Completing preventive maintenance projects on your 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 will help keep it running at peak performance throughout its lifespan. A tune-up is recommended every 30,000 miles and consists of replacing the spark plugs and inspection or replacement of the spark-plug wires, distributor cap, and ignition rotor. The position of the distributor in the engine compartment makes access to the distributor cap, rotor, and plug wires difficult and performing a tune-up on this truck can be quite strenuous.
Remove the spark-plug wires from the spark plugs using the spark-plug wire pliers. Twist the plug-wire boot, while pulling, to separate the plug wire from the plug. Remove the spark plugs by unscrewing them from the cylinder head. Check the spark-plug gap on the new plugs ( the proper gap for the Dodge 1500 is .040 inch) and adjust the gap if needed. Apply a small dab of anti-seize compound to the threads of the spark plug and screw the new plugs into the engine.
Remove the air box and duct on top of the throttle body by loosening the clamp, located at the base of the air box, using a screwdriver and then lifting it out of the engine compartment. Now is a good time to check and replace the air filter.
Mark and remove the plug wires from the distributor cap. Remove the distributor cap using a screwdriver to remove the two retaining screws. Remove the ignition rotor by pulling it up and off the distributor shaft. Push a new ignition rotor onto the distributor shaft, and position a new cap on the distributor. Tighten the retaining screws securely.
Unsnap the spark-plug wires from the plug-wire retainers. Replace the plug wires. Compare the old plug wire to the wires in the new set and locate the new wire that is the closest in length to the old one. Be sure to route them in the same manner as they were removed and secure them by snapping them into the plug-wire retainers. Attach the ends of the plug wires to the spark plugs and the distributor cap.
Reinstall the air box and duct that was removed in step one. Test-drive the truck to verify the tune-up was successful.
