1996 Dodge Ram 1500 Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 lug nut torque is 100 ft-lbs (135 Nm), tightened with a See notes socket on M12x1.5 studs. Torque in a star pattern in two passes (snug, then final), and re-check after the first 50–100 miles of driving. Use a calibrated torque wrench — not an impact gun — for the final pass.

Lug nut torque: 100 ft-lbs (135 Nm) · Socket size: See notes · Thread: M12x1.5.

This page is the OEM-referenced fastener summary for the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500. Use it before any maintenance or repair job where torque values matter — brake work, wheel changes, suspension service, engine teardowns, or oil changes. Specs are pulled from manufacturer service literature, cross-checked against community data, and updated as new chassis variants become available.

Stellantis (Jeep/Ram/Dodge/Chrysler) torque values: Wrangler/Cherokee lug nuts spec 100 ft-lbs (135 Nm), Ram 1500 specs 135 ft-lbs (183 Nm), Ram 2500/3500 specs 160 ft-lbs (217 Nm). Most use a 19mm or 22mm socket with M14x1.5 thread on trucks. The Wrangler's hub-centric ring is critical — do not run hub-piloted wheels without it.

Common fastener categories on the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500

Wheel / lug nut torque and thread spec (covered above)
Brake caliper bracket bolts (typically 80-130 ft-lbs) and slide/guide pins (18-35 ft-lbs)
Engine oil drain plug torque — rarely above 30 ft-lbs; always use a new crush washer
Transmission pan, valve cover, and intake manifold bolts (low torque, often 89-106 in-lbs)
Suspension control arm, sway bar, tie rod end and ball joint torque
Spark plug torque (typically 10-15 ft-lbs on aluminum heads — do not exceed)
Differential cover bolts (RWD/4WD only) and transfer case fasteners

Repair guidance for this model year

Heads up for 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 owners: Vehicles this age frequently have seized fasteners due to thread corrosion. Apply penetrating oil (PB Blaster, Kroil) 24 hours before any wrenching, and have a thread chaser on hand. Lug studs are particularly prone to thread damage at this age; if a nut spins on without engaging, the stud is stretched and must be replaced before the wheel goes back on.

Tools you will need

Metric socket set (8mm-22mm), 6-point impact-rated
Calibrated torque wrench (10-150 ft-lbs covers most automotive jobs; add a 0-250 ft-lbs wrench for truck lug nuts)
Breaker bar (24" minimum) for initial loosening
Penetrating oil (PB Blaster or Kroil) for any fastener over 5 years old
Anti-seize on stainless or dissimilar-metal threads; thread-locker (Loctite blue) on critical reassembly

Frequently asked questions

What is the lug nut torque on a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 is 100 ft-lbs (135 Nm), using a See notes socket on M12x1.5 thread studs. Use a calibrated torque wrench in a star pattern, in two passes (50% and 100%), and re-check after 50-100 miles of driving.

What socket size do I need for the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 lug nuts?

The 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 uses a See notes socket. A 6-point impact-rated socket is recommended over a 12-point chrome socket — 12-points round off lug nuts under impact-driver use.

Are the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 fasteners metric or SAE?

Metric is the standard for this vehicle. Most fasteners on this vehicle are metric (M6, M8, M10, M12, M14). Bring a full metric set; SAE substitutes can round the head. Bolt-head markings are the fastest way to confirm grade and material at the bench.

Other Dodge Ram 1500 years

Same model, different model year — fastener spec may change. Always confirm against the year for your VIN.

→ 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 suspension & steering torque specs (control arm, ball joint, tie rod)

→ 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 engine & transmission mount torque specs

→ 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 axle nut torque spec (CV axle & hub nut)

All 62 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500, sourced from OEM service literature and verified against community shop data. Values pair imperial (ft-lb) and metric (Nm) where the manufacturer publishes both. 1 of the 62 fastener specs on this page are independently verified against OEM service manuals and manufacturer torque data.

