Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
1981 Dodge and RamFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Dodge and Ram: 1981
- 024
- Aries
- Base, 2D Sedan, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Automatic Trans
- Base, 2D Sedan, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD A412
- Base, 2D Sedan, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD A460
- Base, 2D Sedan, 2.6L Eng VIN D
- Base, 4D Sedan, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Automatic Trans
- Base, 4D Sedan, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD A412
- Base, 4D Sedan, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD A460
- Base, 4D Sedan, 2.6L Eng VIN D
- Custom, 2D Sedan, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Automatic Trans
- Custom, 2D Sedan, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD A412
- Custom, 2D Sedan, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD A460
- Custom, 2D Sedan, 2.6L Eng VIN D
- Custom, 4D Sedan, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Automatic Trans
- Custom, 4D Sedan, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD A412
- Custom, 4D Sedan, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD A460
- Custom, 4D Sedan, 2.6L Eng VIN D
- Custom, 4D Wagon, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Automatic Trans
- Custom, 4D Wagon, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD A412
- Custom, 4D Wagon, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD A460
- Custom, 4D Wagon, 2.6L Eng VIN D
- SE, 2D Sedan, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Automatic Trans
- SE, 2D Sedan, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD A412
- SE, 2D Sedan, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD A460
- SE, 2D Sedan, 2.6L Eng VIN D
- SE, 4D Sedan, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Automatic Trans
- SE, 4D Sedan, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD A412
- SE, 4D Sedan, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD A460
- SE, 4D Sedan, 2.6L Eng VIN D
- SE, 4D Wagon, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Automatic Trans
- SE, 4D Wagon, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD A412
- SE, 4D Wagon, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD A460
- SE, 4D Wagon, 2.6L Eng VIN D
- Cab & Chassis
- D250, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Automatic Trans
- D250, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Standard Trans
- D250, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Automatic Trans
- D250, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Standard Trans
- D350, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, Automatic Trans
- D350, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, Standard Trans
- D350, 2D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Automatic Trans
- D350, 2D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Standard Trans
- D350, 2D Pickup, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Automatic Trans
- D350, 2D Pickup, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Standard Trans
- W250, Automatic Trans
- W250, Standard Trans
- W350, Automatic Trans
- W350, Standard Trans
- Challenger
- Colt
- Cutaway
- Diplomat
- Base, 3.7L Eng VIN E
- Base, 5.2L Eng VIN K, Trans Mfr CD A727
- Base, 5.2L Eng VIN K, Trans Mfr CD A904-LA
- Base, 5.2L Eng VIN M, Trans Mfr CD 727
- Base, 5.2L Eng VIN M, Trans Mfr CD A904-LA
- Medallion, 2D Coupe, 3.7L Eng VIN E
- Medallion, 2D Coupe, 5.2L Eng VIN K, Trans Mfr CD A727
- Medallion, 2D Coupe, 5.2L Eng VIN K, Trans Mfr CD A904-LA
- Medallion, 2D Coupe, 5.2L Eng VIN M, Trans Mfr CD A727
- Medallion, 2D Coupe, 5.2L Eng VIN M, Trans Mfr CD A904-LA
- Medallion, 4D Sedan, 3.7L Eng VIN E
- Medallion, 4D Sedan, 5.2L Eng VIN K, Trans Mfr CD A727
- Medallion, 4D Sedan, 5.2L Eng VIN K, Trans Mfr CD A904-LA
- Medallion, 4D Sedan, 5.2L Eng VIN M, Trans Mfr CD A727
- Medallion, 4D Sedan, 5.2L Eng VIN M, Trans Mfr CD A904-LA
- Salon, 2D Coupe, 3.7L Eng VIN E
- Salon, 2D Coupe, 5.2L Eng VIN K, Trans Mfr CD A727
- Salon, 2D Coupe, 5.2L Eng VIN K, Trans Mfr CD A904-LA
- Salon, 2D Coupe, 5.2L Eng VIN M, Trans Mfr CD A727
- Salon, 2D Coupe, 5.2L Eng VIN M, Trans Mfr CD A904-LA
- Salon, 4D Sedan, 3.7L Eng VIN E
- Salon, 4D Sedan, 5.2L Eng VIN K, Trans Mfr CD A727
- Salon, 4D Sedan, 5.2L Eng VIN K, Trans Mfr CD A904-LA
- Salon, 4D Sedan, 5.2L Eng VIN M, Trans Mfr CD A727
- Salon, 4D Sedan, 5.2L Eng VIN M, Trans Mfr CD A904-LA
- Salon, 4D Wagon, 3.7L Eng VIN E
- Salon, 4D Wagon, 5.2L Eng VIN K, Trans Mfr CD A727
- Salon, 4D Wagon, 5.2L Eng VIN K, Trans Mfr CD A904-LA
- Salon, 4D Wagon, 5.2L Eng VIN M, Trans Mfr CD A727
- Salon, 4D Wagon, 5.2L Eng VIN M, Trans Mfr CD A904-LA
- Sport, 2D Coupe, 3.7L Eng VIN E
- Sport, 2D Coupe, 5.2L Eng VIN K, Trans Mfr CD A727
- Sport, 2D Coupe, 5.2L Eng VIN K, Trans Mfr CD A904-LA
- Sport, 2D Coupe, 5.2L Eng VIN M, Trans Mfr CD A727
- Sport, 2D Coupe, 5.2L Eng VIN M, Trans Mfr CD A904-LA
- Sport, 4D Sedan, 3.7L Eng VIN E
- Sport, 4D Sedan, 5.2L Eng VIN K, Trans Mfr CD A727
- Sport, 4D Sedan, 5.2L Eng VIN K, Trans Mfr CD A904-LA
- Sport, 4D Sedan, 5.2L Eng VIN M, Trans Mfr CD A727
- Sport, 4D Sedan, 5.2L Eng VIN M, Trans Mfr CD A904-LA
- Mirada
- Omni
- Base, 2D Hatchback, 1.7L Eng VIN A, Automatic Trans
- Base, 2D Hatchback, 1.7L Eng VIN A, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD A412
- Base, 2D Hatchback, 1.7L Eng VIN A, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD A460
- Base, 2D Hatchback, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Automatic Trans
- Base, 2D Hatchback, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Standard Trans
- Base, 4D Hatchback, 1.7L Eng VIN A, Automatic Trans
- Base, 4D Hatchback, 1.7L Eng VIN A, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD A412
