Changed plugs

A huge thankx to chris4x4 for the write up. I read it about 100x's before attempting it.
When I asked 3 different techs at the dealership about two different plugs, all 3 looked at me like I was nutz! Sure enough two different kinds. Same dealership also tried to charge $6.50/plug for replacements. Called around and got them for 3/plug. Guess which dealership I'll be using from now on.

 

Whats up with the different plugs? what years are effected? Which plug is better? I have 7k on my 2009 and I am begining to think about switching to an Iridium; either Denso or NGK. Haven't researched anything yet. All I know is I'm pretty sure my taco does not come with Iridium plugs. Other than the iridium lasting over 100k miles, what's the real advantage? any HP/MPG gains? I just wanna do them so I never mess with them again!

 

who knows with the different plugs??? I would have to say it has something to do with Toyota's quality assurance. They only order so much of something at one time, and get it from one place, then put it on a set number of vehicles. With one side NGK, the other Denso (which Toyota owns) they can root out any problems. It could also be a contract deal, where they buy so many NGK's, etc,etc. Just a guess.

 

so my 4.0V6 has Denso's from the factory. What kind? standard, platinum? I've always been a NGK guy, but Denso isn't bad either I bet. Do the 2009 V6's have more than one type of plug?

 

I did mine on Monday. I bought the Toyota Denso plugs from the stealership for $23- total. It took about an hour to do them, piece of cake. I lucked out because I had already removed the factory intake from the pass. side when i installed the TRD CAI. I also changed out the LSD fluid with Toyota Hyproid gear oil. I still need to do the Trans and frt. diff, I guess that could be next weekends project.

Thanks for the plug write-up Chris. I read through it a couple times before changing the plugs.

 

Well from what it sounds like no reason to change my plugs out right now at 7k then. Wait til 30K I guess like the book states. And then use the OEM cheapie Denso. 10-4 guys.... saves me time and money right now. I just thought the iridium might do a bit better, but guess not.

 

What about using the platinum plugs from NKG? Are there any plugs out there that will give better performance to the V6 at all?

 

is there a longer life plug available? I didnt realize that i had to change my plugs every 30,000 miles, and now have 60,000 on the original ones, do you think this did any harmful damage to my engine?

 

Has your milage dropped off?

 

Wait a minute... we have NGk's on the driver side bank and Denso's on the Passenger side bank. WTF!!!!! I've never heard of that before!!! OMG. So when we replace plugs, do we do all the same brand?

 

No mileage drop off, just want to get back on track with the maintanence schedule, thanks for the info. Should i get the Denso's from the Yota dealership or somewhere else? This is my first yota, I swithched my oil to syn @ 5,000 miles and got the Intake Kit @ 15,000. My mileage only changes down to 18mpg when I tow my boat, and since that isnt all the time, i usually get 21mpg with 265/75/16's

 

Got my Densos from dealer today,about $24 total.Changed them out tonight,took about 45 min. including beer breaks.Turned 30k Tues. & have done everything on the 30k maint.so far except LSD fluid.I will knock that out next week.The plugs I took out looked really good,could probably still be used for awhile.I will save em for an emergency or something after shooting some contact cleaner on them.Is everyone using the Toyota lsd fluid or is there something better recommended?