DR INTRODUCTION 1

INTRODUCTION
TABLE OF CONTENTS

page page

VEHICLE SAFETY CERTIFICATION LABEL FASTENER IDENTIFICATION

DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...1 DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER FASTENER USAGE
DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...2 DESCRIPTION - FASTENER USAGE . . . . . . . . . 9
VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL INFORMATION THREADED HOLE REPAIR
(VECI) DESCRIPTION - THREADED HOLE REPAIR . . . . 9
DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...3 METRIC SYSTEM
BODY CODE PLATE DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...4 TORQUE REFERENCES
INTERNATIONAL VEHICLE CONTROL & DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
DISPLAY SYMBOLS
DESCRIPTION - INTERNATIONAL SYMBOLS ...6

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VEHICLE SAFETY
CERTIFICATION LABEL
DESCRIPTION
A vehicle safety certification label (Fig. 1) is
attached to every DaimlerChrysler Corporation vehi-
cle. The label certifies that the vehicle conforms to all
applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
The label also lists:
• Month and year of vehicle manufacture.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The gross
front and rear axle weight ratings (GAWR’s) are
based on a minimum rim size and maximum cold tire
inflation pressure.
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
• Type of vehicle. Fig. 1 VEHICLE SAFETY CERTIFICATION LABEL -
• Type of rear wheels. TYPICAL
• Bar code.
• Month, Day and Hour (MDH) of final assembly.
• Paint and Trim codes.
• Country of origin.
The label is located on the driver-side door shut-
face.
2 INTRODUCTION DR

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:
• Body Code Plate.
• Equipment Identification Plate.
• Vehicle Safety Certification Label. Fig. 2 VIN LOCATION
• Frame rail. 1 - DASH PANEL
To protect the consumer from theft and possible 2 - VIN CODE PLATE

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fraud the manufacturer is required to include a
Check Digit at the ninth position of the VIN. The cle and official documentation. The formula to use
check digit is used by the manufacturer and govern- the check digit is not released to the general public.
ment agencies to verify the authenticity of the vehi-

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
DR INTRODUCTION 3
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (Continued)

POSITION INTERPRETATION CODE = DESCRIPTION

8 Engine K = 3.7L 6 cyl. MPI Gasoline
N = 4.7L 8 cyl. MPI Gasoline
D = 5.7L 8 cyl. SMPI Gasoline
6 = 5.9L 6 cyl. Turbo Diesel
C = 5.9L 6 cyl. Turbo Diesel High Output
W = 8.0L 10 cyl. MPI Gasoline
Z = 5.9L 8 cyl. SMPI Gasoline Light Duty
9 Check Digit 0 through 9 or X
10 Model Year 3 = 2003
11 Plant Location S = Dodge City
G = Saltillo
J = St. Louis (North)
12 thru 17 Vehicle Build Sequence

VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL

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INFORMATION (VECI)
DESCRIPTION
All models have a Vehicle Emission Control Infor-
mation (VECI) Label. DaimlerChrysler permanently
attaches the label in the engine compartment (Fig.
3). The label cannot be removed without defacing
label information and destroying label.
The label contains the vehicle’s emission specifica-
tions and vacuum hose routings. All hoses must be
connected and routed according to the label.
The label also contains an engine vacuum sche-
matic. There are unique labels for vehicles built for
sale in the state of California and the country of
Canada. Canadian labels are written in both the
English and French languages.
The VECI label contains the following:
• Engine family and displacement Fig. 3 VEHICLE EMISSIONS CERTIFICATION
• Evaporative family INFORMATION LABEL
• Emission control system schematic 1 - VECI LABEL LOCATION
• Certification application 2 - RADIATOR SUPPORT
• Engine timing specifications (if adjustable)
• Idle speeds (if adjustable)
• Spark plug and gap
4 INTRODUCTION DR

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 Fig. 5 BODY CODE PLATE
first four spaces on each row will not be used because 1 - PRIMARY PAINT
of the plate overlap. 2 - SECONDARY PAINT
3 - TRANSMISSION CODE

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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