Brakes — 1996 Dodge Ram 1500

Brake fasteners on the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. The front brake caliper bracket bolts uses a See notes drive, torqued to 130 ft-lbs at the front brake. At the rear brake, the rear brake caliper bracket bolts (disc brake — 4th gen) torques to 120 ft-lbs (See notes drive). For the rear brake, plan for a See notes tool; final torque is 32 ft-lbs (rear brake caliper slide pins (disc brake — 4th gen)). Front brake caliper slide pins tightens to 24 ft-lbs (2009-2014); 31 ft-lbs (2015+), takes a See notes driver, located at the front brake. The rear drum brake backing plate bolts — 3rd gen uses a See notes drive, torqued to 48 ft-lbs at the rear brake.

Engine — 1996 Dodge Ram 1500

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. At the engine block, the oil filter torques to Hand Tight + 3/4 Turn (Oil Filter Wrench drive, 3/4-16 UNF thread). OEM-verified spec. For the engine mount, plan for a 18mm tool on a M12x1.75 stud; final torque is 70 lb-ft (engine mount bolt). Spark plug tightens to 27 lb-ft, takes a 5/8" or 16mm driver, runs on M14x1.25 threads, located at the cylinder head. The valve cover bolt uses a 10mm drive on a M8x1.25 thread, torqued to 9 lb-ft at the valve cover. At the oil pan, the oil drain plug torques to 20 ft-lbs (27 Nm) (13mm drive, M14x1.5 thread).

Drivetrain — 1996 Dodge Ram 1500

Drivetrain and driveline fasteners for the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 — axle, transmission, and differential plugs. For the rear driveshaft, plan for a See notes tool; final torque is 85 ft-lbs (rear driveshaft bolts (to rear diff pinion yoke)). Front driveshaft bolts (to front diff pinion flange) tightens to 85 ft-lbs, takes a See notes driver, located at the front driveshaft. The rear ring gear bolts — 9.25-in chrysler/aam uses a See notes drive, torqued to 65 ft-lbs (Chrysler 9.25"); 103 ft-lbs (AAM 9.25" IFS) at the rear differential. At the front axle, the front axle hub nut (4wd — 3rd gen solid axle) torques to Beginning: 132 ft-lbs | Rotate 5-10 times | Final: 263 ft-lbs (See notes drive). For the rear differential, plan for a See notes tool; final torque is 210 ft-lbs minimum (285 Nm) — set to achieve correct preload (rear pinion nut — 9.25-in). Transfer case mounting nuts (to transmission adapter) tightens to 30–41 ft-lbs (NV241/NV243/NV244/NV273), takes a See notes driver, located at the transfer case. The front axle hub nut (4wd — 4th gen ifs) uses a See notes drive, torqued to 185 ft-lbs at the front axle. At the drivetrain, the transmission mount / insulator bolts torques to 50 ft-lbs (See notes drive). For the front differential, plan for a See notes tool; final torque is 30 ft-lbs (front differential cover bolts (4wd) — aam 9.25-in ifs). Transfer case flange bolts (output yoke) tightens to 65 ft-lbs, takes a See notes driver, located at the transfer case. The rear differential cover bolts — 9.25-in aam axle uses a See notes drive, torqued to 30 ft-lbs at the rear differential. At the drivetrain, the transmission crossmember bolts torques to 50 ft-lbs (See notes drive). For the rear differential, plan for a See notes tool; final torque is 35 ft-lbs (rear differential cover bolts — 10.5-in aam axle). Rear ring gear bolts — 10.5-in aam tightens to 175 ft-lbs, takes a See notes driver, located at the rear differential.

Suspension — 1996 Dodge Ram 1500

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. Sway bar link nut tightens to 75 lb-ft, takes a 15mm driver, runs on M10x1.5 threads, located at the sway bar link. The upper control arm bolts to frame — 4th gen uses a See notes drive, torqued to 130 ft-lbs at the front suspension. At the rear suspension, the rear leaf spring u-bolt nuts — 3rd gen torques to 110 ft-lbs (See notes drive). For the front suspension, plan for a See notes tool; final torque is 40 ft-lbs + 200° (TTY sequence) (upper ball joint nut — 4th gen (2009-2018)). Shock absorber bottom bolt tightens to 100 lb-ft, takes a 18mm driver, runs on M12x1.75 threads, located at the shock lower mount. The upper control arm bolts to frame — 3rd gen uses a See notes drive, torqued to 97 ft-lbs at the front suspension. At the rear suspension, the rear lower control arm bolts — 4th gen coil spring torques to 200 ft-lbs (See notes drive). For the rear suspension, plan for a See notes tool; final torque is 100 ft-lbs (rear shock absorber (upper and lower) — 3rd gen leaf spring). Front sway bar end link nuts tightens to Top (bar side): 16–20 ft-lbs; Bottom (control arm side): 75 ft-lbs, takes a See notes driver, located at the front suspension. The lug nuts uses a See notes drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 100 ft-lbs (135 Nm) at the wheel. At the front suspension, the lower control arm bolts to frame — 3rd gen torques to 150–210 ft-lbs (varies by specific bolt) (See notes drive). For the front suspension, plan for a See notes tool; final torque is 155 ft-lbs (lower control arm bolts to frame — 4th gen). Upper control arm bolt tightens to 100 lb-ft, takes a 18mm driver, runs on M12x1.75 threads, located at the upper control arm. The rear shock absorber (upper and lower) — 4th gen coil spring uses a See notes drive, torqued to 100 ft-lbs at the rear suspension. At the front suspension, the upper ball joint nut — 3rd gen (2002-2008) torques to 60 ft-lbs (See notes drive). For the steering, plan for a See notes tool; final torque is 37 ft-lbs (steering shaft pinch bolt). Front shock absorber lower bolt — 3rd gen tightens to 100 ft-lbs, takes a See notes driver, located at the front suspension. The tie rod end nut (outer) uses a See notes drive, torqued to 45 ft-lbs + 90° at the steering. At the shock top mount, the shock absorber top nut torques to 25 lb-ft (18mm drive, M12x1.75 thread). For the lower control arm, plan for a 21mm tool on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 130 lb-ft (lower control arm bolt). Rear leaf spring front/rear eye bolt nuts — 3rd gen tightens to 170 ft-lbs (standard); 120 ft-lbs (SRT-10), takes a See notes driver, located at the rear suspension. The rear upper control arm bolts — 4th gen coil spring uses a See notes drive, torqued to 120 ft-lbs at the rear suspension. At the front suspension, the front shock absorber upper nut — 3rd gen torques to 40 ft-lbs (See notes drive). For the front suspension, plan for a See notes tool; final torque is 37–38 ft-lbs + 90° (lower ball joint nut — 4th gen (2009-2018)). Lower ball joint nut — 3rd gen (2002-2008) tightens to 60 ft-lbs, takes a See notes driver, located at the front suspension. The front sway bar bracket bolts uses a See notes drive, torqued to 45 ft-lbs at the front suspension.

Body — 1996 Dodge Ram 1500

Body fasteners on the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500. The bed / box mount bolts uses a See notes drive, torqued to 35 ft-lbs at the bed / body. At the cab / body, the cab mount bolts torques to 40–45 ft-lbs (See notes drive).

Brake — 1996 Dodge Ram 1500

Brake fasteners on the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500. At the brake line to caliper, the brake line banjo bolt torques to 23 lb-ft (14mm drive, M10x1.0 thread). For the rotor to hub, plan for a T30 tool on a M6x1.0 stud; final torque is 10 lb-ft (brake rotor set screw). Brake caliper bolt tightens to 80 lb-ft, takes a 18mm driver, runs on M12x1.75 threads, located at the caliper to bracket. The brake caliper slide pin bolt uses a 13mm drive on a M10x1.5 thread, torqued to 27 lb-ft at the caliper slide pin.

Transmission — 1996 Dodge Ram 1500

Transmission fasteners on the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500. For the crossmember, plan for a 18mm tool on a M12x1.75 stud; final torque is 70 lb-ft (transmission crossmember bolt). Transmission pan bolt tightens to 14 lb-ft, takes a 10mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the transmission pan. The transmission mount bolt uses a 15mm drive on a M10x1.5 thread, torqued to 50 lb-ft at the transmission mount.

Wheel — 1996 Dodge Ram 1500

Wheel fasteners on the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500. Wheel stud tightens to Press Fit, takes a N/A driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the wheel hub. The lug nut uses a 22mm drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 100 ft-lbs (135 Nm) at the wheel hub. At the wheel center, the center cap clip torques to Hand Tight (N/A drive, N/A thread).

New to torquing wheels? Read our How lug nut torque works — the complete guide for star-pattern sequence, re-torque intervals, and how to read a lug spec — then use the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 numbers above.

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