What Have You Done To Your 2nd Gen Tacoma Today?

Changed the spark plugs. We bought this truck at 60k assuming maintenance had been performed, learned my lesson there. Original spark plugs after 105k miles.


they were gapped between 0.09 and 0.10. Factory spec is between 0.037 and 0.043. Spark plugs aren't supposed to even fire past 0.075!! Truck ran smooth and got good mileage too. God knows how it's gonna run now.

 

It came from the factory with two different brands of plugs?..

 

Yes, they do.

 

Where is this? - Never mind - I read the rest of the posts. I will have to check this area out. I live about 45 minutes from there.

 

LMFAO!

 

All they did was weld on another piece of steel right about the 90 degree bend, between that and the first hole

 

Does anyone know why?

 

4.0L with 29Kmi changed plugs with NGK V-Power OEMs. All plugs looked good, NGKs were a tad bit more worn than the Densos. Gaps were also a bit wider on the old NGKs. I think next change will be with the Densos. Idle is noticeably smoother, can't comment on MPGs yet. Also changed oil with M1 5W-30 and Toyota filter.

Plugs came out and went in smooth, access was great. Disconnected neg battery terminal before starting job. Used a tiny bit of anti-seize at the tops of the threads. Blew out plug cavities with air before removing old plugs. Put a small dab of dielectric grease in boot. Biggest caveat is to start plugs in by hand and to NOT over-tighten them, just a 1/4 turn or so after they seat.

30K service is now complete. Both diffs and xfer case have new M1

$29 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75W-90, replaced p/s fluid with M1 ATF, greased all drivetrain zerks, replaced coolant in reservoir with new pink and rotated tires.

Plug on left is old NGK, right is old Denso.

 

Yes sir.

It was a blast, I would call it low level wheeling.

Some say it's because Toyota is supplied by both Denso and NKG, so they dsitribute them evenly to give each company their share. I kind of like it because it proves all your spark plugs can not only be different brand, but at different gaps.
Others say it's because different parts of the engine are assembled in different areas and then shipped to assembly, I don't think this one is as accurate.

What is the V-power? I also noticed my NKGs were worn more, I will be buying Densos as soon as these plugs get out of spec which will probably be before 30K miles. I used to use M1 5W-30 but after reliable reviews I am switching to Pennzoil platinum.
Why did you disconnect the battery? I didn't blow out the cavities or grease the boots, I hope that's okay. I began starting them all by hand but as I went on I noticed it wasn't even necessary. They all went right in, no resistance, and I used the smallest torque wrench I could find to torque them to 15ft-lbs (Spec). I still need to replace my dif oil.
What did you run before 75-90? I hear 75-90 improves MPGs.
You replaced your power steering with ATF?

 

VPower is what they label the OEM NGKs. There is a small notch in the electrode hence the V.
Before the M1 75-90 it was whatever was shipped from the factory. The rear diff oil was dark black but not too bad. The xfer case and front diff were cleaner. Both diff magnets were dirty but no chunks. Replaced all crush washers with new from Toyota. I disconnected the battery to avoid shorts and to reset the computer to learn the new plugs. Both not necessary but from what Ive read here not a bad idea.

I used M1 ATF in the p/s because I want all the oils in this truck to be synthetic. I did several fills, lock to locks, drains and refills until entire quart was in the p/s system. I will do this again at 60K when I also do a drain/fill of the radiator and a flush fill of the tranny with WS at the dealer.

I feel the PP oil is good oil and it is $5 a jug cheaper at walmart, but I just like M1.

 

My NGKs were all the way to .50 and the Densos were at .45. Will definitely switch to Densos next change. Now that I feel comfy doing them it will probably be in the spring before the 30K interval.

 

Is it necessary to replace the crush washers? And I understand wanting all oils to be synthetic, it just didn't sound right to put ATF in your power steering.. That's Automatic Transmission fluid right?

About the battery. I would like mine to learn the new plugs too, is it as simply as disconnecting and reconnecting the battery? I try to let my truck "learn" to be most efficient with my driving style, which is conservative. How will it affect that?

Nice!

 

Yeah Thats what I've always heard growing up is you can use atf as power steering. I guess its the same shit (or close).

 

Do not put ATF fluid in your power steering system unless the manual directly calls for it. Trans fluid and power steering fluids are not the same.

 

My owner's manual says Automatic Transmission Fluid Dextron II or III. For the 2013 Tacoma

 

Put some camo on that fabric above the arm-rests. Mine were getting dirty and I'm loving the way this looks.

 

Can't speak specifically about the Tacoma, but I recently had to do some PS repair on my son's Frontier and the manual called for ATF (Dexron II) for PS fluid. I was surprised, too, but did what the manual said.

Update: Just looked up in the 2014 Tacoma Owner's Manual and attached screenshot below. Toyota says to use Dexron II or III for PS.

 

I think the battery should be disconnected for at least 30 minutes for the computer to re-learn. Plugs took me 40 mins and I re-connected the battery after the oil change so 1 hour total.

 

ATF Dextron II or III is what the manual calls for. It's a really good reference to open up and see what is needed.