BODY CODE PLATE—LINE 4

DIGITS 1 THROUGH 12
Vehicle Order Number

DIGITS 13, 14, AND 15

Transmission Codes
• DGT = 4–speed Automatic (46RE)
• DG4 = 4–speed Automatic (45RFE)
• DGP = 4–speed Automatic (47RE)
• DG8 = 4–speed Automatic (48RE)
• DDC = 5–speed Manual (NV3500)
Fig. 4 BODY CODE PLATE LOCATION • DDP = 5–speed Manual (NV4500)
1 - FENDER • DEE = 6–speed Manual (NV5600)
2 - RADIATOR CROSSMEMBER
3 - HYDROFORM FENDER RAIL DIGITS 16, 17, AND 18
4 - RIVOT (2)
5 - BODY CODE PLATE Car Line Shell
• DR1 = 1500 4 X 2
• DR6 = 1500 4 X 4
• DR2 = 2500 4 X 2
• DR7 = 2500 4 X 4
• DR3 = 3500 4 X 2
• DR8 = 3500 4 X 4
DR INTRODUCTION 5
BODY CODE PLATE (Continued)
DIGIT 19 BODY CODE PLATE—LINE 2
Price Class
• L = Low DIGIT 1 Open Space
• H = Highline
DIGITS 2 AND 3 Species Code. (Used for Manufacturing)
DIGITS 20 AND 21
Body Type DIGIT 4
• 41 = Ram Truck Quad Cab, Short Box Open Space
• 42 = Ram Truck Quad Cab, Long Box
• 61 = Ram Truck Standard Cab, Short Box DIGIT 5
• 62 = Ram Truck Standard Cab, Long Box Market Code
• B = International
BODY CODE PLATE—LINE 3 • C = Canada
• M = Mexico
DIGITS 1,2, AND 3 • U = United States
Paint Procedure
• APA = Monotone DIGIT 6
• AP9 = Special Open Space
• APD = Two-tone (Lower break)

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DIGITS 7 THROUGH 23
DIGIT 4 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Open Space (Refer to VEHICLE DATA/VEHICLE INFORMA-
TION/VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER -
DIGITS 5 THROUGH 8 DESCRIPTION) for proper breakdown of VIN code.
Primary Paint
(Refer to 23 - BODY/PAINT - SPECIFICATIONS) BODY CODE PLATE—LINE 1
for color codes.
DIGITS 1 THROUGH 6 Body-in-white assembly sequence.
DIGIT 9
Open Space DIGIT 7
Open Space
DIGITS 10 THROUGH 13
Secondary Paint DIGIT 8 Tailgate trim code.

DIGIT 14 DIGIT 9
Open Space Open Space

DIGITS 15 THROUGH 18 DIGITS 10 THROUGH 12 Cargo box code

Interior Trim Code
DIGIT 13
DIGIT 19 Open Space
Open Space
DIGITS 14 THROUGH 16 Tailgate code
DIGITS 20, 21, AND 22
Engine Code
• EKG = 3.7 L 6 cyl. MPI Gasoline
• EVA = 4.7 L 8 cyl. MPI Gasoline
• EZA = 5.7 L 8 cyl. SMPI Gasoline
• EML = 5.9 L 8 cyl. SMPI Gasoline
• ETC = 5.9 L 6 cyl. Cummins Turbo Diesel
• ETH = 5.9 L 6 cyl. Cummins Turbo Diesel High
Output
• EWA = 8.0 L 10 cyl. MPI Gasoline
6 INTRODUCTION DR

INTERNATIONAL VEHICLE FASTENER IDENTIFICATION

CONTROL & DISPLAY
DESCRIPTION
SYMBOLS The SAE bolt strength grades range from grade 2
to grade 8. The higher the grade number, the greater
DESCRIPTION - INTERNATIONAL SYMBOLS the bolt strength. Identification is determined by the
The graphic symbols illustrated in the following line marks on the top of each bolt head. The actual
International Control and Display Symbols Chart are bolt strength grade corresponds to the number of line
used to identify various instrument controls. The marks plus 2. The most commonly used metric bolt
symbols correspond to the controls and displays that strength classes are 9.8 and 10.9. The metric
are located on the instrument panel. strength class identification number is imprinted on
the head of the bolt. The higher the class number,
the greater the bolt strength. Some metric nuts are
imprinted with a single-digit strength class on the
nut face. Refer to the Fastener Identification and
Fastener Strength Charts (Fig. 6) and (Fig. 7).

