drive quality

Hey gang,

As some of you are aware, my 06 TRD OR 6 speed access cab has just gotten new rotors, calipers, pads, cv's, rear bearings and new drums and shoes (yikes! I know!) but now I don't need to worry about these things for a long time. I just changed my transmission fluid and the rear diff fluid will have been done once I pick the truck up since the bearings were completely replaced. I wanted to know if anyone knew whether or not replacing my transfer case and front diff fluids and new spark plugs will change my drive quality? I am doing the plugs and fluids this weekend but I have never had so much done all at once so I am curious if anyone can tell me if I should expect a much better drive performance after all of this work. I will most likely throw in a can of

$24 BG44K BG 44K Fuel System Cleaner Power Enhancer 11oz.

BG44K to clean up the fuel system as well. Thanks for any insight!

 

I have never noticed a difference in drive quality from changing the fluids but right after I did my spark plugs it did seem a bit more responsive, although this might be due to the fact that it was at 130k miles and I'm pretty sure the previous owner never changed them before...

 

You know I don't think the previous owner of this truck ever did his sparks as well so I do actually expect to feel a difference there. Agreed that changing fluids could but most likely shouldn't effect the drive.

 

I noticed it when passing cars on the highway, when it would really gear down low and run a lot of fuel through the engine. Seemed to have more power so I'm thinking its probably just due to more efficient combustion. I used the expensive NGK platinum or plutonium or whatever the F they are coating them with these days.

 

Oh you didn't use OEM? Tell me what you got! I would like to try something other than OEM. How many miles with these plugs so far? Any negative comments about them?

 

I believe they were the NGK Iridium plugs actually, I have the box at home still so ill take a look and confirm when I get home. About 15 k miles on them, all good performance so far. I believe they ran me about $50 for 6 though, only negative was that they were a bit pricey. Also I'm not sure if you have done the plugs on a 1GRFE before but its surprisingly irritating haha. I'm used to the old 22RE which takes about 15 minutes

 

I noticed a little difference after I changed my front/rear diff fluid, but I did my first change a couple weeks ago at roughly 56k on the ODO. Might just have been placebo but things felt smoother. Changed my spark plugs at 30k and didn't notice much of a difference. Probably cause the plugs looked fine. Went with OEM replacements.

Side note: changing plugs on the 1GRFE is not difficult in the slightest. Only annoyance is on the driver side where you basically have to disconnect an air hose/bracket/plug retainer to gain access, but otherwise as long as you have a long ass socket extension, its super easy. I had never done spark plugs before and it only took me roughly 35-40 minutes. I have also never bought spark plugs and spaced them, so I'm not sure on other manufacturers, but all the OEM plugs I got were spaced appropriately out of the box. Not sure if that is common or not, OEM or aftermarket wise.

The writeup on here is super easy to follow if you haven't seen it before:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-spark-plug-change-1-gr-fe.30479/

 

Whether or not you actually notice the effects is debatable, but it is good for your vehicle. I know mine started better and got a little better mileage from new plugs. I just did a complete flush of my tranny and I definitely notice it shifts smoother, especially downshifts. Diff fluid I never noticed anything.

 

You may see a more noticeable difference if you clean the throttle body.

 

I noticed a big difference the first time I changed my plugs at 80,000 miles. Not sure if they had ever been done before but they are due every 30k and it was starting to effect my mpg a couple mpg..