Is there a method besides removing the alternator and wiper tray to change back plugs on a V6 caravan? Do shops really have to go through all this to do it?

 

I lift it on a hoist and go up the back side. Still a pain but not as big a pain as pulling the plenum.

 

I remove the rain crowel and wipers to get to the rear plugs

 

how does that help? You still can't get around the plenum.

 

Every person I've seen do them either goes from the bottom on a lift, or removes wiper tray and alternator and goes from the sides. I actually have long arms and still couldn't get to them from the bottom on a lift under my 98 SE because it's only like 3" spacing.. Kind of a headache..

 

yep, and if it has rear AC, even a bigger pain, makes #1 almost impossible.

 

I tried this one time and gave up. Then, when I had a misfire, I thought that the rear plugs might be worn out. I went under the vehicle and there was no way to do it from the bottom. I decided that the only way was to remove the plenum. I removed the hood and the wiper tray. The plenum was not easy, but once done, the plugs were right there and the swap out was easy. BTW, when I put the OBD scanner on the car, the misfire was #6, which is a front spark plug which I had replaced earlier. It was a bad plug wire. Replaced all wires after 19 years of use. 1996 Grand Caravan 3.8L 226K miles. I'm the original owner. Still runs like new!

 

Get started early in the morning on a sunny day and take the whole wiper tray off.. The back three are crazy but it can be done. You have to slide the alternator forward for the back-left one. Those telescoping parts-house mirrors will help but I didn't use one.

I've heard of people changing them from under, from the back.. I've tried that when I had access to a lift. I physically couldn't even get fingers up in there..

I've only done 3rd and 4th gen.

 

96 3.8 ltr LE. I change middle and driver's side from the bottom and passenger side from top but have to rotate alternator forward. Takes 30 minutes up on jack stands and I use nothing but a ratchet, extension and plug socket.

Apparently can be done from above but removing the wiper tray and/or plenum adds work and presents possibilities of snapping or spinning a bolt or breaking something else.

 

It's physically impossible to do it from the bottom in my experience, if fingers won't bend and fit neither will an arm with socket and extension. The same problem occurs from top with wiper tray on.

I've seen them done in shops too by experienced techs, all removed wiper tray.

There is probably like 1 3/4 inches of gap on the back from the bottom.. There is also a tray under the head from the bottom.