2003 DODGE RAM 2500

VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER
DESCRIPTION
VIN CODING/LOCATIONS
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate is
located on the lower windshield fence near the left
a-pillar (Fig. 2). The VIN contains 17 characters that
provide data concerning the vehicle. Refer to the VIN
decoding chart to determine the identification of a
vehicle.
The VIN is also imprinted on the:
²Body Code Plate.
²Equipment Identification Plate.
²Vehicle Safety Certification Label.
²Frame rail.
To protect the consumer from theft and possible
fraud the manufacturer is required to include a
Check Digit at the ninth position of the VIN. The
check digit is used by the manufacturer and govern-
ment agencies to verify the authenticity of the vehi-cle and official documentation. The formula to use
the check digit is not released to the general public.
POSITION INTERPRETATION CODE = DESCRIPTION
1 Country of Origin 1 = Manufactured By DaimlerChrysler Corporation
3 = Manufactured By DaimlerChrysler De Mexico
2 Make D = Dodge
3 Vehicle Type 2 = Incomplete with Side Airbag
3 = Truck with Side Airbag
6 = Incomplete Less Side Airbag
7 = Truck Less Side Airbag
4 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating G = 5,001-6000 lbs.
H = 6,001-7,000 lbs.
J = 7,001-8,000 lbs.
K = 8,001-9,000 lbs.
L = 9,001-10,000 lbs.
M = 10,001-14,000 lbs.
W = Buses/Incomplete Vehicles with Hydraulic Brakes
5 Vehicle Line A = Ram Pickup 4X2
U = Ram Pickup 4X4
6 Series 1 = 1500
2 = 2500
3 = 3500 Less Dual Rear Wheels
4 = 3500 With Dual Rear Wheels
7 Body Style 6 = Conventional Cab
8 = Quad Cab Full Rear Doors
Fig. 2 VIN LOCATION
1 - DASH PANEL
2 - VIN CODE PLATE
2 INTRODUCTIONDR

BODY CODE PLATE
DESCRIPTION
The Body Code Plate (Fig. 5) is located on the right
front hydroform fender rail just behind the headlight
assembly (Fig. 4). There are seven lines of informa-
tion on the body code plate. Lines 5, 6, and 7 are not
used to define service information. Information reads
from left to right, starting with line 4 in the center of
the plate to line 1 at the bottom of the plate.
The last code imprinted on a vehicle code plate will
be followed by the imprinted word END. When two
vehicle code plates are required, the last available
spaces on the first plate will be imprinted with the
letters CTD (for continued).
When a second vehicle code plate is necessary, the
first four spaces on each row will not be used because
of the plate overlap.
BODY CODE PLATEÐLINE 4
DIGITS 1 THROUGH 12
Vehicle Order Number
DIGITS 13, 14, AND 15
Transmission Codes
²DGT = 4±speed Automatic (46RE)
²DG4 = 4±speed Automatic (45RFE)
²DGP = 4±speed Automatic (47RE)
²DG8 = 4±speed Automatic (48RE)
²DDC = 5±speed Manual (NV3500)
²DDP = 5±speed Manual (NV4500)
²DEE = 6±speed Manual (NV5600)
DIGITS 16, 17, AND 18
Car Line Shell
²DR1=15004X2
²DR6=15004X4
²DR2=25004X2
²DR7=25004X4
²DR3=35004X2
²DR8=35004X4
Fig. 4 BODY CODE PLATE LOCATION
1 - FENDER
2 - RADIATOR CROSSMEMBER
3 - HYDROFORM FENDER RAIL
4 - RIVOT (2)
5 - BODY CODE PLATE
Fig. 5 BODY CODE PLATE
1 - PRIMARY PAINT
2 - SECONDARY PAINT
3 - TRANSMISSION CODE
4 - VEHICLE MODEL NUMBER
5 - ENGINE CODE
6 - INTERIOR TRIM CODE
7 - VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
8 - TAILGATE CODE
9 - CARGO BOX CODE
10 - TAILGATE TRIM CODE
11 - BODY-IN-WHITE SEQUENCE
12 - MARKET CODE
13 - SPECIES CODE
14 - PAINT PROCEDURE
15 - VEHICLE ORDER NUMBER
4 INTRODUCTIONDR

Miles 3,000 6,000 9,000 12,000 15,000
(Kilometers) (5 000) (10 000) (14 000) (19 000) (24 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter.XXXX X
Lubricate outer tie rod ends 2500/3500
(4X4) models only.XX
Change rear axle fluid.X
Change front axle fluid (4X4).X
Inspect brake linings.X
Inspect engine air cleaner filter, replace
if necessary.X
Miles 18,000 21,000 24,000 27,000 30,000
(Kilometers) (29 000) (34 000) (38 000) (43 000) (48 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter.XXXX X
Lubricate outer tie rod ends 2500/3500
(4X4) models only.XX X
Change rear axle fluid.X
Change front axle fluid (4X4).X
Inspect brake linings. X
Inspect engine air cleaner filter, replace
if necessary.X
Replace spark plugs.X
Inspect PCV valve, replace as necessary.X*
Drain and refill automatic tranmission fluid,
change filter and adjust bands (46RE/47RE/
48RE).³X
Drain and refill automatic tranmission fluid
and change main sump filter (45RFE/
545RFE only).³X
Miles 33,000 36,000 39, 000 42,000 45,000
(Kilometers) (53 000) (58 000) (62 000) (67 000) (72 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter.XXXX X
Lubricate outer tie rod ends 2500/3500
(4X4) models only.XX
Change rear axle fluid.X
Change front axle fluid (4X4).X
Inspect brake linings. X
Inspect engine air cleaner filter, replace
if necessary.X
DRLUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE 0 - 7
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES (Continued)

Miles 48,000 51,000 54,000 57,000 60,000
(Kilometers) (77 000) (82 000) (86 000) (91 000) (96 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter.XXXX X
Lubricate outer tie rod ends 2500/3500
(4X4) models only.XXX
Drain and refill transfer case fluid.X
Change rear axle fluid.X
Change front axle fluid (4X4).X
Inspect brake linings. X X
Inspect engine air cleaner filter, replace
if necessary.X
Replace spark plugs.X
Replace ignition cables (5.7L/5.9L/8.0L).X
Inspect PCV valve, replace as necessary.X*
Drain and refill automatic tranmission fluid,
change filter and adjust bands (46RE/47RE/
48RE).X
Drain and refill automatic tranmission fluid
and change main sump filter (45RFE/
545RFE only).X
Miles 63,000 66,000 69,000 72,000 75,000
(Kilometers) (101 000) (106 000) (110 000) (115 000) (120 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter.XXXX
Lubricate outer tie rod ends 2500/3500
(4X4) models only.XX
Inspect engine air cleaner filter.X
Change rear axle fluid.X
Change front axle fluid (4X4).X
Inspect brake linings.X
Inspect auto tension drive belt and replace
if required (3.7L/4.7L/5.7L/5.9L/8.0L).X
0 - 8 LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCEDR
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES (Continued)

Miles 78,000 81,000 84,000 87,000 90,000
(Kilometers) (125 000) (130 000) (134 000) (139 000) (144 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter.XXXX X
Lubricate outer tie rod ends 2500/3500
(4X4) models only.XXX
Change rear axle fluid.X
Change front axle fluid (4X4).X
Inspect brake linings. X
Inspect engine air cleaner filter, replace
if necessary.X
Replace spark plugs.X
Inspect PCV valve, replace as necessary.X*
Inspect auto tension drive belt and replace
if required (3.7L/4.7L/5.7L/5.9L/8.0L).X³
Drain and refill automatic tranmission fluid,
change filter and adjust bands (46RE/47RE/
48RE).X
Drain and refill automatic tranmission fluid
and change main sump and spin-on cooler
return filter (if equipped) [45RFE/545RFE
only].X
Miles 93,000 96,000 99,000 100,000 102,000
(Kilometers) (149 000) (154 000) (158 000) (160 000) (163 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X X X
Lubricate outer tie rod ends 2500/3500
(4X4) models only.XX
Flush and replace engine coolant. X
Flush and replace Power Steering Fluid. X
Inspect brake linings. X
DRLUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE 0 - 9
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES (Continued)

