Rambox stuck

[nova609]

My issue which I had trouble finding help on was my passenger side rambox would not open. Push the button and nothing, would not open. Key would not help either. It was like there was no linkage engagement. Tapping/pounding on it and nothing would happen.
What I did was used an air bladder like the ones from a door lockout kit. I wedged it in the gap and pumped it up to give myself room to access the emergency pull handle. I used a clothes hanger to pull that handle and pop it open.
I unbolted the plastic cover which allowed access to the linkage/mechanism. The problem was those little plastic rod clips. One was broken and allowed a rod to pop out which disengaged the linkage that moved the cylinder that the button used to unlock it. Local auto parts store had a pack of several of them and i simply replaced the broken one and now works perfect. Hope this helps. See pics.

 

[Green_Manalishi]

Great job and write-up! I had to solve the same problem with mine last year. I haven't replaced the clips yet.

 

[Gr8bawana]

Thanks for the pics. Those clips should never have been made of plastic. You can get metal ones.

 

[oe542bob]

Thing that happened to me on my 4th gen Ramboxes was I noticed one day that the box didn’t lock on the driver’s side. At least I could open it. Linkage connector was broke. It happens, but I had 4-4th gens with the 6.5’ Ramboxes and only had it happen on that one truck.
Now I have a 5th gen 5.7” with Ramboxes and it has an electric solenoid that unlatches the lid. Not sure if I like this set up. No trouble YET!

 

[tron67j]

Nice job on figuring out the way to open, will certainly help others.

 

[SixteenLaramie]

@novak6991 can you share what the bladder is. Where can I get one? And how you used it? Did you stick it in the cover of the box?

 

[GeauxinUp]

@novak6991 can you share what the bladder is. Where can I get one? And how you used it? Did you stick it in the cover of the box?

You can search google for "air wedge"

 

[Green_Manalishi]

@novak6991 can you share what the bladder is. Where can I get one? And how you used it? Did you stick it in the cover of the box?

Anything you can inflate such as a pool toy or inner tube will work. Go to a corner so you can lift it enough to see inside to diagnose the issue. You won't be able to lift it any of you place it near the latch.

 

[RamDiver]

@novak6991 can you share what the bladder is. Where can I get one? And how you used it? Did you stick it in the cover of the box?

.

 

[wrench78]

@novak6991 can you share what the bladder is. Where can I get one? And how you used it? Did you stick it in the cover of the box?

looks like this.