NGK 7164 TR55IX in a 2008 Ranger 3.0
 

Have this slight miss during idle so though it would be a good idea to throw in a set of plugs and wires. Where I am from there is no Ford Dealer close so I wouldnt be able to get the Motorcraft ones.


The NGK (7164) TR55 IX Iridiums are all pre gaped for .60 (confirmed with gapper)
The MOTORCRAFT SP413 (32N) {#AGSF32N} are gapped at .45

Here are my questions, why the difference in gap? and should i use these NGKs (I sure would considering i paid $60 for them and now cant return)
Should i regap the NGKs? Well these NGKs burn more fuel?
Ive checked multiple sites before ordering the NGK ones and all sites say these will work in my 2008 3.0 i just dont get why the Motorcraft ones are a smaller gap, one would think the NGKs need to be the same.

Thanks everyone
any help on this would be greatly appreciated

Re: NGK TR55IX in a 2008 Ranger 3.0
 

We exclusively use NGK wires and plus on all of our own vehicles, including Rangers as well as builds and customer vehicles we do maintenance work for even.

Your using the NGK 7164 (TR55IX) Same plugs we use in two of our Ford Ranger rigs specifically, they really work great!

You'll find this topic right up there with who makes the best oil filter and what oil do you use arguments. Typically many fall in the category of being either "brand" or "stock" Nazi's in some things concerning the maintenance and few ever come away from that. Its representative of living in a small town and never leaving your county to see the rest of the world in some cases. That opinion aside:

It is a slight upgrade in our opinion and of use and only when we cant find a NGK component that does not fit the means or needs we do always refer back to the manufacture equipment; in this case it would be the Motorcraft comparable.

Keep the Gaps as they were. The NGK iridium plugs are gapped differently because they provide a better spark and create a more efficient burn in the particular application, NOT all plugs are equal. You will find it to be a little bit smoother in the top end too.

Re: NGK TR55IX in a 2008 Ranger 3.0
 

First Thanks a lot for the detailed reply.

I was unaware that the gap would be different for the Iridium plugs, I think i will give them a try and see what happens, I cant install them for another week yet though :(

A performance upgrade is a plus no doubt but not really all that necessary for me I am happy with stock, my main concern is that they would work fine with no issues and hopefully not have any change in fuel economy unless it was better lol

Again
Thanks so much for the reply

Re: NGK TR55IX in a 2008 Ranger 3.0
 

I was out of town the other day and seen a Ford dealer out of curiosity I stopped to ask about the plugs I have.
Going in knowing that they would push the motorcraft ones on me but to my surprise they never but did say they had a lot of complaints from people about using the the NGK TR55IX (7164) miss firing and other issues I cant recall at the moment.

Re: NGK TR55IX in a 2008 Ranger 3.0
 

So why worry about pushing their [Insert product] when they used a salesman technique to put doubt in your mind and YOU sell yourself their product for them..? Its called the take away but in reverse psych

Tell you what. You already know what their product is like, throw the NGK in for 3-6 mos and decide for yourself what offered better performance by setting your own benchmark.

Re: NGK TR55IX in a 2008 Ranger 3.0
 

:top: Good/great advice!

Re: NGK TR55IX in a 2008 Ranger 3.0
 

Well, I did just that and I am not happy with them at all my fuel economy dropped significantly. The miss is gone but I did replace the wires at the same time so I don't know if it was them or the plugs.

Still have them in as of for now.

Currently, I am looking to replace them with Motorcraft
I'm getting 3 different plugs I can use
SP 413 Copper .44 gap
SP 432 Platinum .44 gap
Sp 500 Platinum .44 gap

Why the 2 different platinum is what I am concerned with
Which ones do I use here

I'm getting these results from Ford.com parts page and my local dealer.
The Ford website says 413s or 500s and Dealer says 413 or 432

Was there some kind of change with the plugs during certain years or am i missing something here?
Does anyone have a 2008 3.0 Ranger and can tell me what plugs where originally in your truck?