General Fluid Maintence

Change your fluids folks, its important. The below are for 3rd gen ram 1500s. Check your manual for specific years.

Motor Oil
* 7qts, 5W-20 Synthetic recommended
* Change every 3000-5000 miles
* Synthetic is recommended

Front Axle
* 2.1qts, 75w-90 Synthetic
* Check every other oil change, top off if needed.
* Change every 10,000-15,000 miles


Procedure:
1. Remove air hose from the front of differential
2.Loosen differential bolts and use an oil pan to catch the oil.
3.Allow to drain for 20-30 minutes.
4.Clean old gaskets off and inspect gears for damage.
5.Clean cover and apply new rtv gasket and install.
6.Hand-tighten bolts slightly, and allow rtv gasket to dry for 30 mins.
7.Fill just below the hole, and install plug.

Rear Axle
* 2.4qts, 75W-140 Synthetic
* Check every oil change, top off if needed.
* Change every 10,000-15,000 miles

Procedure:
*Same as the front axle.

Transfer Case
*2 Bottles of Dodge/Chrysler ATF4+ Transmission Fluid
*Change every 75,000 miles, inspect every 30,000 miles.

Procedure:
1. There are two drain bolts on the rear of the case. Remove them using a large allen key. Start at the top, and then the bottom while holding a drain pan close. The fluid is going to shoot out so keep the pan close until it drains.
2. Allow to drip for 20 minutes, a lot of fluid will slowly drip-drain.
3. Install lower bolt and wipe clean.
4. Fill and install bolts.
5. Enjoy.

Tranny: Coming soon

I would never use 75w-90 unless you plan to never tow. When you tow you should have 75w-140 both front and rear synthetic for sure.

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smiley3303 said:

I would never use 75w-90 unless you plan to never tow. When you tow you should have 75w-140 both front and rear synthetic for sure.

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I would never tow in 4x4, so the front would never be engaged. These are also the specified fluids by Dodge.

It is recommended even by Dodge to use the 75w-140 in both axles if you tow. I guess it is likely based on climate as well as I sometimes tow in 4 wheel when it is icy. I am just telling you because Dodge also lists transmission fluid change at 60000 which is about twice as long as someone who tows should go. Also everyone I have talked to says the front axle is always the nastier looking oil when factory fill is drained.

What type of coolant do the rams take?

BlackedOutHemi said:

What type of coolant do the rams take?

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Only use Dealer coolant or "Zerex G 05". Zerex G 05 is the only recommended coolant. I did a lot of research on coolants a few months ago and found Zerex to be the ONLY non-dealer coolant that was available for Rams. If you use anything else it will ruin the cooling system by not using the right fluid.

Napa was the only one I could find Zerex G 05 at.

Great info ... got any on the 2nd gens If so we need a DIY like this ... and us CTD guys

Thanks Dave. Ill try and do some research for the other gens and compile that info.

Im going to Autozone to pickup stuff for doing the tranny filter service DIY. Its good that Im doing this now cuz my trannys kinda laggging when I go from park to Drive sometimes???

So I hope this will kinda fix that

Isnt the engine oil 5w-30?
I thought thats what the manual said isnt it?

For 1500s it's 5w-20. May be different for you because the 2500 hemis don't have the MDS.

sullivan said:

Rear Axle
* 2.4qts, 75W-140 Synthetic
* Check every oil change, top off if needed.
* Change every 10,000-15,000 miles

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Don't forgot for Rear Axles's with LSD's a friction modifier

Oh wow, helpful info. If anyone does these can they take some pics just for reference?
Last I was at the dealer they were wanting to charge me like 1,000 something for the two axles and a couple other things...LOL. Will have to do these some time.

BlackedOutHemi said:

For 1500s it's 5w-20. May be different for you because the 2500 hemis don't have the MDS.

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Also, MDS wasn't introduced into the Ram market until 2006...Any 05 or older Hemi equipped Ram 1500 calls for 5W30 as the preferred oil VI.

SmokedRam said:

Also, MDS wasn't introduced into the Ram market until 2006...Any 05 or older Hemi equipped Ram 1500 calls for 5W30 as the preferred oil VI.

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My 05 Manual And Oil Filler Cap on my 05 are listed as 5w-20. =0 Might be a late print of the Manual through.

Detox said:

My 05 Manual And Oil Filler Cap on my 05 are listed as 5w-20. =0 Might be a late print of the Manual through.

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More than likely it is, I got the 05 manual from Ramtrucks and it specifically called for 5W30 preferred with 10W30 optional.