Newbie tips for maintenance

Howdy folks!

So I finally purchased by first truck ('05 4.0 V6 taco with 162k, great shape well maintained, no rust rot on the main body nor the leafs) and there are few things I'd like to do it right off the bat.

1. Spark plugs are nearly due to be changed (according to previous owner) and I'm wondering if these "iridium" plugs I'm hearing about are worth the extra cost. What do you think?

2. I'd also like to install new O2 sensor and MAF.

I see no compelling reason (unless you convince me otherwise) to go with an aftermarket MAF over an OEM/stock MAF. According to rockauto.com, the OEM is a denso sensor for $75. Any reason to go with a cheaper brand?

The truck runs fine with current parts, but I'd like the piece of mind that the above mentioned items are new and will last me a while. This truck is going to be my means of moving across country and beyond.

Also, I'm moving from Montana (no salted roads in winter) to New England (much salt on the roads in winter) and was wondering if there is any sort of reliable protection I can have applied to the under body to help defend against that crap. I've never even thought about such things until I saw the recalls for the tacos during my research.

 

I prefer to use copper plugs in my Tacoma and Cobra. Plugs made from platinum and iridium are just too expensive in my opinion and I do not mind having to change out copper plugs more frequently since I do it myself and enjoy working on my vehicles. I would suggest copper plugs, cleaning the MAF, and leaving the o2 sensor alone unless a code is being thrown.

 

4.0 plug changes are every 30,000 Miles, no reason to waste money on any fancy plugs, just stick with Factory Denso or NGKs.

 

Do the scheduled maintenance and don't worry about MAF, O2 Sensors they are not maintenance items. They will let you know when it is time to replace them.

Can't help with the salty crap as I live in Gods country down south.

 

Don't touch unless it says so, noted.

 

I spray the MAF sensor with MAF cleaner and only MAF cleaner every so often. Just have to be very careful to not touch it, just spray it. Probably not needed but it takes 2 minutes and I have to use up the can of MAF cleaner I bought.