96 ram 1500 spark plugs and gap

50

Asked by Dennis May 15, 2022 at 12:21 AM about the 1996 Dodge RAM 1500 Laramie SLT 4WD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I changed plugs in 96 ram 1500 5.9 eng. from champion copper to NKG
platnium and has a miss at idle and in gear. champions were burned out to .080
new NKG are pre gaped at .035. wth???

10 Answers

50

Thanks you are correct batt. is from 2018 and winter tried to kill it. I had to wack socket on plugs scrape and blow out to get them out, do you think some of the crud fell into the cyl. after I pulled them out and got on new plugs? When I test drove firt time everything was good then second time it got that miss. I hate to think those plugs were original from 96. I recently bought this truck spent about $3500 stuff to pretty it up cause of the low milage.

1 people found this helpful.
311,595

.35 is the stock gap, however NGK is not the brand for Chrysler products, stick with Champions and no better than double platinum. That old I would also do a dry and wet compression then replace the plug wires, cap and rotor.

2 people found this helpful.
50

Thanks, I finally threw a code and 4 cylinders are miss-fireing so I researched the platnium plugs I got from Amazon, they are wrong, so I am going to get the NKG copper replacements for the stock champions that I don't like because NKG says I need a 2685 platnium and parts store says (thats) not right and tried to sell me another one NKG dosn't recognize ??? I hope that does it, but I ordered a set of wires, cap and rotor if that is going to be right.

311,595

No. Stick with Champion spark plugs. NGK and ND are for Asian vehicles, Bosch are for European vehicles, Motorcraft/Autolite are for Fords, Champions are for Chrysler products and AC Delco are for Chevrolet products.

2 people found this helpful.
158,785

If the old plugs were that hard to get out you might need to clean the threads on the head to get the new plugs to seat correctly. Or worse, you may have stripped one of the plug holes. If either is the case you're probably losing compression and that's why the cylinder(s) aren't firing. You should also do a complete tune up, not just the spark plugs. Especially on something this old! Hope that helps! Jim

1 people found this helpful.
40,395

Yup , wires cap and rotor would be next where applicable , look for good motor to chassis ground

2 people found this helpful.
50

Thanks guys I am going to get either champion or more research or opinion, I will let you know. Maybe this will help someone else in the future.

2 people found this helpful.
50

OK guys thanks for the interest. I finally replaced cap rotor and wires, still used the NKG copper plugs I bought from autozone, runs great now... what a pain, but the cap and rotor looked like they could have been from 1996 as well...HA! anyhow no worries now, I have new tie-rod ends kit from parts geeks $120 compared to $650 quote. Looks good rather have all new parts than try to replace ball joints. reworked exhost with a glass pack and u-bolted some 2 1/2 clamp on tubes rather than $750 replacement system again 1996 exhost with holes and rattleing muffler.HA! If anyone benifits from any of this... its all about doing it good and saveing where we can for me. thanks again.

2 people found this helpful.
158,785

You're welcome! Glad to help! Thanks for letting us know how it turned out! Jim

Your Answer:

RAM 1500

Looking for a Used RAM 1500 in your area?

CarGurus has 1,315 nationwide RAM 1500 listings starting at $1,995.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

1996 Dodge RAM 1500

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Dan Connell
    Reputation
    20,460
  • #2
    dandyoun
    Reputation
    15,330
  • #3
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    11,770
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Ford F-150
6,775 Great Deals out of 166,056 listings starting at $2,000
Used GMC Sierra 1500
2,383 Great Deals out of 65,672 listings starting at $2,495
Used Dodge RAM 2500
42 Great Deals out of 909 listings starting at $5,950
Used Toyota Tacoma
2,217 Great Deals out of 58,415 listings starting at $3,401
Used Jeep Grand Cherokee
2,442 Great Deals out of 50,368 listings starting at $995
Used Ford Mustang
1,040 Great Deals out of 22,798 listings starting at $2,400
Used Chevrolet Corvette
629 Great Deals out of 9,823 listings starting at $3,000

Used Cars for Sale

2010 Dodge RAM 1500 For Sale
14 Great Deals out of 188 listings starting at $3,000
2009 Dodge RAM 1500 For Sale
13 Great Deals out of 150 listings starting at $3,995
2008 Dodge RAM 1500 For Sale
12 Great Deals out of 183 listings starting at $1,995
2007 Dodge RAM 1500 For Sale
14 Great Deals out of 137 listings starting at $1,999
2006 Dodge RAM 1500 For Sale
6 Great Deals out of 115 listings starting at $2,433

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.