🏷️ Basic Information Identification Make: Dodge Model: RAM 1500 Truck Year: 2004 Market: North America Engine Type: Gas 👋 Introduction Market Position Segment: Full-size pickup truck Target Audience: Individuals and businesses requiring a capable, versatile, and durable workhorse or personal vehicle. Competitive Analysis Key Competitors: Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, Toyota Tundra Key Features Chassis Design: Body-on-frame construction for robust towing and hauling capability Powertrain Options: Known for powerful V8 engine options, suitable for demanding tasks Interior Space: Available in various cab configurations (e.g., regular cab, club cab, quad cab) offering different levels of passenger and cargo space. 📋 Manual Details Coverage Areas Manual Scope: Factory Owner's Manual Covered Systems: Instrument Cluster, Entertainment Systems, Climate Controls, Lighting, Driver Controls, Locks and Security, Seating and Safety Restraints, Driving Operations, Customer Assistance, Cleaning, Maintenance, Specifications, Engine Compartment, Engine Oil, Battery, Fuel Information, Air Filters, Refill Capacities, Lubricant Specifications, Accessories Special Notes: Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) Page Count Page Count Estimate: Estimated 200-300 pages (typical for a full owner's manual of this era) Manual Type Type: Owner's Manual Language Language: English Format Format: Digital PDF 📖 Manual Coverage Systems Covered Instrument Panel: Detailed explanations of all gauges, warning lights, and indicators Infotainment Audio: Operation of the factory radio, CD player, and speaker system Climate Control: Manual and automatic climate control system operation, HVAC settings Lighting Controls: Headlights, taillights, interior lighting, fog lamps (if equipped), headlight aiming Driver Controls: Steering wheel controls, wipers, turn signals, cruise control operation Locks Security: Door lock operation, keyless entry system, alarm system, ignition interlock Seating Restraints: Seat adjustment, seat belt usage and adjustment, airbag system explanation and precautions Driving Operations: Starting and stopping the engine, gear selection, towing information, trailer brake controller operation (if equipped) Customer Assistance: Contact information for dealerships and customer service, warranty details overview Vehicle Cleaning: Exterior and interior cleaning recommendations, care for upholstery and surfaces Maintenance Overview: Recommended maintenance schedule and procedures Engine Compartment Layout: Identification of major engine components and fluid reservoirs Engine Oil Specifications: Recommended oil viscosity grades and API service categories Battery Care: Battery maintenance and jump starting procedures Fuel System: Fuel type recommendations, fuel filler operation Air Filter Maintenance: Information on the engine air filter replacement Refill Capacities: Capacities for engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid Lubricant Specifications: Specifications for various lubricants used in the vehicle (e.g., chassis grease, differential fluid) Accessories: Information on factory-installed accessories and their operation Procedures Included Basic Maintenance: Oil and filter changes, tire pressure checks, fluid level checks, wiper blade replacement Troubleshooting: Identification and interpretation of warning lights and basic troubleshooting tips Safety Precautions: Safe operating practices, airbag system warnings, child restraint installation Jump Starting: Step-by-step instructions for safely jump-starting the vehicle Tire Changing: Instructions for changing a flat tire, including jack placement and lug nut torque Technical Depth Depth: Comprehensive owner-level information, focusing on operation, basic maintenance, and safety. Not a service or repair manual. 📊 Manual Specifications File Format Reader Requirement: Requires a PDF reader such as Adobe Acrobat Reader, Foxit Reader, or similar. Searchability: Likely searchable text content within the PDF. Print Quality Quality: Digital compilation from factory original, quality is dependent on the source scan/digital file. Binding Type Binding: N/A (Digital Format) Paper Type Paper: N/A (Digital Format) ⚙️ Engine Specifications Primary Engine Engine Options: Likely includes 3.7L Magnum V6, 4.7L Magnum V8, and 5.9L Magnum V8 (depending on specific configuration and market availability). This manual specifies 'Gas'. Engine Displacement 3.7L: 3.7 Liters (226 cubic inches) Engine Displacement 4.7L: 4.7 Liters (287 cubic inches) Engine Displacement 5.9L: 5.9 Liters (360 cubic inches) Performance 3.7L Horsepower 3.7L: Approximately 215 hp @ 5200 rpm Torque 3.7L: Approximately 235 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm Performance 4.7L Horsepower 4.7L: Approximately 245 hp @ 4800 rpm Torque 4.7L: Approximately 300 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm Performance 5.9L Horsepower 5.9L: Approximately 245 hp @ 4000 rpm Torque 5.9L: Approximately 335 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm Fuel System Fuel Type: Unleaded gasoline Fuel Delivery: Multi-point fuel injection (MPI) 🔧 Transmission Standard Transmission Options: Likely a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission for V6 and 4.7L V8; a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual for the 5.9L V8, depending on configuration. Features Transfer Case: Available in 4x2 and 4x4 configurations, with manual or electronic transfer case engagement depending on trim. 📐 Dimensions Exterior Wheelbase Options: Various wheelbases available (e.g., 120.5 inches, 134.5 inches, 154.5 inches) depending on cab and bed configuration. Length Approx: Ranges from approximately 201 inches to 259 inches depending on configuration. Width Approx: Approximately 79.1 inches (excluding mirrors) Height Approx: Approximately 75.0 inches Weights Curb Weight Range: Approximately 4,500 - 5,500 lbs, depending on configuration. Max Payload Capacity: Typically ranges from 1,300 lbs to over 2,000 lbs, depending on configuration and GVWR. Max Towing Capacity: Can range from 5,000 lbs to over...