Miles 105,000 108,000 111,000 114,000 117,000 120,000
(Kilometers) (168 000) (173 000) (178 000) (182 000) (187 000) (192 000)
Change engine oil and engine
oil filter.XXXXX X
Lubricate outer tie rod ends
2500/3500 (4X4) models only.XXX
Drain and refill transfer case
fluid.X
Change rear axle fluid. X X
Change front axle fluid (4X4). X X
Inspect brake linings. X X
Inspect engine air cleaner
filter, replace if necessary.XX
Replace spark plugs.X
Replace ignition cables
(5.7L/5.9L/8.0L).X
Inspect PCV valve, replace
as necessary.X*
Inspect auto tension drive belt
and replace if required
(3.7L/4.7L/5.7L/5.9L/8.0L).X³ X³
Drain and refill automatic
tranmission fluid, change filter
and adjust bands (46RE/
47RE/48RE).X
Drain and refill automatic
tranmission fluid and change
main sump filter (45RFE/
545RFE only).X
* This maintenance is recommended by the manu-
facture to the owner but is not required to maintain
the emissions warranty.
³ This maintenance is not required if previously
replaced.
Inspection and service should also be performed
anytime a malfunction is observed or suspected.
Retain all receipts.
0 - 10 LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCEDR
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES (Continued)

Schedule ªAº
Miles 6,000 12,000 18,000 24,000 30,000
(Kilometers) (10 000) (19 000) (29 000) (38 000) (48 000)
[Months] [6] [12] [18] [24] [30]
Change engine oil and engine oil filter.XXXX X
Check transfer case fluid level.X
Lubricate outer tie rod ends 2500/3500
(4X4) models only.XXXX X
Inspect brake linings. X
Replace engine air cleaner filter.X
Replace spark plugs.X
Miles 36,000 42,000 48,000 54,000 60,000 66,000
(Kilometers) (58 000) (67 000) (77 000) (84 000) (96 000) (106 000)
[Months] [36] [42] [48] [54] [60] [66]
Change engine oil and engine
oil filter.XXXXX
X
Check transfer case fluid
level.X
Lubricate outer tie rod ends
2500/3500 (4X4) models only.XXXXX X
Flush and replace engine
coolant at 60 months,
regardless of mileage.X
Inspect brake linings. X X
Replace engine air cleaner
filter.X
Replace spark plugs.X
Inspect PCV valve, replace
as necessary.X*
Replace ignition cables
(5.7L/5.9L/8.0L).X
DRLUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE 0 - 11
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES (Continued)

Miles 72,000 78,000 84,000 90,000 96,000 100,000
(Kilometers) (115 000) (125 000) (134 000) (144 000) (154 000) (160 000)
[Months] [72] [78] [84] [90] [96]
Change engine oil and engine oil filter.XXXXX
Lubricate outer tie rod ends 2500/3500
(4X4) models only.XXXXX
Drain and refill transfer case fluid. X
Flush and replace engine coolant, if not
done at 60 mos.X
Flush and replace Power Steering Fluid.X
Inspect brake linings. X X
Replace engine air cleaner filter.X
Replace spark plugs.X
Replace ignition cables (5.7L/5.9L/
8.0L).X
Inspect PCV valve, replace as
necessary.X*
Inspect auto tension drive belt and
replace if required (3.7L/4.7L/5.7L/5.9L/
8.0L).X
Drain and refill automatic tranmission
fluid, change filter and adjust bands
(46RE/47RE/48RE).X
Drain and refill automatic tranmission
fluid and change main sump filter and
spin-on cooler return filter (if equipped)
[45RFE/545RFE only].X
Miles 102,000 108,000 114,000 120,000
(Kilometers) (163 000) (173 000) (182 000) (192 000)
[Months] [102] [108] [114] [120]
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X X X
Check transfer case fluid level.X
Lubricate outer tie rod ends 2500/3500 (4X4) models only. X X X X
Inspect brake linings. X
Inspect auto tension drive belt and replace if required
(3.7L/4.7L/5.7L/5.9L/8.0L).X³X³
Replace engine air cleaner filter.X
Replace spark plugs.X
* This maintenance is recommended by the manu-
facture to the owner but is not required to maintain
the emissions warranty.
³ This maintenance is not required if previously
replaced.
Inspection and service should also be performed
anytime a malfunction is observed or suspected.
Retain all receipts.WARNING: You can be badly injured working on or
around a motor vehicle. Do only that service work
for which you have the knowledge and the right
equipment. If you have any doubt about your ability
to perform a service job, take your vehicle to a
competent mechanic.
0 - 12 LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCEDR
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES (Continued)