How To: Spark Plug Change (1 GR-FE)

He's referring to me.

Guy's I definitely noticed a difference between those Iridiums and the OEMs I replaced them with! The truck responds better and idles at a lower RPMs with the OEM Plugs. I ran the Iridiums for a shade over 30k miles and am glad I went back to the OEM ones. Seems silly to spend 3+ dollars more on sparks plugs that DON'T perform any better (even though they say they do). We gapped the plugs at .42 and that seems to be ideal. Haven't noticed any MPG gains but that may be shown on my next tank of gas...I'll keep ya'll posted!

 

Thanks for the good write-up, Chris! Very straightforward and detailed instructions. Just did my 30K replacement, and all went smoothly.

 

i need a good torque wrench :/ anyone know a good place to get one ? and great write up by the way chris!

 

Stock plugs at 60k

NGKs





Densos

 

Thanks chris4x4. Spark plugs isn't the most challenging of do-it-yourselfers but the pictures helped me take your suggested time of 2-4 hrs for completion to just under an hour. Much thanks!

 

Thanks to chris4x4! I changed my spark-plugs this morning for my 60,000 service. Your instructions helped out a lot, didn't take long at all either.

 

Thanks, this was very helpful. Passenger side was very easy. I cleaned the TB ans MAS so I already had easy access. Follow the instructions for the driver side. The front one was a real bugger, getting the wire chip off very tight. Put it back on was just as bad. The old plugs may have been in there for 155k miles, gap was pretty wide. It ran good but I'm sure it will be a whole lot better. Used Ngk's... Thanks again...

 

I changed my spark plugs on Saturday morning and my truck feels like it is much smoother now.

 

Thanks for the write up. I was a little intimidated by every thing that needed to be moved to get at the spark plugs, but once I got in there is was very easy. I took me about 2.5 hours to do it, but a lot of that was finding my torque wrench and the correct adapters to use a 1/2" extension from another socket with my 3/4" socket set and torque wrench (the 1/2" extension was the only thing I had long enough to reach the left bank of plugs).

I am really impressed with the plug boot design. The last truck I had, the boots were held on by friction between the rubber and the plug. Pulling them off was probably the biggest chore of the whole job. Not to mention the perpetual fear that the boot would tear and the wire need to be replaced. The Tacoma boots, with the single bolt and rubber gasket was easy and stress free, made the job so much easier.

 

i got my spark plugs today from the dealership and asked if it came with antisieze packets and he said no and said that the technicians dont even use it lol but i bought some anyways

 

Chris,

Thanks for the pictures. They helped me cut down a lot of time.

One tip for those with 2005 SR5. The intake hose does not have to have any bolts removed or loosened. The whole hose is rubber and it bends easily. I was able to sit inside the engine with my leg holding it back while I got to the plugs.

The driver side wasn't that bad but somewhat of a pain in the butt.

 

Just did mine today @ 29,600miles here is what I pulled out. Highly recommend doing it at 30k. My FJ was the same when I did it in terms of half denso half NGK. Replaced with all denso's.

 

For a little hotter running plug and some that they say will never need replacing use Denso Iridiums IKH 20's .Their about 10.00 each but worth it.
Those are what Gadget from URD (UnderDog Racing Development)recommends. Or IKH 24's if SC'ed

 

Ive had two Xrunners and both had factory plugs when I bought them and swapped then out with Denso Iridiums and they both ran better and idled smoother with the Iridiums. So Ive done hands on comparo, LOL Also got about 2 mpg better.