 complaints, indicating a volatile trend rather than a steady decline. The top complaint areas—Structure (4), Air Bags (3), Power Train (2), and Fuel System, Gasoline (1)—suggest that structural integrity and safety systems were the primary concerns, yet the data does not specify root causes. With only one crash complaint and one fire complaint, the safety incident rate is low compared to the overall complaint volume. Given the higher complaint count relative to adjacent years and the lack of recall mitigation, 1998 may not be the most reliable year for purchase; a later model with fewer complaints would be a safer choice.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
12
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
20
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

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.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
90028492014-09-03EquipmentPart Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission…
08010032003-04-25Seat BeltsSEAT BELT CINCH BAR SERVICE FOR VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2004 MODELS. *TT
14002032003-04-11Fuel System, DieselDIESEL FUEL TRANSFER PUMP DIAGNOSIS. *TT
08010012001-05-25Electrical SystemSUBJECT REGARDING AIRBAG / CLOCK SPRING SERVICE FOR VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2002 MODEL…
0827002000-09-29Air BagsSUBJECT 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.

P2002
Diesel particulate filter efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0401
Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow insufficient
P20EE
SCR NOx catalyst efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0087
Fuel rail / system pressure too low
P0299
Turbocharger / supercharger underboost condition

VIN tools

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VIN
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Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
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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 1998 RAM Pickup 5.9L Diesel 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 5.9L Diesel get?

EPA figures are 11 city / 16 highway / 13 combined mpg.