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INTERNATIONAL SYMBOLS
1 High Beam 13 Rear Window Washer
2 Fog Lamps 14 Fuel
3 Headlamp, Parking Lamps, Panel Lamps 15 Engine Coolant Temperature
4 Turn Warning 16 Battery Charging Condition
5 Hazard Warning 17 Engine Oil
6 Windshield Washer 18 Seat Belt
7 Windshield Wiper 19 Brake Failure
8 Windshield Wiper and Washer 20 Parking Brake
9 Windscreen Demisting and Defrosting 21 Front Hood
10 Ventilating Fan 22 Rear hood (Decklid)
11 Rear Window Defogger 23 Horn
12 Rear Window Wiper 24 Lighter
DR INTRODUCTION 7
FASTENER IDENTIFICATION (Continued)

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Fig. 6 FASTENER IDENTIFICATION

8 INTRODUCTION DR
FASTENER IDENTIFICATION (Continued)

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Fig. 7 FASTENER STRENGTH

DR INTRODUCTION 9

FASTENER USAGE THREADED HOLE REPAIR

DESCRIPTION - FASTENER USAGE DESCRIPTION - THREADED HOLE REPAIR
Most stripped threaded holes can be repaired using
WARNING: USE OF AN INCORRECT FASTENER a Helicoilt. Follow the vehicle or Helicoilt recommen-
MAY RESULT IN COMPONENT DAMAGE OR PER- dations for application and repair procedures.
SONAL INJURY.

Fasteners and torque specifications references in METRIC SYSTEM

this Service Manual are identified in metric and SAE
format. DESCRIPTION
During any maintenance or repair procedures, it is The metric system is based on quantities of one,
important to salvage all fasteners (nuts, bolts, etc.) ten, one hundred, one thousand and one million.
for reassembly. If the fastener is not salvageable, a The following chart will assist in converting metric
fastener of equivalent specification must be used. units to equivalent English and SAE units, or vise
versa.

CONVERSION FORMULAS AND EQUIVALENT VALUES

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MULTIPLY BY TO GET MULTIPLY BY TO GET
in-lbs x 0.11298 = Newton Meters N·m x 8.851 = in-lbs
(N·m)
ft-lbs x 1.3558 = Newton Meters N·m x 0.7376 = ft-lbs
(N·m)
Inches Hg (60° F) x 3.377 = Kilopascals (kPa) kPa x 0.2961 = Inches Hg
psi x 6.895 = Kilopascals (kPa) kPa x 0.145 = psi
Inches x 25.4 = Millimeters (mm) mm x 0.03937 = Inches
Feet x 0.3048 = Meters (M) M x 3.281 = Feet
Yards x 0.9144 = Meters M x 1.0936 = Yards
mph x 1.6093 = Kilometers/Hr. Km/h x 0.6214 = mph
(Km/h)
Feet/Sec x 0.3048 = Meters/Sec (M/S) M/S x 3.281 = Feet/Sec
mph x 0.4470 = Meters/Sec (M/S) M/S x 2.237 = mph
Kilometers/Hr. x 0.27778 = Meters/Sec (M/S) M/S x 3.600 Kilometers/Hr.
(Km/h) (Km/h)

COMMON METRIC EQUIVALENTS

1 inch = 25 Millimeters 1 Cubic Inch = 16 Cubic Centimeters

1 Foot = 0.3 Meter 1 Cubic Foot = 0.03 Cubic Meter
1 Yard = 0.9 Meter 1 Cubic Yard = 0.8 Cubic Meter
1 Mile = 1.6 Kilometers

Refer to the Metric Conversion Chart to convert

torque values listed in metric Newton- meters (N·m).
Also, use the chart to convert between millimeters
(mm) and inches (in.) (Fig. 8).
10 INTRODUCTION DR
METRIC SYSTEM (Continued)

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Fig. 8 METRIC CONVERSION CHART

DR INTRODUCTION 11

TORQUE REFERENCES tions Chart for torque references not listed in the
individual torque charts (Fig. 9).
DESCRIPTION
Individual Torque Charts appear within many or
the Groups. Refer to the Standard Torque Specifica-

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Fig. 9 TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS