What type of spark plug should I buy for a 2TR-FE engine?

This will be my first time changing my spark plugs and would like to use the correct plugs. The owners manual states: Your engine (2TR-FE) is fitted with iridium-tipped spark plugs. There is a special notice that states: Use only iridium-tipped spark plugs. Do not adjust gaps for engine performance smooth driveability.

I purchased Denso K20HR-U11 traditional spark plugs before reading this on Amazon here:

$7 Denso (3381) K20HR-U11 Traditional Spark Plug, Pack of 1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012Q4H96/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Should I follow the owner's manual and buy the iridium spark plugs instead and would you know the reason why they specify this?

 

Buy the Denso Iridiums like came in it. They designed this motor to use those would be why they specify them. As far as gaps, hell yeah I check them and set them to the specified gap if not already on it.

 

Does adjusting the gap, crack the iridium coating?

 

Haven't ever had to adjust them that much. Not thinking I have done much other than barely tapping it to close one or 2 that were barely looser than others as far as resistance on feeler gauge. Nothing I ever done to them changed the coating or tip any. They've always been really close to good (.044) but not going in unless checked first.

All the

$57 SK20HR11 ---- IRIDIUM PLATINUM power pack Spark Plugs -- # 3421 ----- 6 PCS NEW

SK20HR11 for 2TRFE show .044 for gap on Denso site for Tacomas.
K20HR-U11 is standard plug but not going with those because truck didn't come with them. Guessing they are fine but just wouldn't last as long.

 

According to my owners manual the k20hr-u11 plugs I bought are for the 1GR-FE engine, even though Amazon says it will fit my 2TR-FE engine, which the manual says uses the

$57 SK20HR11 ---- IRIDIUM PLATINUM power pack Spark Plugs -- # 3421 ----- 6 PCS NEW

SK20HR11 plugs, so I will be buying different plugs now anyway and will buy the iridium recommend by Toyota.

 

The 6 cyl didn't come with iridiums. They used to come with 3 NGKs and 3 Denso tho.........

 

Denso or NGK , dont use auto light or any other american spark plug in a japenese motor. They tend to not like them ✋

 

Always use Denso iridium or NGK iridium. Never use platinum or anything gimmicky. I have used NGK or Denso Iridiums in many vehicles that were not imports and some imports. The best plugs out there plain and simple. I can never recommend NeverLites (autolite), Bosch for anything or for our trucks anyways champion plugs(for some vehicles champion isn't bad).

 

This has been my experience since the 70s.

 

Toyota recommends putting

$10 NGK LFR6C-11 V-Power Spark Plug, Pack of 1

NGK LFR6C-11 in my 2010 4L Tacoma. That being said, those spark plugs are the cheapest NGK plugs. I would rather use the better iridium plugs (I really don't mind paying double for them), but I don't know if it would make a difference since the engineers designed the engine with the cheap plugs. Any thoughts?? Also iridium plugs last around 200 000 kms as opposed to cheaper plugs are made to last around 35 - 50 000 kms...

 

Get the cheap ones and just replace them alittle more. They all do the same thing....spark. I only use high end "race" plugs on my friends mustang. Make sure you get twin ground though

 

Only if you use the wrong type of gap tool. Adjust by bending the outer electrode only, don't use the "keyring" style plug gapper.

Use one of these:

Do NOT use one of these:

 

After exhaustive research looking for the original replacement spark plugs for my 2014 2TR-FE Tacoma I discovered a few things that may help anyone doing the same:
1) The original spark plug you want is the Denso 3493-- which is also the 'long life' version you are looking for out of all the versions they have
Go here to find a legitimate online or local retailer for the spark plugs: https://densoautoparts.com/find-my-part.aspx
2) This plug will require a 5/8in spark plug socket which is what fits the 16.0 hex size of these spark plugs
3) IF YOU USE any type of lubricant on the spark plug threads the Denso website importantly says to use 1/3 less torque than the recommended range! So....
15-22ft lbs is the recommended, so 1/3 less of that would put you at 10-14ft lbs WITH LUBRICANT
Here is the link stating this-- look under the paragraph titled "Torque Recommendation"
https://densoautoparts.com/spark-plug-installation

Have a happy maintenance!

 

Iridium spark plugs with no problems here.
I always check the gap but have yet to need to adjust them.
Use NGK or Denso.

 

How many miles you guys getting? Iridiums here also, but for the 4.0 Currently have Denso Long Life. They have a hardened center electrode; so, should last 100K easily. My first set of iridium plugs were NGK. They were still working great at 115K when I replaced them with the Long Life; however, when I pulled out the NGK's at 80K for inspection, I had to regap them and the center electrode had visible wear - yet, they continued firing as expected another 30K.

 

I just change spark plugs out at 90000 to 100000 miles and have not had any issues before that on either the tacoma or the civic.
I do not believe in pulling plugs to check them for diag. I will swap coils to follow a misfire but if I take a plug out then a new one goes in.

 

@joeyv141 What concerns you about pulling plugs? I've been pulling plugs for 30+ years - to inspect, clean and re-gap, accordingly. Never had an issue. There was a time I would take copper plugs to a friend's garage who had a sandblaster made specifically to clean plugs. That's not needed for iridium plugs. Hogwash if you say the crush washer should only be used once.

 

Nothing concerns me I just don't think it's worth the time.
Spark plugs are cheap and if I think it is the cause of a vehicles ignition problem I replace them.

I've pulled plugs to check compression and not replaced them since it wasn't my vehicle but I had no reason to believe the plugs were the problem on that vehicle, and I was correct they were not.

But to be clear I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with pulling them and checking the gap and general condition then reinstalling them I just consider it a waste of time. I would rather only spend that time once and replace them so I know I can definitely take plugs off the list of possible issues.

 

@joeyv141 i hear you about a waste of time, but on some cars. V6 horizontal engines, for example, usually have 3 plugs near the firewall that are a PIA to access. I wouldn’t pull those unless I had to. But 4 cyl, generally, have easy to access plugs. Thus, for running iridium plugs for 100k miles, I pull them as preventive maintenance at 50-80k to check the gap and overall condition of the plugs. Even on the aforementioned V6, I will at least pull the front 3 plugs.

Changing the subject, but relevant ... I’ve been using the same plug socket since our first Toyota, an 89 Corolla. The rubber insert has hardened, making removal difficult because the socket stays attached to the plug and I have to wiggle it off. Spraying silicone on the rubber no longer works. I ordered a new plug socket that has a magnet and a 6-inch extension. Haven't used it yet but looks promising and hope it lasts just as long, if not longer.

 

To me it sounds like you are thinking I am being mean or implying your dumb or something, maybe your not, I could be misreading.

I personally don't see a reason to do it unless there is a running/ignition issue, if everything's fine then the plugs are fine, but that's only my personal opinion and you are by all means welcome to pull yours every 30000 and check them if you'd like.
I am a professional mechanic so yeah I have done plenty plenty of horizontal V6 tune ups where I remove the intake manifold to do the rear 3 plugs, usually takes less then an hour, no more then two hours for the stupid ass designs.
I've got a set of the magnet spark plug sockets from Mac and they are nice but they do feel weird cause they wiggle on the plug some since there's no rubber to firmly hold the socket, you get use to it but its strange the first few times.

Also apologies to OP for partial thread jacking.