Dodge RAM 1500 1998 Owner's Manual page 2311

23 - 16 TAILGATE
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)
Fig. 3 TAILGATE ASSEMBLY
1 - LATCH ASSEMBLY
2 - CONTROL ASSEMBLY
3 - ACTUATOR ROD (2)
4 - COVER
5 - BOLTS (10)
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)
Fig. 4 TAILGATE HINGE
1 - HINGE/PIVOT
2 - TAILGATE PILLAR
3 - CLIP/BUSHING
4 - BOLTS (2)
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.
DR