1998 DODGE RAM 1500 Body

GRILLE
REMOVAL
(1) Open the hood.
(2) Remove the six lower screws. (Fig. 8)
(3) Remove the six upper nuts and separate the
grille from the grille frame.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the grille onto the grille frame.
(2) Install the six upper nuts.
(3) Install the six lower screws.
GRILLE FRAME
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the grille. (Refer to 23 - BODY/EXTE-
RIOR/GRILLE - REMOVAL)
(2) Remove the screws and remove the grille
frame. (Fig. 9)
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the grille frame and install the six
screws.
(2) Install the grille. (Refer to 23 - BODY/EXTERI-
OR/GRILLE - INSTALLATION)
Fig. 8 GRILLE
1 - NUTS (6)
2 - HOOD
3 - GRILLE
4 - GRILLE FRAME
5 - SCREWS (6)
Fig. 9 GRILLE FRAME
1 - HOOD
2 - GRILLE FRAME
3 - SCREWS (6)
23 - 40 EXTERIORDR

FRONT WHEELHOUSE
SPLASH SHIELD
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the three screws at the fender. (Fig.
10)
(2) Remove the electrical connector push pin fas-
tener.
(3) Remove the five inside screws and remove the
splash shield.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the splash shield and position the front
edge into the support bracket on the bumper.
(2) Install the five inner screws.
(3) Install the three screws at the fender.
(4) Install the electrical connector push pin fas-
tener.
REAR WHEELHOUSE SPLASH
SHIELD
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the screws and remove the shield. (Fig.
11 )
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the splash shield and install the screws.
SIDE VIEW MIRROR
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the door trim panel as necessary to
gain access to the mirror. (Refer to 23 - BODY/DOOR
- FRONT/TRIM PANEL - REMOVAL)
(2) Disconnect the electrical connector and remove
the nuts. (Fig. 12)
(3) Squeeze the electrical connector tabs and
remove the mirror. (Fig. 13)
Fig. 10 FRONT SPLASH SHIELD
1 - FENDER RAIL
2 - FENDER
3 - SCREWS (8)
4 - WHEELHOUSE SPLASH SHIELD
Fig. 11 REAR SPLASH SHIELD
1 - CARGO BOX
2 - SCREWS (3)
3 - SPLASH SHIELD
Fig. 12 SIDE VIEW MIRROR
1 - MIRROR
2 - NUTS (3)
3 - ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR
DREXTERIOR 23 - 41

INSTALLATION
(1) Install the mirror onto the door and engage the
electrical connector tabs. (Fig. 13)
(2) Install the nuts and tighten to 7 N´m (60 in.
lbs.).
(3) Install the door trim panel. (Refer to 23 -
BODY/DOOR - FRONT/TRIM PANEL - INSTALLA-
TION)
UPPER RADIATOR
CROSSMEMBER
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the hood latch. (Refer to 23 - BODY/
HOOD/LATCH - REMOVAL)
(2) Remove the radiator and condenser bolts. (Fig.
14)
(3) Remove the bolts and remove the crossmember.
(Fig. 15)
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the crossmember and install the bolts.
(2) Tighten the bolts to 28 N´m (21 ft. lbs.).
(3) Install the radiator and condenser bolts and
tighten to 8 N´m (75 in. lbs.).
(4) Install the hood latch. (Refer to 23 - BODY/
HOOD/LATCH - INSTALLATION)
SIDE VIEW MIRROR GLASS
REMOVAL
WARNING: ALWAYS WEAR EYE AND HAND PRO-
TECTION WHEN SERVICING THE MIRROR ASSEM-
BLY. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THESE WARNINGS
MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY FROM BRO-
KEN GLASS.
Standard Mirror
(1) Position the mirror glass so that it's facing in
toward the vehicle as far as possible. (Fig. 16)
Fig. 13 MIRROR ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR
1 - DOOR
2 - MIRROR STUDS
3 - CONNECTOR TABS
4 - ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR
Fig. 14 CONDENSER/RADIATOR FASTENERS
1 - CONDENSER BOLT
2 - RADIATOR BOLT
3 - RADIATOR CROSSMEMBER
Fig. 15 RADIATOR CROSSMEMBER
1 - BOLTS (2)
2 - CROSSMEMBER
3 - BOLTS (2)
23 - 42 EXTERIORDR
SIDE VIEW MIRROR (Continued)

