3rd Gen Tacoma Spark Plug Replacement.

Anyone know what else needs to be disconnected on the drivers side for a manual transmission? There’s some other things on that side with hard lines that are a challenge to get around. I was able to do it, but it was a lot harder than I expected.

 

You don't have to disconnect anything else. All the lines will flex out of the way

 

I know you don’t have to. Like I said, I was able to complete the job. I was curious if there’s an easier way by disconnecting other things so that I don’t beat myself up to get to those plugs

 

I just replaced my plugs this weekend at 51K miles. I was going to take pictures, but my old plugs looked identical to the plugs in post #284. I found this video helpful at tackling the drivers side. BTW, I did the drivers side first because I wanted finish with the easy passenger side. Also, all my old plugs were torqued properly from the factory.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNyED_hSSKQ

 

Did my plugs at 60k last night. Went pretty smooth. Biggest pain for me was not having long enough 3/8 extensions but I did it with a combo of 3/8 and 1/2. Got my denso for AZ for 10.xx a piece. Not bad. Thanks for the write up.

 

Thanks for suggesting this. Saved this clumsy oaf's day. See again in another 60K to give you another thank you.

 

Awesome write up and thank you! I will definitely be saving this for later.

 

Getting ready to change my plugs and just read through all of this, thanks all. And @tonered I remember you from that Ducati forum, I have an ST2!

 

Yeah! Love the STs. Getting long in the tooth, but I still smile on every ride.

 

Nice write up, knocked mine out this afternoon. 75K looked like the ones posted.

 

Thanks for this write up. Just did my plugs at 75k.

Wish the drivers side was a little easier. I don’t remember my 2nd gen being as difficult.

 

I'm changing my plugs out now. The problem I'm having is actually removing the plugs feom the each slot particular the back. Plug doesn't want to stay in socket just sits there. Plug is unthreaded.

 

Use a telescoping magnet to remove and to gently place them in the bores.

 

Exactly what I did. Changed mine today at 54k, and mine were in pretty rough shape. I had a slightly but noticeable rough idle, and it's night and day after changing. Much smoother. Anyway, not sure if it's where I live or the various tunes I've used, fuel, etc. Just some info for people who are on the fence about needing to do it. Took me about 1.5hrs

 

Good stuff!

 

Reading through this thread, 18" seems to be the length of spark plug socket plus extension needed. I have a GearWrench 6" flexy spark plug socket so I need to get a single 12" extension, correct? I wish I could get a pin-lock extension but the GW socket is only ball-detent, so I need a collared-lock extension. Any recommendations on which one to get?

 

@rick carpenter : I would not knock myself out for a locking extension that gets only periodic use... I used gorilla tape to keep the extensions from pulling apart and a $0.30 length of vinyl tubing from the hardware store to help lower the new plugs in (Without them crashing down and bending the electrode) and to get the threads started right.

Next plug change (Any vehicle), I will be getting a more modern spark plug socket, the kind with the magnet versus foam rubber part that holds the plug in place.

 

Thanks for the write-up going to replace the plugs on my truck here in the next few days.

Two service visits ago the dealer (yes I go there ) said I needed to change the plugs since I was at 62,xxx miles (denied doing it since they wanted close to $600 to change them ) and the last service visit at a different dealership (I moved) said I didn't need to change them till 120,xxx miles.

 

Got the spark plugs changed out tonight passenger side took about 40 minutes and the drivers side about 1.5 hours trying to figure what to disconnect and move around to the get the coil packs out. Plugs looked pretty good overall probably could've gone longer with them.