2023 RAM 1500 lock

74GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
HOOD
TO OPEN THE HOOD
To open the hood, two latches must be released.

1. Pull the hood release lever located below the
steering wheel at the base of the instrument panel.

Hood Release Lever Location

2. Reach into the opening beneath the center of the hood and push the safety latch lever to the left to
release it, before raising the hood.

Safety Latch Location

NOTE:
 Vehicle must be at a stop and the gear selector must
be in PARK.
 While lifting the hood, use both hands.
 Before lifting the hood, check that the wiper arms are
not in motion and not in the lifted position.
TO CLOSE THE HOOD
In one continuous motion, pull down on the front edge of
the hood with moderate force until the angle is below the
crossover point (where the gas props are no longer
resisting) and let the hood continue to fall closed from its
own inertia.
TAILGATE
OPENING
The tailgate may be opened by pushing the tailgate
release pad located on the tailgate door.
The tailgate damper strut will lower the tailgate to the
open position (if equipped).
WARNING!
Be sure the hood is fully latched before driving your
vehicle. If the hood is not fully latched, it could open
when the vehicle is in motion and block your vision.
Failure to follow this warning could result in serious
injury or death.
CAUTION!
To prevent possible damage, do not slam the hood to
close it. Use a firm downward push at the front center of
the hood to ensure that both latches engage.
WARNING!
It is very dangerous to ride on the tailgate, even when
the vehicle is traveling at low speeds. Anyone riding on
the tailgate could easily fall in response to the vehicle
maneuvers or rough terrain. Passengers should always
sit in the vehicle seats and use their seatbelt. Failure to
follow this warning could result in serious injury or
death.

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE75
Electronic Tailgate Release — If Equipped
The key fob may be equipped with an electronic
release feature for the tailgate, allowing
hands-free tailgate opening. To activate, push
and release the Tailgate Release button on the
key fob twice within five seconds. The tailgate door will
unlatch, and slowly lower into the open position.
If equipped, a button on the center overhead console
inside the vehicle can be used to release the tailgate.
An indicator light may also signal when the tailgate is
open.
For the tailgate to lower, the vehicle must be stationary
and in PARK or NEUTRAL.
NOTE:The optional Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover Úpage 86 may
prevent electronic tailgate release. The Tonneau Cover
must be removed or folded up before releasing the
tailgate.
CLOSING
To close the tailgate, push it upward until both sides are
securely latched.
LOCKING TAILGATE
The tailgate can be locked using the key fob lock button.
MULTIFUNCTION TAILGATE —
I
F EQUIPPED
The 60/40 multifunction tailgate has two swing doors to
allow for closer access to the pickup box with the doors
open.
Opening
The tailgate must be latched closed to open the swing
doors. Push the paddle down, then pull the release handle
beneath the tailgate lowering handle. This opens the
60 split door.

60 Split Door Release Handle

Once the 60 split swing door is opened, pull the release
handle on the inboard side of the 40 split door to open.

40 Split Door Release Handle

Closing
Always close the 40 split door first, then close the 60 split
door. The swing doors must be securely latched before the
tailgate can be lowered.
NOTE:
 When the swing doors are open, the maximum load
placed on a door cannot exceed 180 lb (82 kg).
 Pull back on the swing doors firmly after closing to
ensure they are securely latched. Similar to the side
door ajar light inside the cab, the bed light above the
rear window will remain on if the tailgate doors are not
fully closed.
WARNING!
To avoid injury, make sure there is no one in the way of
the power tailgate as it is opening or closing, and keep
hands away from the tailgate hinges when in use. You
or other could be injured if caught in the path of the
power tailgate or tailgate hinges.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE77
5. Remove the connector bracket from the sill by
pushing inward in the locking tab.

Connector Bracket Location
Locking Tab

6. Disconnect the wiring harness by pushing on the two release tabs, ensuring the connector bracket does
not fall into the sill.