- Base, 4D Hatchback, 1.7L Eng VIN A, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD A460
- Base, 4D Hatchback, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Automatic Trans
- Base, 4D Hatchback, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Standard Trans
- Miser, 2D Hatchback, 1.7L Eng VIN A, Automatic Trans
- Miser, 2D Hatchback, 1.7L Eng VIN A, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD A412
- Miser, 2D Hatchback, 1.7L Eng VIN A, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD A460
- Miser, 2D Hatchback, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Automatic Trans
- Miser, 2D Hatchback, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Standard Trans
- Miser, 4D Hatchback, 1.7L Eng VIN A, Automatic Trans
- Miser, 4D Hatchback, 1.7L Eng VIN A, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD A412
- Miser, 4D Hatchback, 1.7L Eng VIN A, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD A460
- Miser, 4D Hatchback, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Automatic Trans
- Miser, 4D Hatchback, 2.2L Eng VIN B, Standard Trans
- Pickup
- D150, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Automatic Trans, Trans Mfr CD A727
- D150, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Automatic Trans, Trans Mfr CD A999
- D150, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD A833
- D150, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD NP435
- D150, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Automatic Trans, Trans Mfr CD A727
- D150, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Automatic Trans, Trans Mfr CD A999
- D150, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD A833
- D150, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD NP435
- D150, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Automatic Trans
- D150, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Standard Trans
- D150, 2D Pickup, 3.7L Eng VIN E, Automatic Trans, Trans Mfr CD A727
- D150, 2D Pickup, 3.7L Eng VIN E, Automatic Trans, Trans Mfr CD A904T
- D150, 2D Pickup, 3.7L Eng VIN E, Standard Trans
- D150, 2D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Automatic Trans, Trans Mfr CD A727
- D150, 2D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Automatic Trans, Trans Mfr CD A999
- D150, 2D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD A833
- D150, 2D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD NP435
- D150, 2D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Automatic Trans, Trans Mfr CD A727
- D150, 2D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Automatic Trans, Trans Mfr CD A999
- D150, 2D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD A833
- D150, 2D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD NP435
- D150, 2D Pickup, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Automatic Trans
- D150, 2D Pickup, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD A833
- D150, 2D Pickup, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Standard Trans, Trans Mfr CD NP435
- D250, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Automatic Trans
- D250, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Standard Trans
- D250, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Automatic Trans
- D250, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Standard Trans
- D250, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Automatic Trans
- D250, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Standard Trans
- D250, 2D Pickup, 3.7L Eng VIN E, Automatic Trans
- D250, 2D Pickup, 3.7L Eng VIN E, Standard Trans
- D250, 2D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Automatic Trans
- D250, 2D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Standard Trans
- D250, 2D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Automatic Trans
- D250, 2D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Standard Trans
- D250, 2D Pickup, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Automatic Trans
- D250, 2D Pickup, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Standard Trans
- D250, 4D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Automatic Trans
- D250, 4D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Standard Trans
- D250, 4D Pickup, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Automatic Trans
- D250, 4D Pickup, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Standard Trans
- D350, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.2L Eng VIN P
- D350, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Automatic Trans
- D350, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Standard Trans
- D350, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Automatic Trans
- D350, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Standard Trans
- D350, 2D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Automatic Trans
- D350, 2D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Standard Trans
- D350, 2D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Automatic Trans
- D350, 2D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Standard Trans
- D350, 2D Pickup, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Automatic Trans
- D350, 2D Pickup, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Standard Trans
- D350, 4D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Automatic Trans
- D350, 4D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Standard Trans
- D350, 4D Pickup, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Automatic Trans
- D350, 4D Pickup, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Standard Trans
- W150, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Automatic Trans
- W150, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Standard Trans
- W150, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Automatic Trans
