OK, I know this has been beaten into the ground, but what plugs for this famous year crappy design for plugs?

I saw some information about the Motor Craft plugs still being a "two part" plug but "improved" and of course you have the Champion "1 piece" plug. If all things are equal, I'd prefer to go with something 1 piece.

I was looking to see if NGK made some Iridiums as I just put some of these in my wife 09' Taurus with good result and never really had trouble with NGK in any application. However, it appears as though they don't make any for this year/make/model.

04 FX4 3v

I was avoiding the AutoLite's as I thought I recall people having issues. What a solid plug to avoid misfires. Also, do the rubber boots on these coils need changing? That 09' Taurus had 4/6 of the plug boots rotted and falling apart as they were taken out.

I also already have the removal tool in case of any breaking. 103k and they are original plugs, so yeah. Thinking seriously about doing the Impact removal if that works better than PB Blaster and slowly turning them?

 

Well I read through about 10 different posts of people suggesting the SP515 Motorcraft as it was the update to the 504, but then see another update was made to 546.

Ordered a set of 8 on Amazon for $57, got the coil boots too for $29 from Rock auto.

So I guess one remaining question for those who read this before I bought stuff anyhow...

Do I need Anti-seize on the SP546 plugs or is this no longer a thing?

 

Yes, you still need high temperature nickel antiseize on the ground barrels, no matter which plug you use. Just keep it off the tips.

 

RGR that GLC.

Anything else on an 04 FX4 with 103k on the clock that should be changed out? PCV, tranny fluid, certain belts or lubrication?

 

Tranny, transfer case, and diff fluids, coolant flush. Some people say brake and power steering fluids, but I've never gone that far.

 

Thanks again GLC, I'll make probably tackle those issues soon. Along with the serpentine belt most likely as well.

My plugs came in and as usual Amazon sellers are full of crap. They sent me SP515 instead of the SP546 I ordered. I knew $51 for a set of 8 was too good to be true. Sent them back for a refund. On the other hand the plug boots I got from Rock Auto were dead on and sent quickly. Love ordering from them, nothing ever comes wrong. I guess the plug change will have to wait.

Planning on trying the 3/8 air ratchet method as I have access to a shop or two to bring it into.

 

Rock Auto has SP546's, $8.91 each, 3 day delay. Did the boots also come with springs?

 

Yes, the boots came with the springs. I found that 2 stores locally have them for a little more and I don't want to wait any longer so I'm going to pay a $20 premium to have hands and make sure I get the right ones.

 

I show $11.99 at O'Reilly and $12.19 at Autozone.