smyrna4run
New member
I used the NGK 2 prong. I think the 2 Prong plugs are important - but the brand not as much
Spark plugs and wires
- Thread starter ryderaluce
- Start date
TheDurk
Elite Member
The NGK dual ground ARE OEM. These came from the factory with NGK on one side and Denso on the other and both are listed in the Owner's Manual. I've used them for exclusively for 15 years in my '99, with never a miss or other problem.
I'm thinking you left one loose.
MattJakobs
New member
I believe this is what you need. Some one correct me if I'm wrong as I'm about to order some
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000CJ8DC6/ref=ox_sc_act_image_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000COVKVM/ref=ox_sc_act_image_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000CJ8DC6/ref=ox_sc_act_image_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000COVKVM/ref=ox_sc_act_image_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
TheDurk
Elite Member
Those are what I run.
TJM
New member
Long rant as I was boredWill put on my flame suit later as plugs, wires, oil and so forth on a car forum are worse than talking politics at a large Christmas dinner haha
Dual ground plugs were the tech at the time and will work perfectly - and are affordable. I would never use them as there are considerably better - longer life plugs today.. and for sure... skip the AC delco.
I would recommend
BKR6EIX-11 ngk IRIDIUM
OR
DENSO IK20
They are a step colder, but they look just as good as a stock 5 range when checked so the step colder is no issue. If you just want a stock heat range, go with BKR5EIX-11 or IK16. I tow a lot so I generally go a step colder.
Both will last with ease past 100K miles and offer excellent fuel burn / combustion. Anyone that tells you different is flat out full of crap. There is a reason almost every manufacturer on the planet has gone to a fire wire electrode. However you will get the argument that only a dual ground plug will work as it was "designed for our engines". Rubbish, they simply used them before fine wire plugs were available. And if you really want to experience a fine wire plugs benefits, stick them in an old engine, mower, dirt bike, quad or whatever application they have them for. They are damn near impossible to foul and make small engines very easy to start and are are far less likely to suffer from ignition breakup / spark blowout with high RPM engines / performance engines. All of these benefits carry over to most any engine (terribly hard to foul, quick starting, excellent fuel burn, exceptionally long life)
I always laugh at people saying fine wire electrodes made their car run poorly blah blah. Or ridiculous crap like the tips will fall off and bounce around putting pin holes in the piston (old school hotrod guys came out with that lol). Or that they made the engine run rough. One guy said ages ago they ran so hot that it melted his engine. REALLY? The plugs made your engine run hot and melted it? lol The engine will run rough if the person tried to gap an iridium plug and snapped off the tips (you do NOT gap iridium unless it is a special application and you know what you are doing) And there was always a ton of old school guys trying to cram a slide gaping tool into an iridium plug breaking it, not realizing they broke it and then *****ing about how their car runs. A lot of people don't get it and think they need a tight gap on iridium because they had to with the old hotrod standard plug referred to as a copper plug (actually a cheap junk nickel tip with copper core. they worked but lifespan sucked). One of the benefits of a fine wire electrode is to run a wider gap, without risk of spark blowout or misfire so keep the above at their .044 stock gap.
Out of the thousands of sets I sold (of all plugs including iridium) and installed as a spark plug specialist for race teams and performance shops in a former life, I never had a single issue with fine wire plugs. Iridium or even gold palladium fine wires simply worked and worked EXCELLENT in every application. I have run them in every vehicle I have owned since their inception including my own 4runners and my put over 90K on a set in my previous 98' to note and hundreds of thousands of miles on them in other cars. In short, install and forget for the LONG run.
Now that I am done with my ridiculous drunken sounding plug rant,
I simply have good luck with NGK wires for the 5vz. They are affordable and very well built. Part number TE66.
Both of the plugs you recommend are single strap. I keep hearing you should use double strap or you will have problems.
Bstrom
New member
Are you saying there are two different sets of plugs in these engines from the factory? Denso on one side and NGK on the other? I see the listing in the manual for each brand but no mention of using both. Which goes where?
AZBub
New member
Don't worry about it. Also don't let people tell you that "you HAVE to run dual electrode spark plugs". You can run single electrode platinum or for longer life use iridium.
Twisted Sid
Member
Just buy 6 of either brand. You don't have to put 3 of each on both sides.
TheDurk
Elite Member
This. The North American dealer network has used Denso exclusively for service since Day 1, but they all came from the factory with three NGK's on one side. Note that Denso is a Toyota Group subsidiary. I avoid dealers and I have used NGK's since Day 1 and my truck has run perfectly since 1999.
Bstrom
New member
OK - what makes either NGK better than Denso or vice versa? Denso parts are all over my 4Runner and testify to their reliability - NGK doesn't have anything but plugs as far as I know.
I've heard this spark plug issue batted around forever but without basis. I've used both but have no opinion on either. Is there any fact to a preference?
PS: I'm glad you also own a '99 for direct comparison. I just ordered NGK plug wires as the PO's Toyota dealer records show no replacement since the vehicle was purchased! The dealer replaced plugs with Denso's just before I took ownership a month ago and the vehicle is still getting 18-20mpg consistently.
TheDurk
Elite Member
I have no preference whatsoever. I was responding to someone who claimed only Denso was OEM, which is not the case. Both are. I am currently using NGK's in everything I own, including a BMW where they are also OEM--right down to my Honda lawnmower, and my Stihl weedwacker and leaf blower--so I'm happy with them and they are easy to obtain at the NAPA store two miles from my house. But I'm sure Denso plugs would be just fine. Use either one.
I also have run the NGK TE66 wires for almost 100k. Probably time for new ones but haven't seen the need.
jeremyc74
Banned
In my experience they're virtually identical.
My truck had 210k miles on the original plugs (and I would assume wires as well) and the three on the left bank looked just like the three from the right bank. From a consumer perspective I can't imagine anyone ever being able to tell the difference from one brand to the other.
For what it's worth, it was running fine up until about the last 1500 miles. I was on a long road trip for work that spanned about 4 months and it had started missing a little when it would downshift at highway speeds. I already had the plugs and wires in the garage, and just hadn't had a chance to install them. As you might imagine the new plugs made a noticeable difference in power and the fuel economy ticked up close to 1MPG.
19963.4lsr5
New member
I run the Bosch Premium wire set.
Bstrom
New member
Thanks Durk. After going through a plug wires change with my Miata I am certain the insulation jacket materials have as much or more to do with their longevity as the wire material itself. The original wires on this 99 'runner must be very well made to last this long without issues.
So, to be sure, which Iridium NGK plugs are you using now in your 99? How long have they been in and what has your fuel mileage been lately?
Blue Seat Lyfe
New member
just got my NGK set + wires from amazon, does anyone have link to the thread with a walk through for doing this? I searched but couldnt find the right one.
I know its easy zero banana job, but my first time doing it.
I know its easy zero banana job, but my first time doing it.
