A vehicle safety certification label (Fig. 1) is
attached to every DaimlerChrysler Corporation vehicle. 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.
• Type of rear wheels.
• 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 shutface.
FASTENER IDENTIFICATION
DESCRIPTION..........................6
FASTENER USAGE
DESCRIPTION - FASTENER USAGE.........9
THREADED HOLE REPAIR
DESCRIPTION - THREADED HOLE REPAIR....9
METRIC SYSTEM
DESCRIPTION..........................9
TORQUE REFERENCES
DESCRIPTION.........................11
Fig. 1 VEHICLE SAFETY CERTIFICATION LABEL -
TYPICAL
2INTRODUCTIONDR
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.
• Frame rail.
To protect the consumer from theft and possible
fraud the manufacturer is required to include a
Check Digit at the ninth position of the VIN. The
check digit is used by the manufacturer and government agencies to verify the authenticity of the vehi-
1 - DASH PANEL
2 - VIN CODE PLATE
cle and official documentation. The formula to use
the check digit is not released to the general public.
Fig. 2 VIN LOCATION
POSITIONINTERPRETATIONCODE = DESCRIPTION
1Country of Origin1 = Manufactured By DaimlerChrysler Corporation
3 = Manufactured By DaimlerChrysler De Mexico
2MakeD = Dodge
3Vehicle Type2 = Incomplete with Side Airbag
3 = Truck with Side Airbag
6 = Incomplete Less Side Airbag
7 = Truck Less Side Airbag
4Gross Vehicle Weight RatingG = 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
5Vehicle LineA = Ram Pickup 4X2
U = Ram Pickup 4X4
6Series1 = 1500
2 = 2500
3 = 3500 Less Dual Rear Wheels
4 = 3500 With Dual Rear Wheels
7Body Style6 = Conventional Cab
8 = Quad Cab Full Rear Doors
DRINTRODUCTION3
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (Continued)
POSITIONINTERPRETATIONCODE = DESCRIPTION
8EngineK = 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
9Check Digit0 through 9 or X
10Model Year3 = 2003
11Plant LocationS = Dodge City
G = Saltillo
J = St. Louis (North)
12 thru 17Vehicle Build Sequence
VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL
INFORMATION (VECI)
DESCRIPTION
All models have a Vehicle Emission Control Information (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 specifications and vacuum hose routings. All hoses must be
connected and routed according to the label.
The label also contains an engine vacuum schematic. 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
• Evaporative family
• Emission control system schematic
• Certification application
• Engine timing specifications (if adjustable)
• Idle speeds (if adjustable)
• Spark plug and gap
Fig. 3 VEHICLE EMISSIONS CERTIFICATION
INFORMATION LABEL
1 - VECI LABEL LOCATION
2 - RADIATOR SUPPORT
4INTRODUCTIONDR
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 information 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
first four spaces on each row will not be used because
of the plate overlap.
1 - PRIMARY PAINT
2 - SECONDARY PAINT
3 - TRANSMISSION CODE
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