Oss DODGE RAM 2003 Service Repair Manual

(3) Slide the shield out around the exhaust system.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the exhaust heat shield to the floor
pan, crossmember or bracket and install the nuts or
bolts.
(2) Tighten the nuts and bolts 11 N´m (100 in.
lbs.).
(3) Lower the vehicle.
MUFFLER
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Saturate the clamp nuts with heat valve lubri-
cant. Allow 5 minutes for penetration.
(3) Disconnect the muffler hangers (Fig. 9).
(4) Remove clamps and nuts.
(5) Remove the muffler.
INSTALLATION
(1) Assemble muffler and clamps loosely to permit
proper alignment of all parts.
(2) Connect the muffler hangers.
(3) Tighten the clamp nuts to 48 N´m (35 ft. lbs.)
torque.
(4) Lower the vehicle.
(5) Start the engine and inspect for exhaust leaks
and exhaust system contact with the body panels. A
minimum of 25.4 mm (1.0 in.) is required between
exhaust system components and body/frame parts.
Adjust the alignment, if needed.
Fig. 6 HEAT SHIELDS - RH - REG CAB
1 - HEAT SHIELD
2 - FASTENER
3 - NUT
4 - HEAT SHIELD
Fig. 7 HEAT SHIELDS - RH - QUAD CAB
1 - HEAT SHIELD
2 - FASTENER
3 - NUT
4 - HEAT SHIELD
Fig. 8 HEAT SHIELD LH
1 - HEAT SHIELD
2 - NUT
11 - 8 EXHAUST SYSTEMDR
HEAT SHIELDS (Continued)

(1) Loosen clamps holding air inlet duct rubber
sleeve to the intake manifold and air inlet duct.
Remove rubber sleeve (Fig. 13).
(2) Position Special Tool 8462 onto air inlet duct
and intake manifold. Using the existing clamps
tighten to 8 N´m (72 in. lbs.).
(3) Install the 3447.5 kPa 500 psi (gray) Pressure
Transducer (part of OT-CH8520 Transducer Kit) into
Special Tool 8462.
(4) Connect the DRB IIItto the pressure trans-
ducer following the instructions supplied with the
DRB IIIt.
(5) Enter DRB IIItinto pressure reading mode
and test drive vehicle.
(6) Full laod boost pressure at rated speed will be
158 - 186 kPa (23 - 27 psi.) depending on engine hp
rating.. If pressure readings are are not within this
range inspect for the following:
²Restricted air inlet system
²Leak in the charge air cooler system (Refer to 11
- EXHAUST SYSTEM/TURBOCHARGER SYSTEM/
CHARGE AIR COOLER AND PLUMBING - DIAG-
NOSIS AND TESTING)
²Turbocharger wastegate broken or misadjusted
²Restricted/high pressure drop across charge air
cooler²Turbocharger damaged (Refer to 11 - EXHAUST
SYSTEM/TURBOCHARGER SYSTEM/TURBO-
CHARGER - INSPECTION)
TURBOCHARGER
DESCRIPTION
The turbocharger is an exhaust-driven supercharger
which increases the pressure and density of the air
entering the engine. With the increase of air entering
the engine, more fuel can be injected into the cylin-
ders, which creates more power during combustion.
The turbocharger assembly consists of four (4)
major component systems (Fig. 14) (Fig. 15) :
²Turbine section
²Compressor section
²Bearing housing
²Wastegate
OPERATION
Exhaust gas pressure and energy drive the tur-
bine, which in turn drives a centrifugal compressor
that compresses the inlet air, and forces the air into
the engine through the charge air cooler and plumb-
ing. Since heat is a by-product of this compression,
the air must pass through a charge air cooler to cool
the incoming air and maintain power and efficiency.
Increasing air flow to the engine provides:
²Improved engine performance
²Lower exhaust smoke density
Fig. 13 INTAKE MANIFOLD TO AIR INLET DUCT
RUBBER SLEEVE
1 - INTAKE MANIFOLD AIR INLET
2 - CLAMPS
3 - AIR INLET DUCT
4 - AIR INLET DUCT RUBBER SLEEVE
Fig. 14 Turbocharger Operation
1 - TURBINE SECTION
2 - EXHAUST GAS
3 - BEARING HOUSING
4 - COMPRESSOR SECTION
5 - INLET AIR
6 - COMPRESSED AIR TO ENGINE
7 - EXHAUST GAS
8 - EXHAUST GAS TO EXHAUST PIPE
DREXHAUST SYSTEM 11 - 11
TURBOCHARGER SYSTEM (Continued)

