Replacing cap/rotor/plugs/wires Question

[dss56]

Got a 2001 dodge 1500 quad ram pickup. 5.7 motor. I need to replace the wires, cap, rotor, plugs but the Distributor is way in the back near the fire wall. Is this hard to do. Is the cap hard to get to and remove with the rotor also. Then replace the wires. I called the dodge peps and they want about 200-250$ to do this work. I figure about 100$ for parts so maybe 100 for labor is not bad.
Has anyone done this themselves or had the dealership do the work and how much did you pay?

thanks

[imtheoneandonlyD]

Do you mean 5.9? Or did you put a 5.7 in the 2001? They didnt come stock until 03.

[dss56]

its a 5.9 sorry for the mistake. Id like to tackle this but might not be able to reach the cap and rotor and not be able to see the right position for the plug wires. Dealer must have a miget to lay up in there and do the work.

[fredjacksonsan]

NOt hard to do, but a bit of a reach. You can use a chair or short stepladder if you need it in order to get to where you need to be.

Try removing the cap, with the wires still on. Then move it to where you can work on it, and replace one wire at a time.

[wafrederick]

Do not put in cheap parts,not worth it(from AutoZone and Advanced). For the spark plugs,go with Champions.

[dss56]

I plan to use the champion plugs it calls for. I have already changed the plugs before using the ones it calls for and had no problems. The wires and cap and rotor i will buy at PEP Boys here in Boston. Again the Dealer wanted $250 for doing this.

[jbranning]

dss56,
I just replaced the distributor cap and rotor on my 98 dodge ram which has the distributor in the same location. A short step ladder helps a lot. Before doing anything remove the negative battery cable to your battery. One of the easy ways to replace the cap and rotor is to label pieces of masking tape 1-8 and wrap it around the wires at each location on the distributor. Then remove the wires. Then remove the cap screws followed by pulling off the rotor. Slide on the new rotor and spin it until it locks into location. It can only go on one way. Put on the new distributor cap and tighten cap screws. Start at location where you pulled off wired #1 and put on wire #1 followed by the remaining wires. Don't forget to put on the center wire. Replace the battery cable and remove tape on wires. This whole process should only take about 45 mins. and parts will probably be around $20. I certainly wouldn't take it to a dealer to have it done. I haven't replaced my wires yet, but those can be done one at a time. I would recommend buying a service manual for your truck. They are certainly worth the $15 they cost. I have done a fair amount of work on my own vehicle and saved hundreds of dollars of automotive work in labor. Parts are cheap compared to labor. Good luck and take your time. Let us know how it went.
jbranning

[dss56]

I plan to use the champion plugs it calls for. I have already changed the plugs before using the ones it calls for and had no problems. The wires and cap and rotor i will buy at PEP Boys here in Boston. Again the Dealer wanted $250 for doing this.

[dss56]

CORRECTION ON ENGINE

The engine size is a 5.2 8cyl in the dodge 2001 quad 1500

sorry

[Kevster324]

Don't forget the old mechanic's trick of flattening the front tires. Makes the front end much lower and easier to get to that cap and rotor.

Also, there is a TSB on rerouting plug/coil wires. I understand this could be the fix to random misfires.

Here's the link:

http://www.dodgeram.info/tsb/1998/18...8-48-98-v8.htm

[bratt]

is autolite considered CHEAP parts

[BleedDodge]

Originally Posted by bratt

is autolite considered CHEAP parts

Don't put that shit in your Chrysler product.

[wafrederick]

Do not put in Bosch either.Chrysler products run like crap with Bosch spark plugs.Went through that,It ran like crap and pulled out one plug out finding out it was a Bosch.Pitched the Bosch spark plugs and put in Champions.It ran a lot better with the Champion spark plugs.

[bratt]

so buy some more plugs and try champions?

does it really make a difference?

[BleedDodge]

Originally Posted by bratt

so buy some more plugs and try champions?

does it really make a difference?

Champions are what these trucks come from the factory with, and yes it really makes a difference.