Identification and interpretation of warning lights and basic troubleshooting tips
Safety Precautions:
Safe operating practices, airbag system warnings, child restraint installation
Jump Starting:
Step-by-step instructions for safely jump-starting the vehicle
Tire Changing:
Instructions for changing a flat tire, including jack placement and lug nut torque
Technical Depth
Depth:
Comprehensive owner-level information, focusing on operation, basic maintenance, and safety. Not a service or repair manual.
📊 Manual Specifications
File Format
Reader Requirement:
Requires a PDF reader such as Adobe Acrobat Reader, Foxit Reader, or similar.
Searchability:
Likely searchable text content within the PDF.
Print Quality
Quality:
Digital compilation from factory original, quality is dependent on the source scan/digital file.
Binding Type
Binding:
N/A (Digital Format)
Paper Type
Paper:
N/A (Digital Format)
⚙️ Engine Specifications
Primary Engine
Engine Options:
Likely includes 3.7L Magnum V6, 4.7L Magnum V8, and 5.9L Magnum V8 (depending on specific configuration and market availability). This manual specifies 'Gas'.
Engine Displacement 3.7L:
3.7 Liters (226 cubic inches)
Engine Displacement 4.7L:
4.7 Liters (287 cubic inches)
Engine Displacement 5.9L:
5.9 Liters (360 cubic inches)
Performance 3.7L
Horsepower 3.7L:
Approximately 215 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque 3.7L:
Approximately 235 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Performance 4.7L
Horsepower 4.7L:
Approximately 245 hp @ 4800 rpm
Torque 4.7L:
Approximately 300 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
Performance 5.9L
Horsepower 5.9L:
Approximately 245 hp @ 4000 rpm
Torque 5.9L:
Approximately 335 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
Fuel System
Fuel Type:
Unleaded gasoline
Fuel Delivery:
Multi-point fuel injection (MPI)
🔧 Transmission
Standard
Transmission Options:
Likely a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission for V6 and 4.7L V8; a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual for the 5.9L V8, depending on configuration.
Features
Transfer Case:
Available in 4x2 and 4x4 configurations, with manual or electronic transfer case engagement depending on trim.
📐 Dimensions
Exterior
Wheelbase Options:
Various wheelbases available (e.g., 120.5 inches, 134.5 inches, 154.5 inches) depending on cab and bed configuration.
Length Approx:
Ranges from approximately 201 inches to 259 inches depending on configuration.
Width Approx:
Approximately 79.1 inches (excluding mirrors)
Height Approx:
Approximately 75.0 inches
Weights
Curb Weight Range:
Approximately 4,500 - 5,500 lbs, depending on configuration.
Max Payload Capacity:
Typically ranges from 1,300 lbs to over 2,000 lbs, depending on configuration and GVWR.
Max Towing Capacity:
Can range from 5,000 lbs to over 8,000 lbs, depending on configuration, engine, axle ratio, and towing package.
🛡️ Safety Features
Ratings
NHTSA Front Impact:
Generally received 4-star ratings in NHTSA front impact tests for driver and passenger in 2004.
IIHS Front Offset:
Generally received 'Acceptable' ratings in IIHS front offset crash tests.
Active Features
ABS:
Standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) on all wheels.
Traction Control:
Traction control system available on some models.
Passive Features
Airbags:
Standard front airbags for driver and passenger. Side curtain airbags or side-impact airbags may be optional on some trims.
Seatbelts:
Three-point seat belts for all seating positions, with pretensioners for front seats.
💡 Technology Features
Infotainment
Audio System:
Factory AM/FM/CD player. Higher trims may offer premium audio systems or in-dash CD changers.
Connectivity:
Limited connectivity by modern standards. May include auxiliary input for audio on some models.
Driver Assistance
Cruise Control:
Standard cruise control system operated via steering wheel buttons.
Trailer Brake Controller:
Optional integrated trailer brake controller available on models equipped for towing.
🔧 Maintenance
Service Intervals
Oil Change Interval:
Typically every 3,000-7,500 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first, depending on oil type (conventional vs. synthetic) and driving conditions. Refer to manual for specific recommendations.
Tire Rotation:
Recommended every 5,000-7,500 miles.
Air Filter Replacement:
Recommended every 15,000-30,000 miles, or more frequently in dusty conditions.
Spark Plug Replacement:
Intervals vary by engine; V6 typically 100,000 miles, V8s can range from 30,000 to 100,000 miles depending on plug type.
Fluid Specifications
Engine Oil Viscosity 3.7L:
SAE 5W-30 recommended for most conditions. Consult manual for specific ambient temperature ranges.
Engine Oil Viscosity 4.7L/5.9L:
SAE 5W-30 or 10W-30 recommended. Consult manual for specific ambient temperature ranges.
GL-4 or GL-5 gear oil, specific viscosity depends on transmission model. Refer to manual.
Brake Fluid Type:
DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid.
Known Issues
Common Issues:
Some common issues reported for this generation include occasional transmission solenoid failures, ignition coil issues, and exhaust manifold leaks. The 4.7L V8 can sometimes suffer from cylinder head issues if not properly maintained. Refer to the manual for preventative maintenance advice.
📚 Vehicle History
Brand Heritage
Dodge Truck Legacy:
Dodge has a long-standing history of producing robust and capable trucks dating back to the 1930s.
Model Evolution
Third Generation Ram:
The 2004 RAM 1500 is part of the third generation (2002-2008) of the Dodge Ram trucks, which introduced a more modern design, improved ride quality, and updated powertrains.
Production
Manufacturing Plant:
Produced primarily at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Warren, Michigan, and the Saltillo Truck Assembly Plant in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico.