***** Ram Box lock

[Green_Manalishi]

So, the plastic linkage for the Ram Box lock broke. No biggie. Easy fix. My problem now is the detached rod is blocking my lock tumbler and I can't unlock the box.
When inserting and rotating the key, it only rotates a little to about 11:00, whereas the lock on the other side rotates to 10:00.

I've banged on it, jumped some RR tracks at 80, drove down the roughest road in the county, cussed at it... Any suggestions other than drilling out the tumbler or calling a locksmith?

 

[jejb]

I've had both of mine break, but never blocked the tumbler. You are probably right, a locksmith may be needed at this point.

 

[Jessica Smith]

With two people, can you perhaps punch up the drain plugs, shine a flashlight through one, and use a twisted up coat hanger to manipulate things from the inside?

 

[Green_Manalishi]

With two people, can you perhaps punch up the drain plugs, shine a flashlight through one, and use a twisted up coat hanger to manipulate things from the inside?

I like your way of thinkin'... I'll see if that'll work.

 

[jejb]

I like your way of thinkin'... I'll see if that'll work.

Probably won't work since the linkage is behind a plastic cover inside the box. You need to remove a couple of screws to get access to it. Plus, if it's anything like my Ramboxes, stuff would be in the way of being able to see anything.

 

[SitKneelBend]

If yours is power locking, I've gotten mine stuck and unstuck while pressing the unlock button while also pressing the manual unlock on the box.

 

[GTyankee]

Ram should have come up with a better design

They basically used a modified Boat Latch



They should have designed something along these lines
I have seen some fancy looking ones on some of the more costly semi trucks

 

[oe542bob]

I’ve wondered about this myself. I’m on my 4th truck with Ramboxes, but I only ever had trouble with my 2015. I have had the plastic connector broken, but I was able to open the lid. It was a simple repair.
Only thing I can see here, is your linkage rod must be jammed after popping out of the linkage. There is an emergency release, but you can’t get to it with the lid closed, and maybe that wouldn’t work either.
One idea maybe, would be to remove the inner fender liner, to see if at that point, you may be able to drill an access hole into the bottom of the Rambox. But, in my case, one side has a toolbox that would block that idea, and the other side has a lot of miscellaneous clothing.
My second, more desperate idea is to use a hole saw and cut the trim ring away. This may allow you to push the push button far enough in to allow you to open the lid.
I have not tried either one of these ideas, so proceed at your own risk. Good luck finding a solution. Please post back when you solve this.
I love having the Ramboxes, but I have thought of this problem before, just never had it happen to me.

 

[GTyankee]

Grab a beverage & see if you learn anything
Like what is a HYDRO, a term he uses

RAMBOX MODS!! Will they work?| the part b4 part one|remove rambox!

So,...FINALLY!! HERE WE GO!! the part b4 part one, will it work...I had to remove the rambox to se if this was going to work, and even though i was told NO! ...

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[jejb]

Once you do get it open, you might want to try metal clips instead of the stock plastic ones.

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[Jessica Smith]

Probably won't work since the linkage is behind a plastic cover inside the box. You need to remove a couple of screws to get access to it. Plus, if it's anything like my Ramboxes, stuff would be in the way of being able to see anything.

Hmm, maybe its different on the old 09s that aren't power. Mine seems to be mostly open, just a metal support bracket and under it is a little piano wire w/ yellow emergency release handle. I would think hooking some of that accessed through the drain hole and yanking might get it loose. Would just need to make the coat hanger or other tool on the end a strong narrow angle V shape to hook on.

 

[NicksGarage]

So, the plastic linkage for the Ram Box lock broke. No biggie. Easy fix. My problem now is the detached rod is blocking my lock tumbler and I can't unlock the box.
When inserting and rotating the key, it only rotates a little to about 11:00, whereas the lock on the other side rotates to 10:00.

I've banged on it, jumped some RR tracks at 80, drove down the roughest road in the county, cussed at it... Any suggestions other than drilling out the tumbler or calling a locksmith?

Did you ever get it open?

 

[Green_Manalishi]

Did you ever get it open?

Yes. 20 minutes of working the key back and forth along with banging on the lid eventually moved the rod that was blocking the tumbler.

 

[NicksGarage]

Yes. 20 minutes of working the key back and forth along with banging on the lid eventually moved the rod that was blocking the tumbler.

My friend's truck had the clip broken so we left the actuator and cover off until he could get the clips. The rod going to the tumbler hangs down when you close the lid and jams it if not connected to the actuator motor lever. No amount of banging could get it loose. Locksmith used wedges in the ram box lid to make a gap so he could grab the emergency escape handle.

Looking for metal clips now.

 

[jejb]

My friend's truck had the clip broken so we left the actuator and cover off until he could get the clips. The rod going to the tumbler hangs down when you close the lid and jams it if not connected to the actuator motor lever. No amount of banging could get it loose. Locksmith used wedges in the ram box lid to make a gap so he could grab the emergency escape handle.

Looking for metal clips now.

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[SitKneelBend]

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Are those metal?

 

[NicksGarage]

Are those metal?

Yes. The ones in the link provided are not available but here is another set that looks the same. I'd assume that the larger ones are the ones needed here. There are left and right ones. Haven't tried these though.

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[SitKneelBend]

Yes. The ones in the link provided are not available but here is another set that looks the same. I'd assume that the larger ones are the ones needed here. There are left and right ones. Haven't tried these though.

Amazon.com: Online Auto Supply 16 pcs for Chevy Buick Cadillac Pontiac Carburetor Linkage Clips : Automotive

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amzn.to

Thanks! I already replaced them once with the plastic part but I'm sure it will happen again so I'll keep these in my cart for next time!

 

[LoadedExpressRam]

Ram should have come up with a better design

They basically used a modified Boat Latch

View attachment 470071

They should have designed something along these lines
I have seen some fancy looking ones on some of the more costly semi trucks

View attachment 470072

I wish mine were black. Everything on the truck black except the damn ram box locks

 

[SitKneelBend]

I wish mine were black. Everything on the truck black except the damn ram box locks

I wish there were aftermarket metal lids ...