DodgeRAM Van, Wagon19995.9L V8/dodge/ram-van-wagon/1999/5-9l-v8/
AB platform

1999 Dodge RAM Van, Wagon — 5.9L V8

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1999 RAM Van, Wagon 5.9L V8.

Engine 5.9L V8

The 1999 Dodge RAM Van, Wagon is built on the AB platform and is powered by a robust 5.9‑liter V8 engine that delivers dependable torque for both commercial and personal use. This model requires 5.0 quarts of 10W‑30 or 5W‑30 API‑approved oil to maintain optimal engine performance and longevity. With zero recalls and only 47 total owner complaints—primarily centered on the electrical system—this year’s RAM Wagon sits in the mid‑range of the model’s reliability history, indicating a generally sound mechanical foundation but a need for attentive electrical maintenance.

Model year200320022001200019991997199619951994

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 torque85-115 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 · 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 Note the factory fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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
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 length220.1 in
Overall width79.1 in
Overall height71.7 in
Wheelbase139 in
Curb weight4641 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 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 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 44.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilGL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity6.3 Pints, non_mvc
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.5 Pints,
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity4 Pints,
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings48 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts135 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head StepsStep 1 -
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)85.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket110.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle110.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket90.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts85-115 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
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
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeSP-15
Standard BCI Group Number27
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Optional BCI Group Number27
Optional BCI Cranking Performance750 cca
Standard BCI Group Number27

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
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
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH 12 inch DRUM / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle210 ft-lbs / 130 ft-lbs / 38 ft-lbs
OtherHeavy Duty
Torque to Knuckle38 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle38 ft-lbs
OtherLight Duty / Heavy Duty
Torque to Knuckle38 ft-lbs

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

150.0 ft. lbs.50 ft. lbs
2105.0 ft. lbs.105 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

150.0 ft. lbs.50 ft. lbs
2105.0 ft. lbs.105 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

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; 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 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection)
Every 7,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Power Steering Line (inspect) · Suspension Control Arm Bushings (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Pedal Assembly (lubricate pivot points) · Brake Power Booster Unit (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Steering Linkage (lubricate)
Every 22,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (lubricate) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 24,000 miBands (adjust) · Engine Breather Filter (clean)
Every 30,000 miCrankshaft Vibration Damper (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Radiator Fan Clutch (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 52,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDistributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Rotor (inspect) · EGR Valve (replace) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)

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 1999 Dodge RAM Van, Wagon lead in one area — the electrical system, 12 of 47 reports (26%), well ahead of the next concern. NHTSA has issued no recalls for this vehicle, so these are owner-reported concerns only. 6 of the reports describe a crash and 11 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the electrical system 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.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
77
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
47
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 11 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 47 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System12
Service Brakes, Hydraulic5
Engine & Engine Cooling4
Air Bags4
Steering,Structure3
Structure2
Unknown Or Other2
Seats2

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 77 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
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…

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
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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 1999 RAM Van, Wagon 5.9L V8 take?

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

Does the 1999 RAM Van, Wagon have open recalls?

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