Pain in the butt spark plug change

Changed my spark plugs for the first time on my truck. Paid Toyota the first time because I didn't have the time. I normally do this myself on all my other cars. Anyway, the passenger side was easy. Driver side on the other hand, was a pain in the butt. My one year old's hands would have been better that my big hands. Got it done. Very satisfied that I saved tons of money. The dealer charged me $200 to do it. Just had to vent. Will do it again to save the money.

Btw, Chris4X4 had an awesome write up. He had the best plan of attack for the driver side plugs.

 

I'm going to do mine in 5k, But i've seen where you have to remove a few brackets that make it easy.

 

i didnt have any troubles last time. but i think i own every possible socket extension SEARS (and some snapon) makes. i have locking ones that are a god-send.

i removed very little to get to them.

 

atleast u dont have a supercharger. that makes it even harder. gotta remove the whole s/c assy to get to the drivers side

 

I think my problem was I didn't have good extensions. It wasn't that bad, but better extensions would have helped.

 

what particular extensions did you use to make the job easier?

 

I think my problem was I didn't have good extensions. It wasn't that bad, but better extensions would have helped. Looking back at it, it want that bad. Just a "heat of the moment" vent.

 

Its really not that bad if you have a couple extensions. From what i read i expected the driver side to be more of a pita than the pass side, but a couple extra bolts to remove and no big deal.

 

Go change the plugs on a 2JZ. After you finish cylinder 6 come back and tell me the Tacoma was "hard" lol!

 

You put "pain" "butt" and "plug" all in the title. No wonder you were having problems.

 

Obviously it's much easier the second time but you're right, Chris' write up is just the ticket. Saving money, always, RULES.

 

I have quite a few different sized socket extensions. You can get a basic set from Harbor Freight (one of the few things they can't screw up). It's best to put electrical tape at the junctions if using more than one extension. I probably used a total 18 inch extension.

If you think the Tacoma plugs are difficult, you'd go nuts doing a 2000 4Runner. I did my wife's Toyota a few months back and that was a challenge. The Tacoma was cake in comparison.

 

My plugs (as well as my smaller pulley) will be here tomorrow and I'm not looking forward to this at all. Is there any write-up or video on doing this for s/c users that you're aware of?

I see your PITA 2JZ plug change...


...and raise you a Typhoon spark plug, cap/rotor, wire change. Not only is it substantially more difficult to change the plugs but you also have to do it WAY more often as well as all related components because the ignition system in these trucks is so awful. This ended up being the primary reason I sold this truck because I friggin' loved it otherwise. Doing plug #6 on a 2JZ every once in a blue moon is a calk walk in comparison to reliving this nightmare every few thousand miles.


Nothing else I've owned has come even close.

 

get these! i wont step into a spark plug job without them.

i only have a 6" and 2 3-inch ones. so i an clip them together to handle any job.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-pc...943355000P?PDP_REDIRECT=false&s_tnt=39869:4:0