I'm sorry if this is a repeat thread. I just joined the forum as I wanted to get some ideas from other people regarding replacing my spark plugs. My last Ranger was a 1994 before I finally replaced it with a brand new 2009. I went to change the plugs yesterday only to be unpleasantly surprised at how even my little hands can't get in there. Then when I do get in there enough where I can just touch the plug wire, there's no way I can grip it to pull it off. WOW!!!!

Any helpful pointers? I really can't fathom paying the mechanics to change something as simple as my plugs. Thanks in advance.

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2009 Ford Ranger Ext. Cab FX4 4.0L V6

Go in through the wheel wells

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2021 F150 5.0 Screw

Past:18 F150 2.7, 16 F150 5.0, 14 F150 5.0, 07 F150 5.4, 03 Ranger 4.0

Master Certified Ford Parts / Warranty Admin

In through the wheel wells huh? Hmmm......I never thought to even look yesterday while I had the front wheels off to replace my brake pads on the front. I'm guessing that I probably only need to do that on the passenger side as that was the side that was impossible to get into. Does it require removing the lining in the wheel well first? Just curious.

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2009 Ford Ranger Ext. Cab FX4 4.0L V6

You'll see what you have to take off

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2021 F150 5.0 Screw

Past:18 F150 2.7, 16 F150 5.0, 14 F150 5.0, 07 F150 5.4, 03 Ranger 4.0

Master Certified Ford Parts / Warranty Admin

Awesome Thanks! I appreciate the fast reply.

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2009 Ford Ranger Ext. Cab FX4 4.0L V6

Never had to remove the liner to do it before. Just remove the wheel and you can get to them easily. The back one is still a little tight but not horrible.

Bodylift will also make the spark plug change a breeze.

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Awesome, thanks!!!! Once the heat has warmed the garage up for me, I'm going to go out and tackle it.

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2009 Ford Ranger Ext. Cab FX4 4.0L V6

There is a rubber splash gaurd that you might have to remove or at least flip up out of the way.

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2003 fx4 levelII 4.0 5speed manual t-case 4.10 gears with eaton E locker in the back.

2001 mountaineer 5.0 awd loaded and stock

2004 chevy 3500 cclb dually duramax

On my 2010 2.3 the originals were super tight to break loose at 100k milea, I was nervous and scared to break em in the process. Use steady force when breaking them loose. DO NOT SHOCK THEM LOOSE to get em out.

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2010 Ranger XL Reg. Cab 4 cyl... 5 speed manual... W/reverse.

Mods: 5% tint on rear window, JVC KDHDR40 Headunit, Kicker KS-68 speakers, Kicker TCVT102 (10TCVT102) Sub, JVC DRVN KSAX3102 Amp, JVC DRVN KSAX3101D mono amp, Ford black rubber mat, White LED license plate lights. Added 6000k HID Fogs, 6000k Digital HID Heads.

This isn't gramhar skool so dont cry and whine about spelling.

All plugs have been removed and replaced. I did remove that rubber splash guard and it made life so much simpler. Yeah, it's ridiculous how tight they are. I managed to get them lose without breaking as I was concerned about that myself. Thankfully it's all done. Sad that it took longer to replace my plugs than it did to replace my breaks! LOL

Anyways, it's done. Thank you everyone for the advice, I greatly appreciate it.

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2009 Ford Ranger Ext. Cab FX4 4.0L V6

Good news is, they're good for 100K so they only need to be replaced a handful of times over the life of the vehicle.

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2004 Ranger FX4 Level II, 5R55E, Sonic Blue Pearl

Proudly JAP/RICE free since March 2000

2009 Ford went back to copper nickel plugs on the 4.0L SOHC, I wouldn't run 100K with them.

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2010 Ranger XL 2.3L 5 Spd 3.73:1 Bone Stock
2013 Scion FR-S 2.0L/H-4, 6spd, 4.11:1 Fast Enough Stock

why wouldnt you put the same plats that it came with from ford?

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2017 Ford Fiesta ST
2014 Ford Escape Titanium Ecoboost AWD

I unbolted the coolant/wiper reservoirs and moved them over. Made it easy to do the passenger side plugs. Faster/easier than going in through the wheelwell for me.

On the drivers side is where you really see how retarded Ford's design is. Metal pipes running directly in front of 2 of the plugs so you can't even get a ratchet lined up straight, no matter which way you go in. Good job Ford

I didn't change from a platinium to a copper/nickel plug, Ford Motor Company did. I swap them out every two years as a result. Motorcraft SP-412(AGSFN24N) is what they list for my truck.

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2010 Ranger XL 2.3L 5 Spd 3.73:1 Bone Stock
2013 Scion FR-S 2.0L/H-4, 6spd, 4.11:1 Fast Enough Stock