2001 Ram quad, and a problem with the drivers side "quad" door. It won't open.

Pulled the door panel apart, and it appears to be a frozen latch, thinking it's the bottom latch in the door. Figure I can order a new part through the dealership, however, how do you open the door with a frozen bottom latch? I've pulled apart the top latch assembly and will have no issue getting that open, but looking in the door, not sure how to removed the lower one with a closed door.

 

Is the linkage still attached to the lower latch?
If so you might be able to pull up on the linkage or cable and disengage the latch. Try pushing in on the door while pulling on the linkage to help.

 

It was, but I unhooked it. I couldn't pull up on the lower latch arm to disengage it. Figure the bottom latch is frozen up, as the top one seems to pull halfway decent (on the rod).

 

have you looked in the manual yet? might be something in there that may help. you can find the link at the top... look for the merry christmas thread.

 

I have the same issue with the passenger side door on my ram and did look in the Merry Christmas manual. No luck. Hopefully somebody else somewhere out there knows how to fix these problems.

 

I did get the manual, but couldn't locate anything on the door that was usefull. Evidentally, they are only supposed to break with the door open.

 

You have to remove the inner panel to get to the controls. Yes, it can be done. However you have to raise and remove the seat to be able to get the panel off the door. 4 bolts and out she goes! Next remove the door panel. Then you can reach inside the door to manually open the latch.

 

The panel is off, the lower latch is frozen up and can't be budged. I can take off the nuts to the bolts that hold the latch to the underside of the door, so if I can ever get it to unlatch, it will fall off when the door opens. Problems is no clearence to get in and try to pry on the latch assembly.

 

" The panel is off,"
Wish I would have known that before I posted. I thought you couldn't get into the door.
So, then what you are saying is that you can't move the arm that the rod connects to at all? I'm gonna go with the obvious and ask have you tried drowning it with blaster or some such? Or tried heating with a torch? A pencil torch works great for tight spots.
But I'm sure you have already tried these since you didn't mention it earlier either !

 

I said I pulled it apart, which was to imply it was off, no big deal. I tried PB and that didn't work, didn't resort to the torch method yet because I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask the question on here before resorting to fire...lol

I'll probably end up buying a pencil torch if that's the last resort.