Which Plugs? - Ford Ranger Forum

Fcarnut · 01-13-2010, 01:37 PM

Here I go again.

I'm about ready to change the original plugs in my '04 Ranger with 4.0 V-6. At 50,000 miles the center electrode seems to be worn fairly well. Is there a better replacement than the Motorcraft? This is being driven both around town and highway. It isn't giving me any problems other than the idle isn't as smooth as I think it should and I'm blaming it on the wider gap on the original plugs? Your findings?

Jelly's Ford · 01-28-2010, 07:30 PM

MSD! Haha, but autolite makes great plugs. We put those in all our muscle cars except the one that has MSD distributor, etc. But I have found that motorcraft do just fine for me. I changed my plugs almost 50,000 miles back now. So I'll be in for a change soon when the old Ranger hits a 100,000.

Fcarnut · 01-29-2010, 12:07 PM

Thanks for your input! I went with the Autolite AP5143's. Ideling is a little better

but I may need to change plug wires also?

Jelly's Ford · 01-30-2010, 10:08 AM

Hmm that's a good question. When I replaced mine a while back I did not change the wires. Of course I wasn't having the same issues you were experiencing. Wires can get expensive sometimes. Did those autolites recommend a set of cables to go with them? It's your choice to replace or not. My truck with almost 100,000 will need plugs and prob cables because I have never changed them before as a precautionary measure.

Fcarnut · 01-31-2010, 11:08 PM

The wires, besides being a bugger to get to were also almost part of the plug.

Even using plug wire removal pliers they were tuff and it's not that difficult to probably brake a wire? Because of the heat generated under the hood and the trouble removing them it would probably be best to replace the wires and not worry about them for another 50,000 miles.

01-13-2010, 01:37 PM	#1
Fcarnut Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: La Verne, Ca Posts: 14	Which Plugs? Here I go again. I'm about ready to change the original plugs in my '04 Ranger with 4.0 V-6. At 50,000 miles the center electrode seems to be worn fairly well. Is there a better replacement than the Motorcraft? This is being driven both around town and highway. It isn't giving me any problems other than the idle isn't as smooth as I think it should and I'm blaming it on the wider gap on the original plugs? Your findings?

01-28-2010, 07:30 PM	#2
Jelly's Ford Riding High in the Saddle Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: KnoxVegas, TN Posts: 39	MSD! Haha, but autolite makes great plugs. We put those in all our muscle cars except the one that has MSD distributor, etc. But I have found that motorcraft do just fine for me. I changed my plugs almost 50,000 miles back now. So I'll be in for a change soon when the old Ranger hits a 100,000. __________________ 2001 Ford Ranger Supercab 4X4 4.0 SOHC, Airaid Cool Intake 4.10 Gear Ratio, Flowmaster Cat-Back Exhaust with a Delta 40 series muffler 265/75/16 Sport King AT's, with Procomp Xtreme Chrome Wheels 4 Kicker KS 680 speakers, and Pioneer Head Unit Light Bar/License Plate Holder with 2 KC Daylighters A.R.E Fiberglass Top, Bushwacker Fender Flares

01-30-2010, 10:08 AM	#4
Jelly's Ford Riding High in the Saddle Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: KnoxVegas, TN Posts: 39	Hmm that's a good question. When I replaced mine a while back I did not change the wires. Of course I wasn't having the same issues you were experiencing. Wires can get expensive sometimes. Did those autolites recommend a set of cables to go with them? It's your choice to replace or not. My truck with almost 100,000 will need plugs and prob cables because I have never changed them before as a precautionary measure. __________________ 2001 Ford Ranger Supercab 4X4 4.0 SOHC, Airaid Cool Intake 4.10 Gear Ratio, Flowmaster Cat-Back Exhaust with a Delta 40 series muffler 265/75/16 Sport King AT's, with Procomp Xtreme Chrome Wheels 4 Kicker KS 680 speakers, and Pioneer Head Unit Light Bar/License Plate Holder with 2 KC Daylighters A.R.E Fiberglass Top, Bushwacker Fender Flares

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01-29-2010, 12:07 PM	#3
Fcarnut Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: La Verne, Ca Posts: 14	Thanks for your input! I went with the Autolite AP5143's. Ideling is a little better but I may need to change plug wires also?

01-31-2010, 11:08 PM	#5
Fcarnut Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: La Verne, Ca Posts: 14	The wires, besides being a bugger to get to were also almost part of the plug. Even using plug wire removal pliers they were tuff and it's not that difficult to probably brake a wire? Because of the heat generated under the hood and the trouble removing them it would probably be best to replace the wires and not worry about them for another 50,000 miles.