DODGE RAM 1999 Service Repair Manual

Fig. 1: Measuring Riding Height (Dakota & Durango 4WD)
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
JACKING & HOISTING
FLOOR JACK
CAUTION: DO NOT place jack under any part of vehicle underbody. DO NOT
attempt to raise one entire side of vehicle by placing a jack
midway between front and rear wheels, as permanent body
damage could occur. DO NOT place jack under an axle tube,
aluminum differential, steering linkage, engine or
transmission oil pan, fuel tank or front suspension arm.
Caravan, Town & Country, & Voyager
To raise front end, place floor jack under front crossmember
forward flange, inboard of lower control arm pivot. To raise rear end,
place floor jack under rear axle, next to leaf spring mount. See
Fig. 2 .

Fig. 2: Identifying Hoisting & Jacking Locations (Caravan, Town &
Country, & Voyager)
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
CAUTION: Never place jack under any part of vehicle underbody. DO NOT
attempt to raise one entire side of vehicle by placing a jack
midway between front and rear wheels, as permanent body
damage could occur.
Dakota, Durango & Ram Pickup
1) On 2WD models, center floor jack under inner edge of lower

control arm pivot bolt mounting bracket to raise front end. To raise
rear end, position jack under rear axle, next to leaf spring mount.
See Fig. 3 .
2) On 4WD models, raise front end by placing floor jack under
as shown. See Fig. 3 or 4. To raise rear end, place floor jack under
rear axle, next to leaf spring mount. Support vehicle with jackstands
at front and rear ends of frame.
Fig. 3: Identifying Hoisting & Jacking Locations (Dakota & Ram
Pickup)
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.

Fig. 4: Identifying Hoisting & Jacking Locations (Durango)
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
Ram Van/Wagon
To raise front end, place floor jack under center of front

crossmember, inboard of lower control arm pivot. See Fig. 5. To raise
rear end, place floor jack under rear axle, next to leaf spring "U"
bolt mount.
Fig. 5: Identifying Hoisting & Jacking Locations (Ram Van/Wagon)
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
RIDING HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS (1999 CARAVAN, TOWN & COUNTRY, & VOYAGER)\









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Application Front - In. (mm) Rear - In. (mm\
)
Gas Engine With
14" & 15" Wheels (1) ....... 29.04-29.82
(737.5-757.5) .......... 29.76-30.54\
(756.0-776.0)\
Gas Engine With 15",
16" & 17" Wheels ( 2) ....... 29.27-30.05
(743.5-765.5) ........... 30.0-30.78\
(762.0-782.0)\
CNG & Electric Vehicles ..... 30.46-31.24
(783.5-803.5) ........... 31.2-31.98\
(792.5-812.5)\
( 1) - With tire sizes P205/75R 15 and P215/65R 15.
( 2) - With tire sizes P215/70R 15, P215/65R 16 and 215/65R 17.









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HOIST
CAUTION: On Ram Van/Wagon, ensure there is adequate drive shaft
clearance while raising vehicle. DO NOT raise vehicle by
hoisting or jacking against front lower control arms. If rear
axle, fuel tank, spare tire and liftgate will be removed for
service, place additional weight on rear end of vehicle. This
will prevent tipping as center of gravity changes.
Caravan, Ram Van/Wagon, Town & Country, & Voyager
To raise vehicle on single and twin post type hoists, ensure
hoist pads contact vehicle frame behind front control arm pivots and
inside rear wheels on rear axle housing. Always use hoist adapters.
See Fig. 2 or 5.
Dakota & Ram Pickup
Vehicle may be raised on single or twin post swiveling arm,
or ramp-type drive hoists. If using swiveling arm hoist, ensure
lifting arms, pads or ramps are positioned evenly on frame rails, and
adequate clearance is maintained for transfer case (4WD models) or
skid plate. All hoists must be equipped with adapters to properly
support vehicle. See Fig. 3.
WHEEL ALIGNMENT PROCEDURES
FRONT WHEEL CAMBER & CASTER ADJUSTMENT
CAUTION: DO NOT adjust caster by heating or bending suspension
components. If caster angle is incorrect, replace
component(s) causing incorrect angle.
Caravan, Town & Country, & Voyager
1) Caster is factory preset and cannot be adjusted. Camber is
factory preset, but can be adjusted with a camber service kit. Raise
and support vehicle. While holding lower strut attaching bolts
stationary, loosen attaching nuts. See Fig. 6. Remove upper attaching
nut and bolt. Install camber service kit attaching/adjusting bolt and
nut. While holding bolt stationary, lightly tighten nut. Repeat
procedure for lower attaching nut and bolt.
2) Lower vehicle until vehicle weight is supported by
suspension. Bounce vehicle several times and allow suspension to
settle. Rotate new cam bolt to move top of wheel in or out to
specified camber. See WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS table. Tighten
through-bolt nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table.

Fig. 6: Adjusting Camber (Caravan, Town & Country, & Voyager)
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
NOTE: Moving rear of control arm changes caster significantly.
Moving front of control arm changes camber significantly.
Fig. 7: Adjusting Camber & Caster (Dakota, Durango & Ram Pickup
With Independent Front Suspension)
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
Dakota, Durango & Ram Pickup (With Independent Front

Suspension)
Loosen pivot bar attaching bolts, and move ends of upper
control arm either in or out to obtain proper camber and caster
angles. See Fig. 7. See WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS table. Tighten
pivot bar retaining bolts. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table.
Ram Pickup (Link/Coil Suspension)
Camber is factory set and is not adjustable. To adjust
caster, rotate adjuster cam on lower control arm. See WHEEL ALIGNMENT
SPECIFICATIONS table. See Fig. 8.
Fig. 8: Adjusting Caster (Ram Pickup With Link/Coil Suspension)
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
Ram Van/Wagon
1) Use Adjuster Tool 8199 for this procedure. See Fig. 9.
Clamp tool onto upper control arm frame bracket using 2 clamp bolts.
Tighten adjustment nut on each tool until bolts are snug against pivot
bar. Loosen both upper control arm retaining bolts completely.
2) To obtain proper camber and caster angles, tighten or
loosen tool adjustment bolts on adjuster tool to move one or both ends

of upper control arm. See WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS table.
Tighten pivot retaining bolts. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table.
Fig. 9: Camber & Caster Angle Adjustment Tool
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
FRONT WHEEL TOE ADJUSTMENT

NOTE: Set each front wheel at 1/2 of total toe specification. On
vehicles equipped with power steering, set wheel toe position
with engine running.
Except Ram Van/Wagon & 4WD Models
Center steering wheel and hold with steering wheel clamp.
Loosen tie rod lock nuts. Rotate rods to set toe to specification. See
WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS table. Tighten tie rod lock nuts to
specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table. Adjust steering gear
to tie rod boots at tie rod. Remove steering wheel clamp. See Fig. 10.
Ram Van/Wagon & 4WD Models
Center steering wheel and hold with steering wheel clamp.
Loosen tie rod adjustment sleeve clamp bolts. Rotate adjustment sleeve
to align toe to specification. See ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS table.
Position sleeve clamps on underside of sleeve so clamp ends are not
over sleeve slot, and tighten adjustment sleeve clamp bolts to
specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table. Remove steering wheel
clamp. See Fig. 11.
Fig. 10: Adjusting Front Wheel Toe With Tie Rod (Except Ram
Van/Wagon & 4WD Models)
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.