(2) Connect the heated mirror electrical connec-
tors, if equipped.
NOTE: Pressure must be applied equally over the
center portion of the mirror to engage the mirror
glass retaining clip fully.
(3) Position the glass over the motor mounting and
seat fully. Make sure the retaining clip seats fully.
REAR FENDER
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the wheel house splash shield. (Refer
to 23 - BODY/EXTERIOR/REAR WHEELHOUSE
SPLASH SHIELD - REMOVAL)
(2) Disconnect the marker lamps electrical connec-
tors.
(3) Remove the tail lamp units. (Refer to 8 -
ELECTRICAL/LAMPS/LIGHTING - EXTERIOR/
TAIL LAMP UNIT - REMOVAL)
(4) Remove the two fender nuts. (Fig. 23)
(5) Remove the rear inner nuts below the tail
lamp. (Fig. 24)
(6) Remove the two bolts at the rear bottom edge.
(7) Remove the two bolts at the front bottom edge.
(8) Remove the four inner nuts front edge. (Fig.
25)
(9) Loosen bolts and loosen the two fender support
brackets. (Fig. 26)
CAUTION: Mask off the surrounding box area to
avoid damage to the painted surfaces.
(10) Lift the fender up off the support brackets
and remove the fender.
INSTALLATION
CAUTION: Mask off the surrounding box area to
avoid damage to the painted surfaces during instal-
lation.
Fig. 20 TOW PACKAGE MIRROR GLASS
1 - HEATED GLASS ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS (IF EQUIPPED)
2 - MIRROR GLASS
3 - RETAINING CLIP
Fig. 21 STANDARD MIRROR INSTALLATION
1 - MIRROR GLASS
2 - UPPER AND LOWER RETAINING CLIPS
3 - HEATED MIRROR ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS (IF
EQUIPPED)
4 - MIRROR GLASS MOUNTING HOLES (4)
Fig. 22 STANDARD MIRROR ASSEMBLY
1 - HEATED MIRROR ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS (IF
EQUIPPED)
2 - MIRROR HOUSING
3 - HOUSING COVER LOCKING TABS
4 - MIRROR GLASS MOUNTING FEET (4)
23 - 44 EXTERIORDR
SIDE VIEW MIRROR GLASS (Continued)

(1) Carefully position the fender over the support
brackets.
(2) Install the four inner nuts along the front edge
of the fender and tighten to 7 N´m (60 in. lbs.).(3) Install the two inner nuts along the rear edge
of the fender below the tail lamp unit and tighten to
7 N´m (60 in. lbs.).
(4) Tighten the six support bracket bolts and
tighten to 11 N´m (8 ft. lbs.).
(5) Install the bolts along lower edge of the fender
and tighten to 7 N´m (60 in. lbs.).
(6) Connect the marker lamps electrical connec-
tors.
(7) Install the wheelhouse splash shield. (Refer to
23 - BODY/EXTERIOR/REAR WHEELHOUSE
SPLASH SHIELD - INSTALLATION)
(8) Install the two nuts from within the tail lamp
opening and tighten to 7 N´m (60 in. lbs.).
(9) Install the tail lamp unit. (Refer to 8 - ELEC-
TRICAL/LAMPS/LIGHTING - EXTERIOR/TAIL
LAMP UNIT - INSTALLATION)
Fig. 23 TAIL LAMP OPENING
1 - TAIL LAMP OPENING
2 - FENDER NUTS (2)
Fig. 24 LOWER REAR FASTENERS
1 - REAR FENDER NUTS (2)
2 - PICK-UP BOX INNER PANEL
Fig. 25 LOWER FRONT FASTENERS
1 - PICK-UP BOX INNER PANEL
2 - FRONT FENDER NUTS (4)
Fig. 26 SUPPORT BRACKET
1 - FENDER SUPPORT BRACKET (2)
2 - PICK-UP BOX
3 - BOLTS (3 PER BRACKET)
DREXTERIOR 23 - 45
REAR FENDER (Continued)