- W150, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Standard Trans
- W150, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Automatic Trans
- W150, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Standard Trans
- W150, 2D Pickup, 3.7L Eng VIN E, Automatic Trans
- W150, 2D Pickup, 3.7L Eng VIN E, Standard Trans
- W150, 2D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Automatic Trans
- W150, 2D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Standard Trans
- W150, 2D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Automatic Trans
- W150, 2D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Standard Trans
- W150, 2D Pickup, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Automatic Trans
- W150, 2D Pickup, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Standard Trans
- W250, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Automatic Trans
- W250, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Standard Trans
- W250, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Automatic Trans
- W250, 2D Pickup Extra Cab, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Standard Trans
- W250, 2D Pickup, 3.7L Eng VIN E, Automatic Trans
- W250, 2D Pickup, 3.7L Eng VIN E, Standard Trans
- W250, 2D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Automatic Trans
- W250, 2D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Standard Trans
- W250, 2D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Automatic Trans
- W250, 2D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Standard Trans
- W250, 2D Pickup, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Automatic Trans
- W250, 2D Pickup, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Standard Trans
- W250, 4D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Automatic Trans
- W250, 4D Pickup, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Standard Trans
- W250, 4D Pickup, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Automatic Trans
- W250, 4D Pickup, 5.9L Eng VIN T, Standard Trans
- Ram 50
- Ram Van
- B150, 3.7L Eng VIN E, Automatic Trans
- B150, 3.7L Eng VIN E, Standard Trans
- B150, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Automatic Trans
- B150, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Standard Trans
- B150, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Automatic Trans
- B150, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Standard Trans
- B250, Van Cargo Extended, 3.7L Eng VIN E, Automatic Trans
- B250, Van Cargo Extended, 3.7L Eng VIN E, Standard Trans
- B250, Van Cargo Extended, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Automatic Trans
- B250, Van Cargo Extended, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Standard Trans
- B250, Van Cargo Extended, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Automatic Trans
- B250, Van Cargo Extended, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Standard Trans
- B250, Van Cargo Extended, 5.9L Eng VIN T
- B250, Van Cargo, 3.7L Eng VIN E, Automatic Trans
- B250, Van Cargo, 3.7L Eng VIN E, Standard Trans
- B250, Van Cargo, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Automatic Trans
- B250, Van Cargo, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Standard Trans
- B250, Van Cargo, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Automatic Trans
- B250, Van Cargo, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Standard Trans
- B250, Van Cargo, 5.9L Eng VIN T
- B350, Van Cargo Extended, 5.2L Eng VIN P
- B350, Van Cargo Extended, 5.2L Eng VIN R
- B350, Van Cargo Extended, 5.9L Eng VIN T
- B350, Van Cargo, 5.2L Eng VIN P
- B350, Van Cargo, 5.2L Eng VIN R
- B350, Van Cargo, 5.9L Eng VIN T
- Ram Wagon
- B150, 3.7L Eng VIN E, Automatic Trans
- B150, 3.7L Eng VIN E, Standard Trans
- B150, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Automatic Trans
- B150, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Standard Trans
- B150, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Automatic Trans
- B150, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Standard Trans
- B150, 5.9L Eng VIN T
- B250, Van Passenger Extended, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Automatic Trans
- B250, Van Passenger Extended, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Standard Trans
- B250, Van Passenger Extended, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Automatic Trans
- B250, Van Passenger Extended, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Standard Trans
- B250, Van Passenger Extended, 5.9L Eng VIN T
- B250, Van Passenger, 3.7L Eng VIN E, Automatic Trans
- B250, Van Passenger, 3.7L Eng VIN E, Standard Trans
- B250, Van Passenger, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Automatic Trans
- B250, Van Passenger, 5.2L Eng VIN P, Standard Trans
- B250, Van Passenger, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Automatic Trans
- B250, Van Passenger, 5.2L Eng VIN R, Standard Trans
- B250, Van Passenger, 5.9L Eng VIN T
- B350, Van Passenger Extended, 5.2L Eng VIN P
- B350, Van Passenger Extended, 5.2L Eng VIN R
- B350, Van Passenger Extended, 5.9L Eng VIN T
- B350, Van Passenger, 5.2L Eng VIN P
- B350, Van Passenger, 5.2L Eng VIN R
- B350, Van Passenger, 5.9L Eng VIN T
- Ramcharger
- St. Regis
Database: LEMON
LEMON manuals were retrieved in late 2025. For very old vehicles, they are not very detailed.
Factory Service Tools
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.
Disclosure: Verified tool recommendations may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you.
When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
Rather have a pro handle this?
A certified mobile mechanic comes to your home or office. They bring the tools, you stay comfortable. No tow truck, no waiting room, no surprises.
Comes to youSame-day available12-month warranty
Get a Free QuoteNo obligation. See pricing before you book.