FRAMES & BUMPERS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
BUMPERS
SPECIFICATIONS - TORQUE...............1
FRONT AIR DAM
REMOVAL.............................2
INSTALLATION..........................2
FRONT BUMPER
REMOVAL.............................2
INSTALLATION..........................2
FRONT FASCIA
REMOVAL.............................3
INSTALLATION..........................3
REAR BUMPER
REMOVAL.............................4
INSTALLATION..........................4
FRAME
STANDARD PROCEDURE
STANDARD PROCEDURE - LIGHT DUTY
FRONT FRAME RAIL TIP REPLACEMENT....4
STANDARD PROCEDURE - HYDROFORM
FENDER RAIL REPAIR.................12
STANDARD PROCEDURE - REAR FRAME
H-SECTION REPLACEMENT.............15SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS - FRAME DIMENSIONS . . . 17
SPECIFICATIONS - TORQUE............23
FRONT CROSSMEMBER
REMOVAL.............................23
INSTALLATION.........................23
FRONT SKID PLATE
REMOVAL.............................24
INSTALLATION.........................24
TRANSMISSION CROSSMEMBER
REMOVAL.............................24
INSTALLATION.........................25
TRAILER HITCH
REMOVAL.............................25
INSTALLATION.........................25
TRANSFER CASE SKID PLATE
REMOVAL.............................26
INSTALLATION.........................26
FRONT TOW HOOK ASSEMBLY
REMOVAL.............................26
INSTALLATION.........................26
BUMPERS
SPECIFICATIONS - TORQUE
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION N´m Ft. Lbs. In. Lbs.
Front bumper center bracket nuts 95 70 Ð
Front bumper stud plate nuts 95 70 Ð
License plate hitch reinforcement bolts 54 40 Ð
Rear bumper support bracket stud plate nuts 54 40 Ð
Rear bumper support bracket to hitch bolts 54 40 Ð
Rear bumper to hitch bolts 54 40 Ð
DRFRAMES & BUMPERS 13 - 1

STANDARD PROCEDURE - HYDROFORM
FENDER RAIL REPAIR
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND WARNINGS
WARNING: USE EYE PROTECTION WHEN GRIND-
ING OR WELDING METAL, SERIOUS EYE INJURY
CAN RESULT.
²BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH FRAME REPAIR
INVOLVING GRINDING OR WELDING, VERIFY THAT
VEHICLE FUEL SYSTEM IS NOT LEAKING OR IN
CONTACT WITH REPAIR AREA, PERSONAL INJURY
CAN RESULT.
²DO NOT ALLOW OPEN FLAME OR HEAT AND
METAL SPATTER FROM ARC WELDING, TO CON-
TACT PLASTIC BODY PANELS. FIRE OR EXPLO-
SION CAN RESULT.
²WHEN WELDED FRAME COMPONENTS ARE
REPLACED, ENSURE COMPLETE PENETRATION
WELD IS ACHIEVED DURING INSTALLATION. IF
NOT, DANGEROUS OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN
RESULT.
²STAND CLEAR OF CABLES OR CHAINS ON
PULLING EQUIPMENT DURING FRAME STRAIGHT-
ENING OPERATIONS, PERSONAL INJURY CAN
RESULT.
²DO NOT VENTURE UNDER A HOISTED VEHI-
CLE THAT IS NOT SUPPORTED ON SAFETY
STANDS, PERSONAL INJURY CAN RESULT.
CAUTION: Do not reuse damaged fasteners, quality
of repair would be suspect. Failure to use only pro-
duction fasteners or fasteners of equivalent hard-
ness can result in loosening or failure. Do not drill
holes in top or bottom frame rail flanges, frame rail
failure can result. When using heat to straighten
frame components do not exceed 566ÉC (1050ÉF),
metal fatigue can result.
CAUTION: This repair procedure assumes damage
to the right or left hydroform fender rail (Fig. 19).
Prior to any repairs, the vehicle must be mounted
on the appropriate frame repair equipment (ªframe
rackº), checked with three dimensional measuring
equipment, and necessary pull corrections made. If
damage exists in the hydroform fender rail, or cab
beyond the area covered by this service procedure
after dimensional corrections are made, the hydro-
form must be replaced in its entirety. Refer to 23 -
BODY/BODY STRUCTURE/WELD LOCATIONS -
SPECIFICATIONS, when replacing the entire hydro-
form.(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) Remove the front wheelhouse splash shield.
(Refer to 23 - BODY/EXTERIOR/FRONT WHEEL-
HOUSE SPLASH SHIELD - REMOVAL)
(3) Remove the fender. (Refer to 23 - BODY/EXTE-
RIOR/FRONT FENDER - REMOVAL)
(4) Remove the A/C condenser, if required. (Refer
to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMB-
ING/A/C CONDENSER - REMOVAL)
(5) Remove the A/C lines, if required. Refer to the
Heating and Air Conditioning section of the manual
for recommended procedures.
(6) Remove the radiator assembly. (Refer to 7 -
COOLING/ENGINE/RADIATOR - REMOVAL)
(7) Remove the air cleaner and support bracket, if
required. (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/AIR INTAKE SYS-
TEM/AIR CLEANER ELEMENT - REMOVAL)
(8) Remove the integrated power module. (Refer to
8 - ELECTRICAL/POWER DISTRIBUTION/INTE-
GRATED POWER MODULE - REMOVAL)
(9) Remove the bolts and position aside the wire
harness and grounds, if required.
(10) Remove the upper radiator crossmember.
(Refer to 23 - BODY/EXTERIOR/UPPER RADIATOR
CROSSMEMBER - REMOVAL)
(11) Remove the headlamp unit. (Refer to 8 -
ELECTRICAL/LAMPS/LIGHTING - EXTERIOR/
HEADLAMP UNIT - REMOVAL)
(12) Remove the front cab mount to the Front End
Sheet Metal bracket (FESM) bolt.
(13) Remove the bolts attaching the lower radiator
crossmember to the hydroform fender rail. (Fig. 19)
CAUTION: Do not use any flame or plasma cutting
equipment to cut the frame in this procedure. The
inaccurate and high temperatures achieved during
flame or plasma cutting will change the metal char-
acteristics and may weaken the frame and/or repair
location.
(14) Using a reciprocating saw or equivalent, cut
the fender rail and shotgun at a straight and square
section of the hydroform and remove.
(15) Smooth and square the cut edges.
(16) Using the damaged structure as a reference
cut the service part at the same location as the first
cut. Smooth and square the cut edges.
NOTE: The repair structure should butt up to the
remaining structure and provide the same overall
vehicle geometry.
13 - 12 FRAMES & BUMPERSDR
FRAME (Continued)