Connected Wiring Harness
Disconnected Body Side Harness

7. Connect the body side plug (provided in the glove compartment) to the body side wiring harness and
insert the bracket back into the sill.

Body Side Plug (One Piece)

8. Connect the tailgate plugs (provided in the glove compartment) to the tailgate wiring harness to
ensure that the terminals do not corrode.

Tailgate Plugs (Two Pieces)

1 — First Release Tab
2 — Second Release Tab
1 — Large Plug
2 — Small Plug
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78GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
9. Tape the tailgate harness and bracket against the
forward-facing surface of the tailgate. This will
prevent damaging the connector and bracket when
storing or reinstalling the tailgate.
10. Raise the tailgate slightly, and remove the support cables by releasing the lock tang from the pivot.
NOTE:Make sure tailgate is supported by you and/or a second
person when removing support cables.

Locking Tang

11. Remove the tailgate from the vehicle.
NOTE:
Do not carry the tailgate loose in the truck pickup box.
 If the tailgate is closed with the wire harness discon -
nected, the tailgate can only be opened by removing
the inside panel and unlatching the locking mechanism
manually.
BED STEP — IF EQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be equipped with an extendable bed
step to provide easier entry and exit into the truck bed.
If your vehicle is equipped with a standard tailgate, the
step will be located on the driver’s side of the tailgate.
If equipped with a multifunction tailgate, the step will be
located below the center of the tailgate.
Bed Step For Standard Tailgate

Bed Step Location

To extend the bed step, place your foot on the protruding
foot tab located on the left edge of the bed step, and push
rearward. A small amount of force will release the spring
load and extend the bed step out and away from the
tailgate.

Bed Step Components (Standard Tailgate)
Bed Step Extended

WARNING!
To avoid inhaling carbon monoxide, which is deadly, the
exhaust system on vehicles equipped with “Cap or
Slide-In Campers” should extend beyond the
overhanging camper compartment and be free of leaks.
1 — Bed Step
2 — Foot Tab

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80GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
You can carry wide building materials (sheets of plywood,
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.
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 1,000 lb
(450 kg) total.
BED RAIL TIE-DOWN SYSTEM —
I
F EQUIPPED
There are two adjustable cleats on each side of the bed
that can be used to assist in securing cargo.

Adjustable Cleats

Each cleat must be located and tightened down in one of
the detents, along either rail, in order to keep cargo
properly secure.
To move the cleat to any position on the rail, turn the nut
counterclockwise, approximately three turns. Then pull
out on the cleat and slide it to the detent nearest the
desired location. Make sure the cleat is seated in the
detent and tighten the nut.

Adjustable Cleat Assembly

WARNING!
 The pickup box is intended for load carrying purposes
only, not for passengers, who should sit in seats and
use seat belts.
 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 building 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 lb (272 kg) of
material suspended above the wheelhouse,
supports 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.CAUTION!
The maximum load per cleat should not exceed 250 lb
(113 kg), or 500 lb (227 kg) total per rail, and the angle
of the load on each cleat should not exceed 45 degrees
above horizontal, or damage to the cleat or cleat rail
may occur.
1 — Utility Rail Detent
2 — Cleat Retainer Nut
3 — Utility Rail Cleat

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82GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
LOCKING AND UNLOCKING RAMBOX
Push and release the lock or unlock button on the key fob
to lock and unlock all doors, the tailgate and the RamBox
Úpage 16. To unlatch the storage bin manually, insert the
emergency key into the keyhole and turn clockwise.
Always return the key to the upright (vertical) position
before removing it from the keyhole.
RAMBOX CARGO STORAGE BINS
Cargo storage bins are located on both sides of the pickup
box. The cargo storage bins provide watertight, lockable,
illuminated storage for up to 150 lb (68 kg) of evenly
distributed cargo.

