If you're staring at the front of your engine trying to find the 2020 ram 1500 5.7 belt diagram, you've probably realized that things look a lot more crowded under the hood than they used to. Whether you're dealing with a nasty squeal every time you start the truck or you're standing on the side of the road because your belt decided to quit, knowing how that long piece of rubber snakes around the pulleys is absolutely essential. It's one of those things that looks like a total mess until you see the logic behind it, and once you get it, the job becomes way less intimidating.
Most people don't think about their serpentine belt until it starts making noise. That rhythmic chirp-chirp-chirp when the engine is cold is basically your truck's way of asking for help. The 5.7L Hemi is a workhorse, but like any engine, it relies on that single belt to keep everything running. It powers your alternator, your water pump, and your air conditioning compressor. If it snaps, you aren't just losing AC; your battery stops charging and, more importantly, your engine will overheat in a matter of minutes because the water pump isn't moving coolant anymore.
Why You Can't Just "Wing It"
I've seen people try to replace a belt without looking at a diagram, thinking they'll remember the path. Ten minutes later, they're staring at three feet of extra belt and a pulley that isn't touched, scratching their heads. The 2020 Ram 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi has a specific routing that ensures enough "wrap" around each pulley. If the belt doesn't have enough surface contact on a pulley, it'll slip, even if it feels tight.
Also, for the 2020 model year, there's a big variable you need to be aware of: eTorque. If your Ram has the eTorque mild-hybrid system, your belt setup is going to look a bit different than the standard Hemi. The eTorque system uses a Motor Generator Unit (MGU) instead of a traditional alternator, and that thing is beefy. It requires a heavy-duty belt and a slightly different routing path to handle the regenerative braking and the extra torque it puts on the front of the engine.
Decoding the Belt Path
Looking at the 2020 ram 1500 5.7 belt diagram, you'll notice the crankshaft pulley is the "boss" at the bottom. This is what provides the power. From there, the belt travels up and around the various accessories.
On a standard 5.7 Hemi (non-eTorque), the belt usually goes from the crank up to the water pump, over to the alternator at the top, down past an idler pulley, around the AC compressor, and back through the tensioner. The tensioner is that spring-loaded arm that keeps everything snug. It usually has a 1/2-inch or 3/8-inch square hole (or a bolt head) where you can stick a breaker bar to pull it back and release the pressure.
If you have the eTorque system, pay close attention. The MGU is huge and sits right on top. The belt path is designed to handle the fact that the MGU sometimes pulls the engine and sometimes is pulled by the engine. Because of this, the tensioning system is often more robust. Don't be surprised if the belt feels significantly stiffer than what you'd find on an old 1500.
Getting Ready for the Job
Before you even touch a wrench, check under your hood for a sticker. Usually, manufacturers slap a small diagram near the radiator shroud. If it's still there and hasn't been peeled off or covered in grease, take a photo of it with your phone. Honestly, even if you have a digital diagram, having a photo of your specific engine before you take the old belt off is a lifesaver.
You're going to need a few basic tools: * A long-handled socket wrench or a dedicated serpentine belt tool. * The correct socket for the tensioner (usually 15mm or 16mm, but check first). * A pair of gloves (the engine bay is a scrape-magnet). * A flashlight, even if it's daytime, to see the lower pulleys.
Step-by-Step: Removing and Installing
Once you've got your 2020 ram 1500 5.7 belt diagram handy, the process is pretty straightforward, but it takes some muscle.
- Release the Tension: Locate the tensioner pulley. You'll want to rotate the tensioner arm—usually clockwise—to take the pressure off the belt. This is where a long-handled tool helps; those springs are tough.
- Slide it Off: While holding the tensioner back, use your other hand to slip the belt off the easiest pulley to reach (usually the alternator or an idler pulley).
- Inspect Everything: This is the most important part people skip. While the belt is off, spin every single pulley by hand. They should spin smoothly. If you hear a grinding noise or feel "crunchiness" in the bearing, that pulley is about to fail. If a pulley is seized, it'll melt your brand-new belt in seconds.
- Route the New Belt: Follow your diagram carefully. Start at the bottom with the crankshaft and work your way up. It's usually easiest to leave the tensioner or an idler pulley for the very last step.
- The Final Stretch: Pull the tensioner back again and slide the belt over that final pulley. Make sure the "ribs" of the belt are seated perfectly in the grooves of the pulleys. If the belt is hanging off the edge of a pulley even a little bit, it will shred the moment you start the truck.
Common Troubleshooting Tips
If you've installed the belt and you're still hearing a squeak, it might not be the belt's fault. Sometimes the belt tensioner itself loses its "springiness." If the tensioner is bouncing around while the engine is idling, it's likely shot and needs to be replaced along with the belt.
Another thing to look for is "glazing." If you look at the smooth side of your old belt and it looks shiny like a piece of plastic, it's been slipping and getting too hot. This usually happens because of a bad tensioner or an accessory (like the AC compressor) that's starting to seize up.
And here's a pro tip for the 2020 Ram owners: clean your pulleys. If your old belt shredded, it probably left behind bits of rubber in the grooves of the pulleys. If you don't clean that junk out with a wire brush, the new belt won't sit right, and you'll be doing this whole job again in a week.
Maintenance and Longevity
How often should you be looking at your belt? Generally, these modern EPDM belts are designed to last about 60,000 to 100,000 miles. However, heat and dry air can kill them faster. If you live in a desert climate, or if you do a lot of heavy towing that keeps the engine bay hot, check it more often.
Gone are the days when belts would just show cracks when they were old. Modern belts don't always crack; they just lose material from the ribs. You can actually buy a small "belt wear gauge" for a couple of bucks that fits into the grooves to tell you if the belt is too thin.
Wrapping Up
Working on a 2020 ram 1500 5.7 isn't too bad once you get past the initial clutter. The 5.7 Hemi is a great engine to work on because it's so common, and parts are everywhere. Just keep that diagram nearby, take your time to seat the belt correctly in the grooves, and don't force anything. If the belt feels like it's two inches too short, double-check your routing—it's almost certainly caught on a lip or looped around the wrong side of an idler.
Taking care of this yourself not only saves you a decent chunk of change at the shop but also gives you the peace of mind that you won't be stuck with a dead battery and an overheating engine in the middle of nowhere. It's a simple Saturday morning job that keeps your Ram running exactly how it should.