(17) Fabricate 51 mm (2.0 in.) long repair inserts
using scrap from the old structure or the replacement
part. It will be necessary to split the inserts on each
of their four sides to fit into the hydroform.
(18) Remove any paint or e-coat from the inserts
and also to the interior and exterior of the hydro-
forms.
(19) Cut plug weld holes as described below.
²On the upper rail, cut one 13 mm (0.5 in.) hole
on each side of the rail, 25 mm (1.0 in.) from the butt
joint of the tubes.
²On the lower rail, cut one 13 mm (0.5 in.) hole
on the top and bottom sides of the rail 25 mm (1.0
in.) from the butt joint of the tube.
²On the lower rail, cut two 13 mm (0.5 in.) holes
on the inner and outer sides of the rail 25 mm (1.0
in.) from the butt joint of the tube.
CAUTION: Shield the surrounding area and compo-
nents from exposure to the welding spatter and
heat.
(20) Install the insert 1º into the replacement part
and tack into place with a weld.
(21) Insert the service part into place and using
the appropriate measuring equipment, verify thefront end sheet metal bracket's location in all three
(X,Y, and Z) planes of space. (Fig. 20)
(22) Complete all 360É plug welds.
NOTE: Before the final welding, use three dimen-
sional measuring equipment to ensure the part is in
the correct location. Verify that tap plate extrusion
at the bottom of the vertical post lines up with the
isolator and hole in the frame perch mount. Also
ensure the lower radiator closure tube is bolted into
the forward shotgun ends.
(23) Complete welding by making a 360É butt weld
around the fender rails.
(24) Metal finish the exposed welds on the hydro-
forms.
(25) Dress the welded area and apply corrosion
resistant coatings inside and out.
(a) Inside the rail, inject a creeping wax based
rust inhibitor compound to the inside of the hydro-
forms ensuring 100% coverage including the mat-
ing face between the fender rail sections and insert
such that corrosion protection is restored in the
internal cavity.
(b) Apply a durable top coat to the outside of the
repair area.
Fig. 19 HYDROFORM FENDER RAILS
1 - HYDROFORM FENDER RAIL
2 - FRONT END SHEET METAL BRACKET
3 - UPPER RADIATOR CROSSMEMBER BOLTS (4)4 - UPPER RADIATOR CROSSMEMBER
5 - LOWER RADIATOR CROSSMEMBER BOLTS (8)
6 - LOWER RADIATOR CROSSMEMBER
DRFRAMES & BUMPERS 13 - 13
FRAME (Continued)

