What have you done to your 5th Gen 4Runner today?

Definitely go with denso.... I am not a "stock parts only" guy but spark plugs and other ignition components are the exception. Simply, the wrong resistance is etc in the ignition system can cause crazy problems.

 

$11 here: https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=993041&cc=0&pt=7212&jsn=323
$16 here: https://www.thewrenchmonkey.ca/products/auto-parts/denso/3417/

Interestingly Toyota changed to a hotter plug on the 5th gen V6 with the facelift. 2010-2013 used SK20HR11 instead of SK16HR11.

Watch The Car Care Nut's video on spark plug replacement. The exhaust manifold air injection valves need to be removed from the valve covers to access the plugs. The air pipe gaskets may not survive removal, so you should have a spare set on hand.

 

Installed Kezin's adapter module with a Diode Dynamics CF18 DD4015 SmartTap flasher relay, to enable tap-to-blink functionality:

 

Too early, won't it dry out by Xmas. I know they have them cut already.. We go the friday after Black friday.

 

Drove the 2011 to baby sit the grandkids. Ages 7 & 5. Took them to the gym with us then back to their house.

 

^This! And its not just the resistance. It's the materials the plugs are made out of also.

I got burned big time when I decided to change plugs on my F150. Found a set of spark plugs on Ebay for a great price and installed them. Less than 2000 miles later the truck began misfiring. Center electrode of the spark plugs were pretty much eroded away. These were advertised as "genuine Motorcraft" but were counterfeit. It's not just Motorcraft, though. Lots of warning articles and videos on line about the problem. Here's one from NGK: https://www.ngkntk.com/newsroom/blog/emea/fake-or-not/

 

Exactly

 

I know my 2008 & 2012 FJ's had 1 bank Denso & the other NGK from factory new both.

 

I hit 100kms recently but I’m leaving the spark plugs alone

 

link? thanks.. i'm also interested in adding more HP!

 

This past Saturday, sprayed Woolwax under the truck (inside and outside the frame.). Probably overkill for the Colorado as we don't use salt like they do in the Northwest, but I have extra piece of mind that this will protect everything from the mag chloride.

 

https://www.morimotohid.com/X3B70-Morimoto-X3B-LED-Third-Brake-Light-10-24-4Runner_2?quantity=1

 

Have the afternoon off so on the way home diverted onto a country road north of town and exercised the 4H dial for a fewmiles!

 

Morimoto 3rd brake light.

 

Drove it to the golf course this morning... it was a little windy but a day on the course is better than a day in the office.

 

My 2011 Tacoma came the same way.

 

Never checked my 2015 Tacoma TRD Sport or my 2018 4Runner TRD OR either.

 

I did my '16 earlier this year and that first "crack" with the ratchet to loosen the factory torque downs caused a bit of stress.
But it all turned out good thank goodness.
I know some do and some don't but I used just a small bit of Anti-seize on the treads and was very careful not to get any on the center electrode or the ground strap. Also, hitting the air-injection bolts with a shot penetrating fluid should help with the disassembly.

 

The 2008 I would expect to be the case. The 2012's dual-VVTi 1GR-FE has only Denso Iridium SK20HR11 specified in the owner's manual:



And sure enough matching the 4Runner, the 2014 FJ changed to the hotter SK16HR11 plug for one model year before it got canned in North America.

 

You got a link to said video? I thought the plugs on a 4Runner could be done by a 6 year old.. your message sounds like there is more to it than one reads online! Also which gaskets you speak of?

What mileage was yours at? That’s the “crack” lol.. makes me nervous too!

Hence why I’d rather sooner than later tackle this, no harm really except $$

 

108k

 

A few more miles than me! I’m pretty much at 60k!

 

Apex Chassis Tie Rod assemblies and C4 high clearance fender liners installed

 

You know the smog pump that injects air into the exhaust manifolds? There are switching valves controlling that airflow. The valves sit right over the ignition coils, so they need to be removed to access the spark plugs. The switching valves are exposed to hot exhaust gasses, so the gaskets may be in bad shape on older 5th gens.



In my experience, for the cyl. 6 plug (closest to the firewall on the driver's side), a cordless ratchet comes in really handy.

 

My local Toyota had them for $20 each. I google the model number and showed autozone has them for $10. He recommended i go to autozone because they are the same part. He got my business for other toyota specific items because he wasn’t trying to punk me.

 

Why do the stealerships think that they deserve to sell parts for twice as much as other retailers? Stop giving these thieves your business.

 

That's the "convenience tax"

 

I paid it off! The payment was posted this morning.

Bought it new on Sept 30th, 2023 and now it's payment free. Before all you Charles Schwabs & Warren Buffet's decide to lecture me on money management remember this: It's my money and I'll do what I want with it.

I love having one less major debt hanging over my head.

 

Only toyota specific parts.. interior body trims, condoms etc

 

I did mine 2 weeks ago.. no other gaskets were needed. Everything went smoothly. Just make sure you go slow and reconnect all the hoses