1998 DODGE RAM 1500 Cargo

COVER
REMOVAL
(1) Open the tailgate.
(2) Remove the eight screws and remove tailgate
liner, if equipped.
(3) Remove the bolts and remove the cover. (Fig. 3)
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the cover and install the bolts and
tighten by hand.
(2) Install the liner and install the screws, if
equipped.
HINGE
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the tailgate. (Refer to 23 - BODY/
TAILGATE/TAILGATE - REMOVAL)
(2) Remove the two screws and remove the hinge/
pivot. (Fig. 4)
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the hinge/pivot and install the screws.
(2) Tighten the screws to 34 N´m (25 ft. lbs.).
(3) Install the tailgate. (Refer to 23 - BODY/TAIL-
GATE/TAILGATE - INSTALLATION)
LATCH
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the cover. (Refer to 23 - BODY/TAIL-
GATE/COVER - REMOVAL)
(2) Using a grease pencil or equivalent, mark the
actuator rod for installation.
(3) Disconnect the actuator rod at the control
assembly. (Fig. 3)
(4) Remove the latch bolt and the check cable bolt.
(Fig. 5)
(5) Remove the latch and actuator rod assembly.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the latch and actuator rod assembly.
(2) Install the latch and the check cable bolts and
tighten to 23 N´m (17 ft. lbs.).
(3) Connect the actuator rod to the control assem-
bly line up the marks made during removal.
(4) Install the cover. (Refer to 23 - BODY/TAIL-
GATE/COVER - INSTALLATION)
LATCH STRIKER
REMOVAL
(1) Open tailgate.
(2) Using a grease pencil or equivalent, mark out-
line of striker on cargo box jamb to aid installation.
(3) Using a Torx drive wrench, remove striker and
washer from cargo box.
Fig. 3 TAILGATE ASSEMBLY
1 - LATCH ASSEMBLY
2 - CONTROL ASSEMBLY
3 - ACTUATOR ROD (2)
4 - COVER
5 - BOLTS (10)
Fig. 4 TAILGATE HINGE
1 - HINGE/PIVOT
2 - TAILGATE PILLAR
3 - CLIP/BUSHING
4 - BOLTS (2)
23 - 16 TAILGATEDR

EXTERIOR
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
BODY SIDE MOLDINGS
REMOVAL.............................36
INSTALLATION.........................36
BODY ISOLATORS
REMOVAL.............................36
INSTALLATION.........................37
CARGO BOX
REMOVAL.............................37
INSTALLATION.........................37
CARGO BOX - TIE DOWN
REMOVAL.............................38
INSTALLATION.........................38
COWL GRILLE
REMOVAL.............................38
INSTALLATION.........................38
EXTERIOR NAME PLATES
REMOVAL.............................38
INSTALLATION.........................38
FRONT FENDER
REMOVAL.............................39
INSTALLATION.........................39
FUEL FILL DOOR
REMOVAL.............................39
INSTALLATION.........................39GRILLE
REMOVAL.............................40
INSTALLATION.........................40
GRILLE FRAME
REMOVAL.............................40
INSTALLATION.........................40
FRONT WHEELHOUSE SPLASH SHIELD
REMOVAL.............................41
INSTALLATION.........................41
REAR WHEELHOUSE SPLASH SHIELD
REMOVAL.............................41
INSTALLATION.........................41
SIDE VIEW MIRROR
REMOVAL.............................41
INSTALLATION.........................42
UPPER RADIATOR CROSSMEMBER
REMOVAL.............................42
INSTALLATION.........................42
SIDE VIEW MIRROR GLASS
REMOVAL.............................42
INSTALLATION.........................43
REAR FENDER
REMOVAL.............................44
INSTALLATION.........................44
BODY SIDE MOLDINGS
REMOVAL
NOTE: Body side moldings are attached to the body
panels with adhesive tape.
(1) Apply a length of masking tape on the body
panel, parallel to the top edge of the molding and to
one end to use as a guide for installation, if neces-
sary.
(2) If temperature is below 21ÉC (70ÉF) warm
molding with a heat lamp or gun. Do not exceed 52ÉC
(120ÉF) when heating molding.
(3) Using a trim stick C-4755 or equivalent,
remove and discard the molding from the outside of
the body panel.
INSTALLATION
(1) Thoroughly clean all residue from the body side
molding attachment area of the body panel.(2) Wipe area with a clean lint free cloth moist-
ened with a 50% solution of water and alcohol and
wipe dry immediately with a dry lint free cloth.
(3) Apply new body side molding using the guide
tape on the body panel and apply consistent and uni-
form pressure of approximately 40 p.s.i. over the
entire surface of the molding.
BODY ISOLATORS
REMOVAL
(1) Loosen all cab to frame mounting bolts (six
standard cab, eight quad cab). (Fig. 1)
(2) Remove the mounting bolts and rebound cush-
ions
(3) Using a floor jack and block of wood under the
cab sill, lift the body to gain access to the isolators.
(4) Remove the isolators.
(5) Install new isolators and repeat steps one
through 4, for the opposite side.
23 - 36 EXTERIORDR