(26) Install the front cab mount bolt if previously
removed and tighten to 81 N´m (60 ft. lbs.).
(27) Install the lower radiator crossmember bolts
and tighten to 28 N´m (21 ft. lbs.).
(28) Install the headlamp unit. (Refer to 8 - ELEC-
TRICAL/LAMPS/LIGHTING - EXTERIOR/HEAD-
LAMP UNIT - INSTALLATION)
(29) Install the upper radiator crossmember. (Refer
to 23 - BODY/EXTERIOR/UPPER RADIATOR
CROSSMEMBER - INSTALLATION)
(30) Install the wire harness and ground if previ-
ously removed and install the bolts.
(31) Install the integrated power module, if previ-
ously removed. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/POWER
DISTRIBUTION/INTEGRATED POWER MODULE -
INSTALLATION)
(32) Install the air cleaner bracket and air cleaner,
if previously removed. (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/AIR
INTAKE SYSTEM/AIR CLEANER ELEMENT -
INSTALLATION)(33) Install the radiator assembly. (Refer to 7 -
COOLING/ENGINE/RADIATOR - INSTALLATION)
(34) Install the A/C lines, if previously removed.
Refer to the Heating and Air Conditioning section of
the manual for the recommended procedures.
(35) Install the A/C condenser, if previously
removed. (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDI-
TIONING/PLUMBING/A/C CONDENSER - INSTAL-
LATION)
(36) Install the fender. (Refer to 23 - BODY/EXTE-
RIOR/FRONT FENDER - INSTALLATION)
(37) Install the front wheelhouse splash shield.
(Refer to 23 - BODY/EXTERIOR/FRONT WHEEL-
HOUSE SPLASH SHIELD - INSTALLATION)
(38) Reconnect the battery ground.
Fig. 20 ENGINE COMPARTMENT/FRONT STRUCTURE
13 - 14 FRAMES & BUMPERSDR
FRAME (Continued)

SPECIFICATIONS - TORQUE
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION N´m Ft. Lbs. In. Lbs.
Cab mount bolts 81 60 Ð
Cargo box bolts 108 80 Ð
Front crossmember bolts - 2WD 61 45 Ð
Front crossmember bolts - 4WD 102 75 Ð
Front skid plate bolts 34 25 Ð
Lower bumper support bracket bolt 54 40 Ð
Radiator crossmember bolts - lower 28 21 Ð
Radiator crossmember bolts - upper 28 21 Ð
Rear crossmember - 2WD 102 75 Ð
Rear crossmember - 4WD 102 75 Ð
Rear spring shackle bolts 163 120 Ð
Spare tire winch bolts 41 30 Ð
Trailer hitch reinforcement bracket bolt 170 125 Ð
Transfercase skid plate bolts 34 25 Ð
Transercase skid plate crossmember bolts 34 25 Ð
Transmission mount to crossmember nuts 61 45 Ð
FRONT CROSSMEMBER
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle. (Refer to
LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/HOISTING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE)
(2) Remove the front skid plate, if equipped. (Refer
to 13 - FRAME & BUMPERS/FRAME/FRONT SKID
PLATE - REMOVAL)
(3) Remove the bolts and remove the crossmember.
(Fig. 29) or (Fig. 30)
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the crossmember.
(2) Install the bolts;
²On 2WD vehicles, tighten the bolts to 61 N´m
(45 ft. lbs.).
²On 4WD vehicles, tighten the bolts to 102 N´m
(75 ft. lbs.).
Fig. 29 FRONT CROSSMEMBER - 2WD
1 - CROSSMEMBER
2 - BOLTS (2 PER SIDE)
DRFRAMES & BUMPERS 13 - 23
FRAME (Continued)

(3) Install the front skid plate, if equipped. (Refer
to 13 - FRAME & BUMPERS/FRAME/FRONT SKID
PLATE - INSTALLATION)
FRONT SKID PLATE
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle. (Refer to
LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/HOISTING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE)
(2) Remove the bolts. (Fig. 31)
(3) Slide skid plate back off of the crossmember
and remove.
INSTALLATION
(1) Snap the rear tabs over the front crossmember
and install the skid plate.
(2) Install the bolts and tighten to 34 N´m (25 ft.
lbs.).
TRANSMISSION
CROSSMEMBER
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle. (Refer to
LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/HOISTING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE)
(2) Remove the transfercase skid plate, if
equipped. (Refer to 13 - FRAME & BUMPERS/
FRAME/TRANSFER CASE SKID PLATE -
REMOVAL)
(3) Support the transmission with a suitable lifting
device.
(4) Remove the transmission mount nuts. (Fig. 32)
or (Fig. 33)
(5) Remove the bolts and remove the crossmember.
Fig. 30 FRONT CROSSMEMBER - 4WD
1 - BOLTS (2 PER SIDE)
2 - CROSSMEMBER
Fig. 31 FRONT SKID PLATE
1 - FRONT CROSSMEMBER
2 - FRONT SKID PLATE
3 - BOLTS (2)
Fig. 32 REAR CROSSMEMBER - 2WD
1 - TRANSMISSION MOUNT
2 - REAR CROSSMEMBER
3 - TRANSMISSION MOUNT NUTS (2)
4 - CROSSMEMBER BOLTS (2 PER SIDE)
13 - 24 FRAMES & BUMPERSDR
FRONT CROSSMEMBER (Continued)

