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Call or Text (352) 722-5295Axle and driveline on the 2018-2023 Ram 1500 3.0L EcoDiesel
The EcoDiesel was a half-ton engine. Built by VM Motori in Italy, it went in the Ram 1500 and nothing heavier, so everything on this page is half-ton driveline. Two bodies carried it: the DS (the 2018 Ram 1500 and the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic) and the DT (2020-2023). Both use a coil-sprung solid rear axle, and trucks were built either rear-drive or as part-time 4x4 with an electronic transfer case.
Torque is what the driveline has to live with. The Gen 2 EcoDiesel in 2018-2019 trucks makes 420 lb-ft, and the Gen 3 in 2020-2023 trucks makes 480 lb-ft at 1,600 rpm, delivered through a ZF 8-speed automatic (the 8HP70 on Gen 2, the 8HP75 on Gen 3). A 2020 EcoDiesel that ran the Ike Gauntlet towing test with an 8,700-lb trailer had a 3.55 rear axle ratio. The Rebel EcoDiesel, new for 2020, came as a 4x4 with an electronically locking rear differential.
What fails and why
The verified driveline problems on these trucks are factory defects caught by recall, not wear patterns. On the 2018 Ram 1500, recall 18V556 (Ram code U88) addressed rear differentials that were under-filled at the factory. Low gear oil shows up as whine, then heat, and in the worst case the axle seizes. If you own a 2018 and hear noise from the rear axle, check the fill level first.
The same model year had recall 19V324 for rear driveshafts with incomplete weld fusion, which can let the shaft crack or fracture. Run your VIN through a recall lookup or ask a Ram dealer whether both recalls were done. Past those, we have no verified high-mileage failure pattern for the EcoDiesel axles, and we won't make one up. What you do control is the gear oil in the housing and the cover that keeps it there.
Stock replacement vs. upgrade
For most owners this category comes down to the right gear oil and a cover that seals. The factory cover is fine on a truck that stays on pavement. A heavy-duty cast aluminum cover is the upgrade, and it makes the most sense on a truck that tows often or sees rocks, ruts and trail work. For fluid, buy the grade your owner's manual calls for and follow the service schedule in that manual. We don't publish a gear oil interval for this platform because we don't have a verified one.
What we carry
- PPE (Pacific Performance Engineering) heavy-duty cast aluminum rear differential cover, listed for the 9.25-inch, 12-bolt rear axle on 2014-2023 3.0L EcoDiesel trucks.
- Lucas Oil Heavy Duty 80W-90 gear oil, part 10043.
- Royal Purple Max-Gear 75W-140 synthetic gear oil, part 01301.
- ATS Diesel Performance 402-009-1000 replacement drain plug for ATS pans and differential covers.
Fitment notes
DS and DT are different chassis. Driveshafts, axle covers and mounts are body-specific even though both trucks wear the EcoDiesel badge, so check that a part is listed for your body before you order. If your 2019 is a diesel, it is a Ram 1500 Classic on the DS body; the new 2019 DT was not sold with a diesel. Never put a 2500 or 3500 part on this truck. The half-ton uses a completely different axle family from the heavy-duty Rams. Inside the rear housing, 2020 and later Rebel EcoDiesels have the electronic locker and other trims have open or limited-slip units, so check your RPO codes. One more trap: a 2025 or newer Ram 1500 with a 3.0L is the gasoline Hurricane, not an EcoDiesel. When in doubt, verify by VIN.
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2018 differential recall apply to my EcoDiesel?
Recall 18V556 (code U88) covered 2018 Ram 1500 rear differentials that were under-filled at the factory. Low fill can cause whine, overheating and eventually a seized axle. Check your VIN with a Ram dealer or the NHTSA recall lookup, and if the axle is already making noise, check the fill level before you put more miles on it.
Will a Ram 2500 differential cover fit my Ram 1500 EcoDiesel?
No. The EcoDiesel was only sold in the half-ton Ram 1500, and the 1500 uses a completely different axle family from the 2500 and 3500. Shop only parts listed for the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel and for your body style, DS or DT.
Is my 2019 EcoDiesel a DS or a DT for parts?
A DS. The all-new 2019 Ram 1500 (DT) was not offered with a diesel, so a 2019 EcoDiesel is a Ram 1500 Classic on the older DS body with the Gen 2 engine. Order driveline parts listed for the DS, not the 2020-2023 DT.
What rear axle ratio does my EcoDiesel have?
It depends on how the truck was built. The 2020 EcoDiesel that pulled an 8,700-lb trailer up the Ike Gauntlet ran a 3.55 rear axle, but we don't have a confirmed list of every ratio Ram offered. Decode your RPO codes or VIN before you order anything ratio-specific.
What is the difference between the Lucas and Royal Purple gear oils?
Lucas Heavy Duty is an 80W-90. Royal Purple Max-Gear is a 75W-140 synthetic. They are different viscosity grades, so use the one your owner's manual specifies for your axle rather than picking by brand.
Not sure what fits? Call the shop at the number in the header, or use the fitment checker on any product page. We install everything we sell.