How To: Spark Plug Change (1 GR-FE)

I removed 3 vacum lines and the metal bracket. It was really easy getting to that back coil/plug on drivers side after removing all that crap. I have a clutch fluid line there too, but it just hung with bracket out of the way.

Did this in under 2 hours and that was with my neighbor BS'n and getting in my friggin way. I alway's hate having an armchair quarterback when im doing something new for the first time. But all in all it's a pretty easy task thanks to all the pic's and advice in here.

 

Thanks a lot Chris. Got those babies out and the new ones in very quickly. Car actually seems to be running better too. Previous owner had some crappy champion plugs in there that looked nothing like the densos I put in. Thanks again

 

2 days and my truck got great throttle response.!

 

Replaced my plugs today thanks to this thread. Bought my truck in June w/ 56K and replaced today w/61K.....looks like the first time they were replaced and they were all pretty fried. Drivers side was kinda a PITA but all in all pretty smooth. Hoping to get a little better mpg now!

 

my truck is coming up for 60k... time to change it again.

 

Sub'd

 

I just changed mine @ 32k miles. Made quite a difference, feels much smoother now. Also the old plugs had a gap of nearly .055-060

Ordered the stock denso plugs from Amazon for $23 shipped

 

So, of course once i purchase and install my new plugs do i come across this thread...i installed the Denso IKH20 (only kind my local Napa had in stock) but now realize i should have probably waited and just got the regular plugs (K20HR-U11). Is it worth the extra cash/time putting in the regular plugs now or just wait till next time?

 

2nd generation Tacoma’s:
Does everyone enjoy changing spark plugs or would you rather be doing something else. I purchased my Tacoma TRD Sport 4X4 in 2005 (1st year built). My dealer told me I had to change the plugs at 30K w/their Denso plugs or I could damage the engine. I didn't research it at the time and had them replaced at around 30K; plugs looked great according to my mechanic

2nd time around I did some more research and spoke to a service man at another dealership. We had a long conversation and he confirmed through the chart right in front of him that I could use the iridium 100k plug which is what I wanted to use. He did state use only Denso or NGK ONLY in Tacoma.
He also stated he has a Toy Sequoia which required the 30k spark plug change and has been driving w/the iridium plugs for the last 90K miles and SUV runs like new.

I purchased 6 NGK Iridium (Laser .71 cents more per plug) Plugs at NAPA w/discount. Don't recall the price; maybe $7-8 each tops. I have a good, fast mechanic that had them changed in about 45 minutes to 1 hour tops at a flat fee of $40 cash (35 year mechanic). I replaced my 2nd set of plugs which had 40K miles on them (Denso) and they looked great just like the 1st set.

I have driven about 3K miles on the iridium plugs. My truck runs like brand new. I'm putting my trust in the Toyota Dealer service department and agree that changing the plugs in a new vehicle every 30K is ridiculous. I won't be thinking about or worrying how my plugs are wearing now. I will not have to change them again until I have 172K miles. I probably will not even have the vehicle then. A little more money spent on the iridium plug now will last you 3 &1/3 times longer than stock plug saving you money in regards to your time.

"I suggest you do your OWN research but I don't expect any problems w/upgrading to the Iridium." I drive my vehicle as hard as anyone. If you think it is fun and have the extra time and money, keep changing your plugs every 30K, have fun. Not exactly sure what the laser part was all about but I figured for.71C a plug (more) if they improved mileage and/or performance in the smallest way, they would be worth it over 100K miles. Hope this helps fellow Tacoma owners save time and money.
Note: Don't forget to use anti-seize on your new plugs so they will come out easy next time!
Note: Important; Don't forget to use anti-sieze on your new plugs so they will come out easy next time! Good luck!

 

Is the 1/4" ratchet required? Or is it just to remove the unnecessary stuff, making the job quicker by having a "Spark Plug" dedicated ratchet (3/8')? Thanks!

 

Well, kinda hard to describe, but engine was not running as good after I put in the Denso IKH-20s...I pulled em and put back in the originals. Will be picking up a set of standard plugs from dealer today. Not sure why the Denso website would even list anything other than the standard plug for the 2010 v-6 taco

 

Here is a how to video for the same engine. Its a 2006 4runner, but basically from years 2003-2009 its the same:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoolxFXsCfw

 

Nice find. Thanks for posting.

 

does it really matter which plugs I use? just curious--great job on the tutorial, you've saved a lot of us a lot of money

 

I wanted to add my thanks to chris4x4 for the writeup. I finished this in a couple of hours yesterday, followed the writeup pretty much start to finish. A couple of hours spent, $15.00 for the Denso plugs at NAPA, saved the $140 plus tax the dealer wanted to change spark plugs. Thanks again, Chris.

 

Good to know napa has denso, my dealer charges too much, thanks

 

No problem. NAPA showed them available online, so I went ahead and got them there...I think they were somewhat more than $2.50 each at the local store.

Sure am curious why Toyota puts Denso on passenger side and NGK on driver side...the NGK I took out showed a little more wear and tear, and the gap was a little bigger on two of the three.

 

Did my plugs today. Great write up. Dealer was going to charge me $260. Instead I got a little under 2 hours of taco bliss (not sarcasm). I was able to do the driver side without a second 6" ratchet extension (used a 6"+3"+swivel), but I will not be doing it that way again. Had to move a couple extra items and the torque wrench was a joy (sarcasm). Just get the extension. Also, I love the technique of taping the spark plug socket as seen in chris' pictures. You can tell where it comes loose a little. All in all, it was a painless experience and I got a torque wrench out of my father as an early Christmas gift.

 

Oh, all six of the old plugs were Denso unlike a lot of the experiences I have been reading.