INSTALLATION
(1) For the rear isolators install the rebound cush-
ions, washers, reinforcement plates and bolts. (Fig. 1)
(2) Install the remaining rebound cushions and
bolts.
(3) Tighten the bolts to 81 N´m (60 ft. lbs.).
CARGO BOX
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect the fuel fill hose and vent hose.
(Refer to 14 - FUEL SYSTEM/FUEL DELIVERY/
FUEL TANK - REMOVAL)
(2) Disconnect the tail lamp wire harness.
(3) Remove the cargo box bolts. (Fig. 2) or (Fig. 3)
(4) Remove the cargo box.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the cargo box and install the bolts.
(2) Tighten the bolts to 108 N´m (80 ft. lbs.).
(3) Connect the fuel fill and vent hoses. (Refer to
14 - FUEL SYSTEM/FUEL DELIVERY/FUEL TANK
- INSTALLATION)
(4) Connect the tail lamp wire harness.
Fig. 1 BODY ISOLATORS - TYPICAL
1 - CAB SILL
2 - ISOLATORS
3 - REBOUND CUSHION
4 - WASHER (REAR ISOLATOR ONLY)
5 - BOLTS
6 - REINFORCEMENT PLATE (REAR ISOLATOR ONLY)
Fig. 2 SHORT CARGO BOX
1 - CARGO BOX
2 - FRAME
3 - BOLTS (3 PER SIDE)
Fig. 3 LONG CARGO BOX
1 - CARGO BOX
2 - FRAME
3 - BOLTS (4 PER SIDE)
DREXTERIOR 23 - 37
BODY ISOLATORS (Continued)

CARGO BOX - TIE DOWN
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the bolts and remove the tie down
cleat. (Fig. 4)
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the tie down cleat and install the bolts.
(2) Tighten the bolts to 34 N´m (25 ft. lbs.).
COWL GRILLE
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the wiper arms. (Refer to 8 - ELEC-
TRICAL/WIPERS/WASHERS/WIPER ARMS -
REMOVAL)
(2) Disconnect the washer hose.
(3) Remove the hood seal.
(4) Remove the six push pin fasteners from the
front of the grille. (Fig. 5)
(5) Remove the two rear corner screws and remove
the grilles.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the grill and install the two rear corner
screws.
(2) Install the six push pin fasteners along the
front of the grille.
(3) Install the hood seal.
(4) Connect the washer hose.(5) Install the wiper arms. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/WIPERS/WASHERS/WIPER ARMS - INSTAL-
LATION)
EXTERIOR NAME PLATES
REMOVAL
NOTE: Exterior name plates are attached to body
panels with adhesive tape.
(1) Apply a length of masking tape on the body,
parallel to the top edge and one end of the name
plate to use as a guide for installation, if necessary.
(2) If temperature is below 21ÉC (70ÉF) warm
emblem with a heat lamp or gun. Do not exceed 52ÉC
(120ÉF) when heating name plate.
(3) Using a trim stick C-4755 or equivalent,
remove and discard the name plate.
INSTALLATION
(1) Thoroughly clean all residue from the name
plate attachment area of the body panel.
(2) Wipe area with a clean lint free cloth moist-
ened with a 50% solution of water and alcohol and
wipe dry immediately with a dry lint free cloth.
(3) Remove protective cover from adhesive tape on
back of name plate.
(4)
Position name plate properly on the body panel.
(5) Apply consistent and uniform pressure over the
entire surface of the name plate, with palm of hand.
(6) If temperature is below 21ÉC (70ÉF) warm
emblem with a heat lamp or gun to assure adhesion.
Do not exceed 52ÉC (120ÉF) when heating name
plate.
Fig. 4 TIE DOWN CLEAT
1 - BOLTS (2)
2 - CLEAT
Fig. 5 COWL GRILLE
1 - PUSH PIN FASTENERS (6)
2 - COWL GRILLE
3 - SCREWS (2)
23 - 38 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

Fig. 91 FRONT CROSSMEMBER - SHORT CARGO BOX ONLY
23 - 168 BODY STRUCTUREDR
WELD LOCATIONS (Continued)

Fig. 92 LONG CROSSMEMBER - SHORT CARGO BOX ONLY
DRBODY STRUCTURE 23 - 169
WELD LOCATIONS (Continued)

Fig. 93 TAPPING PLATES - SHORT CARGO BOX ONLY
23 - 170 BODY STRUCTUREDR
WELD LOCATIONS (Continued)