Different Plugs

Can anyone shed some light as to why I had Denso plugs on passenger side and NGK on the drivers side straight from the factory on my 14 4.0L? I hear its common but can't understand why. At 78k miles I put new NGK Iridiums in it today.

 

Nope, but that is how they often come from the factory. The dealer that serviced mine before I bought it second-hand maintained the tradition.

 

That is so they maintain their supplier base and if one has issues they still have a supplier that could step up to provide for shortfalls.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ngk-denso-mix-explanation.325498/

I Like this answer, it just distributes the brand better.

 

I really doubt this. None of my other Toyota/Lexus products ever had this mix, a '98 Sienna and a '07 Lexus ES350. And I doubt our '19 RX350 and '20 RAV4 have a mix.

 

My '00 had this, pretty sure they were the original plus given the wear, truck had 150k on it. Didn't notice it on my '10 but the plugs may have been changed on it before I got it, the one previous owner was pretty meticulous with maintenance.

I wouldn't go so far as to say it's standard, but it's not something to worry about.

Swap all 6 to NGK's, gap them, install them, call it a day.

 

It has to do with primary and secondary supplier contracts in Japan.

Just be happy that Champion isn’t a supplier, or you’d of had 2 Denso, 2 NGK, and 2 Champs in your 4.0L!

 

Toyota dealer provided me with Denso plugs, and I think most of us have been going with them.

 

Yep......seen that in the two 4.0L Tacos I've had

Correct me if wrong....Iridiums used in the 4 banger not the V6 ?

 

Post #40

Changed the plugs on my 2010 first time | Page 2 | Tacoma World

 

I do recall reading that somewhere on here.

That said there's no harm in putting iridium plugs in your v6 it just doesn't call for it, dealer spec is a minimum not a maximum.

I put the iridium IX's in my 4.0, runs like a top no point in paying more for anything better in these engines unless you're S/C'ed but then you get into plug temperature ratings and plus resistance delays etc.

Below are all the plugs NGK says work for the 4.0 1GR.

 

Agreed. I put the 6619 IXs in mine yesterday. Amazing how smooth she runs.

 

Well that is your prerogative doubt away.

What is Your theory?
I'm all ears....

<< Greater than 25 years working for an automotive tier one supplier.

 

What’s up Jimmy?

25 years that’s a lot of experience, not to thread jack

... but you got a recommendation for lower ball joints on a 2nd gen?

I’m kind of an OEM addict but looks like you can’t but just the ball joint and I really don’t need a whole arm especially when I just put poly bushings in.

 

I like these Mevotech Ball Joints and I'd go with the Over-Built Model:

https://www.mevotech.com/parts-resu...yota&model=Tacoma&submodel=Base&drivetype=4WD

 

Thanks! I'll look into them, I've had a few too many bad experiences with moog but that's all I was seeming to find in my preliminary search good to know there's other options.

 

They have tended to overbuild rather than cut corners for cost savings.

 

That’s what I like to hear.

On the other hand:

I have gotten moogs with the zerk missing, or broken off in the hole, had a tie-rod end that was never threaded for the rod, and one that wasn’t threaded on the compression rod, had some (non serviceable, no zerk) ball joints arrive completely ungreased and had some moog stuff fail within weeks of install.

I just can’t trust Moog anymore, their Quality Control just isn’t there, and their parts quality in general has been lack luster last few years.

 

TBH the different materials only really has to do with longevity of the plug. Different metals used for the conductors in the plug won't affect how "strong" the spark is.

As long as you use a quality plug and it's gapped correctly, it should work the same as any other plug.