I am going to be replacing my spark plugs on my 03 dodge ram. I took a look under the hood and saw that the spark plug wires go into some type of metal boot at the spark plug hole. how do i remove this boot to get to the spark plug. Is the 5.9 hard to change plugs on? thanks for the help

 

That's a heat shield; it stays in. No need to remove to change plugs. Some folks remove them though. They PULL out. Sometimes easy; sometime very difficult.
WC

 

dumb question...

so you just pull the wires out then put spark plug socket into the heat shield? i didnt think it would fit...

 

Use an extension6" in front, 3" in the back where it gets more cramped.

 

this is another stupid idea by dodge. it was not intended that you remove the heat shield tube, and if you don't you'll experience this -
1. you'll need a spark plug socket with the internal rubber plug to grip the plug in order to extract the plug. this is a pita.
2. the wells formed by the heat shield tubes will fill up with dirt and sand, so when you remove the plug, guess where all the dirt goes.... yep, right down in the cylinder.
3. when you put the new plugs in, you'll need the same rubber insert socket, in order to grip the plug and get it started in the threads. this is also a pita.
4. odds are good that when you finish tightening the plug and pull the socket off, guess where the rubber plug stays.. yep, wrapped around the plug body, down in the tube.
5. because its such a pain, you're twice as likely to stip the threads.
so.. if you leave them, blow them out good with air before removing, and have a good socket and a lot of patience.

or, grab ahold of them with a pair of pliers and yank em out of there. i removed mine, best thing i ever did.

 

I just started them all byhand, didn't have a problem reaching down there.Then you can take the rubber grommet out of the plug socket and tighten them down. Starting them by hand also helpsto keep you from stripping the threads.

 

After you remove the plug wire blast some compressed air around the plug to blow away the dirt if you can.

A little never seize on the new plug threads is always a good idea too.

 

while you are at it get some anti seize put a dab on the spark plug threads so next time it wont be such a PITA also where that ruber piece is in the spark plug socket put a little dab of vasoline in it helps the plug slide in and out easier...

 

Autozone sells a magnetic plug socket that worked great for me. I used champion irridiums and replaced cap, rotor, and wire and my 5.9l runs like a top.

 

when you replace the rotor and cap how do you keep from screwing the timing up... sorry if this is a dumb one but I am about to do mine and don't want to jack it up!