HOOD
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
HINGE
REMOVAL.............................46
INSTALLATION.........................46
HOOD
REMOVAL.............................46
INSTALLATION.........................47
LATCH
REMOVAL.............................47
INSTALLATION.........................47LATCH RELEASE CABLE/HANDLE ASSEMBLY
REMOVAL.............................47
INSTALLATION.........................47
LATCH STRIKER / SECONDARY CATCH
REMOVAL.............................47
INSTALLATION.........................48
SUPPORT CYLINDER
REMOVAL.............................48
INSTALLATION.........................48
HINGE
REMOVAL
NOTE: It is not necessary to remove the hood to
replace one or both hinges. The hinges can be
replaced one at a time.
(1) Remove the cowl grille. (Refer to 23 - BODY/
EXTERIOR/COWL GRILLE - REMOVAL)
(2) Using a grease pencil or equivalent, mark the
position of the hinge on the hood.
(3) Remove the fender support bolt. (Fig. 1)
(4) Remove the support cylinder. (Refer to 23 -
BODY/HOOD/SUPPORT CYLINDER - REMOVAL)
(5) Remove the hood nuts.
(6) Remove the wheelhouse splash shield. (Refer to
23 - BODY/EXTERIOR/FRONT WHEELHOUSE
SPLASH SHIELD - REMOVAL)
(7) From inside the fender, remove the two hinge
bolts. (Fig. 2)
(8) Slide the hinge forward and remove from the
fender rail.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the hinge and slide back into position
on the fender rail.
(2) From inside the fender, install the two hinge
bolts and tighten to 20 N´m (15 ft. lbs.).
(3) Install the hood nuts and line up the marks
made previously.
(4) Tighten the nuts to 23 N´m (17 ft. lbs.).
(5) Install the support cylinder. (Refer to 23 -
BODY/HOOD/SUPPORT CYLINDER - INSTALLA-
TION)
(6) Install the fender support bolt and tighten to
11 N´m (8 ft. lbs.).(7) Check hood fit and adjust if required. (Refer to
23 - BODY/BODY STRUCTURE/GAP AND FLUSH -
SPECIFICATIONS)
(8) Install the cowl grille. (Refer to 23 - BODY/EX-
TERIOR/COWL GRILLE - INSTALLATION)
(9) Install the wheelhouse splash shield. (Refer to
23 - BODY/EXTERIOR/FRONT WHEELHOUSE
SPLASH SHIELD - INSTALLATION)
HOOD
REMOVAL
(1) Open the hood.
(2) Using a grease pencil or equivalent, mark the
position of the hinges on the hood.
(3) Remove the hood hinge nuts and remove the
hood.
Fig. 1 HINGE/FENDER BOLT
1 - FENDER
2 - FENDER SUPPORT BOLT
3 - HINGE
23 - 46 HOODDR

