Stay with Denso or NGK dual pronged plugs, our trucks don't play well with other plugs like Champion or Bosch. The 3.4L V6 doesn't have a cap. Just change out the plugs and wires and it'll run like new. I've included a couple links below to help you with your plug change as well as a few links to buy your plugs from.

plug change DIY:

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/tacoma_4runner_30k/maintenancep3.html#plugs
http://4runners.org/writeups/sparkplugs/index.html

buying plugs and wires:

sparkplug.com
trdparts4u.com
toyotaworld.com

 

OK I ordered 8 DENSO Iridium Spark Plugs IK20 from the site you suggested (thank you ). Now for the wires...

Is there a 'best' set of plug wires? Checker has 12 different sets to choose from.

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductList.aspx?parttype=5004&ptset=A&searchfor=Plug+Wires+-+Set

 

ive never had a problem with bosch plugs, maybe ill try some ngks some time

 

ive never had a problem with bosch plugs, maybe ill try some ngks some time

The Bosch platinum plugs are known for melting down in the 5VZ.

 

Stay with OEM plug wires.

 

what diff if i use after market plugs? like i said i use bosch plugs and aftermarket wires.if i switch will i notice better milage?

 

Better mileage? Maybe, maybe not, but I don't trust Bosch plugs. I've heard horror stories about those plugs breaking off and causing engine damage. Would you want to risk that? But the decision is ultimately up to you. We gave our advice, you chose what to do with it.

 

The plugs I ordered were the ones recommended by TRD. I trust that company more than any other aftermarket company.

Now the hunt for OEM wires... (couldn't find TRD wires)

 

I don' think there are any plug wires that are TRD. Who from TRD recommended those plugs? Unless you're boosted in some way, Iridium plugs are a waste of money. The only good thing for use on NA trucks is instead of swapping them out every 30K miles, I think they can go at least 50-70K miles on them.

 

The site you sent me to:
http://trdparts4u.com/MC-ICI-EHC.aspx

Unless I misunderstood it...

NA truck?

 

What he is saying is that the only benefit from Iridium plugs are longer life. Unless your truck has a super charger on it, that would be the only benefit. N/A means "normally asperated"

I have the 4 cyl so I can't speak personally about it, but aren't the v-6 spark plugs harder to get to and change out? If so, that maybe a reason to go to the Iridium plugs. Those type came in our 03 CRV and they are supposed to go 110,000 miles before being changed out. I'm not sure if replacement plugs are the same mileage warranty.

Most of the time, a standard NGK or Denso plug listed in the back of the manual will work and should be the one you use. Those can be picked up at any major part store for around $2.00 or less. Make sure you check the gap correctly and good luck.

 

Thanks for the explanation there ironhead. Plugs on the 3.4L V6 are quite easy to change except the one that's on the driver's side nearest to the firewall. You'll need to undo a couple brackets and hoses and use a 10" extension to get to the plug. It was my first time changing out plugs in my truck a few months ago. If I can do it, anyone can!

Like I said before, Iridium plugs are overkill if you don't have a supercharger or a turbo. But, hey, it's your money.

 

You will also want to have a piece of hose on hand to fish the plugs out of the hole once they are loose.

 

I put Denso Dual-Electrode platinum tips in my 3.4 V6 and they are doing good,you can get them at URD.com for a good price too,these are listed by Toyota as the premium plug replacement for my V6 2004 truck.

 

Replace the wires with Denso or NGK. Stay away from Bosch wires, they are garbage? I would highly recommend NGK though....

 

In the 5VZ-FE, you're supposed to use twin-ground electrode plugs so make sure whatever brand/ type you buy are that type. (Usually there's even a sticker on the timing chain cover that says just that).

 

NGK Plug wires are $30 and OEM plug wires are $60. Which ones?

Today my Check engine light came on, arrgg.... Any advice anyone? I think I will just replace the downstream O2 sensor, isn't that the cuprit 90% of the time?

I'm sure the dealer will charge me an arm and a leg to hook it up to their computer...



