Question:

I had a 96 and now I have a 98 XLT with the V8 in it.  On both I changed all the plugs from the wheel wells.  I would remove a rubber flap and all of the plugs were easily accessible – a few were a little tight, but not a problem.  I don’t know if this will help with yours, but there has to be a creative way to do it. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Well I changed plugs and wires last night, (104K miles 95 Explorer Sport) >had a skip in acceleration , my suggestions are prepare for banged knuckles, >took about 1.5 hours. The most difficult part was to get the wires off, even >had to cut one to get it out, plugs were easy to get out, tools used were >3/8" drive ratchet, 1",4", 6" extensions and universal, combinations of >these got them all out. Wires were another story at least 75% of my time was >just to get them out, new went on easily but had to be creative on one of >them for routing. Also wait for the engine to be cold before attempting >this. >Good Luck >Bob T > Its time to do plugs and wires in my 97 Limited with 4.0 SOHC motor.  I >have > a few questions before I start this task.  Is this a difficult job?  I’ve > looked around under the hood and the passenger side looks very cluttered > with stuff and it looks almost impossible to get to the back plug.  Is >this > plug accessible from underneath the truck?  Any tips/tricks I should know > about?  Does anyone have any recommendations on what plugs and wires to >use? > I just called Summit Racing and they only had 2 sets of wires that would >fit > this motor. > Any suggestions would be appreciated, > — > Dave Earle

Response:

> Well, I changed mine about 6 months ago.  It took over 2 hours.  Mostly > because I’d go cross-eyed cussing out the ford engineers for not giving me > more room to swing the ratchet and have to stop for a beer and calm down. > Don’t start this if you have to go somewhere in an hour. > I had to go up from the wheel well for the passenger side plugs (back two) > and even getting the rubber splash shield off down there was a PITA.

Same experience here, access to both those plugs was terrible! No combination of  ratchet extensions and u-joints would get in there right. And I should have worn gloves, it made a bloody mess when the wrench slipped.

Response:

Well I changed plugs and wires last night, (104K miles 95 Explorer Sport) had a skip in acceleration , my suggestions are prepare for banged knuckles, took about 1.5 hours. The most difficult part was to get the wires off, even had to cut one to get it out, plugs were easy to get out, tools used were 3/8" drive ratchet, 1",4", 6" extensions and universal, combinations of these got them all out. Wires were another story at least 75% of my time was just to get them out, new went on easily but had to be creative on one of them for routing. Also wait for the engine to be cold before attempting this. Good Luck Bob T

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Its time to do plugs and wires in my 97 Limited with 4.0 SOHC motor.  I have > a few questions before I start this task.  Is this a difficult job?  I’ve > looked around under the hood and the passenger side looks very cluttered > with stuff and it looks almost impossible to get to the back plug.  Is this > plug accessible from underneath the truck?  Any tips/tricks I should know > about?  Does anyone have any recommendations on what plugs and wires to use? > I just called Summit Racing and they only had 2 sets of wires that would fit > this motor. > Any suggestions would be appreciated, > — > Dave Earle

Response:

Plug access is not bad.  The PITA is routing the driver’s side plug wires under and through the upper intake to the plugs. I fought this one, but managed to get it done with limited trouble. You may have to get creative  It’s definatly a DIY job though.  Good luck!  >ts time to do plugs and wires in my 97 Limited with 4.0 SOHC motor.  I have >a few questions before I start this task.  Is this a difficult job?

Mike 1997 Explorer Lowered with KYB Shocks Soon:  2003 Cobra Wheels

Response:

Well, I changed mine about 6 months ago.  It took over 2 hours.  Mostly because I’d go cross-eyed cussing out the ford engineers for not giving me more room to swing the ratchet and have to stop for a beer and calm down. Don’t start this if you have to go somewhere in an hour. I had to go up from the wheel well for the passenger side plugs (back two) and even getting the rubber splash shield off down there was a PITA. —

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Its time to do plugs and wires in my 97 Limited with 4.0 SOHC motor.  I have > a few questions before I start this task.  Is this a difficult job?  I’ve > looked around under the hood and the passenger side looks very cluttered > with stuff and it looks almost impossible to get to the back plug.  Is this > plug accessible from underneath the truck?  Any tips/tricks I should know > about?  Does anyone have any recommendations on what plugs and wires to use? > I just called Summit Racing and they only had 2 sets of wires that would fit > this motor. > Any suggestions would be appreciated, > — > Dave Earle

Response:

Its time to do plugs and wires in my 97 Limited with 4.0 SOHC motor.  I have a few questions before I start this task.  Is this a difficult job?  I’ve looked around under the hood and the passenger side looks very cluttered with stuff and it looks almost impossible to get to the back plug.  Is this plug accessible from underneath the truck?  Any tips/tricks I should know about?  Does anyone have any recommendations on what plugs and wires to use? I just called Summit Racing and they only had 2 sets of wires that would fit this motor. Any suggestions would be appreciated, — Dave Earle

Response: