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PICKUP BOX
The pickup box on your new Ram has many features
designed for utility and convenience.NOTE:If you are installing a toolbox to the front of the
pickup box, you must use Mopartoolbox brackets
available from your dealer.
You can carry wide building materials (sheets of ply-
wood, etc.) by building a raised load floor. Place lumber
across the box in the indentations provided above the
wheel housings and in the bulkhead dividers to form the
floor.
WARNING!
The pickup box is intended for load carrying pur-
poses only, not for passengers, who should sit in
seats and use seat belts.
Pickup Box Features
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WARNING!
•Care should always be exercised when operating a
vehicle with unrestrained cargo. Vehicle speeds
may need to be reduced. Severe turns or rough
roads may cause shifting or bouncing of the cargo
that may result in vehicle damage. If wide build-
ing materials are to be frequently carried, the
installation of a support is recommended. This
will restrain the cargo and transfer the load to the
pickup box floor.
•If you wish to carry more than 600 lbs (272 kg) of
material suspended above the wheelhouse, sup-
ports must be installed to transfer the weight of
the load to the pickup box floor or vehicle damage
may result. The use of proper supports will permit
loading up to the rated payload.
•Unrestrained cargo may be thrown forward in an
accident causing serious or fatal injury.There are stampings in the sheet metal on the inner side
bulkheads of the box in front of and behind both wheel
housings. Place wooden boards across the box from side
to side to create separate load compartments in the
pickup box.
There are four tie-down cleats bolted to the lower sides of
the pickup box that can sustain loads up to 1000 lbs (450
kg) total.
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SLIDE-IN CAMPERS
Camper Applications
Certain truck models are not recommended for slide-in
campers. To determine if your vehicle is excluded, please
refer to the “Consumer Information Truck-Camper Load-
ing” document available from your dealer. For safety
reasons, follow all instructions in this important docu-
ment.
NOTE:When a cap or pickup camper is installed on a
vehicle, an alternate CHMSL (Center High Mounted Stop
Light) must be provided.
EASY-OFF TAILGATE
To simplify mounting of a camper unit with an overhang,
the tailgate can be removed quickly. If the truck is a 3500
dual rear wheel model, unplug the tailgate wire harness
from under the rear of the truck and pull the harness out
of the cargo box access hole. Unlatch the tailgate and
remove the support cables by releasing the lock tang
from the pivot, then rotate and pull away from the box.
Once the cables are free, move to the right side of the
tailgate hinge bracket.
Raise the right side of the tailgate until the right side
pivot clears the hanger bracket. Slide the entire tailgate to
the right to free the left side pivot. Remove the tailgate
from the vehicle entirely. Do not carry the tailgate loose in
the truck pickup box.
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NOTE:Dual rear wheel pickup models require properly
spaced rear clearance lights. If such a vehicle is operated
without a tailgate, suitable lights must be installed.
Tailgate Open
Tailgate Support Strap Attachment
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Although your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your dealer for service as soon as
possible.
CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
damage to the engine control system. It also could
affect fuel economy and driveability.
If the MIL is flashing, severe catalytic converter
damage and power loss will soon occur. Immediate
service is required.
19. Brake System Warning Light
This light illuminates when the ignition key is turned to
the ON position and remains on for a few seconds. If the
light stays on longer, it may be an indication that the
parking brake has not been released. This light willilluminate if the brake fluid is low, especially when
braking or accelerating hard. This light will illuminate if
the ABS indicator light has a malfunction. This light will
flash if the engine is running and the parking brake is on.
If the light remains on when the parking brake is
released, it indicates a possible brake hydraulic system
malfunction. In this case, the light will remain on until
the cause is corrected.
If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is necessary
and continued operation of the vehicle in this condition is
dangerous.
Acceleration which causes the rear wheels to slip for a
period of time may result in the red brake light illumi-
nating and a brake switch code being set on ABS
equipped vehicles. Depressing the brake pedal should
extinguish the red brake light.
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23. SERV 4WD Indicator
The 4WD indicator will be illuminated whenever the
4WD mode is engaged for either the manual or electric
shift 4WD systems. The SERV 4WD indicator monitors
the electric shift 4WD system. If the SERV 4WD light
stays on or comes on during driving, it means that the
4WD system is not functioning properly and that service
is required.
24. Water In Fuel Indicator
Indicates there is water detected in the fuel
filter. Refer to the Maintenance section, Drain-
ing Fuel/Water Separator Filter, for water
drain procedure. (See page 427 for more information.)
25. Transmission Oil Temperature Warning Light
(Automatic Transmissions Only)
This light indicates that there is excessive trans-
mission fluid temperature that might occur
with severe usage such as trailer towing. It mayalso occur when operating the vehicle in a high torque
converter slip condition, such as 4-wheel-drive operation
(e.g. snow plowing, off- road operation). If this light
comes on, stop the vehicle and run the engine at idle or
faster, with the transmission in NEUTRAL until the light
goes off.
26. Wait To Start Indicator
The Wait To Start Indicator will illuminate when
the ignition is turned to the run position and the
intake manifold temperature is below 66 degrees F.
Follow engine starting procedure for proper engine start-
ing and operating. Wait until the Wait To Start Indicator
turns OFF then start the vehicle.
NOTE:The Wait To Start Indicator may not illuminate if
the engine coolant temperature is warm enough.
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Two Types of Signals
There are two basic types of radio signals... AM or
Amplitude Modulation, in which the transmitted sound
causes the amplitude, or height, of the radio waves to
vary... and FM or Frequency Modulation, in which the
frequency of the wave is varied to carry the sound.
Electrical Disturbances
Radio waves may pick up electrical disturbances during
transmission. They mainly affect the wave amplitude,
and thus remain a part of the AM reception. They
interfere very little with the frequency variations that
carry the FM signal.
AM Reception
AM sound is based on wave amplitude, so AM reception
can be disrupted by such things as lightning, power lines
and neon signs.
FM Reception
Because FM transmission is based on frequency varia-
tions, interference that consists of amplitude variations
can be filtered out, leaving the reception relatively clear,
which is the major feature of FM radio.
NOTE:The radio, steering wheel radio controls (if
equipped), and 6 disc CD/DVD changer (if equipped)
will remain active for up to 10 minutes after the ignition
switch has been turned off. Opening a vehicle front door
will cancel this feature.
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Reception Quality
Satellite reception may be interrupted due to one of the
following reasons.
•The vehicle is parked in an underground parking
structure or under a physical obstacle.
•Dense tree coverage may interrupt reception.
•Driving under wide bridges or along tall buildings can
cause intermittent reception.
•Placing objects over or too close to the antenna can
cause signal blockage.
REMOTE SOUND SYSTEM CONTROLS — IF
EQUIPPED
The remote sound system controls are located on the rear
surface of the steering wheel. Reach behind the wheel to
access the switches.The right hand control is a rocker type switch with a
button in the center. Pressing the top of the switch will
increase the volume and pressing the bottom of the
switch will decrease the volume. The center button of the
right hand control will allow you to change the mode.
Remote Sound System Controls
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