Dodge Dakota Sport 2001 Service Manual page 2100

AN
EXTERIOR
DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
OPERATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
BODY SIDE MOLDINGS
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
INSTALLATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
CARGO BOX
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
INSTALLATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
COWL GRILLE
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
INSTALLATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
EXTERIOR NAME PLATES
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
INSTALLATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
FRONT END SPLASH SHIELDS
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
INSTALLATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
FUEL FILL DOOR
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
INSTALLATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
EXTERIOR
DESCRIPTION
Exterior sheet metal components make up the
exterior of the vehicle. Some exterior metal systems
are welded assemblies, such as doors and hoods.
Some exterior trim items are made of composite.
OPERATION
The exterior is finished in various metal stampings
and composite moldings. These assemblies give the
vehicle a finished appearance and protect the occu-
pants from the elements. Some components are part
of the energy absorbing system used to protect the
occupants in collisions. The exterior sheet metal is
repairable and adjustable for fit and finish. Welded
and bonded component systems are adjustable as a
system. Trim components made of composite are
stamped with the type of material used. Daimler-
Chrysler uses various fasteners to retain trim items.
At times, it is not possible to remove trim items
without damaging the fastener. If it is not possible to
remove an item without damaging a component, cut
or break the fasteners and use new ones when
installing the component.
EXTERIOR
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page
GRILLE
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
INSTALLATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
LEFT FRONT FENDER
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
INSTALLATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
REAR WHEELHOUSE SPLASH SHIELD
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
INSTALLATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
RIGHT FRONT FENDER
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
INSTALLATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
ROOF JOINT MOLDING
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
INSTALLATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
SIDE VIEW MIRROR
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
INSTALLATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
WHEEL OPENING MOLDING
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
INSTALLATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
BODY SIDE MOLDINGS
REMOVAL
(1) Apply a length of masking tape on the body,
parallel to the top edge of the molding to use as a
guide, if necessary.
(2) Warm the effected stick-on molding and body
metal to approximately 38°C (100°F) using a suitable
heat lamp or heat gun.
(3) Pull stick-on molding from painted surface
(Fig. 1).
INSTALLATION
(1) Clean body surface with MOPAR Super Kleen
solvent or equivalent. Wipe surface dry with lint free
cloth.
(2) Remove protective cover from tape on back of
molding. Apply molding to body below the masking
tape guide.
(3) Remove masking tape guide and heat body and
molding. Firmly press molding to body surface to
assure adhesion (Fig. 1).
EXTERIOR 23 - 77
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