DodgeRAM Pickup19988.0L/dodge/ram-pickup/1998/8-0l/
BR platform

1998 Dodge RAM Pickup — 8.0L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 RAM Pickup 8.0L.

Engine 8.0L

The 1998 Dodge RAM Pickup 8.0L is a full-size truck built on the BR platform and powered by the 8.0-liter engine, with routine oil service calling for 7.0 quarts of 10W-30 or 5W-30 API-rated oil. Owner-reported reliability data records 20 total complaints, with Structure cited as the top concern and zero recalls on file. Within the 1995–2002 model run, the 1998 model falls between the 1999 peak of 33 complaints and the 2000 low of 8, placing it in the middle of the observed reliability range rather than at either extreme.

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 Note the factory fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 size6400 GVWROEM · verified
Wheel / rim9 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 weight4795 lb
Track (front / rear)66.5 / 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
Cylinder Head StepsStep 1 -
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 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
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-10
Oil Capacity8.10 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 Resistance10.8-13.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

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) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Power Steering Line (inspect)
Every 18,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (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.

The 1998 model year recorded 20 complaints, which is more than double the 9 complaints seen in 1995 but lower than the 33 complaints reported for 1999, placing it on an upward trajectory within the generation’s complaint trend. Recalls remained at zero for 1998, matching the prior three years (1995‑1999) and contrasting with the single recall that appeared in 2002. Investigations dropped from two in 1995 to none in 1998 and 1999, then rose again to one in 2000 and 2002, indicating a lull in formal scrutiny during the 1998‑1999 period. Technical service bulletins were slightly higher in 1998 (12) than in the surrounding years (10 in 1995 and 1999, 9 in 2000, 8 in 2002), suggesting a modest increase in dealer‑issued guidance. The year also logged one crash‑related complaint and one fire‑related complaint, though the data do not specify any underlying cause for these incidents. **Takeaway:** Because the 1998 Dodge RAM shows a moderate complaint level with no recalls but sits amid a rising complaint trend that peaks the following year, it is acceptable only if a thorough pre‑purchase inspection verifies that no unresolved issues are present.

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.

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

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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
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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 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 1998 RAM Pickup have open recalls?

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