(4) Remove the grille. (Refer to 23 - BODY/EXTE-
RIOR/GRILLE - REMOVAL)
(5) Remove the hood lamp and ambient tempera-
ture sensor.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the hood lamp and ambient temperature
sensor.
(2) Install the grille. (Refer to 23 - BODY/EXTERI-
OR/GRILLE - INSTALLATION)
(3) Install the hood and install the nuts.
(4) Line up the marks made previously and
tighten the nuts to 23 N´m (17 ft. lbs.).
(5) Check the hood fit and adjust if required.
(Refer to 23 - BODY/BODY STRUCTURE/GAP AND
FLUSH - SPECIFICATIONS)
LATCH
REMOVAL
(1) Open the hood.
(2) Using a grease pencil or equivalent, mark the
position of the latch on the radiator crossmember.
(3) Remove the bolts. (Fig. 3)
(4) Disconnect the hood latch cable and remove the
latch.
INSTALLATION
(1) Connect the hood latch cable.
(2) Install the latch lining up the marks made pre-
viously and install the bolts.
(3) Tighten the bolts to 11 N´m (8 ft. lbs.).
(4) Check hood fit and adjust if required. (Refer to
23 - BODY/BODY STRUCTURE/GAP AND FLUSH -
SPECIFICATIONS)
LATCH RELEASE CABLE/
HANDLE ASSEMBLY
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the hood latch. (Refer to 23 - BODY/
HOOD/LATCH - REMOVAL)
(2) Remove the batter tray. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/BATTERY SYSTEM/TRAY - REMOVAL)
(3) Disconnect the three cable push pin fasteners.
(4) From inside the cab loosen the two handle
screws and disconnect the handle from the instru-
ment panel bracket.
(5) Separate the grommet at the cowl panel and
remove cable through the cab.
INSTALLATION
(1) Route the cable/handle assembly through the
cowl panel and install the grommet.
(2) Position the handle onto the instrument panel
bracket and tighten the screws.
(3) Route the cable along the fender rails and
install the three push pin fasteners.
(4) Install the latch. (Refer to 23 - BODY/HOOD/
LATCH - INSTALLATION)
(5) Install the battery tray. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/BATTERY SYSTEM/TRAY - INSTALLATION)
LATCH STRIKER /
SECONDARY CATCH
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect and remove the secondary release
handle. (Fig. 4)
(2) Remove the two bolts and remove the striker/
catch assembly.
Fig. 2 HINGE
1 - A-PILLAR
2 - HINGE
3 - BOLTS (2)
Fig. 3 LATCH
1 - HOOD LATCH
2 - HOOD LATCH CABLE
3 - BOLTS (2)
DRHOOD 23 - 47
HOOD (Continued)

INSTALLATION
(1) Install the latch striker/secondary catch and
install the bolts.
(2) Tighten the bolts to 11 N´m (8 ft. lbs.).
(3) Install the release handle and connect to the
secondary catch.
(4) Check the hood fit and adjust if required.
(Refer to 23 - BODY/BODY STRUCTURE/GAP AND
FLUSH - SPECIFICATIONS)
SUPPORT CYLINDER
REMOVAL
NOTE: The support cylinders can be replaced one
at a time.
(1) Open the hood and support.
NOTE: Lift the clips only enough to release the ball
studs. (Fig. 6)
(2) Using a small flat bladed tool, or equivalent,
release the upper retaining clips while pulling the
ball socket away from the ball stud. (Fig. 5)
CAUTION: Do not pull the supports from the middle
while removing.
(3) Pulling at the ends only, remove the support
cylinder.
INSTALLATION
(1) Make sure the retaining clips are seated into
the ball socket fully.
CAUTION: Do not install the support cylinders by
pressing at the center of the cylinder. Press the
ends only.
(2) Install the support cylinder over the ball studs
with the thin end connected to the body side of the
hinge and the retaining clips snapping into place.
Fig. 4 HOOD LATCH STRIKER/SECONDARY CATCH
1 - GRILLE
2 - LATCH STRIKER/SECONDARY CATCH
3 - BOLTS (2)
4 - SECONDARY CATCH RELEASE HANDLE
5 - GRILLE FRAME
Fig. 5 UPPER SUPPORT CYLINDER REMOVAL -
TYPICAL
1 - BALL SOCKET
2 - RETAINING CLIP
3 - FLAT BLADED TOOL
4 - BALL STUD
Fig. 6 UPPER SUPPORT CYLINDER RETAINING
CLIP
1 - RETAINING CLIP
2 - BALL SOCKET
3 - BALL STUD
23 - 48 HOODDR
LATCH STRIKER / SECONDARY CATCH (Continued)