RamBox Cargo Storage Bins

To open a storage bin with the RamBox unlocked, push
and release the button located on the lid. The RamBox lid
will open upward to allow hand access. Lift the lid to fully
open.
NOTE:RamBox will not open when the button is pushed if the
RamBox is locked.

RamBox Button And Keyhole Lock

The interior of the RamBox will automatically illuminate
when the lid is opened. The timing can be adjusted within
Uconnect Settings
Úpage 191.
CAUTION!
 Ensure cargo bin lids are closed and latched before
moving or driving vehicle.
 Loads applied to the top of the bin lid should be
minimized to prevent damage to the lid and
latching/hinging mechanisms.
 Damage to the RamBox bin may occur due to
heavy/sharp objects placed in bin that shift due to
vehicle motion. In order to minimize potential for
damage, secure all cargo to prevent movement and
protect inside surfaces of bin from heavy/sharp
objects with appropriate padding.
CAUTION!
Failure to follow the following items could cause
damage to the vehicle:
Assure that all cargo inside the storage bins is
properly secured.
 Do not exceed cargo weight rating of 150 lb (68 kg)
per bin.
1 — Keyhole Lock
2 — Button
CAUTION!
Leaving the lid open for extended periods of time could
cause the vehicle battery to discharge. If the lid is
required to stay open for extended periods of time, it is
recommended that the bin lights be turned off
manually using the on/off switch.

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84GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
RamBox Emergency Release Lever
As a security measure, an Emergency Release Lever is
built into the storage bin cover latching mechanism.
In the event of an individual being locked inside the
storage bin, the storage bin cover can be opened from
inside of the bin by pulling on the glow-in-the-dark lever
attached to the storage bin cover latching mechanism.

Emergency Release Lever

BED EXTENDER — IF EQUIPPED
The bed extender has three functional positions:
Storage Position
 Divider Position
 Extender Position
Divider Position
The divider position is intended for managing your cargo
and assisting in keeping cargo from moving around the
bed. There are 11 divider slots along the bed inner panels
which allow for various positions to assist in managing
your cargo.
To install the bed divider into a divider position, perform
the following:

1. Make sure the center handle is unlocked using the
vehicle key fob and rotate the center handle
vertically to release the divider side gates.

Center Handle And Lock

2. With the side gates open, position the divider so the outboard ends align with the intended slots in the
sides of the bed.

Aligning Gate To Slots

3. Rotate the side gates closed so that the outboard ends are secured into the intended slots of the bed.
4. Rotate the center handle horizontally to secure the side gates in the closed position.

Side Gates Closed

5. Lock the center handle to secure the panel into place.
1 — Center Handle Lock
2 — Handle
3 — Unlocked Position
4 — Locked Position

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE85
Extender Position
The extender position allows you to load the bed of the
truck beyond the tailgate. The bed extender will add an
additional 15 inches (38 cm) in the back of the truck when
additional cargo room is needed. The extender position
utilizes a locating pin and rotating handle located on both
sides of the truck bed near the tailgate.

Extender Position

To install the bed extender into the extender position,
perform the following:

1. Lower the tailgate.

2. Make sure the center handle is unlocked and rotate
the center handle vertically in order to release the
extender side gates.
3. Fit the end of the side gate ends onto the pin and handle.

Extender Installation

4. Rotate the handles to the horizontal position to secure into place.

Locking Tab

Storage Position
The storage position for the bed divider is at the front of
the truck bed which maximizes the bed cargo area when
not in use.
WARNING!
To reduce the risk of potential injury or property
damage:
Cargo must be secured.
 Do not exceed cargo load rating of your vehicle.
 Secure all loads to truck utilizing cargo tie downs.
 Extender should not be used as cargo tie down.
 When vehicle is in motion do not exceed 150 lb
(68 kg) load on the tailgate.
 The bed extender is not intended for off road use.
 When not in use, the extender/divider should be in
stowed or divider position with the tailgate closed.
 When in use all handles are to be in the locked
position.
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