I don't know what twin ground eletrode means, this is what I ordered:
DENSO Iridium Spark Plugs IK20
(Part #PTR24-35040-1)

THIS IS A BOX OF 4, NOT INDIVIDUAL NEED 6, ORDER 2 BOXES, YOU WILL HAVE 2 SPARE SPARK PLUGS.TRD recommends these plugs when you have a supercharger on your V6! Or, even if you don't!
IRIDIUM POWER!
A new generation of high performance spark plug that uses the worlds smallest irirdium electrode that is a mere 0.4mm in diameter!
The smaller the electrode, the more concentrated the electric potential at the electrode. The stronger the electric field, the lower the required voltage. As a result, combustion is good for all types of driving, the engine starts easily, and acceleration improves.

 

Iridiums don't have the dual pronged electrodes. Only the non iridium non platinum plugs come in the dual electrode flavor and they look like this:

NGK or the OEM wires will do. I got the OEM wires just to be safe though.

As for the the check engine light, it could be a whole host of things. Without knowing what the fault code(s) is/are it's only a guessing game. Find your nearst big chain auto parts dealer and have them pull the code(s) for you. Come back here and post them up and we can start from there to solve your probelm(s).

BTW, you can get the plugs a wires for a lot cheaper from sparkplugs.com.

 

I did it, I replaced my wires with NGK wires. I used Denso Iridium plugs, they are single ground electrode (Denso IK20 5304). The plugs I pulled out were single electrode NGK (they looked like platinum or iridium, they were in there for more than 70,000 miles).

So far no problems!

Thanks for everyones help and advice!

 

Also, try to add a blue throttle body spacer to match with your spark plug wires. It looks sharp! I did it, and it looks great. I also put yellow powder-coated Hellwig sway-bars that match my yellow Bilstein shocks, and it looks amazing! Good look with your wires though...I haven't had a single problem.

 

NGK Plug wires are $30 and OEM plug wires are $60. Which ones?

Today my Check engine light came on, arrgg.... Any advice anyone? I think I will just replace the downstream O2 sensor, isn't that the cuprit 90% of the time?

I'm sure the dealer will charge me an arm and a leg to hook it up to their computer...

Autozone will check it for free!!
Get the codes before you replace parts that may be good. Also get the code! They like to guess at parts and avoid telling you the code ask for the number before they hook up the scanner.

 

You are correct, most of the time its the O2 sensor, but make sure you check the basics before you replace it like, clean battery wires, tighten gas cap, check for rips in spark plug wires, and most important, make sure your air-filter intake doesn't have a lot of oil? Tacomas are prone to have "Check engine" lights come on when you install an intake system like K&N and others due to the air intake sensor in the Tacoma being so sensitive? I installed an K&N FIPK system in my Tacoma, and my engine light came on about 10 minutes later? I almost replaced the O2 sensor, but luckily it was the oil in the air filter that was causing it.

 

My 2002 Tacoma has over 100k miles on it, and I can honestly say that it feels and runs better as when I purchased it from the dealer with only 2 miles on it. It all depends on how well you take care of it? I also have added my share of things to it though like, TRD Headers, TRD cat back exhaust, TRD air filter, TRD transmission cooler, TRD oil & radiator caps, TRD brake pads, Airaid throttle body spacer, NGK wires with Denso Iridium plugs, Mobil 1 oil in motor, tranny & differential since day 1, Brembo drilled rotors and Brembo drums. Futhermore, I added the OEM leather interior package, wrapped the steering wheel in leather, Kenwood DDX-8017 stereo with touch screen, DVD, navigation, TV tuner, Sirius radio, IPOD connector, HD radio and Kenwood speakers all around. I also added the small but good looking Bullbars, Grillcraft grill, OEM skid-plate, Powder-coated yellow sway-bars that look nice with the yellow Bilstein shocks, just to name a few...

 

i just put autolite platnuim plugs and bosch plug wires and my truck runs fine the plugs are single electrode but it seems to run fine. should i take them out cause im wasteing gas or should they be fine????

 

Well, if they're OK now then just leave them in, but keep an eye on them just in case.