1996 Dodge Ram 2500 Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 lug nut torque is 135 ft-lbs, tightened with a 22mm socket on M14x1.5 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: 135 ft-lbs · Socket size: 22mm · Thread: M14x1.5.

This page is the OEM-referenced fastener summary for the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500. 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 2500

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 2500 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 2500?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 is 135 ft-lbs, using a 22mm socket on M14x1.5 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 2500 lug nuts?

The 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 uses a 22mm 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 2500 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 2500 years

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

→ 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 suspension & steering torque specs (control arm, ball joint, tie rod)

All 28 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500, sourced from OEM service literature and verified against community shop data. Values pair imperial (ft-lb) and metric (Nm) where the manufacturer publishes both.

Wheels — 1996 Dodge Ram 2500

Wheel and lug nut spec for the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500. At the all four corners, the lug nut torques to 135 ft-lbs (22mm drive, M14x1.5 thread).

Brakes — 1996 Dodge Ram 2500

Brake fasteners on the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. For the front axle, caliper bracket, plan for a 18mm tool on a M14x2.0 stud; final torque is 125 ft-lbs (front brake caliper bracket bolt). Front caliper slide pin tightens to 25-35 ft-lbs, takes a 13mm driver, runs on M10x1.5 threads, located at the front caliper.

Engine — 1996 Dodge Ram 2500

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. Oil drain plug tightens to 50-60 ft-lbs, takes a 27mm driver, runs on M22x1.5 threads, located at the oil pan. The engine mount bolt uses a 18mm drive on a M12x1.75 thread, torqued to 70 lb-ft at the engine mount. At the valve cover, the valve cover bolt torques to 9 lb-ft (10mm drive, M8x1.25 thread). For the cylinder head, plan for a 12mm tool on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 15 ft-lbs (glow plug). Oil filter tightens to Hand Tight + 3/4 Turn, takes a Oil Filter Wrench driver, runs on 3/4-16 UNF threads, located at the engine block. The spark plug uses a 9/16" drive on a M14x1.25 thread, torqued to 20-30 ft-lbs at the cylinder head.

Drivetrain — 1996 Dodge Ram 2500

Drivetrain and driveline fasteners for the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 — axle, transmission, and differential plugs. The front differential fill plug uses a See notes drive on a 3/8" sq thread, torqued to 25 ft-lbs at the front differential. At the transfer case, the transfer case drain plug torques to 20-25 ft-lbs (24mm drive, M20x1.5 thread).

Suspension — 1996 Dodge Ram 2500

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. At the rear leaf spring, the rear leaf spring u-bolt nut torques to 135-175 ft-lbs (22mm drive, M14x2.0 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). 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 shock absorber bottom bolt uses a 18mm drive on a M12x1.75 thread, torqued to 100 lb-ft at the shock lower mount. At the shock top mount, the shock absorber top nut torques to 25 lb-ft (18mm drive, M12x1.75 thread). For the upper control arm, plan for a 18mm tool on a M12x1.75 stud; final torque is 100 lb-ft (upper control arm bolt).

Steering — 1996 Dodge Ram 2500

Steering linkage fasteners on the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500. For the tie rod end, plan for a 22mm tool on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 60-75 ft-lbs (tie rod end nut).

Axle / Drivetrain — 1996 Dodge Ram 2500

Axle / Drivetrain fasteners on the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500. Front axle hub nut (4wd) tightens to 160-180 ft-lbs, takes a See notes driver, runs on M34x1.5 threads, located at the front wheel hub.

Transmission — 1996 Dodge Ram 2500

Transmission fasteners on the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500. The transmission mount bolt uses a 15mm drive on a M10x1.5 thread, torqued to 50 lb-ft at the transmission mount. At the transmission pan, the transmission pan bolt torques to 14 lb-ft (10mm drive, M8x1.25 thread). For the crossmember, plan for a 18mm tool on a M12x1.75 stud; final torque is 70 lb-ft (transmission crossmember bolt).

Brake — 1996 Dodge Ram 2500

Brake fasteners on the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500. At the brake line to caliper, the brake line banjo bolt torques to 23 lb-ft (14mm drive, M10x1.0 thread). For the caliper to bracket, plan for a 18mm tool on a M12x1.75 stud; final torque is 80 lb-ft (brake caliper bolt). Brake rotor set screw tightens to 10 lb-ft, takes a T30 driver, runs on M6x1.0 threads, located at the rotor to hub. 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.

Wheel — 1996 Dodge Ram 2500

Wheel fasteners on the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500. For the wheel center, plan for a N/A tool on a N/A stud; final torque is Hand Tight (center cap clip). Wheel stud tightens to Press Fit, takes a N/A driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the wheel hub.

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 2500 numbers above.

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