Changing Spark Plugs

I just changed mine last weekend, all except the last plug on the back of the engine (closest to the firewall) on the driver's side. I couldn't get that coil pack out for the life of me and just gave up for now.. anybody have some tips on this? The middle on the driver's side was pretty difficult too..

 

Whats the longest you can go without changing them??

There can't be very carbon on them because my dad is on the road quite alot

 

From the factory the manual spec is 30K

 

I have 45k miles and I probably should change them soon, but they all look good. No build up...

 

Is the 1st gen the same as the second? I just used a spark plug socket to remove the plug once the coil pack was removed, gap the new plugs, use anti-seize on the new plug, and be extra careful not to crossthread the new plug(steel plug aluminum head), I do this by using some old vacuume tube pushed over the new plugs top and let the rubber tube be your extension, if it wants to cross thread the rubber tube will fold before it cross threads, once you have a coulpe of turns, pull up on the tube put the spark plug socket down the hole and torque it to the specs. Reinstall coil pack repeat five more times, sit back have a cold one and think of the money you just saved yourself.

 

They have probably been changed I just have no history about the plugs.

my truck is running at 78,xxx miles now

 

here is what you need, minus the "tools" NOTE The plug seen here is used as a visual aid only, it's actually for a lawn mower, please don't use lawn mower plugs in a Tacoma. Allthough.....?

 

I just turned 60k yesterday... so its time for a lot of stuff.. plugs being one of em

 

Never trust the pre-gap. Check them! Twice

 

Ok, I'll try to explain it with out pic's. There is a support post that supports the intake between the last 2 plugs. It is black and has 2 bolts showing. I think the bolt is a 12mm on top and bottom. Remove the top bolt and just loosen the bottom bolt. The support post will swing down giving your more room to work. ie remove the clip. I hope it made sense.
Dominik

 

What is pre-gap. Sorry for my ignorance,

 

checking and adjusting the way the plugs come from the factory.

when i changed mine in the 06 i had, and the 04 i have now..................none were close to .040, and none were the same either.

 

Like the gap part. Is that the white "sleeve" above the bolt? or is there spacers or something

 

the area between the electrode(part on top of the ceramic) and the metal "hook on the end......................thats where you check the gap at.

 

Ohhhhhhhhh Thank you Chris for that pic. The pic helped alot

 

and you too Will

 

chris4x4. where is this write up with pics you mentioned putting together for replacing the spark plugs on a 05+ 4.0 V6? I've looked around a bit and I'm still not seeing anything. Looking forward to reading about it before I start turning bolts that don't need turning...