INSTALLATION
(1) Install the crossmember and install the bolts.
(2) Tighten the bolts to 102 N´m (75 ft. lbs.).
(3) Install the transmission mount nuts and
tighten to 61 N´m (45 ft. lbs.).
(4) Remove the transmission support.
(5) Install the transfercase skid plate. (Refer to 13
- FRAME & BUMPERS/FRAME/TRANSFER CASE
SKID PLATE - INSTALLATION)
TRAILER HITCH
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the rear bumper. (Refer to 13 -
FRAME & BUMPERS/BUMPERS/REAR BUMPER -
REMOVAL)
(2) Remove the hitch bolts. (Fig. 34)
(3) Disconnect all wire harness support push pins.(4) Remove the rear two cargo box bolts and loosen
the remaining bolts. (Refer to 23 - BODY/EXTERI-
OR/CARGO BOX - REMOVAL)
(5) Using a suitable lifting device, lift and support
the rear of the cargo box and remove the hitch.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the hitch onto the frame rails and make
sure the locators on the inside of the hitch brackets
are engaged with the holes in the top of the frame
rails properly.
(2) Lower the cargo box and install the rear bolts.
(Refer to 23 - BODY/EXTERIOR/CARGO BOX -
INSTALLATION)
(3) Install the hitch bolts and tighten to 170 N´m
(125 ft. lbs.).
(4) Connect all wire harness support push pins.
(5) Install the rear bumper. (Refer to 13 - FRAME
& BUMPERS/BUMPERS/REAR BUMPER - INSTAL-
LATION)
Fig. 33 REAR CROSSMEMBER - 4WD
1 - TRANSMISSION MOUNT
2 - TORSION BAR
3 - CROSSMEMBER BOLTS (3 PER SIDE)
4 - REAR CROSSMEMBER
5 - TRANSMISSION MOUNT NUTS (2)
Fig. 34 TRAILER HITCH
1 - HITCH
2 - HITCH BOLTS (4)
3 - BUMPER BRACKET BOLTS (4)
4 - BUMPER SUPPORT BRACKETS
DRFRAMES & BUMPERS 13 - 25
TRANSMISSION CROSSMEMBER (Continued)

TRANSFER CASE SKID PLATE
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle. (Refer to
LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/HOISTING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE)
(2) Support the skid plate and remove the bolts.
(Fig. 35)
(3) Remove the skid plate.
(4) Support the skid plate crossmember and
remove the bolts.
(5) Remove the skid plate crossmember.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the skid plate crossmember and install
the bolts.
(2) Tighten the bolts to 34 N´m (25 ft. lbs.).
(3) Install the skid plate and install the bolts.
(4) Tighten the bolts to 34 N´m (25 ft. lbs.).
FRONT TOW HOOK ASSEMBLY
REMOVAL
(1) Remove front bumper. (Refer to 13 - FRAME &
BUMPERS/BUMPERS/FRONT BUMPER -
REMOVAL)
(2) Remove the bolts and remove the tow hook
assembly. (Fig. 36)
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the tow hook assembly and bolts hand
tight.
(2) Install the front bumper. (Refer to 13 - FRAME
& BUMPERS/BUMPERS/FRONT BUMPER -
INSTALLATION)
(3) Tighten the tow hook bolts to 68 N´m (50 ft.
lbs.).
Fig. 35 TRANSFER CASE SKID PLATE
1 - CROSSMEMBER BOLTS (4)
2 - SKID PLATE CROSSMEMBER
3 - SKID PLATE
4 - SKID PLATE BOLTS (4)
Fig. 36 FRONT TOW HOOK ASSEMBLY
1 - BUMPER CENTER SUPPORT BRACKET
2 - BOLTS (6)
3 - TOW HOOK ASSEMBLY
13 - 26 FRAMES & BUMPERSDR