2002-2007 Dodge Ram Hood Installation Instructions Step 1. IMPORTANT NOTE: Pre-fit the hood to the vehicle before painting to insure proper fit and alignment. Step 2. Open truck hood and remove the grille by removing the black metal support bar, then loosen the small attachment nuts that hold the grille to the hood with a 8mm wrench or socket. Next, remove the hood latch, and set aside. Step 3. Detach light and all wiring from the hood to be reinstalled later. Step 4. Remove the 4-hinge bolts and lift hood off vehicle taking care not to scratch the fenders. (It is recommended that you cover the fenders with a cloth during installation). Step 5. Before installing the grille and latch hardware, place the Ram Air Hood onto vehicle and attach to hinges using the 4-8mm x ¾ bolts and washers supplied with the hood. Just snug the bolts down at this point. (Try to have the bolts centered in the square holes on the hinge.) Step 6. Close hood slowly making sure it is not back too far to the rear where it hits the fender. Close the hood down and check the hood for even fit from side to side. If it is off center then push or pull one side or the other forward or backwards at the hinges to bring hood to center. Once you get the hood lined up with the fenders, have someone open the hood slowly taking care not to shift it out of position. Open only enough to allow you to reach in and tighten the front bolt on each side, then tighten the rear bolt. If you find the hood moved while you were opening it to tighten the bolts, then you need to snug the bolts a little tighter for the alignment process. Step 7. Transfer the grille and support bar onto the Ram Air Hood using the same hardware. Step 8. Transfer latch mechanisms to the Ram Air Hood, and tighten lightly. Step 9. Bring hood down close to the latch to see if it will line up. Then hold down latch that is attached to the vehicle, it may need to be bumped right or left a little. To move ,do not loosen the bolts too much to avoid from the latch sliding up or down. Just tap it a little in the direction it needs to go. Re-tighten and close the hood. Step 10. The fenders may need to be adjusted in or out a little at this point. They are easily adjusted by loosening the small bolts along the top or the fender. The large battery bracket bolts on the drivers side must be loosened also. Step 11. You may need to slide the hood back or forward to complete the alignment. If the hood seems twisted in the front, then the hold down latch needs readjusted to the right or left. The hood should pull down evenly on both sides. There are also two plastic screw stops that can adjust either side up or down. You should not over adjust them to put too much stress on the hood when you close it. Step 12. Reinstall the light and temperature wire and sensor. Check to make sure all bolts are tight. Step 13. CAUTION: It is not recommended to leave the lift shocks on the hinges. They are too strong for the hood and can cause damage over time. If you do leave them on, then drill a 1/8” hole into each cylinder to release the gas pressure after you have installed the prop rod to hold the hood up. CAUTION: (watch your eyes because oil will squirt out when you drill the hole) To install the prop rod, drill a 5/16” hole in the front side of the radiator support on the drivers side ½” from the end and install the prop rod ball stud with the 5/16” nut and washer. Then drill a 3/8” hole on the passenger’s side 5-3/4” from the end, and place the white square clip into the hole to hold the prop rod in the closed position. There is a 3/8” hole in the hood just to the right of center lock down latch to place the bent part of the prop rod into when the hood is. © 2002-2007 Dodge Ram Hood Installation Instructions |